Why do many lesbians and bisexual people not go to care services designed for them? It is a question that has been resonating for some time among activists, professionals and users of the group itself. And it is precisely what the LGTBI Center of Barcelona has proposed with its new campaign “Això va per tu!” (This is for you!), designed to bring the center’s resources closer to those who, historically, have been left on the sidelines.
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The campaign, which is spread mainly through social networks, opts for a direct and visual tone. The accompanying informative video, created by Katu Huidobro and Maria Berzosa, with illustrations by arba Arellano Arnedo, seeks to connect with lesbians and bisexuals through empathy and recognition of their diversities, regardless of the labels they use to define themselves.
Who really uses the LGTBI Center?
In its six years of existence, the Barcelona LGTBI Center has served more than 3,000 people. However, one fact stands out: almost half have been cis men, while the rest include cis women, trans people, non-binary people and other identities. Despite the inclusive nature of the service, this imbalance shows a lack of connection with certain sectors of the group, especially with lesbian women and bisexual people.
The Center itself recognizes that structural barriers exist. Many lesbians and bisexuals request less psychological, medical or legal attention. Because? There are multiple reasons: past experiences of discrimination, fear of stigma, or simply the feeling that “that doesn’t suit me.”
Invisibility, stigmas and deficiencies
One of the areas where this disconnection is most noticeable is in sexual health care. Relationships between people with vulvas continue to be invisible to many health services, STI prevention is barely contemplated, and the stigma towards bisexual people is still very present. Added to this is the pathologization and medical violence that many trans women denounce.
The LGTBI+ State Federation has been pointing out these shortcomings for years. And it’s not just about offering more resources, but about making them more accessible, understanding and inclusive. To achieve this, it is key to adopt an intersectional perspective: a white middle-class lesbian does not experience the same experience as a racialized bisexual in an irregular situation. To ignore that is to contribute to exclusion.
Shifting focus: from androcentric bias to real diversity
The design of many services for the LGTBIQ+ group has been, for years, marked by an androcentric bias. In other words: many times the focus has been on the experiences of gay men, leaving aside the rest of the letters of the acronym. This has caused the needs of lesbians, bisexuals, trans, non-binary, intersex or asex people to be relegated.
For this reason, the LGTBI Center is now committed to an in-depth review of its services, incorporating a feminist and intersectional perspective. The goal: that all people in the group find a safe space, where their experiences are recognized and their specific needs are addressed.
What services does the LGTBI Center offer?
The welcome service is the entrance door. Here, professionals from the social field listen, accompany and help detect the needs of each person from a comprehensive perspective. Everything is taken into account: from material conditions (such as lack of housing or job insecurity), to emotional, identity or relational experiences.
From here, users can access different specialized services:
- 🧠 Psychological counseling: up to 10 sessions with a professional to work on psycho-emotional well-being.
- ⚧ Attention to trans and/or non-binary people: emotional support with a specialized psychologist.
- ⚖️ Legal advice: legal consultations on LGTBIQ+ asylum, custody, identity procedures, discrimination and more.
In addition, the Center can refer users to other public resources and entities such as the Non-Discrimination Office (OND), the Sexual Diversity Assistance Service (Trànsit), the Social Emergency Center (CUESB) or SARA, for cases of sexist violence.
Who are these services for?
To anyone who lives, works or studies in Barcelona, who identifies within the LGTBIQ+ group or who accompanies someone who does so. All services are free and can be accessed by making an appointment:
- By email: info@centrelgtbibcn.org
- By phone: 93 880 51 11
- In person: C/ Comte Borrell, 22 (Barcelona)
🕒 Hours: Monday to Friday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and from 3:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
🕒 Second Saturday of the month: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and from 3 p.m. 8pm
