- The Asturian Parliament approved on October 14 the first LGTBI+ law of the Principality, with the support of the left, PP, and Forum. The four deputies of Vox voted against it.
- The law prohibits conversion therapies, creates a sanctioning regime, and requires educational centers to have protocols against LGTBIfobic bullying.
- From now on, Castilla y León is the only autonomous community without its own LGTBI+ or trans law.
The LGTBI law of Asturias is already a reality. On Wednesday, October 14, the General Board of the Principality approved the law amidst applause that protects against discrimination based on sexual orientation, identity, and gender expression. It passed with votes from the left, the PP, and Forum, and Vox was the only group against it.
What is the LGTBI law of Asturias?
The LGTBI law of Asturias is the first regional law of the Principality that protects the rights of LGTBI+ people against discrimination. It began to be promoted seven years ago, in the previous legislature, and its final approval came on October 14, 2026.
Until now, Asturias was, in the words of the XEGA collective, «the penultimate Autonomous Community without its own legislation» on this matter. According to FELGTBI+, the articles were agreed upon with XEGA LGTBIAQ+ Astur, Xuntes y Diverses, Llar Trans, Faciendo Camín, Colibrís en Acción, UGT, and CCOO.
What changes with the new law?
The law explicitly prohibits conversion therapies in public and concerted networks and creates a sanctioning regime for discriminatory behaviors. These are its main measures, according to elDiario.es and EFE:
- Education: public and concerted centers will have to implement protocols against LGTBIfobic bullying and respect the identity and preferred name of students.
- Trans minors: in the healthcare and educational fields, transition treatments for minors under 16 will require family consent. Without that consent, only students over 16 will be able to change their name.
- Participation: the Observatory against LGTBI-phobia is replaced by an advisory body, the LGTBI Participation Council.
- Subsidies: when granting public aid, equality and non-discrimination plans may be evaluated.
- Rural world: includes measures against «sexile», that is, against the forced departure of LGTBI+ people from rural areas.
Who voted in favor and who against?
All groups voted in favor except Vox. The popular deputy Manuel Cifuentes acknowledged that it is not «the law his party would have wanted», but defended it so that LGTBI+ people «are not singled out, bullied, or assaulted, something that continues to happen and for which this law is necessary».
From IU-Convocatoria por Asturies, Delia Campomanes spoke of a «deep pride» and said that the law tells LGTBI+ people that «their dignity, rights, and lives matter». Lidia Fernández (PSOE) reminded that the battle for equality cannot be considered over while insults, bullying, and violence continue. Covadonga Tomé (Somos Asturies) highlighted the recognition of the «full right to live life freely».
Against it, Javier Jové (Vox) claimed that the law «is about imposition, indoctrination, and privileges» and spoke of a «dictatorship of thought».
Castilla y León, the only community without a law
With Asturias, Castilla y León remains the only autonomous community without its own LGTBI+ or trans law. The president of FELGTBI+, Paula Iglesias, reminded that there LGTBI+ people do not have their rights recognized in such important areas as Education or Health, in a community governed by the conservative right since 1987.
Iglesias insisted that «for a society to advance, in addition to activism, political will is needed». She also warned of attempts to empty the content of existing laws in Madrid and the Valencian Community: «It is the time for social mobilization, to continue demanding progress and to protect what has been achieved».
A tool, not the end
XEGA celebrates the law as «a victory of Asturian activism», after more than thirty years of advocacy, but warns that its effectiveness will depend on resources and how it is applied: «This law that is being approved today is a tool, not the end».
The law still needs to be published in the official bulletin to come into force, and for now, there is no date.
You may be interested: LGTBIQ+ Congress of Asturias: 130 registrations and the 29N · LGTBI prejudices in Asturias: 83% perceive an increase
Frequently asked questions
When was the LGTBI law of Asturias approved?
On Wednesday, October 14, 2026, in the General Board of the Principality.
Does it prohibit conversion therapies?
Yes, explicitly, in the public and concerted network.
Which community still lacks an LGTBI law?
Castilla y León is the only autonomous community without its own LGTBI+ or trans law.
When does it come into force?
It still needs to be officially published, and there is no scheduled date.
