The regional legislation seeks to strengthen equality and protection against discrimination through a participatory process involving LGBTQ+ organizations and different social groups.
Asturias is expected to approve its LGBTQ+ law in October, representing an important step toward guaranteeing and protecting the rights of LGBTQ+ people and their families. Regional minister Nuria Rodríguez announced that the legislation would be approved before the end of the year, allowing Asturias to stop being one of the few Spanish autonomous communities without a specific law on this issue. The measure is considered an important development in terms of equality and protection against discrimination.
The law has been developed through a participatory process involving LGBTQ+ organizations and different social groups. Its main objective is to guarantee, protect and promote the rights of LGBTQ+ people and introduce measures to prevent and eliminate discrimination. The Asturian government has also argued that the legislation should be based on broad political and social consensus, avoiding turning LGBTQ+ rights into a source of political confrontation.
The law is being introduced at a time of concern about the increase in hate speech and attacks against LGBTQ+ people. The proposal includes protection measures and a system of sanctions to address insults, aggression and other forms of discrimination. During its parliamentary process, the bill has continued to move forward with the support of several democratic political groups, while a motion to reject the entire bill presented by Vox was defeated. Once approved, the law will expand legal protection for LGBTQ+ rights in Asturias and bring the region into line with other Spanish autonomous communities that already have specific legislation.