Commemorative rainbow benches honoring equality unveiled
Oeiras Introduces "Equality Benches" to Promote Inclusion and Diversity
The municipality of Oeiras, Portugal, has taken a significant step in the fight against homophobia and promotion of inclusivity with the installation of the "Equality Benches." These vibrant, rainbow-colored benches can be found in all five parishes of Oeiras: Barcarena, Porto Salvo, Algés, Linda-a-Velha, and Cruz Quebrada-Dafundo; Carnaxide and Queijas; and Oeiras, Paço de Arcos, and Caxias.
The specific locations of these benches within the parishes are available on the municipality's official website [1]. The Oeiras municipality invites its residents and visitors to sit, respect, and celebrate on the Equality Benches.
These benches serve as both a physical and symbolic space promoting inclusion, diversity, and the fight against discrimination and homophobia. The municipality describes them not just as seating but as spaces of welcome, freedom, empathy, and equality where anyone, regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity, origin, or beliefs, is valued and respected.
The rainbow colours of the Equality Benches symbolize the LGBTQIA+ community, representing a place where everyone can simply be who they are. The municipality aims to be a space of welcome and inclusion for all people, emphasizing its commitment to a society respectful of all forms of love and identity.
The LGBTQIA+ flag, which encompasses lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, asexual, and other gender identities and sexual orientations not specifically listed, is proudly displayed on these benches. The Equality Benches initiative by the Oeiras municipality is aimed at promoting inclusivity and acceptance for the LGBTQIA+ community.
For those interested in finding the Equality Benches, the Oeiras municipality's website serves as a valuable resource [1]. Sitting on one of these benches in Oeiras is not just a simple act of rest, but a statement of acceptance and awareness of LGBTQIA+ rights and diversity throughout the municipality’s various communities.
In summary, the Equality Benches are both a visual and social tool to promote acceptance and awareness of LGBTQIA+ rights and diversity throughout the Oeiras municipality’s various communities [1]. The Equality Benches in Oeiras are a physical representation of the municipality's commitment to combating homophobia and promoting inclusivity.
[1] Oeiras Municipality Official Website: https://www.cm-oeiras.pt/
Social media users are encouraged to share pictures of themselves sitting on the Equality Benches in Oeiras as a symbol of support for the LGBTQIA+ community and the fight against homophobia.
The Equality Benches in Oeiras serve not only as a platform for entertainment and relaxation but also as a space for discussion and advocacy on social and political issues concerning the LGBTQIA+ community and general news related to inclusivity and diversity.
