The entire world seemed to be on the side of justice, compassion and tolerance in Mexico City during the Pride celebrations two weeks ago, inflicting, one fondly imagines, a rebuke to those who view the enjoyment of basic human rights to be a privilege only to be availed of by the slender pie wedge of humanity left after the rest has been carved away for the commission of a myriad of perceived moral trespasses.
At the same time, Mexico’s Department of Health (Ssa) launched an initiative aimed at ending the discrimination and abuse of dignity that the LGBT community faces in hospitals, clinics and other health care facilities around the country.
During CDMX’s pride event, diplomats from 17 countries, including the United States, threw their hat into the ring of un-conditional support for all individuals’ — and all families’-— right to exist and live without the fear of discrimination, exclusion, or violence.
The Eye of Sauron must have been pointed elsewhere, because not only did the United States — vis-à-vis its ambassador — seem to put its weight behind the message of solidarity, the U.S. embassy itself flew the rainbow flag, a symbol representing the LGBT community around the world.
A joint statement by the participating nations seemed to leave no moral loopholes through which bigoted pieces of legislation could wiggle their way through.
“We are convinced that, here in Mexico as well as in our own countries, all individuals and all families should be treated with respect and dignity regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity or gender preference.”
Meanwhile, during a session of the National Council of Health, Jose Narro Robles, director of the Ssa, presented his Protocol for Access Without Discrimination to Health Services and Benefits for the LGBT Community.
Part of the protocol was a list of norms and principles by which it will operate, the headings of which were the following: autonomy, compassion, justice, non-discrimination and confidentiality.
“All institutional directors will be called upon to promulgate a policy based on zero tolerance of any act of discrimination,” said a stern Narro Robles.
To the breathless optimist, both the fraternal gesture of support made by a collection of diplomats from wealthy nation and the anti-discriminatory reforms promised by a Mexican government institution offer a rose-colored augury for a future where bigotry is firmly shoved to the margins of society. To the cold shower realist, they may be just hopeful signs along the long, many-forked road to real equality.