Urban Planning, Ecological Transition, Urban Services and Housing

Transports Metropolitans de Barcelona (TMB) launches a campaign encouraging people to report any sort of discriminating behaviour and offer those affected the use of existing emergency channels on the bus and metro networks. A specific protocol is also being developed to fight LGBTI-phobia, complementing the existing one introduced in March to fight sexual harassment.

Transports Metropolitans de Barcelona (TMB) launched an awareness campaign on LGBTI-phobia on the metro and bus network today, with the collaboration of the Observatory Against Homophobia.

The campaign was launched at the Diagonal metro station to coincide with International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia, which originates from the fact this was the date in 1990 when the WHO eliminated homosexuality from the list of mental illnesses.

TMB is using the campaign to address the LGBTI community and the general public with a message of zero tolerance towards aggressions, threats and discriminating attitudes which affect people or which they witness.

The campaign also encourages people to report incidents directly to a police station operated by the Catalan police (Mossos) or the City Police, or seek support through the Observatory Against Homophobia or the City Council’s Office for Non-Discrimination.

Similarly, people are reminded that the transport system is staffed by employees and security guards, and that there are immediate emergency channels permanently available such as the intercom systems in metro stations for requesting assistance.

During the launch, the Chair of TMB and Councillor for Mobility with Barcelona City Council, Rosa Alarcón, announced a specific protocol for combating LGBTI-phobia on the TMB network, to complement the existing code in place since March to combat sexual harassment.

The idea is to carry out collaborative work with the most representative associations and go beyond awareness by establishing specific measures: practical and effective practices for prevention, detection, action and responses against this type of uncivil conduct, which in many cases constitutes a criminal offence.

TMB’s stance against all types of discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation is reflected in its Plan for Civic Behaviour and Managing Coexistence and the Corporate Code of Ethics. It is also consistent with its historically acquired commitment to the sustainable, inclusive and equal development of society, for whom it provides efficient, accessible and completely safe mobility services on a daily basis.

TMB’s messages against LGBTI-phobia have been condensed into a 30-second video which is being shown today on the metro system and on buses equipped with monitors for the MouTV system, as well as on the company’s digital channels.

SOURCE: TMB