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Amidst cheers from LGBTTTIQ community representatives in Mexico , a number of social welfare reforms for the Mexican Social Security Institute (IMSS) and the Institute for Security and Social Services for State Workers (ISSSTE) were approved by a majority of 110 votes at the Senate’s plenary session . The reforms included the removal of sexist and discriminatory language from social welfare regulations .
Furthermore, existing provisions were reformed so that men could access pensions for widowers.
The Senate passed the reforms for both laws to the Chamber of Deputies for further revision, acknowledging, among other things, social protection rights for same-sex couples .
Senator Germán Martínez Cázares
, from the left-wing party Morena , appointed by President-elect Andrés Manuel López Obrador to lead the Mexican Social Security Institute (IMSS) , said that through the new reforms, “Mexico is well on its way to becoming a more decent country. Decency does not mean that we get to live with prejudice, but that we may live without humiliating anybody.”
Every citizen has the associated right to receive health services from the government without bargain or delay, which is why the state must provide enough material and human resources to guarantee their availability.
When calling for the Senate’s vote in favor of his reform initiative, Martínez Cázares declared himself in favor of diversity . “There should be no discrimination and people should not be treated differently because of their beliefs, sexual preference, political stance, race, or gender . The Mexican government should not remain blind to colors,” he stated, referring to the symbol of the LGBTTTIQ community: The rainbow flag .
“When refusing to see the colors, we are also refusing a plural, diverse, and different future for our country,” he added.
Senator Eunice Renata Romo Molina, from the Social Encounter Party (PES)
, suggested that IMSS dispositions should not discriminate working women , who are currently unable to grant a widower’s pension to their spouses.
She regretted the blatant discrimination on grounds of sexual preference within the social security laws, which she attributed to “the fears of certain legislators that have hampered proposals that are in favor of inclusion .”
The proposal was approved by the seats of Morena, PAN, PRI, MC, PVEM, PT, PRD, and PES , with full respect of human rights and a legislation in favor of equality which has now been sent to the Chamber of Deputies for its ratification.
A group of representatives from the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transsexual community attended the session and listened to the senators’ arguments in favor of a reform that had been promoted by said community for decades. Their voices have finally been heard.
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