On 26th December 1978
On 26th December 1978, the Council of Ministers of Spain ratified the amendment of Law 16/1970 on Dangerousness and Social Rehabilitation. This law, approved by the Franco regime on 5th August 1970 (and which replaced the old Vagrants and Thieves Act of 1948) punished anyone considered socially dangerous, including people from the LGTBIQ+ community.
Under the imposition of this norm, many LGTBIQ+ companions were unjustly imprisoned, tortured, mistreated, persecuted, humiliated or subjected to shock treatments. Simply for having a sexual orientation or a sexual or gender identity that did not fit with what the regime wanted. This date - 26th December 1978 - is marked in the history of the LGTBIQ+ community in Spain, continuing their fight for equal rights.
The Foundation
One day of no matter what month, enjoying a few days of leisure in Gran Canaria, Federico Armenteros saw an older gay man walking towards the sea supported by his walker. At that moment, he felt pain upon becoming aware of the invisibility of older LGTBIQ+ people. “Where are they?”, he questioned. A question that marks the beginning of the development of the 26th December Foundation, which would be established as such on 25th October 2010 with the aim of making older LGTBIQ+ people visible.
On 21 February 2014, the Txema de Roa social headquarters was inaugurated at 27 Amparo Street, Madrid, and in January 2015, the psychosocial intervention programmes began. In 2022, the social headquarters moved to 4 Fray Ceferino Street, Madrid, and also activity began in Galicia with the launch of an intervention group.
The Josete Massa residence, which is currently being built in the Villaverde neighbourhood (Madrid), will be the first public LGTBIQ+ elderly residence in the world. A milestone for the entire LGTBIQ+ community in Spain.
Mission
To significantly contribute to the improvement of the quality of life of older LGTBIQ+ individuals, promoting their well-being and autonomy through inclusive and intergenerational programmes and projects that address the changing realities of longevity and social diversity.
Vision
To be a reference foundation and a driver of social change, recognised for our firm commitment to the well-being and full inclusion of older LGTBIQ+ individuals. We envision a world where age is synonymous with wisdom and opportunity, and where each individual can rewrite their life project with freedom, respect, and fulfilment, transcending any barriers of the past.
Values
Care from diversity
We understand and address the specific needs of each person to provide the appropriate service and care.
Intergenerational community and mutual support
We create safe spaces for coexistence and intergenerational solidarity, combating loneliness and isolation in the LGTBIQ+ community.
Historical memory
Recovery and preservation of LGTBIQ+ struggles as a collective heritage.
Genuine inclusion and diversity
We actively work to create spaces and programmes where all individuals feel part of, welcomed, and can fully develop, extending our visibility and support to rural environments.
Our objectives
- Specialised and professional psychosocial care for elderly lesbians, gays, transsexuals, bisexuals, and intersex individuals (LGTBIQ+).
- Residential care preferably for elderly lesbians, gays, transsexuals, bisexuals, and intersex individuals (LGTBIQ+).
- Manage resources for health, housing, social inclusion and integration, socio-educational, and training and awareness-raising, to improve the care and quality of life of the community served.
- Promote all kinds of activities that encourage and enhance the visibility and equality of elderly LGTBIQ+ individuals.
- Fostering intergenerationality in the LGTBIQ+ community.
- Promote and organise events aimed at having society and authorities recognise the historical memory of the LGTBIQ+ community in Spain.
- Organise and coordinate congresses, symposiums, meetings, days, seminars, and cycles of conferences that address the needs and comprehensive issues of elderly LGTBIQ+ individuals.
- To develop studies and research, as well as to programme, produce, edit and distribute publications, in order to advise and inform about issues related to health, culture, physical activity, leisure and free time to the people to whom the Foundation is directed.
Transparency
The 26th of December Foundation is a non-profit entity at the state level, registered in the Foundations Register of the Ministry of Justice of Spain with registration number 2706JUS.
Furthermore, the Foundation is attached to the Protectorate of Foundations of the Ministry of Culture and Sport.
The recognition of our mistakes, honesty and transparency make us free.