Trans people are not your meme

Zulma Lobato's media overexposure never protected her; on the contrary, it fostered a "habit" of revictimizing her. Amidst laughter and memes from a country and its cis-heterosexual culture,

August 3, 2020

By Violeta Alegre

Illustration: Very Pute

Argentine trans artist Zulma Lobato was once again the victim of violence. This time, she was not only assaulted and beaten, but also attacked by organizations and a manager who disseminated photos of her after the attack, showing her injured face, and a video circulating of her in bed. Zulma's media overexposure never protected her; on the contrary, it fostered a pattern of revictimizing her. This was met with laughter and memes from a country and its cis-heterosexual culture, although some members of the LGBT community also joined in the mockery.

Zulma has been a victim of media violence since her first appearance in 2009 on Crónica TV, where she denounced threats and police violence. “The buffoon,” Lohana Berkins said, referring to the figures created by audiovisual media that reflect our identities, in contrast to the “divas,” who are few and far between and conform to the cis-heteronormative system. In Zulma's case, she not only fails to fit the stereotypes the system peddles in its cultural products, but her age also excludes her from the market it creates. A trans woman, an older adult, with dreams and aspirations, it would seem she can only be an object of ridicule.

The symbolic messages directed at Zulma have concrete repercussions for an entire community, and the insensitivity this produces promotes not only criminal acts but also the lack of access to basic human rights for sustainability where the state does not take responsibility because it also knows that it is supported by a culture and its society.

All humor is political.

Meme pages like EAMEO used until a few days ago as a profile picture Zulma's face with a bandage on her head and a bruised eye as a "funny icon" among many other memes with trans people not "making people laugh" but promoting and sustaining transphobia.

Following complaints and intense pressure, primarily from the LGBTQ+ community, EAMEO seems to have realized they were perpetuating discriminatory and transphobic "humor" and removed Zulma's photos along with a statement apologizing. Good for EAMEO; we hope this apology is accompanied by genuine ethical considerations. Some media outlets are presenting these apologies as grandiose gestures of doing the right thing, acknowledging the responsibility demanded by our times and by those of us who recognize the legacy of violence. We'll be watching closely.

How to help Zulma and other elderly companions

As we learned to transform pain into action, solidarity networks like “El Teje San Martín” (The San Martín Weaving Network) became active during this quarantine, not only with Zulma, but also with a group of women from the San Martín district (Buenos Aires province), particularly from José León Suárez, most of whom are elderly. The network not only expanded the food assistance they receive from the municipality, but also supplemented their diets with food tailored to their individual needs. They also provided clothing, as some women lacked warm clothes, mattresses, hygiene products, and comprehensive support to improve their quality of life. The network began by assisting 38 trans women and currently supports 81.

To collaborate with the solidarity network “El teje San Martin” you can do so through the following means:

By private message: anahiceiboducid@gmail.com

Or if you prefer, here are some simpler links:

-100 pesos click here: http://mpago.la/23XT3CM

– 200 pesos click here: http://mpago.la/29tMNYi

– 300 pesos click here: http://mpago.la/2kMjAjU

– 500 pesos click here: http://mpago.la/2pQgN8X

– 1000 pesos click here: http://mpago.la/1VuZJzR

If you prefer a transfer to the savings account:

*CBU: 0110012930001211480329

CUIT: 20312157773

Banco Nacion-Pozas Ducid Anahi*

If you can, send the receipt here: eltejedesanmartin@gmail.com

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