LGBT activist Esteban Paulón won a seat in Congress
Paulón obtained the votes to be a deputy representing his province, Santa Fe.
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BUENOS AIRES, Argentina. “Thank you for your trust! Socialism will continue to defend the province and all the rights we won in the National Congress,” Esteban Paulón wrote Sunday night after learning the election results.
Paulón belongs to the Socialist Party of Santa Fe and was elected national deputy for the Hacemos por Nuestro País coalition, which supported Juan Schiaretti in the presidential elections on Sunday, October 22. He obtained 9.23 percent of the vote. He served as Undersecretary of Sexual Diversity Policies for the province of Santa Fe from 2015 to 2019.
In our special feature on LGBT candidates, Paulon spoke about his proposals.
Building legislation with its own voice
Paulon told Presentes that his candidacy was a collective proposal from colleagues.
“I have been a member of the Socialist Party for 30 years, and running for office is a possibility for me, as is holding an executive position (as I have done before) or a legislative one. I believe that, through my activism and my vision, I can contribute to a more just and equal future,” he said.
“Furthermore, I believe that LGBT+ activism, in which I have been active for 20 years, represents many of the values that socialism wants to put on the table in this campaign.”.
A place in Congress
“I believe representation is fundamental,” Paulón told Presentes. “Our presence in decision-making spaces, in person, enriches the debate and gives visibility to the diverse groups that have been invisible for so long. Historically, others have legislated, debated, and decided for us, even though we were always the ones who put our bodies on the line.”.
"If progress is to be built on our histories, sufferings and pains, it is only fair that we can participate for ourselves.".
Fight hate
We asked all the candidates how hate could be eradicated through politics.
““We combat it with projects,” Paulón responded. “With legislative tools and by highlighting the impact it has on daily life.”.
"One of the problems is that as a society we underestimate the effect of hate, and especially hate that comes from people or figures with public responsibilities.".
“Hate must also be confronted head-on, by naming and identifying its source. Not with a naive attitude, but with firmness and determination. History has shown what happens when we fail to act in the face of hate.”.
What to do about smear campaigns and disinformation against LGBT people
“It is important not to let any of these campaigns go unnoticed. Activism also means adopting an educational approach to inform (based on evidence) and prevent the spread of hate messages that reinforce stigma and discrimination.”
“We need to have public debates and discuss ideas. I don’t think the solution to these messages is to cancel them. That ends up being counterproductive because it prevents us from occupying spaces and giving visibility to our message, from convincing others.”
The newly elected congressman also spoke about the tools needed to prevent backsliding on rights. “We have two key tools: organization and mobilization. We must remain active. As Pedro Zerolo said, rights are won, enjoyed, and defended.”
She added: "Furthermore, by highlighting the candidates' commitments to human rights, feminism, and dissent, and mobilizing votes in that direction. By all means, we must prevent anti-rights figures from entering the government and the legislature.".
Paulón's first project
In our special report, Congressman Paulón announced that he will present the bill for a comprehensive trans law, which already has parliamentary status but needs a boost.
"We need to pursue a comprehensive law that guarantees equal opportunities and rights for the transvestite, trans, and non-binary community, and adequate reparations for so much pain, suffering, and violence they have experienced. I am also interested in promoting a law related to comprehensive sex education and another related to concrete tools for labor inclusion in the private sector for gender non-conforming people.".
Here you can see our full special on LGBT candidates .
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