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BUENOS AIRES, Argentina. Starting at 3:00 p.m., activists for sexual diversity began gathering in Plaza de Mayo for the 2nd Plurinational March for Historical Transvestite Reparations . As organizations, journalists, and individuals arrived on the freezing afternoon, the police presence on Avenida de Mayo multiplied. As 5:30 p.m., the scheduled departure time for Congress, approached, Avenida de Mayo overflowed with police, flaunting their disproportionate force.

They paraded down the street—which they blocked—with long guns, shields, and sticks. They roared their motorcycles deafeningly, forming a triple cordon to prevent the older trans women from advancing at the start. In a march demanding recognition of state violence against trans and transvestite people—historically persecuted by police forces—the constant threat of repression, the shoving, the provocations, and the display of force made every step of the march to Congress tense, which was done on the sidewalk, following the Ministry of Security's protocol. There were far more police than people. And one chant that never ceased: "We are not afraid!"

The police presence is part of the climate of the times. This week, new layoffs were reported in the state, at least 120 at INADI alone, including those who entered through job quotas. And while officials issue daily statements against diversity, three bills to protect older trans women have been dormant in Congress for a year.

The 2nd Plurinational March's main demands were a compensatory pension for older trans women and comprehensive healthcare for a dignified old age. It also included compliance with the transvestite employment quota nationwide. It also called for Comprehensive Sexual Education (ESI) and the Transvestite Empowerment Program. The call to "End Hate" and the condemnation of the triple lesbicide and attack in Barracas were also among the demands. The demand for the opening of police files was also added. 

“I am 58 years old, a survivor. In Argentina, the transvestite trans identity has not been repaired. Institutional violence continues to be exercised, the mistreatment of transvestite trans identities is daily, and even more so in this context. There were 100 transvestite and trans colleagues who were fired after getting in through a quota. They are flouting the laws. This political project does not represent us and is doing a lot of harm to the community. We have a large number of older trans and transvestite women in very poor condition, poverty, and misery, and we need to pay attention. That is why today we are meeting and saying: let us not forget the historical reparation,” Marcela Tobaldi, founder of the transvestite trans organization La Rosa Naranja, told Presentes. 

Gabriela Mansilla, president of the Infancias Libres association, emphasized the thread that connects trans children and youth: “We are here especially for our children, for that timeline that the transvestite and transgender community has, and of which children are also a part. Our children are not excluded from this reality, even if they have families to support them. There is still a lot of violence, and even more so in this context. Everything we have achieved is in danger, with our bodies, with our struggle, with our children in tow. Nothing is guaranteed, and our companions need the support and security of society's awareness. Making ourselves visible here means saying that there can be no reparation without awareness .”

With a sign that has become a staple on the streets, "Milei is not My Law," Alma Fernández explained: "We are here for historical reparations and the trans quota. For the soup kitchens and in protest of the layoffs that will happen at the National Institute of Industrial Technology, where trans and disabled people don't know what our fate will be. Transvestite fury!"

“We are holding this march in a challenging and violent context for Argentine democracy,” said Manu Mirelles, academic secretary of the Mocha Celis Popular Transgender High School. “We have had police forces threatening us and preventing the march from proceeding freely. We must guarantee the rights of democracy for all people. And we owe a greater debt to our surviving transvestite and trans women,” she warned when the march was already in Congress. 

There, a document containing the demands was read. A music festival followed, and several police officers were also present.  

Representative Mónica Macha, author of one of the reparation bills presented to Congress, also participated in the meeting. “We are here to achieve such an important right as historic reparations for our comrades who have been fighting for so many years. To achieve a retirement system, a pension that serves as a protection for those who have suffered every type of structural violence imaginable. Those who have a life expectancy of 40 years. We need a public policy that protects them and allows them to look to the future,” said Macha, a national legislator for the Province of Buenos Aires (Unión por la Patria).

The march was followed by a festival of music and dance in front of Congress, featuring queer bands and artists.