Today, Argentina commemorates Lesbian Visibility Day. Seven years after the hate crime against Pepa Gaitán, murdered by her girlfriend's stepfather, Claudia Castrosin and Mariana Paz, from La Fulana, reflect on that day and the path they have traveled. They call for a re-evaluation of violent and sexist relationships, stating that lesbian and bisexual relationships are not exempt from them.
What do we mean when we talk about lesbian visibility? Women from different generations share what visibility means to each of them today. What activities are planned in different cities across the country? Why are they marching with their own contingent on March 8th?
Following reports of abuse, a judge ordered the Buenos Aires Province Penitentiary Service to allocate an exclusive wing of Unit 32 in Florencio Varela for transgender and transvestite female inmates. This must be implemented within 20 days and will be staffed by female personnel. It is a landmark ruling that recognizes transgender and transvestite identity.
Starting with the expressions “it shows” or “it doesn’t show,” activist Violeta Alegre reflects on the tendency for trans women to reproduce hegemonic models, often at a very high physical and emotional cost. And she asks: Is there a universalization of what it means to be a woman? What does it mean to feel like a woman? To have a vagina? To be attracted to the opposite?
Trans and gender-diverse rights organizations are denouncing police abuses in La Plata. Legal complaints have been filed regarding two raids in February and for an investigation into the death of Pamela Macedo Pandu, who was detained in a prison in Florencio Varela.
Andrea Simone alleges that her score in the competition for a permanent non-teaching assistant position was lowered because she is a lesbian. The Moreno School Board denies everything. The complaint of discrimination based on sexual orientation has already been filed with INADI (National Institute Against Discrimination, Xenophobia and Racism).
Vitit Muntarbhorn is the United Nations Independent Expert on protection against violence and discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity. His visit began with a tour of the greater Buenos Aires area. There, he heard the first reports of escalating violence and setbacks in public policy.
Tomorrow there will be a demonstration in front of the Prosecutor's Office in La Plata to demand that the death of Pamela Macedo Panduro, a member of Otrans, be clarified. She died on January 1st while detained in Penal Unit No. 32 in Florencio Varela, Buenos Aires Province.
In Paraguay, the "Rohendu" hotline (Guarani for "I hear you") offers support and guidance to the LGBTI community experiencing discrimination, as well as to their families and friends. "It's not normal to be mistreated," emphasize the videos promoting the hotline. It operates Monday through Friday and is free to access from any phone.
On Saturday, February 18, two LGBTQ+ couples were attacked in very close proximity to each other in Buenos Aires. Both attacks were motivated by homophobia, lesbophobia, and transphobia and occurred in broad daylight. In addition to physical violence, insults and the indifference of passersby were common elements in both incidents.
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