Three LGBTQ+ activists in Ecuador are facing persecution after speaking out against the #ConMisHijosNoTeMetas movement.
The movement, translated as “don’t mess with my children”, has been gathering momentum across Latin America following the introduction of a so-called “progressive gender ideology” into the education curriculum in neighbouring Peru last year.
The activists have attempted to stop this movement gaining further traction in Ecuador, by taking their concerns to the Ecuadorian State. They claim that the #ConMisHijosNoTeMetas movement promotes discrimination against LGBTQ+ people, through social media, hate speeches and public demonstrations.
Taller Comunicación Mujer, an Ecuadorian human rights organisation, spoke with Out News Global amid concerns for the safety of their three LGBTQ+ activists.
“We believe there is a need to communicate the threats and intimidation faced by the activists and the many people from the LGBTIQ population.” said a spokesperson for the organisation.
The organisation claim that within the last week, the Ecuadorian State judges have “justified” the discriminatory behaviour of the #ConMisHijosNoTeMetas movement and have not granted the activists legal protection.
Moreover, according to Taller Comunicación Mujer the personal details of the three activists were made publicly available and distributed in local media. This has subsequently resulted in them facing threats of violence and verbal abuse.
One activists has filed a statement regarding these threats to local authorities, who are currently investigating these claims.
All Out, the international LGBTQ+ human rights group, state that the #ConMisHijosNoTeMetas movement is supported by CitizenGO, a group responsible for the so-called “Free Speech” buses in the United States. The orange buses toured the North American country last year, with transphobic messages regarding gender and gender expression.
“You can’t change sex. Respect all.” was printed across the side of the buses, which were spotted outside Trump Tower and the United Nations Head Quarters in New York.
The #FreeSpeechBus in front of the United Nations Headquarters in New York pic.twitter.com/cSgj4KbXhj
— CitizenGO (@CitizenGO) March 22, 2017
Jessica Stern, OutRight Action International, spoke with the Huffington Post and said that these buses were “part of the reason trans youth are driven to suicide.”
The persecution of the Ecuadorian activists comes at a time of concern for LGBTQ+ people living in the country. Reuters reported last week that gay men in Ecuador were being forced to undergo “gay conversion therapy” in illegal clinics. There have been reports that gay men are being beaten and raped in these facilities.
Despite laws in Ecuador protecting LGBTQ+ individuals against discriminatory behaviour, their persecution continues.
Taller Comunicación Mujer state that they will continue to campaign against the #ConMisHijosNoTeMetas and for the protection of their activists.
