‘Leave us alone!’

We tend to think of Sarah McBride when we think of trans legislators but there are others who are also under attack by right-wing conservatives!

Spain’s first trans senator Carla Antonelli electrifies parliament with must-see speech on trans rights: ‘Leave us alone!’

"Do you not feel any shame at all for trying to remove, to erase, to cut out of this society a historically persecuted group of people?"

attitude

By Jamie Tabberer

February 24, 205

Carla Antonelli, a Spanish politician and LGBTQ activist, has delivered a rabble-rousing speech in defence of trans rights in her country’s parliament.

The moment was shared on Instagram on Friday (21 February 2025) in a collaboration post between Carla and Más Madrid, the left-wing political party she has been a member of since 2023.

Addressing the room, the former actress said: “Trans people – we are everyone’s topic of conversation. Everyone has to have an opinion about us. If we are trans, what we are, what we are not.”

The lawmaker continued: “Do we get surgery or not? Do we mutilate ourselves or not? Just leave us alone, for god’s sake!”

Carla went on to address Vox, a Spanish nationalist party: “Members of Vox, today you came here to derogate my colleague Jimena [González, another Spanish politician who is trans], to derogate me. Honestly, don’t you feel ashamed?

“Do you not feel any shame at all for trying to remove, to erase, to cut out of this society a historically persecuted group of people?”

It is the same around the world! The would-be fascists need someone to bully!

I asked my favorite AI that question.

Perplexity AI: "Why do conservatives attack trans people? Around the world right leaning politicians go after trans people?"

Answer:

Conservatives attack transgender people for several reasons, reflecting a complex interplay of political strategy, cultural values, and social anxieties:

Political Strategy

• Mobilizing the base: Attacking trans rights has become a rallying point for conservative voters, particularly evangelical Christians. [7]
• Distracting from other issues: By focusing on transgender issues, conservatives can shift attention away from potentially unpopular economic or social policies. [1]
• Exploiting fear and uncertainty: Politicians use trans issues to tap into broader anxieties about social change and traditional values. [6]

Cultural and Ideological Factors

• Opposition to gender diversity: Many conservatives adhere to a strict binary view of gender, rejecting the concept of gender identity as distinct from biological sex. [5]
• Religious beliefs: Some conservative religious groups view transgender identities as conflicting with their interpretation of scripture. [1]
• Authoritarianism: Conservative ideologies often favor strict social norms and react negatively to perceived deviations. [4]

Political Tactics

• Legislation: Republicans have introduced numerous bills restricting trans rights, including bans on gender-affirming care and participation in sports. [3 & 11]
• Executive actions: The Trump administration has taken steps to roll back protections for transgender individuals in various areas of public life. [5]
• Rhetoric: Conservative politicians often use inflammatory language, conflating transgender issues with child safety concerns or "gender ideology". [1 & 7]

Global Trend

This pattern is not limited to the United States. Right-leaning politicians worldwide have adopted similar tactics, often as part of a broader pushback against progressive social movements. [1] The anti-trans movement has become a unifying force for various conservative groups, including those opposed to racial and gender equality. [1]

Potential Backlash

However, some experts warn that this strategy could backfire. As more people personally know transgender individuals and public support for LGBTQ+ rights grows, aggressive anti-trans policies may alienate moderate voters. [7] Additionally, focusing on these issues may distract from other important policy areas and potentially cost conservatives support among a diversifying electorate. [7]

Reference:

1. The Anti-Trans Movement Framework
2. Election fact check: Trump, Harris on transgender issues
3. Republicans ramp up attacks on transgender people, in statehouses and on the campaign trail
4. Why are USA republicans so anti trans?
5. Trump Administration Moves to Reject Transgender Identity, Rights
6. Attack on LGBTQ+ rights: The politics and psychology of a backlash
7. Why is the GOP escalating attacks on trans rights? Experts say the goal is to make sure evangelicals vote
8. Republican-led states emboldened to continue rolling back trans rights as Democrats struggle with response
9. Trans Rights Under Attack: Rising Up to Defend the Lives & Futures of Trans Youth
10. Republicans are betting big on trans issues. Following through could prove harder.
11. The 19th Explains: Can trans rights survive in a Republican-controlled Congress?

Some of these reference look interesting and I think I'm going to go back and read the full articles instead of just skimming them.

I am trying to find a YouTube video with English subtitles.

Updated on 2/26 @ 5:45AM