BTN News: In Colombia, a big step was taken for trans rights. Various LGTBI groups introduced a new trans rights bill to Congress. This bill wants to secure rights for people with diverse gender identities. It also aims to stop prejudice, violence, and discrimination against the trans community.
The bill was presented in Plaza Bolívar, Bogotá, with lots of energy and support. Activists shared speeches, performed, and played music to show how important this bill is. The group behind the bill is called the Plataforma Ley Integral Trans Ya (PLIT). The bill covers many issues, like stopping conversion practices, preventing discrimination in healthcare and workplaces, and creating inclusive policies in schools. It also ensures that transgender people can participate in all parts of society. A trans singer, Leviasus, said, “I don’t want more rights than you, I want the rights you already have.”
The event began with a photo exhibition called “Compañerx,” created by Colombian artist Camila Falquez. The exhibition showed pictures of trans people from different backgrounds, such as indigenous communities, Afro-Colombians, sex workers, people with disabilities, and victims of conflict. Each photo had some of the 52 articles from the proposed bill on the back.
Eighty representatives from the trans community were allowed into Congress to present the bill. Five of them spoke about its importance. Claudia López, from the Familial Friends United for Sexual Diversity (FAUDS), said the bill could greatly improve the lives of trans people. It could help them access education and jobs, and build better futures. López called the bill a way to fix a “historical debt” that the state owes to the trans community.
The PLIT is made up of over 100 trans and non-binary organizations, along with support networks from different regions. They drafted the bill based on responses from 1,355 participants. These responses highlighted the daily challenges and barriers faced by trans people because of their gender identity.
There have been other attempts to pass similar laws in Colombia. For example, a bill in June aimed to ban conversion therapies but failed due to political opposition. However, with this new comprehensive proposal, the trans community hopes to overcome long-standing institutional, social, and cultural obstacles.
The PLIT said this bill is necessary in a democratic society. They believe it is a crucial step to fill the legal gaps that prevent equality and non-discrimination for trans people. With ongoing advocacy and greater awareness, they hope this bill will lead to real, lasting change for Colombia’s trans community.
