21/06/2025
Lisbon Pride: Human Rights Conference.
On Thursday I attended the Europride Human Rights Conference which kicked off with a trans inclusion and fairness event.
The panel contained trans academics from Goldsmiths in London and a professor from Helsinki (I must find their names etc online, they escape me right now). The panel host was president for trans rights Europe, based from Berlin.
Powerful, intelligent, inciteful and deeply moving in light of the UK (mis)ruling and the global anti trans agenda.
The second panel I attended was on minority stress and mental health. I was lucky enough to share a coffee with panel member Caroline from Barcelona (via Venezuela), who works for an NGO supporting the mental health of refugees.
The discussion also featured LGBTQIA+ human rights activists from Poland who are currently working to challenge the government in Hungary.
They have managed to lift the ban on Budapest Pride using legal and EU pressure and coordinating a coalition. They’ve dealt with 8 years of right wing govt in Poland.
The panel host had even smuggled gender affirming hormones to trans people living in Ukraine after the start of the Russian invasion.
These people are are incredible in their knowledge, courage and experience. I have been very moved and honoured to be here amongst them.
I don’t know where this world is headed, but as a non-binary person and with a keen sense of equality and human rights, I’m in no doubt about which side of history I stand.
Takeaways in the face of fascism:
1. Mobilise, learn how to protest effectively, pool resources and collaborate.
2. Use the digital space and algorithms to our advantage.
3. Ignore bait. Be considered, not reactive (f**k the trans women in Sport or bathrooms de-‘bait’ right off).
4. Pay lawyers. Fundraise for legal services. Lawyers are the best weapon against fascism.
