Anti-LGBTQ Violence in Colombia: A Cycle of Fear and 'Social Cleansing'

Brutal Killings of LGBTQ Individuals in Colombia

• 💔 A viral video of the killing of Sara Millerey, a trans woman, has sparked a public reckoning in Colombia due to its calculated brutality.
• ⚠️ Bystanders were reportedly told not to intervene by the attackers, indicating a deliberate public display intended to send a message.
• 📈 In the last six months, over 40 people have been killed in anti-LGBTQ violence, with a pattern of annual killings in rural towns like Carmen de Bolivar.

Targeted Violence and Lack of Justice

• 📍 Nawar Jimenez, an activist and sex worker, was found dead by the side of the road in Carmen de Bolivar; no one has been charged for her murder.
• 🛡️ Friends of Nawar, like Tito, face constant threats, with Tito now assigned armed bodyguards by the Colombian state for protection.
• ⚖️ Only three out of 155 criminal investigations into LGBTQ killings last year have reached a verdict, highlighting a severe lack of justice.

'Social Cleansing' and Societal Attitudes

• ✉️ Fliers from armed groups threaten LGBTQ individuals, using violent language and the concept of 'social cleansing' to impose their will.
• 🗣️ The question of whether Colombian society agrees with these actions and if the country is transphobic is raised in the wake of these killings.
• 📢 Conservative lawmakers and Christian influencers accuse the trans community of exploiting the crisis to push a 'woke agenda,' a claim disputed by activists.

Legislative Efforts and Community Response

• 🏛️ Congressman Andres Cacimance is presenting a new law to provide further protection for trans people.
• ✊ The LGBTQ community has mobilized, with photos of murdered individuals, including Nawar Jimenez, displayed at pride marches as a defiant act.