A Call for Justice: Addressing Escalating Violence Against LGBTQ+ Communities
How many more Argentine Women do we need to become?
On May 6, 2024, a horrific attack occurred in Buenos Aires, Argentina, where four lesbian women were targeted after a man threw a Molotov cocktail into their boarding house. Tragically, three of the women lost their lives, and the fourth remains in critical condition. Among the victims, Pamela Fabiana Cobas died almost immediately from severe burns, while her partner, Mercedes Roxana Figueroa, succumbed to organ failure two days later. Andrea Amarante also passed away on May 12th due to her injuries.
A 62-year-old male suspect has been arrested, but the motive behind this heinous act remains unclear. Human rights advocates are raising concerns that inflammatory rhetoric from political figures, including members of President Javier Milei’s administration, is contributing to the growing violence against LGBTQ+ individuals. Reports indicate that derogatory language used during the 2023 presidential campaign fostered an environment of exclusion and discrimination, setting the stage for violent acts against vulnerable groups. In one instance, then-candidate Milei claimed that education on gender and sexuality “seeks to exterminate the population.” Similarly, now-Foreign Minister Diana Mondino likened marriage equality to “head lice” in a nationally televised interview, further promoting harmful stereotypes.
A 2023 Human Rights Watch investigation revealed widespread violence against LBQ+ couples in Argentina and beyond. Many live in fear of public attacks, often choosing to hide their relationships. In Argentina, this fear is compounded by poverty and housing insecurity, underscoring the urgent need for protective measures for LBQ+ individuals.
The situation is equally dire in Nigeria, where violence against the LGBTQ+ community has surged. According to The Initiative for Equal Rights’ (TIERs) report1 , human rights violations have tripled, with LGBTQ+ individuals facing relentless persecution, harassment, and brutality. Systemic homophobia, transphobia, and biphobia, reinforced by harmful laws and societal norms, have created an environment where discrimination thrives unchecked.
We urgently call on the Argentine authorities to conduct a thorough and transparent investigation into the attacks, ensure the surviving woman receives necessary medical care and secure housing, and take a firm stand against hate speech that fuels violence. Similarly, we implore the international community to condemn these atrocities and support activists in Nigeria, advocating for policy reforms to protect the rights and dignity of all individuals, regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity, or expression.
1. “LGBTQ+ Realities in Northeast Nigeria,”
