One in Four Transgender Individuals in Spain Have Faced Physical or Sexual Assault

One in four transgender individuals in Spain have been physically or sexually assaulted (26.7%) in the past year, according to the National Federation of Lesbians, Gays, Trans, Bisexuals, and Intersex (Felgtbi). Additionally, 35.6% have faced harassment and 37.8% have experienced discrimination. These findings are part of the 'State of LGTBI Hate' report, conducted in 2024 by the agency 40dB for Felgtbi, unveiled on the Trans Visibility Day.

In light of the high incidence of these acts of violence, Marta Alonso, a member of Felgtbi's leadership, called for "the urgent approval of a state pact against hate speech towards vulnerable groups, which we have been advocating for years alongside a dozen other human rights organisations."

"We denounce the hate speech and the targeting, especially towards transgender individuals. With the recent measures of persecution not only adopted by Trump in the USA but also by other countries in our vicinity, it has become clearer than ever that portraying us as an enemy to combat is a globally organised strategy aimed solely at gaining political advantage at the expense of our lives," she stated.

"We cannot allow hate, prejudice, and fear to dominate the public sphere and political space because such hate permeates our homes, workplaces, and lives. Hate speech is a threat to coexistence and the well-being of our entire society. It is urgent and necessary to legislate for its eradication and, above all, to protect those of us who suffer the most direct consequences. Because speech is the origin and assaults are the consequence," she asserted.