Thousands of Colombians have been protesting their government after a series of tax increases was introduced despite the pandemic severely affecting its economy. In response, they’ve been met with brutal force from police forces resulting in at least 26 deaths, almost 1,000 injuries and more than 10 known sexual assaults.
Amongst the video footage that has spread across screens internationally, one stood out for its display of queer defiance. The now-viral video shows three gender nonconforming people voguing in front of dozens of armed officers as a crowd of protestors cheers them on.
The defiant display was significant for many reasons— among them, the fact that police violence is all too common for the region, especially for transgender women and gender non-conforming Colombians. Although Colombia gives its LGBT citizens various rights on paper due to the peace process with the FARC (Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia), it remains one of the deadliest countries in Latin America for trans women.
The viral video also exemplified the tensions between Colombians and the ESMAD, its riot police, who stood in front of protestors gathered across Plaza de Bolivar where public gatherings are usually banned (except, ironically, for past pride marches). That was when Axid Ebony, Piisciiss and Nova Ebony began to vogue in unison. ESMAD officers approached them but were met with support from fellow protestors. “¡No la toquen!” (“Do not touch her!”) can be heard from behind the camera, while the voguers dispersed across the plaza while Axid grabbed and began to wave a Colombian flag.
“We represent LGBT people,” said Piisciis immediately after the demonstration. “Trans and non-binary people are being murderd and displaced without visibility…art is the best and most powerful tool to repel hatred, to repel violence.”
The original protest footage as well as a compilation of the dancers’ demonstrations have amassed hundreds of thousands of views across social media platforms.
The performers have posted individual reactions to the responses they’ve received. Piisciis took to Instagram to say they never imagined the level of support that the video would receive and that they’re filled with joy at knowing that they were able to represent, inspire and motivate the community. Nova followed up a pre-protest Instagram post in which they laid out their demonstration’s mission as “resisting through different artistic expressions to plant collective conscience…” by saying there will come an end to Colombia’s terrible night. Meanwhile, Axid took to Twitter to explain the protests are still happening because trans women in the country are still being murdered daily.
Long after Colombia’s protests begin to dwindle, the fight for equality will continue in the same way the fight for queer and trans liberation also will. The worldwide attention the demonstrations by Axid, Piisciiss and Nova have received pressures Colombia’s government to address the demands of LGTB protestors and proves how vital worldwide queer solidarity can be.
