Statement condemning the anti-gender equality graffiti

20/12/2022

The UAB’s Observatory for Equality and Community Involvement Unit of the Social Engagement and Community Office condemn the transphobic and LGTBI-phobic graffiti on the stairs of the Plaça Cívica. This week, graffiti with reactions against the transgender and non-binary flags have been detected. We reject these acts, because they are an attack on the UAB's commitment to gender equality and the defence of LGTBIQ rights. 

The Assemblea Llibertària association, with the support of the Community Involvement Unit, promoted the initiative of painting the transgender and non-binary flags on the stairs of the Plaça Cívica to give visibility and support to these communities. The UAB supports actions aimed at defending gender equality. Unfortunately, some people have stained the flags with messages against the transgender and non-binary community. 

This is not an isolated incident. Transphobic, LGTBI-phobic, sexist and misogynist attacks date back to 2020. On the occasion of the International Day against Gender-based Violence, the Observatory hired Clara Corax to make a mural in the cafeteria of the Plaça Cívica. Shortly after, it was stained with offensive and denigrating messages directed at women. Unfortunately, the events were repeated after the mural was repainted. The Observatory for Equality ordered a banner in commemoration of International Working Women's Day, also from Clara Corax, with the message "we are building feminist universities" and inclusive illustrations that were hung on the façade of L’Àgora building. Days later, the banner was stained with white paint and the faces of the illustrated people were scratched over. 

Concerning the flags painted on the stairs, the Observatory for Equality and the Community Involvement Unit promoted a participative community painting of the LGTBIQ flag on the steps of the Plaça Cívica towards L’Àgora building. This initiative has also suffered attacks, as it has been stained with LGTBI-phobic messages twice. 

The Observatory for Equality and the Community Involvement Unit takes these acts of vandalism as an affront to the UAB's commitment to the defence of LGBTIQ people's rights and gender equality. In Susan Faludi's terms, the patriarchal and anti-feminist reaction is anticipated upon the perception that we are on the road to full equality. The three symbols attacked will be reconstructed throughout the academic year. We will continue to build feminist universities.