La Pesada Subversiva battles anti-LGBTQ+ digital violence in Bolivia
May 28, 2024In Bolivia, the collective La Pesada Subversiva encountered an unexpected surge of digital violence after displaying their LGBTQ+ artwork. Thanks to crucial support and training from Hivos’ Digital Defenders Partnership, they obtained essential tools to resist online aggression.
La Pesada Subversiva (The Subversive Troublemakers), a trans, feminist, and sexually diverse collective in Bolivia, stands as a form of resistance to patriarchy and gender-based violence. Established in 2018 in Santa Cruz, one of Bolivia’s most conservative areas, the collective employs various art forms—such as audiovisual content, writing, street performances, and social media—to voice their views in demonstrations, protests, and online platforms.
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Cristian Egüez (he/him), one of the founders, explains, “In this region, far-right and ultra-religious narratives are prevalent, pushed by very conservative authorities. In such a tough context, collectives are needed with the courage to confront them and maintain a critical approach to the violence that occurs.”
For the first time on June 1, 2022, the Altillo Benni Museum, the city’s largest, celebrated Pride Month by opening an LGBTQ+ art exhibition titled ‘Revolución Orgullo’ or ‘Pride Revolution,’ led by La Pesada Subversiva. The impactful LGBTQ+ art exhibition faced intense opposition.
“We adorned the museum facade with trans and LGBTIQ+ flags,” Egüez recounts, “but it lasted less than a day because a group of neighbors came to protest violently and aggressively.”
Despite the hostility, the exhibition, according to ‘Washington Blade’, attracted over 400 visitors, showcasing increasing public support for their cause.
Unexpectedly, the museum’s director defended the exhibition, vowing that no artwork would be removed and the exhibition would stay until the end of the month. However, an unimaginable wave of digital violence ensued. Egüez recalls the fallout: “The event left us emotionally devastated. Throughout that year, every day, we had to endure threats and harassment online.”
Alejandra Menacho (she/her), another founder of La Pesada Subversiva, recounts her ordeal, saying, “They threatened to rape me, to teach me how to be a woman. It overwhelmed us; it started to really hurt because we felt … everything we said or did was being surveilled.” The collective was subjected to constant harassment on social media, with anti-rights groups monitoring their activities and frightening them with false threats.
As the attacks escalated, the collective sought refuge and support, applying for a grant from the DDP to obtain digital protection and security. With DDP’s support, they received in-depth training in digital security measures, enabling them to safeguard their online presence effectively. The members learned to protect themselves and their accounts, avoid publishing sensitive information, and be cautious about disclosing their whereabouts. DDP’s training provided them with a thorough understanding of digital security tools and clear guidelines for handling future incidents and reporting them.
In addition to digital security skills, they were trained in physical self-defence techniques, combining martial arts with a feminist approach.
“This has strengthened us immensely. Now we understand digital security holistically and are always safeguarding our networks,” Menacho emphasises.
Despite the challenges, La Pesada Subversiva remains committed to their mission.
“Digital security must be integrated across the board; it’s not something you attend a workshop for and forget. It must be practiced continually,” Egüez asserts.
For Menacho, despite experiencing a lot of frustration and anger, learning to merge these digital tools with psychology and art has helped her express, articulate herself, and achieve emotional balance.
“Because we are rebellious, we want to do these things. Also, because we don’t want these injustices to continue in Santa Cruz. That’s why we keep coming back and reinventing ourselves,” Menacho said.
La Pesada Subversiva’s journey symbolises the resilience and determination of marginalised communities in the face of adversity. Through collective empowerment and solidarity, they navigate the intricacies of digital violence, emerging stronger and more united in their quest for equality and justice.
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