Organising against forced conversion therapies in the north or Argentina
donate nowTucumán, northern Argentina, where evangelical forced conversion therapies are not uncommon, is becoming an increasingly unsafe place for LGBTQ+ people. That is why, on 6 December 2026, a group of young people wrote a manifesto and an action plan for the coming years.
Conversion therapy and intimidation
In Argentina, the 2025 midterm elections resulted in a nationwide victory for the ruling party, which spreads hate speech and has shut down all diversity programmes over the past two years. Moreover, this party has opened the door to raids by fundamentalist religious groups that harass LGBTQ+ people with, among other things, conversion therapy. The eastern region of the province of Tucumán is where LGBTQ+ people suffer most from intimidation as a result of the rise of evangelical groups, specifically in Los Ralos.
Focus on young people
Familias Diversas Tucumán has been a meeting place for queer individuals, families and their communities since 2009 – the year same-sex marriage was recognised in Argentina. They are committed to facilitating queer relationships and family planning in all areas. Although their previous focus was on adults and families, the growing number of attacks and conversion therapies has made it increasingly urgent to focus on protecting young people.
Manifesto and pride
On 6 December 2025, they organised a meeting for young people from across the province of Tucumán. They gathered in Los Ralos to draft a manifesto. They spent a whole day discussing how best to organise themselves to safeguard their rights and peace. The final manifesto serves as a tool for the work of Familias Diversas Tucumán for the coming years and also includes an action plan with workshops and activities throughout the province.
The day ended with the first pride march in the eastern region of Tucumán, which led to the town square of Los Ralos. The youngsters marched with pride and joy. In the town square, various queer activists gave speeches:
“It is very important that, despite all the setbacks, we continue to march with pride and maintain the visibility that is essential to continue promoting our rights. Currently, we have fewer and fewer opportunities to access rights such as work, healthcare, shelter and food, because the national government’s policy is exclusive. Without the protection of the state, we will have even less access to rights. Our alternative is mobilisation! LGBTQ+ young people must organise and build political participation. That is why it is important that we are here today.”
Follow-up
In 2026, Familias Diversas Tucumán will take this manifesto to various cities in the province, organise meetings to stimulate debate and identify the needs of local LGBT+ young people and incorporate them into their actions. They will also continue to organise themselves to raise awareness of the current situation for young people in the province and to emphasise its urgency. They are in contact with local authorities, social movements and other LGBT+ organisations to work together to find the best ways to protect vulnerable young people. You can read the manifesto here.
Het Actiefonds is proud to have supported this action, and will continue to stand in solidarity with all groups organising for and protecting the rights of LGBTQ+ people around the world!
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