"A critical voice is always needed in political parties, we represent that voice that diverges from the more contained and withdrawn tone of the party in government." This is the reflection of Alicia Miyares, professor of Moral and Political Philosophy (Uned), a PSOE militant and one of the promoters of Femes, the Spanish Association of Socialist Feminists created eight months ago to refute the position taken by the Executive of Pedro Sánchez before trans law Today, and despite the difficulties at the beginning of their journey, they have managed to open the debate in the party, also in society, and they hope that after the notice about the “only yes is yes” law, the trans law can be debated. with more pause than expected.
The social debate on the trans law, since Minister Irene Montero presented the draft in June 2021 in the Council of Ministers, has evolved, the often harsh opposition of perspectives gaining space. The voices critical of the Equality project were hardly heard at first, and today they are in the public agora thanks to feminist groups. But the difference with regard to the internal debate in the PSOE -which is who should vote in the Congress of Deputies- was the decision of more than a hundred socialist militants to establish this association. A critical voice that comes from the party itself, hence its capacity for internal advocacy, but which is not subject to partisan guidelines, according to Miyares.
PSOE cadres and militants have moved in recent months and have sown doubt in the ranks of their party around the project presented by Montero, a complex law that is difficult to analyze. The trend, says Miyares, has changed.
The incidence of argumentative work has been expanding. The decision of the socialists to present amendments to the law in Congress, especially putting filters to the self-determination of the gender of minors, is one of the achievements of the battle waged by the socialist feminists, and that at this time United We Can is not willing to accept. The trans law enters its final stretch with the urgent processing in the Equality Commission of Congress and with a political scenario in which different variables intersect.
From the perspective of Femes, the controversy surrounding the “only yes is yes” law makes it easier for there to be a listening process on the trans law – it is demanded that experts appear in the commission – and leave behind the urgency of Montero. The minister considers that the group of trans people is being left unprotected. The situation, the association points out, has changed in the last ten days and "Podemos is in a weaker position to want to impose calendars." From this analysis, it is also emphasized that the PSOE must know how to measure its position before a law "that has a social protest." A complex scenario since at the same time President Sánchez wants to avoid further internal controversies with government partners.
The socialist feminists expressly chose to establish themselves as an association - chaired by Professor Amelia Válcarcel - and not as an internal current to have more room for maneuver. A critical and at the same time argumentative voice that could reach the leading core. The decision was made after the PSOE federal congress held a year ago where they were not allowed to express their positions regarding the trans law. In July 2021, Carme Calvo - who had opposed aspects of the wording of Montero's draft - had been relieved in the Executive.
"The PSOE has come up with a free voice", it is indicated. The arguments against various aspects of the trans law by these socialist feminists have focused on two core aspects. The right to self-determination of gender or sex in registries is considered to affect the fight for equality, erasing women by making the definition of a woman subjective. Regarding minors, it is indicated that the confusion between what is the rejection of sexist gender roles -a social construction- with sexual identity can lead to many unnecessary transitions.
The scenario, says Miyares, is favorable for a leisurely debate on the law. These socialist feminists have given a good example that they are not going to sit still or be held back by internal guidelines. They have requested a meeting with President Sánchez, who has not responded to his request. But her voice reaches Moncloa, and it is restless.
