Far-right breaks into presentation of children's book on gender issues
The book's author, Ana Rita Almeida, has already filed a complaint againt the far-right organization, Habeas Corpus.
The author of the book “Mom, I want to be a boy” has filed a complaint against members of the Habeas Corpus association, after they interrupted the book’s presentation at the Raiano Cultural Center, in Idanha-a-Nova, on Saturday afternoon.
Speaking to the Lusa agency, the book’s author, Ana Rita Almeida, said that the presentation was invaded by more than ten people, who began to shout as she was preparing to recite a poem and move on to the autograph session.
There were shouts of “leave the children alone!” and “it’s over!”, through a megaphone, as the group advanced through the cultural center, holding a Portuguese flag. The association of former judge Rui Fonseca e Castro, candidate for Ergue-te! to the European elections, was stopped by the security of the event, but went ahead anyway.
According to the book’s author, in the days leading up to the presentation of the book, included in the program of the XXIV Feira Raiana, members of Habeas Corpus began organize themselves to invade it.
“They tried to arrange a bus to bring 50 protesters, ride-sharing, but they were unable to do so, until former judge Rui Fonseca e Castro said he would pay the expenses for anyone willing to go to Idanha,” he said.
The author was removed from the room by the National Republican Guard, which was already there and the presentation was canceled for security reasons.
Ana Rita Almeida's book addresses gender issues in childhood through the story of a girl who prefers boyish activities and, therefore, is afraid of not being accepted.
Not the first time
A similar invasion took place in June, during the presentation of the book “O grandfather Rui, o Senhor do Café”, by author Mariana Jones at Fnac do NorteShopping, in Porto.
Habeas Corpus has previously spoken out against what it calls “gender ideology”.
The far-right association has made it more common to use violence and terror tactics to impose its principles on Portuguese society. Mariana Jones has victim status due to the threats she has received because of another book, entitled “Pedro likes Afonso”.
This type of activity in the U.S. has polarized the country and completely eliminated any meaningful legislative debate around substantive issues like the economy, healthcare, or immigration reform. This is a sad, fabricated NON ISSUE stirred up by uneducated religious radicals. Portugal does not need to follow this model of ignorance and fabrication. No faction gets to intimidate or threaten because they don’t agree with the content in a book.
So very sad to see this in Portugal--but heartening that their numbers are so few and the response to protect the author so secure. Thank you for your reporting!