How far can freedom of expression go when it comes to human rights?
Arcópoli has filed a formal complaint with the Madrid Prosecutor’s Office for Hate Crimes against Carla Toscano, councilor of the Madrid City Council for the far-right VOX party. The reason: some statements during the municipal plenary session on June 24 that, according to this association, are not only deeply offensive, but could constitute incitement to hatred against the LGTBIQ+ group.
The complaint comes in a context where LGTBIphobic discourse has gained space in some institutions, generating growing concern among activists, human rights organizations and a large part of the citizenry.
What exactly did Carla Toscano say?
Toscano’s words did not go unnoticed. During her speech in the plenary session, the councilor launched accusations that have been described as “very serious” by several entities. Some of the phrases that motivated the complaint are:
- “The LGTBI flag represents a destructive ideology, the indoctrination and corruption of minors.”
- “Gender ideology leads to pedophilia.”
- “Arcópoli is dedicated to talking to children about sex.”
- “LGTBI+ policies must be eradicated because they are harmful.”
Statements that, beyond political disagreement, seem to cross a border: the one that separates legitimate criticism from the systematic attack on a historically vulnerable group.
Arcópoli maintains that these types of messages go beyond a simple opinion. “They unfairly criminalize the LGTBIQ+ group and cross the constitutional limits of freedom of expression,” they say.
What measures has Arcópoli taken?
The organization has not stopped at just public denunciation. These are the specific actions that have been implemented:
- Complaint to the Prosecutor’s Office for inciting hatred, slander and serious insults against the LGTBIQ+ group.
- Written to the Ombudsman requesting an official investigation into possible violations of fundamental rights.
- Formal request to the Madrid City Council and the VOX municipal group for their representatives to respect constitutional principles.
- Request for criminal evaluation to the Public Prosecutor’s Office for possible crimes committed from a public position.
- Support from eight LGTBIQ+ and human rights entities, which have jointly joined the complaint.
The red line of human rights
“We are not going to miss a single one,” declared Luis Fernando Rosales, General Coordinator of Arcópoli. “Fascism and the hate speech of the extreme right are not given any water,” he stated.
Beyond the harsh words, the substance of the message is clear: there are limits. And those limits, for Arcópoli and many other organizations, are human rights, dignity and equality. “Not everything goes in the name of freedom of expression,” Rosales added.
Is there room for institutional hatred in democracy?
This is not the first time that similar speeches have been reported at the institutional level. But this case raises a fundamental question: how should society act when attacks come from within public institutions themselves?
Arcópoli remembers that hate speech not only affects the group directly targeted. It also puts social cohesion and democratic values at risk. When we normalize these discourses, something breaks.
For this reason, the organization has made it clear that it will continue to use all possible tools—legal, political and social—to stop the advance of hate. And to remember that the defense of LGTBIQ+ rights is not negotiable.
How long will we tolerate hate as if it were just an opinion?
The complaint against Carla Toscano opens a new front in the battle for civil rights in Spain. And it raises a necessary debate: how do we live in a society where some public officials consider policies that protect a part of the population “harmful”?
The answer is not simple. But it is urgent.
