- Lázaro Azorín (PSOE) recounted in Congress that in his adolescence he wanted to hide and “sometimes disappear” for being gay.
- The PSOE denounces that from the Vox bench, they heard “you should have done it”; Azorín claims he also heard “good idea”.
- The Vox deputy Joaquín Robles denies it and claims he said “what a mess”. Azorín accuses him of “cowardice”.
Lázaro Azorín, socialist deputy for Alicante, recounted on Tuesday, September 22, in the Congress of Deputies how he lived his homosexuality in adolescence. During his speech, according to the PSOE’s complaint, a phrase was heard from the Vox benches that has unleashed a political storm.
What did Lázaro Azorín say in Congress?
Azorín explained that he did not choose to be homosexual and that, between the ages of 14 and 16, he did not want to accept it. He did so during the debate of a non-legislative proposal from Podemos regarding the Family Law, a regulation stuck in the amendment phase since 2024.
The deputy, former mayor of El Pinós, spoke of fears, doubts, and the desire to hide. “I didn’t choose it,” he summarized from the podium, before defending that homosexuality “is not a case or a disease” and neither is it “a trend”.
His speech ended with a message directed straight at the Vox bench: “I am not a problem and neither is my family”. He also left a loud demand: he wants to live in a country where no one feels ashamed of being who they are.
What was heard from the Vox bench?
According to socialist spokesperson Montse Mínguez, from Vox they heard “you should have done it”, referring to Azorín’s words about wanting to disappear. Azorín himself later stated that he clearly heard “good idea”.
Mínguez reacted harshly on social media and labeled those who made the comment as “savages”. In her message, she linked the episode to the pacts between the PP and Vox.
In that same debate, Vox deputy María de la Cabeza Ruiz opposed the Family Law. She argued that the regulation seeks to “abolish the traditional family”.
The version of Joaquín Robles
The accused Vox deputy, Joaquín Robles, denies having uttered those words. Before the media, he stated that he did not say “any of that” and, according to EFE, that his expression was “what a mess”.
Azorín responded the next day without beating around the bush. He said he has “no hearing problems”, lamented “that cowardice” of Robles for not acknowledging what happened, and stated that someone who wishes death upon another person “is not worthy of representing society”.
The socialist deputy also expressed concern about Robles’ influence, who according to elDiario.es is a high school Philosophy teacher in Murcia, on his students.
Why this episode matters
Beyond the clash of versions, the case brings back to the table the impact of hate speech on the mental health of LGTBIQ+ people, especially during adolescence. That a public representative recounts in parliamentary session that he wanted to disappear for being gay is a gesture of visibility that is uncommon.
That this account allegedly receives such a response from another bench highlights to what extent LGTBIfobia is still present in institutions. The controversy also comes amid the processing of a law that seeks to recognize family diversity, including LGTBIQ+ families.
Frequently asked questions
Who is Lázaro Azorín?
He is a PSOE deputy for Alicante and was mayor of El Pinós.
What phrase is attributed to Vox?
The PSOE denounces that “you should have done it” was heard; Azorín claims he also heard “good idea”.
What does Vox say?
Joaquín Robles denies having said those phrases and claims his comment was “what a mess”.
In what debate did it occur?
In the debate of a non-legislative proposal from Podemos regarding the Family Law, on September 22, 2026.
