Carlos Kambourian, an Argentine pediatrician who is gay, initially supported President Javier Milei's libertarian economic reforms until Milei seemed to link homosexuality to sexual abuse in a speech last month. Despite Milei's economic successes, his conservative social views, including anti-feminist stances and opposition to abortion and the "woke agenda," have polarized opinions in progressive Argentina.
Milei's speech at Davos, where he connected gender ideology with child abuse, led to widespread backlash and protests. Many Argentines, while acknowledging Milei's economic accomplishments, disagree with his conservative social values. In response to Milei's remarks, the government is proposing an "equality before the law" bill, which aims to remove "femicide" from the penal code and non-binary identity from official documents.
Despite some public support for Milei’s overall governance, a significant portion of the population is against his views on homosexuality and the proposed changes regarding femicide. Milei's government emphasizes freedom and equality, downplaying the controversy surrounding his statements. However, critics, including Minister of Security Patricia Bullrich, argue that Milei's remarks were misinterpreted.
Recent "anti-fascist" protests in Buenos Aires and beyond denounced Milei's comments, highlighting concerns about erasing diversity and diminishing recent social progress in Argentina. While Milei has implemented cost-cutting measures by closing government agencies, critics point out the negative impact on marginalized communities. President of the Argentine LGBT Federation, María Rachid, warns that Milei's rhetoric risks fueling discrimination and violence against the LGBTQ+ community.
As debates intensify, many Argentines urge the government to prioritize economic stability and poverty alleviation over social rights regression. Some citizens recognize the positive economic aspects of Milei's administration but voice concerns about its social policies, emphasizing the need for addressing pressing societal issues.