Antonio Benítez, former Social Network Coordinator in LGTBI Policies in the PSOE of Andalusia (PSOE-A), on March 24, a complaint before the National Police for an alleged Crime of hate After receiving Homophobic threats that included insults such as “ladybug”, “You would have to be executed” either “I’m going to be a slap that I’m going to make a man.” This “harassment”, as has denounced the own Benítez in Okdiario Andalucíait has been years since in 2023 he decided to break the game for the drift Sanchista who is taking the PSOE.
In an exclusive interview with Okdiario AndalucíaBenítez recounts how his life changed since he decided to leave the socialist municipal group in Estepona. «Since then I have not stopped receiving abuse And a clear Continuous harassment. They are already insults like scoundrel, You should be executed as María Antonieta, who was executed for high treason And, already the last, he has been a sympathizer of the party, in a working group where I have insulted me Mariquita I’m going to slap you, I’m going to make you a man, Pepero… », It has evident indignation.
The drop that filled the glass, he explains, was the direct attack on his sexual orientation, an aspect that he considers untouchable. «I decided to file a complaint because I I can endure insultsbut they have already crossed a red line, which is put yourself with my sexual orientation. Having always been a clear defender of the rights of the collective, one thing that I do not understand is that silence; When the victim is such a person, the political parties that defend such issues, where are they? Benítezlaunching a criticism of mutism of whom, in theory, they should support it.
Susana Díaz with Antonio Benítez.
Benítezwhich for years has been an outstanding figure of the PSOE-A in the defense of rights LGTBIdoes not understand how a party that clarifies these causes allows or ignores this type of behavior. «I have been a clear LGTBI defender in Estepona and Out of Esteponathen I don’t understand this harassment from within a party that always claims to defend those acronyms, ”he says, making clear his bewilderment Given the situation.
He former LGTBI coordinator of the PSOE-A He explains that harassment began after his departure from the party in 2023, a decision motivated by his disagreement with the direction that the PSOE has taken under the leadership of Pedro Sánchez. According to Benítez, this drift led him to disconnect from a formation with which he was no longer identified. However, he never imagined that his decision would trigger a INSULTS AND THREAT CAMPAIGN That, as he describes, has been constant and deeply hurtful.
The attacks have included not only homophobic insults, but also accusations of betrayal, such as comparing it with María Antonietaexecuted by high betrayal, or even call it “pepero”, a term that seeks to associate it with the Popular Party.
The complaint
The complaint presented on March 24 before the National Police is, for Benítezan attempt to stop this situation and protect not only their dignity, but also that of anyone who can face similar harassment. His decision to go to the authorities reflects his determination not to remain silent for what he considers an injustice.
Antonio Benítez in his stage as a socialist.
From this judicial action, the mayor details that the person denounced, Worker of the home help service and supporter of the PSOEI would have used phrases like “I’m going to slap him, that everything he has as a ladybug … You will return a man” or “I have to face my face.” In addition, the defendant discredited it with the term “Pepero”, with derogatory intention towards their political independence and their departure from the socialist ranks.
As he states Benítezthis climate of reprisals intensified in the workplace after its Departure from the Socialist Municipal Group, occurred in 2023 by discrepancies with the spokesman Emma Molina and for the disenchantment with the course of the party. The councilor, who works without support structure or fixed salary, says that the defendant has maintained continuous harassment, which has forced him to resort to the judicial route.
Declared Defender of the Rights of the Collective LGTBIthe mayor promoted measures such as Rainbow roller and the incorporation of Estepona into the Network of proud municipalitiesnow regretting the silence of formations and groups that, in their opinion, usually defend diversity. With the defense exercised by the lawyer Miguel Perea, Benítez It seeks to safeguard its integrity and their freedom to exercise institutional work without external pressures, claiming a respect that considers political and sexual plurality.
