Anti-transgender campaign bus seized by police in Madrid

A BUS with an anti-transgender slogan was seized by police in Madrid after its message sparked outrage across Spain.

The catholic group Hazte Oir planned to tour the country with the bus with a message saying “Boys have a penis. Girls have a vulva. Don’t let them fool you. If you are born a man, you are a man. If you are a woman, you will keep being one.”

Just one day into its tour, various councils threatened to block the campaign due to it being a “campaign based on hate and intolerance” but it was Madrid’s Council who struck first.

Rita Maestre, spokesperson for Madrid Council, said that police seized the bus in the early hours of Tuesday morning (March 1) for “not meeting the regulations for advertising and mobility.”

Security councillor Javier Barbero said the “embarrassing bus” is not a representation of Madrid.

“Madrid is an inclusive and accepting city. There is no room for transphobics on our streets,” said Maestre in a speech condemning the “discriminatory practice” of the catholic group.

Both Madrid Regional Council and the Generalitat de Cataluña have submitted complaints to the Public Ministry to bring heavier sanctions, and ban this “hate campaign” against transsexuals.

Despite the backlash, Hazte Oir said it will continue its campaign as soon as the bus is released and criticises government officials for not “respecting, as we do, different ways of thinking about this issue.”