Trans and non-binary EUSA election candidates allege transphobic vandalism of their posters

Trans and non-binary candidates in the upcoming EUSA elections have alleged that their campaign posters have been torn and ripped down in an act of transphobic vandalism.

All four affected candidates told The Edinburgh Tab they believed it was targeted as no other, cisgender candidates had their posters damaged or removed.

Each of the three candidates for EUSA’s Trans and Non-Binary (TNB) Liberation Officer as well as one candidate for LGBT+ Liberation Officer (who identifies as non-binary) allege their posters were defaced or taken down.

These four candidates are the only openly gender non-conforming individuals standing in the ongoing EUSA elections.

One of Jaime Prada’s torn posters on Nicholson Street

Posters were allegedly removed and damaged in several locations – both on campus and in areas surrounding George Square like The Meadows and on Nicolson Street.

Iñaki Goñi, one of the candidates for TNB Liberation Officer who was affected, told The Edinburgh Tab the posters “disappeared between Wednesday, when we put them up, and Friday, when I realised they were no longer there.”

She also told us: “All four of us were quite taken aback and cannot believe someone would have done this. EUSA has been contacted regarding the situation, and I hope this can be dealt with in a respect manner,”, before adding: “Trans Power for all!”.

EUSA are in the process of investigating exactly what happened and who was behind it. The candidates we spoke to were also keen to stress all posters were in EUSA-approved locations and were stamped to indicate this.

Lane Deamant, who is also standing for TNB Liberation Officer, said they thought it was “likely the act of only one or two people” said it was “hurtful” and “disappointing and saddening to experience this and for the impact on all the candidates. If nothing else, this is a reminder that our work is far from done at the university”.

Robyn Woof, who is standing for Trans and Non-Binary (TNB) Liberation Officer, told The Edinburgh Tab they were “used to transphobia” but added: “This is a direct attempt to exclude Trans and Non-Binary people from Democratic representation and is part of a pattern in our society

“All of the candidates will continue to campaign and this will not affect us. Although three of us are competing for the same position on this we are united. I am proud of my trans/non-binary siblings’ resilience.”

Jaime Prada, who is the outgoing Trans and Non-Binary Liberation Officer and is now standing for LGBT+ Officer, declined to comment due to the extent of transphobic abuse they’d previously experienced and how much it had drained them.

EUSA did not respond to our requests for comment. 

Recommended related articles by this writer

• IWD 2022: Edinburgh students launch campaign to criminalise ‘stealthing’ in Scotland

• There will be another week of strikes at Edinburgh Uni starting on 21 March

• Edinburgh Uni has spent over £1300 on ‘Therapet’ schemes to reduce student stress