While debate has raged in the U.S. over what should or shouldn't be grounds for being granted "refugee" status, a new case in Europe made headlines this week after a Brazilian woman was granted refugee status by the EU due to her facing 25 years in prison for "migendering" a politician.
REDUXX has more details on the surprising story:
In a precedent-setting move, a European country has officially granted full refugee protections to a Brazilian women's rights activist who was facing 25 years in prison in her home country for misgendering a transgender politician. Isabella Cêpa is the first person to be recognized as a victim of state persecution for her outspoken opposition to gender identity ideology.
The situation stems from an ongoing ordeal that began when "Erika" Hilton, a man who pretends to be a woman, was elected to office in São Paulo. The election was celebrated as being historic, with Hilton being called "the most voted-for woman in Brazil."
Cêpa took exception to that.
'At the time, I didn't even know who this person was. I just saw a headline on an Instagram page celebrating that "the most voted woman in São Paulo is a transwoman,"' Cêpa told Reduxx during a 2022 interview, recounting how her ordeal began. 'Then, I shared a video with my followers saying I was disappointed to hear that the most voted-for woman in São Paulo - later found out that it was in the entire country - was a man.'
After actively posting about Hilton's real gender on social media, Cêpa was summoned to be questioned by the authorities, who informed her that Hilton was pressing charges.
Prior to pressing charges, the Public Prosecutor had combed through Cêpa's social media posts to find additional statements that could be perceived as 'transphobic.' From the news article, Cêpa discovered that she was facing up to 25 years in prison for the supposed 'crime.'
When she learned that she could potentially qualify as a victim of political persecution, she applied for — and was granted — refugee status.
Though the country that took her in was not identified in the report (for privacy reasons), the case has now set a precedent for future victims of persecution for criticizing transgender ideology.
Take that, "Erika" Hilton.
P.S. Now check out our latest video 👇
