A trans woman, Eli Rubashkyn, who threw tomato juice at anti-trans activist Posie Parker during a rally in Auckland, New Zealand, has claimed that her life is now in danger. Rubashkyn threw the juice at Parker to show her that her anti-trans words have consequences. Parker, who was on a controversial anti-trans tour of New Zealand at the time, left the country the same evening. Rubashkyn, also known as Eliana Galberstein, has been charged with assault and faces a maximum term of six months in jail and a fine of $4,000.
Since the incident, Rubashkyn has claimed that there have been two attempts on her life. She said that a group of Nazis tried to enter her apartment and that she was doxxed in Queenstown. She has also received multiple death threats from Nazis and Kiwis. Rubashkyn has expressed her fear of fascism taking control of the world and has said that she’s fighting to be herself.
Rubashkyn’s lawyer, James Olsen, said that the case provides an opportunity to expose the dangers of hate speech. He stated that hate speech emboldens others to use violence against the trans community, which is already targeted and at risk. The charges will be defended.
Rubashkyn arrived in New Zealand as a refugee in 2014. She was born intersex and raised as a boy until 2022 when she received gender-affirming surgery. Rubashkyn claimed that she fled her homeland, Colombia, because Nazi groups hunt down and kill trans people there.
This incident highlights the ongoing discrimination and danger faced by the trans community, particularly in the face of anti-trans activism. It also raises concerns about the impact of hate speech and the need for protection and support for the trans community.
