Transgender MP Georgina Beyer and the diplomatic protection squad both attended a protest, held yesterday at the Portuguese Consulate in Wellington. The protest was organised by the transgender support and advocacy group, Agender, to demand action by the Portuguese government over the brutal torture and murder of Gisberta, a transgender street worker in Porto, Portugal in February this year. Gisberta, who was homeless and HIV positive was found at the bottom of a water-filled pit at an abandoned building site, dumped there by 14 boys who had systematically tortured and raped her over a three-day period. The boys, aged between 10 and 16 were, with the exception of the eldest, given suspended sentences and returned to their Catholic care institution. The Portuguese media failed to treat Gisberta's death as a hate crime, and the government's investigation into the incident has been limited to the institutional care of the boys. Gisberta has been misrepresented in the media, with many outlets incorrectly referring to her as male. No Portuguese political party has referred to the case, or made any statement of condemnation, in spite of the efforts of transgender advocacy groups. Claudia McKay, president of Agender, led today's protest to the Portuguese Consulate in Dixon Street. It was well attended, reports McKay, with around 25 people turning up over the lunch hour. McKay had prepared a letter, demanding action by the Portuguese government, which she hoped to deliver to the Consular representative. "He was out for an unusually long lunch," says McKay. Georgina Beyer arrived and the group entered the offices together. "Georgina insisted on talking to the Consul, and made the receptionist get him on the phone. She told him that he must arrange a meeting with us." The Consul was receptive, and agreed to meet, says McKay. "It was really positive having Georgina with us," says McKay. "It added some weight to our protest." About five minutes after the phone call, an officer of the Diplomatic Protection Squad arrived, but there was no problem, says McKay. "I'm sure he was just checking things out. Perhaps the Consul was a little concerned." The protesters distributed almost 400 flyers, and “people were genuinely interested. Many stopped to talk in more detail with us,” says McKay. "There was a positive feel to the protest and we were well-received by the public." McKay hopes the protest highlighted that transphobia is prevalent, not just in Portugal, but around the world. "And right here in New Zealand. This could just as easily happen here as anywhere," says McKay.