Strengthening and expanding trans and travestis in politics
On this Brazilian Trans Visibility Day, January 29th, I celebrate the 1st Meeting of Trans Parliamentarians, a pioneering and historic event promoted last Friday, the 26th, by the State Forum of Travestis and Transsexuals of Rio de Janeiro.
A meeting of travestis and trans people of different ages and regions, with the talent and courage to occupy institutional politics, and the shared responsibility of being the materialization of their ancestors’ dreams, as highlighted at the event.
Addressing the challenges for trans representation in Brazilian politics, the parliamentarians spoke about political violence, attempts at silencing and loneliness.
Filipa Brunelli, councilor from Araraquara (SP), warned: “Let’s not fall into the trap of thinking we are heroes. Political violence involves attacks on people, not just political projects.”
Linda Brasil, state deputy from Sergipe, spoke of the successive attempts at delegitimization and silencing she faces in the Chamber: “It is not enough to just occupy, we have to denounce the political structures that do not represent us”.
Myrella Soares, councilor in Bariri (SP), spoke about how being in politics can be lonely for trans and travestis, especially in certain regions. “Resources, policies, NGOs and social movements do not arrive in the same way in rural areas, for example. I often felt like in João Nery’s book, on a solitary journey. Hence the importance of spaces like this, of strengthening networks and exchanges.”
Benny Briolly, councilor from Niterói (RJ), said what is past time for the entire progressive field to understand:
“The trans agenda is central to democracy. It is the role of cis people, it is the responsibility of all progressives.”
With several artistic and cultural interventions and entirely produced by trans and transvestite people (follow Trava Produções), the meeting was a moment of powerful dialogue and celebration of diversity.
It was also an important warm-up for the 2024 municipal elections in Brazil, a time to commit to increasing the number of trans and travestis elected (and including trans men, still absent from parliaments in the country), guaranteeing the mental health and safety of these leaders.
+++ Federal deputy Erika Hilton is this week’s interviewee on the Cartas para Pepita program: “Politics is not an end, it is a means for us to be in other places, everywhere”:
+++ Black and indigenous women and trans people are radically reimagining politics in Latin America through Amefrican alliances. I dive into this subject in the article “Amefrican Alliances for Shifting Powers”, available here.
