March 8 is the day when the achievements of the feminist movement are celebrated. The date is also used to warn about the constant violence suffered by women and represents, as in a political act, the fight for gender equality. Within this context, it is necessary to (re)remember that representativeness is important and can save lives, but for that, a careful look is needed, including the experiences of trans and transvestite women in all spaces.
With the terrible history of being one of the states that most kills transsexuals in the country (22 murders in the first two months of 2022), Ceará has the opportunity to change this situation, with a specific policy aimed at serving the LGBTQIA+ population, through the creation of the Secretariat of Citizenship and Diversity of Ceará.
The head of the party will be human rights specialist Mitchelle Benevides Meira. “The challenge is to respond to these crimes and remove hatred and violence from these people’s lives and this is done based on affirmative actions by a government with guidelines. We have a national secretariat and we need this policy to be put on the agenda to move forward “, believes Mitchelle, the first portfolio holder.
With the experience of someone who has been active in the fight against LGBTQIA+ violence and discrimination for decades, Mitchelle will work on three axes to respond and reduce the crimes that plague these people: Promotion of human rights, Protection and Citizenship. “Being in the top echelon is fundamental so that we can have budget in other bodies and develop actions that improve the quality of life, bringing more opportunity and qualification for them to enter the labor market and achieve their autonomy to get out of social vulnerability”, he points out. the Secretary.
With the experience of someone who has been active in the fight against LGBT violence and discrimination for decades, Mitchelle Benevides takes over as the first Secretary of Citizenship and Diversity of Ceará. / Personal archive
According to Mitchelle, education, health and safety are at the top of the vulnerabilities that affect the LGBTQIA+ population. In February, the state government inaugurated the first police station specialized in the Repression of Crimes based on Racial, Religious or Sexual Orientation and the construction of a shelter in Fortaleza is already planned. “We are going to work so that they feel welcomed with full citizenship and can overcome vulnerability”, guarantees Mitchelle.
In addition to the newly inaugurated equipment, the Acolhe Network, from the Public Defender’s Office, and the LGBTQIA+ Reference Centers Janaína Dutra and Thina Rodrigues (state network) and the LGBTQ Reference Center Janaína Dutra (municipal) work in Fortaleza in the promotion, defense and reception of trans people in the city. The Transdisciplinary Ambulatory Service for Transgender People (Sertrans) offers specialized interdisciplinary care for those who are going through the transition process.
The artist and researcher of the arts of the body, Lyz Vedra, 27 years old, is assisted by Sertrans. Born in Fortaleza, Lyz says that she was rejected and socially excluded throughout her childhood and adolescence, due to her gender identity. “I got care and I see the transformation in people’s lives after being treated at the outpatient clinic. But it needs to be strengthened because in the current format, it cannot handle the immense demand, and it needs to be expanded to reach the whole of Ceará”, hopes Lyz .
The artist and body arts researcher Lyz Vedra is not connected to the celebrations of the 8M, but recognizes the importance of the date for social struggles. / Publicity/Thiago Matine
Trans woman and transvestite, Lyz graduated in dance from the Federal University of Ceará and only upon entering the course did she feel welcomed to make the gender transition, but even so, she does not feel comfortable in the celebrations for the 8th of March. “I don’t feel connected with the date because there are no trans women or transvestites in public spaces, events or actions proposed to celebrate that day. But I recognize that it is an important space for political struggle, for more attention from the public power, in all orders. There are urgent demands that need a more attentive and careful look from the government and society”, claims the artist.
It is the same perception of student Lara, aged 18, who will have her last name preserved to guarantee her privacy. A lover of literature, cinema and video games, like many young people her age, Lara had to deal with a case of transphobia at school and developed a series of psychological issues after the crime. “A lot of violence, trauma and unpleasant situations along the way. Cisgenderism has excluded us from these events for a long time, categorically ignores our existence, dehumanizes us, as a result of misogynistic transphobia, so I consider it important to occupy these spaces and resist, and also celebrate, for being us, for being alive”, defends the student.
Source: BdF Ceará
Editing: Camila Garcia
