Maria Clara Araújo dos Passos
What does liberation look like for you?
Brazil is the most dangerous country to live as a trans person. So, for a lot of us (Brazilian trans community) liberation only can be achieved if we have the possibility to stay safe in this country. Brazil needs to recognize transphobia as on going genocide. 80% of the murders against the trans community were committed against Afro-brazilian travestis and trans Women. Liberation means desmantling those dehumanization practices that violete us in this country.
What are your dreams for yourself and the Black Trans community?
As a travesti and also as a social educator that lives in Brazil, my/our biggest challenge is to help the trans community to understand the importance of reclaiming our citizenship and dignity. In times like right now, we’re trying to create a national pedagogical community responsible for bringing light to the issues that we’re facing under Bolsonaro’s administration. Like the United States, a lot of anti-trans bills are being proposed by the Brazil.
Why should there be an increase in Black Trans representation within your chosen field?
I do believe that we need to understand why this kind of neoconservatism has been more accepted in our region. In Brazil, we’ve been facing some anti-trans movements that want to erase gender and sexuality from schools. That is why, for me, it is necessary to reflect on those issues and how those initiatives impact not only the trans-Brazilian community but also the way we understand what \Education means.