- Title: Brazilian activist says Mexico detained her over transvestite identity
- Date: 6th May 2022
- Summary: SAO PAULO, BRAZIL (MAY 5, 2022) (REUTERS) BRAZILIAN TRANS ACTIVIST KEILA SIMPSON POSING FOR PHOTOS WITH TRANSGENDER FLAG PROJECTED BEHIND HER TRANS ACTIVIST SIMPSON POSING FOR PHOTOS (SOUNDBITE) (Portuguese) PRESIDENT FOR THE BRAZILIAN ASSOCIATION OF TRANSVESTITES AND TRANSSEXUALS (ANTRA), KEILA SIMPSON, SAYING: "I travelled to Mexico because I was selected as one of the 20 people that made up the delegation of ABONG (Brazilian Association of NGOs). We went there for the World Social Forum, celebrated from May 1 to 6. The delegation arrived on Saturday (April 30) and I arrived on Sunday. I would've liked to arrive with the delegation but, due to a communication mistake, I ended up arriving on Sunday, fearing already that I might have problems. Not so much because of the language but because of the stigmas that I know Mexican society has." SIMPSON TALKING ON THE PHONE (SOUNDBITE) (Portuguese) PRESIDENT FOR THE BRAZILIAN ASSOCIATION OF TRANSVESTITES AND TRANSSEXUALS (ANTRA), KEILA SIMPSON, SAYING: "The person to whom the police handed me over explained the situation to me: I had been detained because they had found an incongruity in my documents. There was no incongruity in my documents, my documents had my original name, and that's my identity (transvestite). My passport photo is new, in fact my passport is valid until 2028, there's six years left for it to expire, so it is a very current photo. The person explained to me that I could file a complaint and ask the Mexican government for an explanation as to why I was being deported and not admitted to the country." SIMPSON WORKING ON COMPUTER (SOUNDBITE) (Portuguese) PRESIDENT FOR THE BRAZILIAN ASSOCIATION OF TRANSVESTITES AND TRANSSEXUALS (ANTRA), KEILA SIMPSON, SAYING: "I looked at the (customs) official and said 'that was trans-phobia' and he said 'no, that wasn't trans-phobia'. So I said: 'the only person who can say it was trans-phobia is me, since I am trans. You didn't served me, you weren't there when I was served, nor during my entire stay at the airport and in the waiting room.' During all the time I was called by the name that is on the documentation despite having a female identity and despite having said that my name was Keila."
- Embargoed: 20th May 2022 22:57
- Keywords: Brazil Keila Simpson LGBTQI Mexico deportation forum trans trans activist
- Location: VARIOUS LOCATIONS
- City: VARIOUS LOCATIONS
- Country: Various
- Topics: Society/Social Issues
- Reuters ID: LVA001632006052022RP1
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: Keila Simpson, a Brazilian activist for trans and transvestites, says she was detained and denied entry to Mexico City's international airport last Sunday (May 1) because authorities objected to the discrepancy between her appearance and the name in her passport.
The 57-year-old activist and president of Brazil's Association of Transvestites and Transsexuals (Antra) had been set to attend the 2022 World Social Forum - a gathering of LGBTQ, indigenous and environmental activists - in the Mexican capital.
Simpson says she was detained after showing a passport with her former name, which airport staff allegedly called an "incongruity" with her appearance.
"I looked at the (customs) official and said 'that was transphobia' and he said 'no, that wasn't transphobia'", explained Simpson.
In Brazil, a person can change their social name without the need to change their sex, according to a 2018 Supreme Court ruling.
The choice to do so is up to the individual. Simpson, who identifies as a transvestite and not transgender, had not changed hers.
Simpson told Reuters she had been detained for 10 hours and was not allowed access to her lawyer.
Mexico's Migration entity said in a statement that Simpson did not state the requested information upon arrival, like where she would stay, the activities she was going to participate in and her return ticket information.
"The immigration authority acted based on the law and unrestricted respect for the human rights of migrants, regardless of their ethnic or national origin, sex, age, religion or gender identity," the statement added.
Nevertheless Simpson's lawyer, Gustavo Coutinho, said she had all the required documentation with her and that other members of her delegation were granted entry with the same documents.
"There are a several indicators that the treatment Keila received from Mexican authorities was discriminatory," Coutinho said.
Mexico's foreign ministry declined comment.
"My documents had my original name, and that's my identity (transvestite). My passport photo is new, in fact my passport is valid until 2028," added Simpson, who lives in Brazil's northeastern city of Salvador.
In Brazil, a transvestite person is a gender identity that does not fit into the two commonly used male and female ones, in contrast to transgender people who may go through a transition process.
"The only thing I have that identifies me as a transvestite is my ID," she said. "If I change it, I would erase myself as a transvestite."
Brazil and Mexico are the world's deadliest countries for transgender and gender nonconforming people, according to a survey conducted by Transgender Europe (TGEU), a network of non-profits advocating for trans rights globally.
Despite the efforts by some trans politicians to change rules and fight prejudice, Latin America remains as one of the worst regions for trans people in the world.
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