Transvestites Will Receive Scholarships to Complete Basic Schooling in São Paulo

01/30/2015 - 09h29

Transvestite Janaína Santos, 46, would like to study philosophy.

"To use it as a weapon", she says. Santos stopped studying and moved to Europe to become a prostitute when she was 18.
 
She is one of the one hundred persons selected by Transcidadania program, announced by São Paulo's city hall.

The program will give grants of $ 322 to transvestites and transsexuals completing basic education during a period of two years.
 
According to the city's administration, there are between 3,000 and 4,000 transvestites and transsexuals in São Paulo. 60% of them have not yet completed elementary school.
 
The candidates must have quitted school; cannot be formally employed and must have an income lower than half the minimum wage.
 
p(gallery).

In addition to the classes given at the Integrated Centres of Young and Adult Education, courses in areas such as makeup and sewing will be offered.
 
LGBT members, however, disagree over the effectiveness of the project.
 
"There are many transsexuals with a university degree who are unemployed", says Daniela Andrade, 33, a systems analyst and transsexual activist.

"The market discriminates against you because of your gender identity, not your qualification."
 
VIOLENCE
 
The Federal Government has changed the notification system used in the Unified Health System (SUS) to report violence cases.
 
From now on, health professionals who meet victims of aggression must inform the patient's gender and sexual orientation.

The government believes the action is likely to help account for cases of assault against the LGBT population and thus be used to plan public policies.
 
p(tagline). Translated by JULIANA CALDERARI

Read the article in the original language