Identifying myself first as a lesbian and afterwards as a non-binary person, I am no stranger

to the blatant and violent LGBTI-phobia which afflicts my home country. The ever-present
discrimination, alongside all the hardships and inequalities Brazil faces as a developing country,
makes queer living experience awfully challenging. When it comes to the ​reality of ​a Brazilian trans
person, it is ​pervaded to such a point by an array of disadvantages and violence that makes ​Brazil the
world leader in trans murder (according to the TGEU). Such dreadful scenario, which I knew was not
only permeating my home country, but societies across the globe, awakened in me an even stronger
wish to find the best possible ways to fight them.

Striving to achieve a conscientious comprehension of the roots of Gender and Sexuality

issues, I took all the advantage I could from the diverse environment a high-level institution such as
the University of São Paulo offered. I undertook “Anthropology and Gender Studies” and also
“Sexuality and Social Sciences”, becoming progressively more acquainted with numerous relevant
authors in the field. Additionally, as USP was one of the few selected for the implementation of the
UN Women [HeForShe] Initiative, I had the privilege to become familiarized with the works of the
UN System. Combined with acting as a member in feminist study groups and LGBTI collectives, I
gained a wide comprehension of regional, national and global perspectives on the matter.

Such steady academic commitment lead to the writing of a Course Conclusion Paper titled
“The Binary Chamber - The Photographic Performativity of Gender“. It combined extensive research
of social sciences authors in the fields of gender, french semiotics and photography theorists, in
order to analyse how society operates visual codes in the enforcement of binary gender normatives
and how those very imagetic codes can be applied as a way of subverting and legitimising new
bodies and identities.

But academic writing wasn’t enough for me. Acknowledging that, unlike many, I was
privileged to have access to such education, it sparked in me an unwavering sense of duty of giving
more to my community. ​Thence, the “Na Ponta da Língua” platform was founded. Freely translated
to “Tip of the Tongue”, it promotes LGBTI visibility and representativity through storytelling, comics
and news reporting. Resilience and passionate dedication to the project for the past two and a half
years has resulted in an impact in thousands of individuals, specially teens, who feel welcomed and
represented by quality content that sincerely resonates to their queer realities. NPDL led me to
speak in numerous relevant national and international events (such as in Chile and Argentina) and to
work alongside the Secretary of Human Rights of São Paulo, giving support to local public policies
initiatives. This further enabled me to contribute to the achievement of the local and universal goals
proposed by the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

I consider the improvements reached through the UN Human Rights System, regional
human rights systems and related NGOs of extreme importance to the consolidation of LGBTI Rights
and the strengthening of their protection at a regional, national and global level. It is motivating to
see how research and advocacy can ​influence gender-sensitive policy-making that ​changes and
improves, even if slow-paced, so many aspects of the lives of queer people around the globe.

I am confident that my solid and international background in research, activism and media,
as well as my enthusiasm and dedication, can enrich the multicultural atmosphere of the
programme. ​It would allow me to grow personally and professionally, as wells as put me closer to my
goal of helping LGBTI people secure their rights and allow them to live up to their potentials in all
spheres of life. I see being a part of the ILGA Team as more than an internship, but as a key part to
my life’s mission on giving back to the community.