Trans women achieve name and gender change in Amazonas

For the first time, trans women from the municipality of Lábrea, Amazonas, were able to change their name and gender on their civil documents. The action was carried out with the support of the Public Defender’s Office of the State of Amazonas (DPE-AM) during the Itinerant Cooperative Justice Program in the Legal Amazon, promoted by the National Council of Justice (CNJ). Six women were assisted and had their birth certificates rectified, fulfilling the right to exercise personal dignity, guaranteed by the Federal Supreme Court (STF) since 2018.

The campaign took place between June 17 and 21 and was attended by more than 50 institutions to promote access to justice. The hearings were conducted by public defenders from the Purus Pole of the DPE-AM, Amanda Pereira, Bárbara Deucher, João Gustavo Fonseca and Rachel Silva, as well as representatives from the Court of Justice of the State of Amazonas (TJAM) and the Public Prosecutor’s Office of the State of Amazonas (MPAM).

The new citizens of Lábrea, Jhully, Myrella, Chloe, Damy, Nashilla and Laylla, not only had their birth certificates changed, but were also able to modify other documents in the same event, adapting them to their identity and gender expression.

Public defender Bárbara Deucher highlighted the importance of formal recognition of self-declared gender identity. “This is a significant step in the fight of trans people to guarantee their rights in the city of Lábrea. These six women were the first in the municipality to change their name and gender on their documents,” said Deucher.

For public defender João Gustavo Fonseca, the action goes beyond the direct impact on the beneficiaries, educating the community about the importance of respecting gender identity. “It teaches that every person should have their desire to be recognized according to their identity respected, both by the community and by official bodies,” Fonseca highlighted.

By Ezatamentchy