Odyssey for our own name. Report about transvestite’s community in Argentina

This book is the result of an invesigation about transvestites, transexuals and transgenders, made in City of Buenos Aires, Mar de Plata and other locations around, during 2005. The title suggested the book is going to talk about identity and limitations in legal recognition of it, but this investigation is related with many topics about trans people.

First numbers are alarmable. 62% of the population studied, died with AIDS, their names appear at the beginning of the book. Thos 62% had between 22 and 31 years old (35%) and between 32 and 41 years old (34%). It means that almost 70% of trans population died before 41 years old in Argentina becuase of AIDS. The second main important cause of death is murdered, it represented 17% of the cases.

Berkins and Fernandez talk extensively about problems of violence, specially suffered by trans people who are dedicated to prostitution. This topic has been denounced also in others Latin American countries.

It is very important know that trans people have no existence in the official, because what really matters for the State is their biology and not their identities. There is a sub registration of trans people, it means that we couldn’t know exactly how many are them, because in official registration (in hospitals, jail, police reports and others) is is only write their name, as it is registered in their documents. The name can’t say anything about their gender identity.

In relation with health, if we want trans people has a healthy life is necessary to consider public health services, limitations of life and human rights. In the public services trans people constantly received aggressions. Staff in hospitals (doctors, nurses and administrative people) do not respect trans people. Also, their intimacy are ignored and many times attention is negated because of being trans. The book denounced some hospitals that had discriminated people. There are cases in which patient was denied attention in spite of his dramatic health situation that became in dead. Some other cases talk about terrible aggressions.

Another dramatic topic is educational system because of the rigid education they impart. Most of trans people assume their identity, beyond their biological sexuality, very young and are forced to abandon basic education because of aggressions suffered by partners and teachers without interventions of educational authorities.

In spite of this difficult situation, authors talk about some cases in which trans persons are finished their basic studies, being adults. At the beginning were denied, but little by little became friendly and recognized partners at the school. This happy experiences are very meaningful because demostrated the importance of share some public spaces looking for the recognition of diferences. In the quotidianly people abandon theirs prejudices and take the time to know the other. Unfortunately, these cases are only exceptions, but is a great example for continuing with this fight against discrimination.

This book share with us the testimonies of real trans, people of bones and flesh. Also at the end there is some interesting statistics about trans population. That is why we consider very important resume this book looking for this great effort will be repeated in another countries.