**Trans Visibility Day: Working Groups Tackle Security, Education, and Rights**
On March 31st, in honor of Trans Visibility Day, about 50 transgender women gathered at the Cultural Center of Tijuana to engage in discussions aimed at fostering dialogue and advocating for reforms to enhance the quality of life for the trans community. The event featured a series of working sessions focusing on key issues such as civil registration, safety, education, and housing, and was attended by both state and municipal authorities.
Susana Barrales Honorato, the president of the organization La Casita de Unión Trans, highlighted the progress seen in the Mexican government regarding inclusivity. She emphasized the importance of the event in bringing together over 50 transgender women to push for the recognition of their rights. According to Barrales Honorato, it is crucial to promote empathy within society and to understand the different realities faced by the community, with around 200 transgender women residing in Tijuana and 1,500 in the broader Baja California region.
“Those of us who lack housing and education are vulnerable, and it’s imperative to drive change at both local and international levels. We must keep opening dialogue spaces to speak about issues affecting us, such as violence and discrimination,” Barrales Honorato added.
In the educational sphere, Barrales Honorato underlined the necessity of sensitizing not just students but also teachers, who need training to adequately support transgender students. She shared her personal struggles as a transgender youth to stress the importance of continuous education on the matter.
Regarding civil registration, while Baja California is open to recognizing gender identity, challenges remain for trans migrants who currently need to travel as far as Guadalajara to complete legal procedures, as recognition is limited to those born in the state. Belinda Rodríguez, an official from the Civil Registry, discussed ongoing efforts to address these limitations by collaborating with state authorities to find solutions under the existing Civil Code.
Activist Bridgette Luján, associated with La Casita de Unión Trans and the LGBTI+ program at Al Otro Lado, raised concerns about the lack of legal protection for victims of transfeminicide. Mexico, following Brazil, has one of the highest rates of hate crimes against the trans community, an issue often overlooked in official statistics. Luján hopes for a significant change with the pending State Congress vote on the transfeminicide crime initiative, which could impose penalties of up to 60 years for offenders.
**Secondary Article: Progress and Challenges of Trans Visibility in Mexico**
Trans Visibility Day is a time not only to celebrate but to address ongoing struggles within the trans community. In Mexico, legislative progress continues regarding the rights and protection of transgender individuals. However, many challenges still loom large. Lack of understanding, systemic barriers, and discrimination remain significant hurdles in achieving full equality.
Forerunners like Susana Barrales Honorato lead the charge in advocating for comprehensive legal and social changes, aiming to improve safety, educational access, and housing security for transgender people. Their efforts highlight the importance of empathy and societal awareness in combating prejudice.
Meanwhile, initiatives like the proposed transfeminicide legislation underscore the urgency of legal reforms to combat violence targeted at trans individuals. As these efforts unfold, the trans community remains resilient, continually advocating for recognition and rights while striving to dismantle entrenched inequities within Mexican society.