(Interview Paul Hofman)
Enthusiastic activist for all transgender people of Brazilian descent. “I can’t be who I am everywhere. As a transgender person I don’t always feel safe. Even in the Netherlands there are places where I don’t want people to know I’m trans. I’m an ambassador this year because most transgender people don’t feel well represented within the LGBTI community. That needs to change. This is our Pride too!”
Interview
The Brazilian Ana Paula Lima is the face of the transgender community in our country during this Pride. She was born in São Paulo, which she left at twenty. As a transgender person it was impossible for her to build a life in her homeland. “I really grew up in Europe. I became hardened here.”
She talks about a life of many ups and downs that she experienced when she discovered she was different from others. “I’m transgender and life in Brazil was therefore difficult for me. At the same time it was very dangerous.” And it still is for transgender people, as a recent Human Rights Watch report shows. “If I had to sum it up in one word: it’s awful.” Violence against LGBTI people is common. There are still countries where transgender people are abused, intimidated and persecuted,” she says softly.
After fleeing Brazil Ana Paula ended up in Italy, where she lived for ten years. “There I met the love of my life. And through that love I eventually came to the Netherlands.”
The Netherlands is very dear to her and she enjoys living here. Although it isn’t always easy to be transgender in our country, Ana Paula admits. “Even in certain neighbourhoods of Amsterdam I can’t be myself. I feel very unsafe there, so I avoid them.” Despite how different Brazil and the Netherlands are, they share one thing: the position of transgender people is very poor, Ana Paula stresses.
In the Netherlands she decided to become actively involved in the transgender community. “I’ve always had a sense of justice. From a young age I faced discrimination because I’m transgender. But I had never acted on that feeling. Activism started to bubble up in me.” Proud: “I threw myself into it because I saw that even in Amsterdam the emancipation of transgender people lagged behind the rest of the LGBTI community.” Now she is a committed activist who firmly puts the transgender community on the map. No one can ignore her. Swimming against the tide doesn’t bother her.
She was very surprised to be asked to become an ambassador. “I absolutely didn’t expect it. I felt very happy because the work I do for my group is recognised.” It’s a crowning achievement for the work she carries out with great dedication, energy and involvement. Then she continues: “I’m an ambassador this year because most transgender people don’t feel well represented in our larger LGBTI community. That must change!” Ana Paula sounds determined: “This is our Pride too.”
The ambassadorship gives her more hope. “I hope our visibility improves and grows. As an ambassador I can make clear that the T in the LGBTI acronym needs more attention.” She adds: “We transgender people also have talents. My community is suffering now and I want everyone to face that truth. That’s what I’m working for.”
Ana Paula is clear about how she will fulfil her new role: “Transgender people have long been a forgotten group. Did you know that during the Canal Parade last year, for the first time in history, a transgender boat sailed in the parade?” It was a huge victory.
As she leaves, the distinctive figure of the transgender community says emotionally: “As a trans woman I feel forgotten and ignored. I dream that the prejudices against transgender people will disappear and that we can enjoy the same freedoms as everyone else.”
Then the mission of this passionate advocate for transgender acceptance will have succeeded. Busy times are ahead for Ana Paula.
Her appointment as ambassador is a small but important step toward a better world.
Pride Ambassador since 2017
