The book "Transvestis, far beyond the streets" will be released next Wednesday (19), which, as the title suggests, shows the lives of some transvestites outside the streets. The launch will take place at Shopping Pátio Paulista, in São Paulo.
Felipe Moreira, one of the book's authors, gave an exclusive interview telling us what it was like to write these stories, which, even before their official release, were already awarded by the Associação da Parada as the “Best GLBT-themed book”.
Born in Descalvado, in the interior of São Paulo, Felipe moved to the city's capital at the age of 17 with a clear objective in his mind: to help LGBTs who did not have the same family support as him.
Felipe lived abroad and now works as artistic director of the São Paulo Gay Parade. Check out the interview:
Redaction: Why did you move to São Paulo?
Felipe: I moved in 2002, when I was 17, to look for ways to help other people who didn't have the same family support and opportunities that I had. At the time, the São Paulo parade did not have a group of young people formed. I created a youth secretariat that sought to discuss specific topics and help young people who were expelled from home or suffered violence because they were homosexual.
Redaction: Do you have a degree in journalism? Why did you choose this training?
Felipe: After I moved to São Paulo I started looking for alternative forms of activism. I wanted to turn an ant's work into something that would reach as many people as possible and journalistic training was the answer to this search.
Redaction: How did the idea and interest in the topic come about to write this book?
Felipe: The idea of the book was to serve as a reference for other people to understand the topic, share incredible life stories and support the fight against prejudice. After all, prejudice can be overcome with education and information. We started writing it in 2006.
Redaction: You share the authorship of the book with four other colleagues. What was the book development process like?
Felipe: We wrote together. We wanted to tell the battle of many transvestites who live in the city of São Paulo. They are very discriminated against. They suffer all types of discrimination and are more exposed than the other letters in the GLBT acronym.
To our surprise, there were no other books on the subject at the time to serve as a reference. This only encouraged us, such an important subject was forgotten, abandoned in today's society.
Redaction: Transvestites are often marginalized by LGBT people themselves. What do you believe can change this reality?
Felipe: I believe this is a consequence of an intolerant and poorly informed society. I don't believe they are specifically excluded by the other letters in the GLBT acronym. What happens is that in general our community is disunited, which favors religious extremists. I think education and information solve the problem.
Redaction: Is there a story that was left out in the process of the book, but is it worth telling?
Felipe: When we signed with a publisher and started updating the book, we thought the worst part was over. After all, updating and obtaining authorizations to publish the material should be simple. However, in five years, everything changed. Some died, others moved and many of those we found did not have a signature at a notary's office. It is still an embarrassment to sign documents, open a bank account with a male name, when they have a female gender identity.
We estimated the update would take three months, but it took two years
Service:
What: Launch of the book “Transvestites, far beyond the streets”
When: 19/03/2014 (Wednesday)
Timetable: From 19 pm to 21 pm
Location: Saraiva Shopping Pátio Paulista – Rua Treze de Maio, 1947 Paraíso/ SP
