O jornal Country Brazil published this Wednesday (3) a report, by journalist Joana Oliveira, with the exciting story of Maria Luiza da Silva, first openly transgender woman in the FAB (Brazilian Air Force).
Now 59 years old, she served the FAB for 22 years as an aviation mechanic, having received several medals and diplomas of recognition.
In 1998, she communicated her true gender to her superiors and two years later, she was forced into retirement. The medical report classifies her as “definitely unfit for military service”, but “not disabled, totally or permanently incapacitated for any work”.
“I suffered a lot, because I love aviation. Taking me out of the Air Force was like taking me out of my own home. I was very hopeful that the courts would allow me to return to work for a few more years,” he told the newspaper.
On May 23 of this year, the STJ (Superior Court of Justice) recognized that she was discriminated against and confirmed her right to remain in the functional property she lives in Brasília until she begins to receive her full sublieutenant's pension - even though she was removed as a corporal – referring to the last position in the FAB in the ranks of enlisted personnel. There is still a last appeal by the Union to the Court.
Maria Luiza's story brings common characteristics of the life stories of transgender people: suffering due to discrimination, difficulty in being understood as they really are and fighting in court for their rights. This time, we celebrate another victory with her.
We are on your side, Maria Luiza.
Read the full article at Country Brazil.
