The resolution that gave the right to transvestites and transsexual women to occupy female wards in health units in the city of Rio de Janeiro lasted only seven days. The City Hall went back and resumed the measure that disrespects gender identity, forcing them to stay in the men's section.
+ Brazilian companies begin to discuss LGBT professionals
According to the municipal health secretary, Daniel Soranz the new decision was taken on the 9th due to "technical criteria".
"It is up to doctors to decide the best place where people should be located in Rio's health units. The resolution only establishes what must be done correctly", he limited himself to the newspaper O Dia, avoiding going deeper into the subject.
The community of transvestites, transsexual women and trans men repudiated the withdrawal of their right to attend the space that matches their gender identity. And they point out that the decision is motivated by transphobia and religious fundamentalism.
“It is a step backwards in guaranteeing the rights of the trans community, as it violates the human rights of this part of the population. The withdrawal of the right was caused to serve the retrograde and perverse part of society, because wanting trans people to feel excluded and away from the social context is perversity”, he declares Cleo Oliviera, social work student at Puc-Rio, THE CAPE.
+ Parara-Tim-Bum singer comes out of the closet: "You have to have courage"
According to her, wanting a transvestite or transsexual woman to be treated in the men's ward is promoting exclusion. “It is yet another way of excluding and preventing the group from using a guaranteed right, which is to attend a health service. Imagine placing a woman in a male ward? She will suffer embarrassment, as will the man next to her. This causes her to avoid seeking the service, to avoid seeking treatment.”
It is worth remembering that religious fundamentalists spoke out against the first decision and celebrated the change. Among them, Silas Malafaia, who declared that the resolution was "stupid, stupid" and that it gives "privilege to a group". "To inflict this on women? That was an affront, a shame. Congratulations to Mayor Eduardo Paes," she declared.
A setback…
Updated: 16/07/2015, at 10:36 am
Carlos Tufvesson, Special Coordinator of Sexual Diversity, issued a note saying that, despite the change in resolution, transvestites and transgender women will indeed be able to use the women's wing – since this principle is guaranteed by the SUS, with employees only being responsible for compliance.
Read:
"In the city of Rio de Janeiro, discrimination is not permitted, as expressed in the Organic Law of our municipality in article V, paragraph 1.
The change in the ordinance of the Municipal Health Department only complies with a requirement from the Public Prosecutor's Office, determining that the opinion on transsexuality is the responsibility of the doctor who performs the first consultation. So that, in this way, the recognition of gender identity is technical, ethical and professional, as every transgender citizen deserves from our employees.
Therefore, the transsexual citizen, or if this is not possible, their family, must continue to request that their hospitalization be carried out in accordance with their gender identity. This principle is ensured by the SUS, and employees are only responsible for complying with it.
In case of violation of fundamental rights, a complaint may be filed with the CEDS for discrimination."
