Public Policy for Trans People: Lessons from Brazil for Social Inclusion

Abstract

Motivation

In Brazil, as elsewhere, trans people are often subjected to a historical process of social exclusion. This phenomenon not only perpetuates discriminatory attitudes but also actively prevents the participation of this community in society. Consequently, social marginalisation becomes not only a method of survival, but also an involuntary decision for a large part of this minority.

Objective

Brazil's Transcidadania Programme, created in 2015, can be interpreted as a solution to reverse this scenario. This study aims to identify, describe and analyse the model of social reintegration used in the programme.

Approach and methods

We used a single case study as the main methodological resource of this qualitative research due to the uniqueness of the programme, combined with semi-structured interviews with key actors in the programme.

Conclusions

The social reintegration model of the Transcidadania programme is structured around three pillars: (1) reception; (2) incentive; and (3) monitoring. Our results indicate that the model, as well as being considered institutionally viable, presents a simplified structure that can be replicated. This study can contribute to the discussions on the analysis of affirmative policies targeting sexual minorities, a focus considered scarce within affirmative policy studies. In practical terms, our findings will be of value to policymakers looking to establish and develop public policies for trans people and other sexual minorities.

Political implications

Access to citizenship for trans people is a challenge worldwide. There are few policies and programmes aimed at changing this situation. For this reason, we believe that the model adopted by Transcidadania could be considered an initiative capable of being disseminated to nations that, like Brazil, face serious human rights violations and controversial political contexts.