LGBTQIA+ rights South America

‘We dream of a life free from discrimination’: Help Yren and Mariana exercise their rights as trans women in Paraguay (W4R 2022)

Yren and Mariana marching for LGBTI+ rights. © Amnesty International/P4ul3. Yren Rotel takes part in a demonstration outside the Supreme Court of Justice, Asuncion, Paraguay, 28 June, 2022. Yren and Mariana Sepúlveda, both activists and human rights defenders of LGBTIQ+ people in Paraguay, began their processes of building their identity as transgender women in their childhood, a process that is not easy in a context as conservative as Paraguay's. Both suffered bullying and harassment at a very early age and were forced to drop out of school, in the case of Yren due to the violence she was subjected to by her classmates, and in the case of Mariana because the principals of the educational institution decided not to integrate a person with a non-normative gender identity with the rest of the students. However, their impetus and conviction to move forward, led them to get involved with civil society organizations and thus begin their activism and training as human rights defenders, to raise their voices and demand the Paraguayan government a platform of laws and policies that dignify the lives of trans women in the country. As part of their public campaign for gaining legal recognition, in 2016 they both initiated a judicial process to change their legal name and rectify their birth registration certificate. After four years of delay and stagnation in the process, the Civil and Commercial Court of Appeals referred the files of Yren and Mariana to the Constitutional Chamber of the Supreme Court of Justice Taking the principle of intersectionality of human rights, the lack of legal recognition of the identities of trans people in Paraguay leads to the violation of other fundamental rights that diminish their voice and participation in other areas of life. For example, there are groups and collectives of trans people who cannot register as organizations with a legal personality, since they need to present an identity document that does not correspond to their real gender identity, thus limiting their right to freedom of expression and peaceful protest. Furthermore, organizations of trans people usually face barriers to conduct their work of promotion and defense of human rights, because some authorities and conservative groups deny permits and block their right to use the public space to carry marches, demonstrations and public activities that promote information on LGBTIQ+ rights. These actions constitute a violation of the right to protest, as well as freedom of assembly and association. Yren and Mariana marching for LGBTI+ rights. © Amnesty International/P4ul3

As trans women, Yren and Mariana have been fighting for their rights for years, including being able to change their legal names and obtain documents that match their gender identity. Yet, they’ve been bullied, physically attacked and prevented from speaking out about the issues they face in their daily lives as trans women.

What is happening in Paraguay for LGBTIQ+?

We are Yren and Mariana, and we’re trans women and activists from Paraguay. We’ve been fighting for years for LGBTIQ+ rights and against the discrimination trans people face.

Trans people in Paraguay cannot legally change their names or obtain identity documents that match their gender identity. This makes it difficult to access work, education and healthcare services, which perpetuates a cycle of poverty and inequality.

Everyone deserves to live a life free from discrimination. Instead, we’ve been bullied, physically attacked and prevented from speaking out about the issues we face. Due to Paraguay being a very conservative country, LGBTIQ+ demonstrations are often banned by the authorities, and some have even been violently targeted.

In face of the discrimination we experience, we say “We are not a danger, we are in danger”. We just want to live our lives freely without fear, and to enjoy our rights.

With documentation that matches who we are, the state would be acknowledging us as trans women, and not imposing on us an identity that is not ours. This would be a huge step in our historical struggle for equality.

People power works – how you can help

Millions of compassionate people like you take part in Write for Rights – Amnesty’s annual global campaign, which is on right now. For more than 20 years, we have seen the power of collective voices in action. People unjustly imprisoned freed, trumped-up charges dropped, and those who abuse human rights brought to justice.

Let’s stand with Yren and Mariana by calling on Paraguay to legally recognise the identity of trans people. Together, we demand change for trans people everywhere.

TAKE ACTION

When courageous people protest, they make the world a better place. We must protect the right to protest wherever it is restricted and whenever it is at risk.

For Write for Rights 2022, we are taking action for brave individuals from around the world, who have all paid a great price for speaking truth to power. We run Write for Rights every year because it works – real change happens when ordinary people come together to take action.

Learn more about Write for Rights. Write a letter, change a life – including yours.

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