Indigenous trans actress reports transphobia and racism at gym

By Ana Pastana – From Cenarium

MANAUS (AM) – Trans actress and Indigenous student Maria do Rio Negro Kaxinawá stated this Friday, the 4th, that she was a victim of transphobia and racism at a gym located on Avenida José Lindoso, in the Parque Dez neighborhood, in Manaus’ Central-South Zone. In a video posted on social media, she explained that the incident, which occurred on Thursday, the 3rd, happened when a gym employee approached her to say that some women were uncomfortable with her using the women’s restroom.

“I was a victim of transphobia and racism. A gym employee came up to me saying that several women were uncomfortable with me using the women’s restroom and that they had asked him to tell me. He also said I should behave myself because I was dancing too much. This employee approached me in front of everyone, in a humiliating way, laughing, with his phone in hand, mocking me. One of the gym’s security guards even pushed me,” she explained.

According to Maria, the approach happened in public, and beyond the remark about the restroom, the staff member told her to “behave,” claiming she was “dancing too much” at the gym. In her statement, she also denied having recorded anyone in the women’s restroom and said that the accusation against her — which circulated on social media this Friday, the 4th — “is a way for people to delegitimize” her story.

“It’s important to say that the reports going around did not come from me. What happened was, yes, transphobia and racism. I deny all the information that is circulating. People are saying I was filming women in the bathroom. That’s a lie. I didn’t film anyone. This is a way for people to delegitimize my pain, my story,” she said in the video.

During the recording, the actress also shared that she called the Military Police of Amazonas (PM-AM) to the scene. According to her account, the officers advised her to leave the location for her own safety. They also instructed her to file a police report (BO) about the incident.

Transphobic comments

Following the incident’s exposure, transphobic comments were directed at the Indigenous trans woman on social media. One user said Maria should use the men’s restroom and claimed her presence in women’s restrooms made other women uncomfortable. Another person told her to “go back to the village.” See the comments:

Maria has been sharing the attacks and speaking out through her social media. “I will not be silent. What happened to me happens to many trans, Indigenous, and racialized people like me in this country, and I will not be silent,” she declared.

A crime

In 2019, Brazil’s Federal Supreme Court (STF) ruled that homophobia and transphobia are criminal offenses, classifying them under Law 7.716/89, which punishes acts of racism. The penalty for those convicted ranges from one to three years in prison. The sentence can increase to five years if the offense is widely disseminated. The law also provides for fines.

CENARIUM contacted the Military Police of Amazonas (PM-AM) for more information on the incident and is awaiting a response. The report also reached out to the Association of Travestis, Transsexuals and Transgenders of Amazonas (Assotram) for a statement, but as of the time of publication, had not received a reply. The gym where the incident occurred was also contacted for a response regarding the accusation against the employee. The space remains open for comment.

Edited by Jadson Lima
Reviewed by Gustavo Gilona
Translated from Portuguese by Gustô Alves