In Peru, a highly machismo, conservative, religious and homophobic culture, transgender women are extremely marginalized and discriminated by society. Persecution is inevitable, leading to abandonment of families and studies. Without economic support, most fall into prostitution where they live in compromised conditions throughout their lives with limited opportunities for social security, higher education or employment outside the streets. As sex workers they’re vulnerable to disease, violence and sexual and substance abuse. Lacking legal protection, cases of violence go undocumented, leaving these human rights violations invisible.
In Peru, a country with a highly machismo, conservative, religious and transphobic culture, transgender women are extremely marginalized and discriminated by society. Persecution begins early at home and school, causing them to abandon their families and studies. With few options or economic support, the majority fall into prostitution where they live in compromised conditions throughout their lives with limited opportunities for social security, higher education or employment outside the streets. With few avenues for upward mobility, they are sequestered in hostile environments characterized by rejection, fear and exploitation. As transgender sex workers, they are easy targets of disease, violence from police, partners and clients and sexual and substance abuse. In fact, eighty percent of trans homicides worldwide occur in Latin America. Without legal protections or recognition, many cases of violence and death in Peru go undocumented, leaving these human rights violations invisible.
However, what is visible are photographs in traditional media that show them as hyper-sexualized, deconstructed objects only capable of prostitution. These stories dangerously focus on the superficiality of sex rather than the complexities of gender identity. As a way to combat these stereotypes, I aim my camera on their personal lives with friends, family and partners rather than their lives on the streets. When photographing the streets, I strive to convey the tight-knit connections between the women, the abuse by law enforcement, the discomforts of prostitution or the quiet, quirky moments that are hidden from mainstream media.
I believe when media producers continue to narrowly construct these women as objects, society will fail to include them in humanity. If society can’t see them as human, how will people see that they deserve rights and respect just like any other? Photography can lead to awareness and understanding of how society’s judgement pushes them into prostitution rather than providing space for achievement beyond the streets. As a documentary photographer, it is my job to show society what they cannot see due to blinding institutional prejudices.