Transgender volleyballer Tiffany Abreu played her first match as a starter in Brazil's top female volleyball league in the city of Bauru on Tuesday (19th December).

SCRIPTING INFORMATION:

While playing as a man, Brazilian volleyballer Tiffany Abreu accumulated dozens of trophies around the world.

But she says that among her most important accolade was being named most valuable player on Tuesday night after a match against a countryside team, as rain leaked from the roof into a half empty gymnasium.

Abreu, 33, is the first transgender athlete in Brazil's Superliga - the country's top women's volleyball tournament.

She is sure to turn heads in Brazil, a conservative country that is home to the world's largest Catholic population, which has also seen a rapid growth of evangelical faiths.

Abreu's first game as a starter was a solid effort: she scored 25 points for Volei Bauru in a three sets to one victory over Pinheiros on Tuesday.

Before her gender transition in 2014, Abreu played in men's leagues in Brazil, Portugal, France, Indonesia, Spain, France and Belgium.

In 2017, after providing evidence that her hormones were adapted to the women's tournament rules, Abreu received authorisation from the International Volleyball Federation (FIVB) to play as a woman.

Earlier this year, she played for a second division team in Italy.

While she found support, she also said she felt pressure from heavy criticism, which came from fans and even team-mates.

She decided to return to Brazil to be closer to her family.

Abreu trained for months at the 2,000-seater stadium in Bauru, a conservative stronghold about 340 kilometres (200 miles) northwest of Sao Paulo.

Earlier this month, she signed a contract with Volei Bauru, a team that has had a rough season, winning only three out of the first eleven games.

Abreu says she hopes that veteran Brazil coach Jose Roberto Guimaraes, a three-time Olympic gold medallist, takes her to the Tokyo Olympic Games in 2020.

Speaking to to the Estado de Sao Paulo newspaper, Guimaraes said he doesn't see a reason why Abreu could not be in his team - provided she earns a spot.

She would likely receive resistance, from volleyball fans and players alike.

Former Brazil player and Olympic medallist Ana Paula Henkel has already stated that she believes Abreu should not play in the women's game.

"It is not a matter of prejudice, it is physiology," she said on her social media channels.

"Most players don't think it is fair for transsexuals to play against women. And it is not. (Abreu's) body was built with testosterone all life long."

Bauru Volei coach Fernando Bonatto believes Abreu is a brave woman who does not have special advantages.

"I met her much before when she played with the men," said Bonatto. "She was much stronger then. Her power has gone down a lot because of her transition."

However, Mariana Florenzani, a 24-year old Volei Bauru fan, believes Abreu deserves to play among women.

She also criticised Henkel for her view and evoked a memorable moment of Brazilian volleyball history, when Cuba defeated Brazil at the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta, USA.

After the game, Cuban player Regla Torres allegedly hit Henkel in the locker room during a post match brawl.

One of Abreu's team-mates, two-time Olympic gold medallist Paula Pequeno, said that dialogue between both sides - those in favour and against transgender athletes playing as women - is what is needed at the moment.

"We have to learn how to live with each other, to respect each other," tells Pequeno.

"But we also can't feel that we are coerced in our right to express our views," she added.

Ginasio Panela de Pressao, Bauru, Brazil – 19th December, 2017.

1. 00:00 Tilt down of Ginasio Panela de Pressao (Portuguese for Pressure Cooker Arena)

2. 00:11 Volei Bauru team banner

3. 00:16 Volei Bauru's outside hitter Tiffany Abreu warming up before game against Pinheiros

4. 00:25 Scoreboard before beginning of match

5. 00:31 Tiffany Abreu being announced in starting line-up

6. 00:40 Start of match between Volei Bauru and Pinheiros

7. 00:48 Tiffany Abreu attempting to block

8. 00:57 SOUNDBITE (English): Tiffany Abreu, Volei Bauru outside hitter:

"I had no idea I could play women's volleyball but when I stopped playing volleyball to become a woman, I (met) my manager (agent) and he said I could play on women's volleyball. I said 'Okay, so, If I can play, why not?' So I (continued with) my transition and now I'm here, finally happy with a very nice team-mates and (it's a) very nice city, who (embraced) me and I am really happy with everybody."

(Q: "Are you afraid of criticism?")

"No, I'm really not afraid of that because I'm (playing by) the rules and the rules support me. If the rules support me, I keep going."

9. 01:42 Tiffany Abreu scoring a point

10. 01:56 SOUNDBITE (Portuguese): Tiffany Abreu, Volei Bauru outside hitter:

(on criticism by Olympic bronze medallist Ana Paula Henkel, who said it is 'unfair' to have transgender players in women's volleyball)

"I love Ana Paula. She's a wonderful, gorgeous woman. She has played several years for the national team. She has an opinion. What I can't do is to stop playing because of that opinion, because I am within the rules. My hormone level is not above the limit. I am just an athlete blessed by God with a gift and I am a lucky transsexual person that can play. I hope others can come (into women's volleyball)."

11. 02:24 Volei Bauru players celebrating point

12. 02:37 Tiffany wins point

13. 02:47 SOUNDBITE (Portuguese): Fernando Bonatto, Volei Bauru head coach:

(on Tiffany Abreu)

"I knew Tiffany before, when she was playing men's volleyball. I know how much stronger she was in the past, the level of volleyball that she used to play. It has reduced immensely. I followed her first step as a man and now I follow her now. She's a player that has technical difficulties, and we need to build these skills. We must have a lot of patience with her. Will she help us? Yes, she will. But she has a very balanced game."

14. 03:17 Fans cheering for Volei Bauru

15. 03:22 SOUNDBITE (Portuguese): Mariana Florenzano, 24-year old Volei Bauru fan:

(on Ana Paula Henkel's criticism of Tiffany Abreu):

"Look, volleyball is not tennis. It's not individual, it's a team game. She can contribute with her strength, but her negative side is her mobility. And the only thing I have to say (about Ana Paula Henkel) is that I send a kiss to Regla (Torres, former Cuban volleyball player, who allegedly hit Henkel following Cuba's win over Brazil at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics semi-final). You can hit her again. She deserves it."

16. 03:43 Tiffany Abreu scores a point

17. 03:50 Fans chanting for Tiffany Abreu

18. 03:53 Tiffany Abreu dives to try and keep ball in play

19. 04:12 SOUNDBITE (Portuguese): Paula Pequeno, Volei Bauru outside hitter:

(on criticism over Tiffany Abreu):

"Ana Paula is also a human being, she also has the right to express her views. I don't think she was over the line with her opinion. At the same time, I have no opinion about Tiffany's choice. On the contrary, we have to learn how to live with each other, to respect each other. But we also can't feel that we are coerced in our right to express our views. We just need some calm, some dialogue, in order to keep things got together."

20. 04:42 Paula Pequeno scoring final point that seals victory for Volei Bauru

SOURCE: SNTV

DURATION: 04:52

Barbara Aires, who was born male, says she spent much of her childhood on the streets because her father, in the military and from the conservative state of Minas Gerais, refused to accept her sexuality.

By her late teenage years, Aires was taking hormones to transition to a woman and, because she couldn't find other employment, working as a prostitute, the fate of many transgender people who are shunned by much of Brazilian society.

Today, Aires is running to be a state representative in Rio de Janeiro, aiming to help transsexuals avoid the same fate she suffered and be a voice for other marginalized people.

"If you only have rich, white, men debating policy it will never benefit those who are in need," said Aires, 35, a freelance television producer who is part of the left-leaning Socialism and Liberty Party.

Aires is one of 53 transgender candidates running for state and federal offices in Brazil, a deeply conservative and religious country that is also one of the most dangerous in the world for transsexuals.

Last year, 179 were killed compared to 144 in 2016, according to Brazil's National Association of Transvestites and Transsexuals.

So far this year, 122 have been killed.

The boom in transgender candidacies - there were only 5 during the last general election in 2014, and none were successful - comes as Latin America's largest nation struggles to emerge from its worst recession in decades and the political class has largely been discredited amid a massive corruption scandal involving billions of dollars in kickbacks to politicians.

The presidential poll leader, far-right congressman Jair Bolsonaro, has a long history of offensive comments about gays, transsexuals, women and minorities.

For transgender candidates, Bolsonaro's candidacy - the candidate has said it would be better to have a dead son than a gay son - both invokes fear and stands as potential galvanizer to get people out to the polls.  

Bruna Benevides, a member of Brazil's National Association of Transvestites and Transsexuals said that violence against their community is nothing new the rise in conservatism means the trans and LGBT community "will be organizing to face that violence and those violations (their rights)."

Despite widespread discrimination and grim statistics - LGBT groups estimate that 35 is the life expectancy of transgender Brazilians - there are signs of change.

Earlier this year, Brazil's supreme court ruled that people could change their name and gender on their identity cards by simply asking to do so.

Previously, any legal change required sex reassignment surgery and court filings.

While transgender candidates address issues in the LGBT communities, many are also running on broader platforms aimed at appealing to voters of all stripes - necessary to have a realistic shot at getting elected.

One such candidate is Cristian Lins, a 44-year-old freelance photographer running for state representative in Rio de Janeiro on the Workers' Party ticket.

As a representative he would not just focus on the needs of the trans/LGBTQ communities.

As a candidate he is also proposing raising salaries of teachers and police as well as improve public security.

Rio de Janeiro - 21 September 2018

++Night Shots++

1. Close of Barbara Aires, a transgender candidate running to be a state representative in Rio de Janeiro, distributing flyers outside a metro station

2. Close flyers showing a picture of Aires and a LGBT candidate

3. Various of Aires distributing flyers and taking a picture with a supporter outside the metro station

Rio de Janeiro - 13 September 2018

++Night Shots++

4. Various of transgender people and members of the LGBT community waiting to attend a meeting with candidates for the local and federal congress

5. Close of hands and mid of transgender people attending the political meeting

6. Various of Aires speaking

Rio de Janeiro - 12 September 2018

7. SOUNDBITE (Portuguese) Barbara Aires, candidate running to be a state representative in Rio de Janeiro:

"Why is it important for the transgender people to occupy those places? Because we also use the public services and we have to have debates about public policy. Public policy can not be debated without us, without our bodies, and those bodies are: the women, the LGBT people, the black people, the people from the suburbs, the people from the favelas. Because if you only have rich, white, men debating policy, it will never benefit those who are in need. t's the people, the population."

Niteroi - 23 September 2018

8. Various of Aires distributing flyers to drag queen during the Niteroi's Gay Parade

9. Banner on a truck reads (Portuguese) "My vote matters. LGBT in power"

10. Various of Aires and other candidates on top of a truck with Taliria Petrone candidate to the federal congress ++Upsound++ (Portuguese) "There are trans in politics and because of that I'm here with Carol Quintana and Barbara Aires. Our response (to conservatism) is resistance."

Rio de Janeiro - 12 S eptember 2018

11. SOUNDBITE (Portuguese) Barbara Aires, candidate running to be a state representative in Rio de Janeiro:

"We, as transgender people, we already live politics 24 hours a day. Unfortunately, we (transgender community) are not aware of that. Not all transgender people are aware that going to the baker is a political act. Going to the market to buy something is a political act because we shock society."

Niteroi - 23 September 2018

12. Close of man distributing flyers read (Portuguese) 'My vote is LGBT'

13. Close of woman attending the gay parade

14. Wide of drag queens and revelers on top of a truck and buildings seen behind

15. Close of drag queen dancing

16. Mid of crowd attending the gay parade

17. Wide of rainbow flag and crowd behind

18. SOUNDBITE (Portuguese) Joana Santos, transgender person attending the parade:

"Transiting through the city, is limited for us. There are places where I can only go accompanied by somebody. All that is invisible (for the society). We are invisible in everything even in relationships. So, to have our own voice, our own history, our own representation in the Assembly, in the Congress, is fundamental."

Rio de Janeiro - 27 September 2018

++Night Shots++

19. Various of Cristian Lins, transgender candidate for the Workers Party (PT) running to be a state representative in Rio de Janeiro, distributing flyers in a bar in a street called the Street of Diversity

20. Mid and close of Cristian talking to people in a bar

Rio de Janeiro - 14 September 2018

++Night Shots++

21. Pan right from Cristian attending a rally in support of the Workers Party and people shouting ++Upsound++ (Portuguese) "Lula free"

22. Various of Cristian speaking on the stage during the rally

23. SOUNDBITE (Portuguese) Cristian Lins, transgender candidate for the Workers Party (PT) running to be a state representative in Rio de Janeiro:

"If you are not involved in politics, nobody fights for you. There are a lot of politicians that raise our flag but they don't take us with them. They come after us for more votes but they don't do what we need. This year, is the year that most LGBT people are involved in politics, because we got tired of waiting."

Niteroi - 25 September 2018

24. Various of Bruna Benevides, member of Brazil's National Association of Transvestites and Transsexuals seated speaking

25. SOUNDBITE (Portuguese) Bruna Benevides, a member of Brazil's National Association of Transvestites and Transsexuals:

"Because we are living in the country that kills more transvestites and transsexuals in the world our response to that increase in the violence, that has always been a part of our lives, is these candidacies. So, the more conservatism, religious fundamentalism, transphobic, increases in the LGBT phobic, there is, the stronger we will be organizing to face that violence and those violations (their rights)."

Niteroi - 23 September 2018

26. Men carrying a rainbow flag which reads (Portuguese) 'LGBT Peace'

27. Crowd walking and dancing during the parade

28. Silhouettes of people passing against the backdrop of the statue of Christ the Redeemer

Barbara Aires, who was born male, says she spent much of her childhood on the streets because her father, in the military and from the conservative state of Minas Gerais, refused to accept her sexuality.

By her late teenage years, Aires was taking hormones to transition to a woman and, because she couldn't find other employment, working as a prostitute, the fate of many transgender people who are shunned by much of Brazilian society.

Today, Aires is running to be a state representative in Rio de Janeiro, aiming to help transsexuals avoid the same fate she suffered and be a voice for other marginalized people.

"If you only have rich, white, men debating policy it will never benefit those who are in need," said Aires, 35, a freelance television producer who is part of the left-leaning Socialism and Liberty Party.

Aires is one of 53 transgender candidates running for state and federal offices in Brazil, a deeply conservative and religious country that is also one of the most dangerous in the world for transsexuals.

Last year, 179 were killed compared to 144 in 2016, according to Brazil's National Association of Transvestites and Transsexuals.

So far this year, 122 have been killed.

The boom in transgender candidacies - there were only 5 during the last general election in 2014, and none were successful - comes as Latin America's largest nation struggles to emerge from its worst recession in decades and the political class has largely been discredited amid a massive corruption scandal involving billions of dollars in kickbacks to politicians.

The presidential poll leader, far-right congressman Jair Bolsonaro, has a long history of offensive comments about gays, transsexuals, women and minorities.

For transgender candidates, Bolsonaro's candidacy - the candidate has said it would be better to have a dead son than a gay son - both invokes fear and stands as potential galvanizer to get people out to the polls.  

Bruna Benevides, a member of Brazil's National Association of Transvestites and Transsexuals said that violence against their community is nothing new the rise in conservatism means the trans and LGBT community "will be organizing to face that violence and those violations (their rights)."

Despite widespread discrimination and grim statistics - LGBT groups estimate that 35 is the life expectancy of transgender Brazilians - there are signs of change.

Earlier this year, Brazil's supreme court ruled that people could change their name and gender on their identity cards by simply asking to do so.

Previously, any legal change required sex reassignment surgery and court filings.

While transgender candidates address issues in the LGBT communities, many are also running on broader platforms aimed at appealing to voters of all stripes - necessary to have a realistic shot at getting elected.

One such candidate is Cristian Lins, a 44-year-old freelance photographer running for state representative in Rio de Janeiro on the Workers' Party ticket.

As a representative he would not just focus on the needs of the trans/LGBTQ communities.

As a candidate he is also proposing raising salaries of teachers and police as well as improve public security.

Rio de Janeiro - 21 September 2018

++Night Shots++

1. Close of Barbara Aires, a transgender candidate running to be a state representative in Rio de Janeiro, distributing flyers outside a metro station

2. Close flyers showing a picture of Aires and a LGBT candidate

3. Various of Aires distributing flyers and taking a picture with a supporter outside the metro station

Rio de Janeiro - 13 September 2018

++Night Shots++

4. Various of transgender people and members of the LGBT community waiting to attend a meeting with candidates for the local and federal congress

5. Close of hands and mid of transgender people attending the political meeting

6. Various of Aires speaking

Rio de Janeiro - 12 September 2018

7. SOUNDBITE (Portuguese) Barbara Aires, candidate running to be a state representative in Rio de Janeiro:

"Why is it important for the transgender people to occupy those places? Because we also use the public services and we have to have debates about public policy. Public policy can not be debated without us, without our bodies, and those bodies are: the women, the LGBT people, the black people, the people from the suburbs, the people from the favelas. Because if you only have rich, white, men debating policy, it will never benefit those who are in need. t's the people, the population."

Niteroi - 23 September 2018

8. Various of Aires distributing flyers to drag queen during the Niteroi's Gay Parade

9. Banner on a truck reads (Portuguese) "My vote matters. LGBT in power"

10. Various of Aires and other candidates on top of a truck with Taliria Petrone candidate to the federal congress ++Upsound++ (Portuguese) "There are trans in politics and because of that I'm here with Carol Quintana and Barbara Aires. Our response (to conservatism) is resistance."

Rio de Janeiro - 12 S eptember 2018

11. SOUNDBITE (Portuguese) Barbara Aires, candidate running to be a state representative in Rio de Janeiro:

"We, as transgender people, we already live politics 24 hours a day. Unfortunately, we (transgender community) are not aware of that. Not all transgender people are aware that going to the baker is a political act. Going to the market to buy something is a political act because we shock society."

Niteroi - 23 September 2018

12. Close of man distributing flyers read (Portuguese) 'My vote is LGBT'

13. Close of woman attending the gay parade

14. Wide of drag queens and revelers on top of a truck and buildings seen behind

15. Close of drag queen dancing

16. Mid of crowd attending the gay parade

17. Wide of rainbow flag and crowd behind

18. SOUNDBITE (Portuguese) Joana Santos, transgender person attending the parade:

"Transiting through the city, is limited for us. There are places where I can only go accompanied by somebody. All that is invisible (for the society). We are invisible in everything even in relationships. So, to have our own voice, our own history, our own representation in the Assembly, in the Congress, is fundamental."

Rio de Janeiro - 27 September 2018

++Night Shots++

19. Various of Cristian Lins, transgender candidate for the Workers Party (PT) running to be a state representative in Rio de Janeiro, distributing flyers in a bar in a street called the Street of Diversity

20. Mid and close of Cristian talking to people in a bar

Rio de Janeiro - 14 September 2018

++Night Shots++

21. Pan right from Cristian attending a rally in support of the Workers Party and people shouting ++Upsound++ (Portuguese) "Lula free"

22. Various of Cristian speaking on the stage during the rally

23. SOUNDBITE (Portuguese) Cristian Lins, transgender candidate for the Workers Party (PT) running to be a state representative in Rio de Janeiro:

"If you are not involved in politics, nobody fights for you. There are a lot of politicians that raise our flag but they don't take us with them. They come after us for more votes but they don't do what we need. This year, is the year that most LGBT people are involved in politics, because we got tired of waiting."

Niteroi - 25 September 2018

24. Various of Bruna Benevides, member of Brazil's National Association of Transvestites and Transsexuals seated speaking

25. SOUNDBITE (Portuguese) Bruna Benevides, a member of Brazil's National Association of Transvestites and Transsexuals:

"Because we are living in the country that kills more transvestites and transsexuals in the world our response to that increase in the violence, that has always been a part of our lives, is these candidacies. So, the more conservatism, religious fundamentalism, transphobic, increases in the LGBT phobic, there is, the stronger we will be organizing to face that violence and those violations (their rights)."

Niteroi - 23 September 2018

26. Men carrying a rainbow flag which reads (Portuguese) 'LGBT Peace'

27. Crowd walking and dancing during the parade

28. Silhouettes of people passing against the backdrop of the statue of Christ the Redeemer

For the two dozen players that make up the Bigtboys soccer squad in Brazil, the training pitch is one of the few places where they feel at ease and can talk about their experiences, good and bad, without fear.

Bigtboys, which bills itself as Rio de Janeiro's first transgender men's football club, are using the nation's love of soccer to play while fighting prejudice despite a growing conservative tide.

In late 2018, more than 57 million Brazilians voted for far-right presidential candidate Jair Bolsonaro, who once said in an interview he would rather have a dead son than a gay son.

Like many of his peers, Bigtboys midfielder Daniel Viana has struggled to make family and friends accept his identity.

When still identifying as a woman, Viana came out as lesbian, leading to disputes with relatives.

In an all-too-common scenario for transgender people, Viana wound up living in the streets.

Within a few weeks, a group of five men assaulted him, raped him and got him pregnant.

Viana, now 28 is living with his girlfriend, Mariana Farias de Souza, and her son.

The rights group Transgender Europe said 167 transgender men and women were killed last year in Brazil, making the country one of the world's most dangerous for transgender people.

Activists say the real numbers are likely to be far higher since hate crimes involving LGBT individuals are often not reported as such.

No laws specifically protect the country's large LGBT community, though many have celebrated a Supreme Federal Court ruling stating that a law against racism also shields gay and trans people.

It's not final - the last votes are expected to be cast this week - but a majority of justices has already ruled in favor.

Even so, bills in Congress to outlaw homophobia have faced fierce opposition from a growing number of conservative and evangelical lawmakers.

"It is a rejection to the LGBT+ population, it means there's no recognition that this part of the population has rights," said Henrique Rabello de Carvalho, President of the Commission of Gender and Sexual Diversity at Rio's Bar Association.

It's not the first time the court has advanced gay rights in the absence of legislative action. It ruled in favor of same-sex unions in 2011, more than 15 years after a bill was first introduced to legalize them.

For players of the Bigtboys, the Supreme Court ruling isn't a solution in itself, but a symbolic win, nevertheless.

"It was always a crime. We just did not have that kind of visibility; we were hidden," said Robert Ismerim de Souza, noting that not too long ago, gay and transgender people were considered mentally ill. "It's not like I'm not scared anymore but at least now I know the state is in our side. What we want is to live, not just to survive."

Still, the rise of Bolsonaro on a socially conservative wave has alarmed the LGBT community.

"The government changed, and the doors started closing," said the team's founder, Cristian Lins Silva. "I had enough of knocking on doors asking for help and not getting anything."

The 45-year-old photojournalist ran for state representative in Rio de Janeiro last year. He didn't win, and a few months ago, decided to put together the soccer team.

Viana said he'd often felt suicidal and has found new hope in the team, a sort of newly found family. His girlfriend of four months agreed.

On a late May afternoon, the Bigtboys soccer team played its first match on a flood-lit neighborhood pitch bordered by chain-link fencing.

With only four months of weekly training in the bag, they lost 9-1 to another, more established LGBT team, the Alligaytors.

And when striker Caique Rodrigues scored the team's only goal, its supporters - mostly girlfriends and a handful of family members – screamed and shouted in excitement, temporarily drowning out their rivals' larger, more male fan base.

Rio de Janeiro - 10 May 2019

1. Various of Daniel Viana training

2. Various of Viana and others players from the Bigtboys transgender men's soccer team during a training session

3. Viana playing

4. SOUNDBITE (Portuguese) Daniel Viana, transgender soccer player and tattoo artist:

"The biggest difficulty for me was when I told my family, it was the most painful stage for me. I told my family I was lesbian, my family did not accept that, it was difficult. My mother beat me a lot and I ran away (left his house). I went to the street, I climbed over the wall, with two bags, my face and my bravery, and I remained in the street for a while and one day, five guys attacked me, raped me."

5. Various of Viana and others training

6. Viana resting during training session

7. SOUNDBITE (Portuguese) Daniel Viana, transgender soccer player and tattoo artist:

"We feel more protected (being part of the soccer team). We know that here there is no prejudice because we are all the same. Here we know we are equal (same) to everybody, regardless of race, colour or sexual option."

8. Soccer players rest during the training

9. Cristian Lins Silva, team's founder, speaking with the players

10. SOUNDBITE (Portuguese) Cristian Lins Silva, team's founder:

"Unfortunately, the government changed and the doors started closing even more and I had enough of knocking on doors asking for help and not getting anything so I decided I will change my focus. I will not leave the LGBT cause (fight) but will take another flag because that is what we need, and because I'm a trans man, I thought it's time to take care of the transgender men's cause."

Rio de Janeiro - 31 May 2019

11. Various of Robert Ismerim de Souza, soccer player, posing for a picture during a training session with a tattoo on his chest that reads (Portuguese) "believe in yourself"

12. Various of Robert Ismerim de Souza training

13. SOUNDBITE (Portuguese) Robert Ismerim de Souza, transgender soccer player and public employee:

"Actually, it was (the decision of the Supreme Court) something that must have been done before. It always was a crime (being transgender) but we just did not have that kind of visibility.  We were hidden. Some people were treating it (transgender and homosexual orientations) as an illness.  It is no longer considered a mental illness. It was another victory we were fighting for. It's not like I'm not scared anymore but at least now I know the state (due to the court's decision) is in our side.  Now we can live because before we were surviving every day.  What we want is to live, not just to survive."

Rio de Janeiro - 10 June 2019

14. Mid shot of Henrique Rabello de Carvalho, President of the Commission of Gender and Sexual Diversity of Rio's Bar Association

15. SOUNDBITE (Portuguese) Henrique Rabello de Carvalho, President of the Commission of Gender and Sexual Diversity of  Rio's Bar Association:

"We observe in our society as well as in the legislative power – in general - there is institutionalized 'LGBT phobia'.  It is the rejection to the LGBT+ population, it means not recognize that it's a population that deserves their rights. Now we observe them, after the first part of the judgment about homo-transphobia (in the Supreme Court), that there is movement in the legislative power to approve some law."

Rio de Janeiro -  31 May 2019

16. Viana, carrying his girlfriend, Mariana Farias de Souza's son, leaving the training session

17. Various of Viana and de Souza having breakfast at their house

18. Viana and de Souza holding hands

19. Various of Viana kissing Farias de Souza

20. SOUNDBITE (Portuguese) Mariana Farias de Souza, Viana's girlfriend:

"We need a yes, and they need to be recognized because they are normal people, like everybody. I don't understand the taboo that society wants to impose on us and impose on everybody. So, it (the decision of the court) is a victory, a big victory."

Rio de Janeiro - 26 May 2019

21. Various of soccer players from the Bigtboys transgender men's soccer team in their locker room, with a picture of players of Barcelona and Real Madrid on the walls, getting ready before the match against Alligaytors LGBT team

22. Various of BigTboys (transgender men's soccer team) playing against Alligaytors (gay soccer team)

23. People looking the match

24. Players during the match and some of their relatives behind the fence looking at the game

25. Relatives of players from the Bigtboys celebrating after the team scored a goal

26. Players of the Bigtboys and Alligators greeting each other after the match

27. Players posing for a picture after the match

For the two dozen players that make up the Bigtboys soccer squad in Brazil, the training pitch is one of the few places where they feel at ease and can talk about their experiences, good and bad, without fear.

Bigtboys, which bills itself as Rio de Janeiro's first transgender men's football club, are using the nation's love of soccer to play while fighting prejudice despite a growing conservative tide.

In late 2018, more than 57 million Brazilians voted for far-right presidential candidate Jair Bolsonaro, who once said in an interview he would rather have a dead son than a gay son.

Like many of his peers, Bigtboys midfielder Daniel Viana has struggled to make family and friends accept his identity.

When still identifying as a woman, Viana came out as lesbian, leading to disputes with relatives.

In an all-too-common scenario for transgender people, Viana wound up living in the streets.

Within a few weeks, a group of five men assaulted him, raped him and got him pregnant.

Viana, now 28 is living with his girlfriend, Mariana Farias de Souza, and her son.

The rights group Transgender Europe said 167 transgender men and women were killed last year in Brazil, making the country one of the world's most dangerous for transgender people.

Activists say the real numbers are likely to be far higher since hate crimes involving LGBT individuals are often not reported as such.

No laws specifically protect the country's large LGBT community, though many have celebrated a Supreme Federal Court ruling stating that a law against racism also shields gay and trans people.

It's not final - the last votes are expected to be cast this week - but a majority of justices has already ruled in favor.

Even so, bills in Congress to outlaw homophobia have faced fierce opposition from a growing number of conservative and evangelical lawmakers.

"It is a rejection to the LGBT+ population, it means there's no recognition that this part of the population has rights," said Henrique Rabello de Carvalho, President of the Commission of Gender and Sexual Diversity at Rio's Bar Association.

It's not the first time the court has advanced gay rights in the absence of legislative action. It ruled in favor of same-sex unions in 2011, more than 15 years after a bill was first introduced to legalize them.

For players of the Bigtboys, the Supreme Court ruling isn't a solution in itself, but a symbolic win, nevertheless.

"It was always a crime. We just did not have that kind of visibility; we were hidden," said Robert Ismerim de Souza, noting that not too long ago, gay and transgender people were considered mentally ill. "It's not like I'm not scared anymore but at least now I know the state is in our side. What we want is to live, not just to survive."

Still, the rise of Bolsonaro on a socially conservative wave has alarmed the LGBT community.

"The government changed, and the doors started closing," said the team's founder, Cristian Lins Silva. "I had enough of knocking on doors asking for help and not getting anything."

The 45-year-old photojournalist ran for state representative in Rio de Janeiro last year. He didn't win, and a few months ago, decided to put together the soccer team.

Viana said he'd often felt suicidal and has found new hope in the team, a sort of newly found family. His girlfriend of four months agreed.

On a late May afternoon, the Bigtboys soccer team played its first match on a flood-lit neighborhood pitch bordered by chain-link fencing.

With only four months of weekly training in the bag, they lost 9-1 to another, more established LGBT team, the Alligaytors.

And when striker Caique Rodrigues scored the team's only goal, its supporters - mostly girlfriends and a handful of family members – screamed and shouted in excitement, temporarily drowning out their rivals' larger, more male fan base.

Rio de Janeiro - 10 May 2019

1. Various of Daniel Viana training

2. Various of Viana and others players from the Bigtboys transgender men's soccer team during a training session

3. Viana playing

4. SOUNDBITE (Portuguese) Daniel Viana, transgender soccer player and tattoo artist:

"The biggest difficulty for me was when I told my family, it was the most painful stage for me. I told my family I was lesbian, my family did not accept that, it was difficult. My mother beat me a lot and I ran away (left his house). I went to the street, I climbed over the wall, with two bags, my face and my bravery, and I remained in the street for a while and one day, five guys attacked me, raped me."

5. Various of Viana and others training

6. Viana resting during training session

7. SOUNDBITE (Portuguese) Daniel Viana, transgender soccer player and tattoo artist:

"We feel more protected (being part of the soccer team). We know that here there is no prejudice because we are all the same. Here we know we are equal (same) to everybody, regardless of race, colour or sexual option."

8. Soccer players rest during the training

9. Cristian Lins Silva, team's founder, speaking with the players

10. SOUNDBITE (Portuguese) Cristian Lins Silva, team's founder:

"Unfortunately, the government changed and the doors started closing even more and I had enough of knocking on doors asking for help and not getting anything so I decided I will change my focus. I will not leave the LGBT cause (fight) but will take another flag because that is what we need, and because I'm a trans man, I thought it's time to take care of the transgender men's cause."

Rio de Janeiro - 31 May 2019

11. Various of Robert Ismerim de Souza, soccer player, posing for a picture during a training session with a tattoo on his chest that reads (Portuguese) "believe in yourself"

12. Various of Robert Ismerim de Souza training

13. SOUNDBITE (Portuguese) Robert Ismerim de Souza, transgender soccer player and public employee:

"Actually, it was (the decision of the Supreme Court) something that must have been done before. It always was a crime (being transgender) but we just did not have that kind of visibility.  We were hidden. Some people were treating it (transgender and homosexual orientations) as an illness.  It is no longer considered a mental illness. It was another victory we were fighting for. It's not like I'm not scared anymore but at least now I know the state (due to the court's decision) is in our side.  Now we can live because before we were surviving every day.  What we want is to live, not just to survive."

Rio de Janeiro - 10 June 2019

14. Mid shot of Henrique Rabello de Carvalho, President of the Commission of Gender and Sexual Diversity of Rio's Bar Association

15. SOUNDBITE (Portuguese) Henrique Rabello de Carvalho, President of the Commission of Gender and Sexual Diversity of  Rio's Bar Association:

"We observe in our society as well as in the legislative power – in general - there is institutionalized 'LGBT phobia'.  It is the rejection to the LGBT+ population, it means not recognize that it's a population that deserves their rights. Now we observe them, after the first part of the judgment about homo-transphobia (in the Supreme Court), that there is movement in the legislative power to approve some law."

ASSOCIATED PRESS- AP CLIENTS ONLY

Rio de Janeiro -  31 May 2019

16. Viana, carrying his girlfriend, Mariana Farias de Souza's son, leaving the training session

17. Various of Viana and de Souza having breakfast at their house

18. Viana and de Souza holding hands

19. Various of Viana kissing Farias de Souza

20. SOUNDBITE (Portuguese) Mariana Farias de Souza, Viana's girlfriend:

"We need a yes, and they need to be recognized because they are normal people, like everybody. I don't understand the taboo that society wants to impose on us and impose on everybody. So, it (the decision of the court) is a victory, a big victory."

Rio de Janeiro - 26 May 2019

21. Various of soccer players from the Bigtboys transgender men's soccer team in their locker room, with a picture of players of Barcelona and Real Madrid on the walls, getting ready before the match against Alligaytors LGBT team

22. Various of BigTboys (transgender men's soccer team) playing against Alligaytors (gay soccer team)

23. People looking the match

24. Players during the match and some of their relatives behind the fence looking at the game

25. Relatives of players from the Bigtboys celebrating after the team scored a goal

26. Players of the Bigtboys and Alligators greeting each other after the match

27. Players posing for a picture after the match

New rules brought in across Rio de Janeiro's 52 prisons ban discrimination against transvestite and transgender prisoners and protect their gender identities while behind bars.

Transvestite and transgender inmates are now allowed to be known by their common - as opposed to legal - names, guaranteed access to conjugal visits, and transgender women are permitted to choose to serve out their sentences in a women's facility.

The Rio rules also guarantee access to hormone therapy and allow transgender women to wear lingerie, makeup and keep their hair long.

Under the new rules, transgender inmates are also spared humiliating strip searches in front of other prisoners and no longer need to remove their shirts for daily sunbathing sessions, considered as a security measure in some penitentiaries.

Claudio Nascimento, who heads the Rio Without Homophobia advocacy group, lobbied for nearly a decade in favour of the new regulations.

Coronel Erir Ribeiro Costa, the head of Rio's state penitentiary agency, says his organisation is happy to support transgender prisoners and that the simple changes made had no effect on prison administration but a large impact on the inmates.

AP TELEVISION

Rio de Janeiro - 8 July 2015

1. Close of bars and prisoners walking past

2. Close of barbed wire behind window bars

3. Wide of room in prison where transgender prisoners gathered with graffiti reading (Portuguese) "Educate for Freedom"

4. Pan of transgender prisoners

5. Close of two prisoners holding hands

6. Prisoner Danny Campos de Oliveira (sitting) and boyfriend

7. SOUNDBITE: (Portuguese) Danny Campos de Oliveira, 27-year-old serving an 18-month sentence for theft conviction:

"What they (prisons) were doing before this new law was marginalising homosexuals even more because they (transgender prisoners) would leave prison even more outraged. They (transgender prisoners) were bald and ugly, full of body hair because they couldn't use hormones, and they were revolted."

8. Wide of transgender prisoners talking to each other

9. Wide of transgender prisoner Estefanie Ferraz

10. SOUNDBITE: (Portuguese) Estefanie Ferraz, former prostitute and transgender prisoner:

"I've been out to sunbathe once, in Japeri (another penitentiary), and they (officers) had me take off my shirt. Me, a transvestite with breasts (implants), I was humiliated. But that did not stop me from going. I went to show that I was not going to be oppressed and that there is legislation to protect us."

11. Close of security cameras outside prison

12. Close of sign reading (Portuguese) "Evaristo de Moraes Prison"

13. Wide of prison exterior

AP TELEVISION

Rio de Janeiro - 2 June 2015

14. Claudio Nascimento head of "Rio Without Homophobia" being interviewed

15. SOUNDBITE: (Portuguese) Claudio Nascimento, Head of "Rio Without Homophobia":

"If, in Brazil, regular prisoners already struggle to access all these aspects of citizenship and rights, imagine a gay, lesbian, transgender or bisexual prisoner. I always say that they already have an invisibility regarding society. Transgender prisoners have a second layer of invisibility."

AP TELEVISION

Rio de Janeiro - 3 June 2015

16. Nascimento talking to Erir Ribeiro Costa Filho, head of Rio's state penitentiary agency

17. SOUNDBITE: (Portuguese) Erir Ribeiro Costa Filho, head of Rio's state penitentiary agency:

"Today, we are glad to help this group. The changes that were made are so simple. We have told them (transgender prisoners) that they have those rights, because even a simple haircut represents a lot to them and it does not interfere in the penitentiary's administration system."

AP TELEVISION

Rio de Janeiro - 8 July 2015

18. Prison guard closing gate, push in as he walks away

After staying at home for almost one month and even counting on the support of part of her family, Alice Larubia, a 25-year-old transgender sex worker, had to go back to the streets to overcome the economic crisis caused by the pandemic in Brazil.

"My necessity spoke louder (than the pandemic), and I had to come back to the street," said Larubia while waiting for clients with a small group of colleagues.  

She carries hand sanitizer in her purse and wears a mask on public transportation, but said she can't while working.

Larubia does as much as she can to avoid getting infected with COVID-19, even though she is scared of the virus.

"I'm scared….I know I'm at risk", a risk she is taking to earn between 10 to 20 dollars per night, less than half of what she used to obtain before the pandemic.

Alice has a permanent smile on her face, is always dancing, and making jokes among her colleagues, but she speaks seriously about her plans in a post-pandemic scenario.

"I don't want to work always in prostitution," she said, but complained about the difficulties she faces even during normal times to find a job.

Statistics released by Brazil's National Cross-dresser and Transgender Association, ANTRA, showed 90% of the people it represents are sex workers due to lacking opportunities and discrimination in the job market.

The association reported 60% of those people had not received the financial aid distributed from the government during the pandemic.

"Brazil is collapsing," said Bruna Brasil, a transgender woman who, together with her partner Wagner, sells candies and recycles cans from the trash to make their living.

She is still waiting for the approval to receive the 150 dollars provided by the government.

We don't have anything to eat, we have to beg (for money and food) recycling. I'm not ashamed of that, I'm proud because I recycle cans but I am….Brazil," she said, playing with the words and presenting herself like a portrait of a Brazil that is invisible to part of its society.

While Larubia, Bruna and others have to remain in the streets surviving, a group of LGBTQ people have found refuge through an association known as Casa Nem.

Since 2016 the NGO has taken control of a six-floor building located in Copacabana, with small rooms, shared bathrooms, and a big shared kitchen that provides shelter to LGBTQ victims of violence or those rejected by their family.  

Indianara Siqueira leads the organization that is now helping those in the community to survive while remaining in quarantine.

"Based on the experience we had during the AIDS epidemic, when we were accused of being the vector of the virus and were left to die, we are now protecting the community," said Siqueira, herself a transgender sexual worker who became activist years ago.

The group receives donations of food, cleaning products and essentials from other NGOs and volunteers.

Nobody can go out unless there is a medical need or some very specific situation that forces them to leave the building.

Those arriving at Casa Nem have to remain in quarantine for 15 days, to be sure that they don't have any COVID-19 symptoms.

With almost 100 days under lockdown, they find it necessary to take advantage of the time and the group-organized shows, workshops, games and other activities to continue learning and fighting for their rights.

"They can invent an injection for the coronavirus," said Richard Alexandre, who lives in Casa Nem with his partner, a transgender woman and dancer, Lia Mercy.

"But there is no vaccine against homophobia, transphobia and oppression," he said.

++NIGHT SHOTS++

Niteroi, Rio de Janeiro state - 27 June 2020

1. Smoking cigarette in hand of transgender sex worker Alice Larubia, car passing by the street

2. Silhouette of Larubia smoking

3. Larubia's necklace

4. Larubia standing on corner waiting for clients

5. Truck collecting the trash and Larubia walking in the street and joking, UPSOUND (Portuguese) "In the street of the stars, sex without control"

6. Larubia smiling

7. Larubia in the street gesturing to the cars passing by

8. SOUNDBITE (Portuguese) Alice Larubia, 25, transgender sex worker:

"I stayed there (at home) for a while but I have to come back to the street, I had my needs for the house, my things, but my necessity spoke louder (than the pandemic) and I came back to the street."

9. Various of Larubia and another sex worker waiting for clients

10. Man passing by and looking at Larubia walking and dancing in the street

11. SOUNDBITE (Portuguese) Alice Larubia, 25, transgender sex worker:

"I'm scared, normally on the street wearing a mask to work is difficult but on the bus I wear the mask, everybody has alcohol gel (hand sanitizer) in the bag to prevent but, even though I'm scared, I know I'm at risk."

12. Larubia joking with another sex worker

13. Various of Bruna Brasil hugging her partner, Wagner

14. Bruna showing the candies that she and her partner sell in the street

15. SOUNDBITE (Portuguese) Bruna Brasil, 32, transgender woman who works selling candies and recycling cans:

"Brazil is collapsing, that's what I think. We don't have anything to eat, we have to beg (for money and food) recycling. I'm not ashamed of that, I'm proud because I recycle cans but I am….Brazil."

Rio de Janeiro - 23 May 2020

16. Silhouette of performer Chrystal Focatrua, a transgender woman, singing and walking behind a cloth on a makeshift stage at the Casa Nem residence

17. Focatrua performing UPSOUND (Portuguese) "If you say no, it means no"

18. Various of Focatrua performing

19. Casa Nem resident filming performance with phone

20. Wide of performance, audience

21. Performer wearing a t-shirt with names and reading (Portuguese) "Some transgender women killed by prejudice"

22. Audience watching performance

23. SOUNDBITE (Portuguese) Indianara Siqueiros, head of Casa Nem:

"Based on the experience we had during the AIDS epidemic, when we were accused of being the vector of the virus and we were left to die, we are now protecting the community. We are organized, guaranteeing food to the LGBTI+ community but also to the sex workers and other vulnerable groups."

Rio de Janeiro - 29 May 2020

24. Casa Nem resident smoking a cigarette from the internal balcony of the building

Rio de Janeiro - 23 May 2020

25. Residents of Casa Nem entering building

26. Casa Nem resident Richard Alexandre walking upstairs, reflected in a mirror of a door with a banner reading (Portuguese) "Isolation. Do not enter. Keep distance"

Rio de Janeiro - 29 May 2020

27. Various of Alexandre and his partner, transgender woman Lia Mercy, on their room under a blue light

28. Couple reflected in a mirror

29. SOUNDBITE (Portuguese) Lia Mercy, 19, transgender woman, dancer and Casa Nem resident:

"We came (to Casa Nem) because of the virus and here we discover like another world, where there is not the oppression that exists outside."

30. Alexandre and Mercy in their room

31. SOUNDBITE (Portuguese) Richard Alexandre, 26, independent worker and Casa Nem resident:

"The coronavirus, for the coronavirus they can invent an injection (vaccine) and can control it but there is no vaccine against homophobia, the transphobia and the oppression."

32. Lights in the buildings around Casa Nem and Micaelo Lopes seen on the window of the kitchen cutting a cake

33. Lopes in the kitchen serving coffee for the group

34. Residents of Casa Nem speaking while waiting outside the kitchen to receive some food

35. Graffiti of faces of LGBTQ people on the wall of the room outside the kitchen, reading (Portuguese) "Days of fight, days of glory"

VICTORIA'S SECRET HIRES FIRST TRANSGENDER MODEL

Valentina Sampaio has become the first openly transgender model hired by Victoria's Secret nearly a year after a top company official was pressured to apologize for implying trans women are off brand.

Sampaio, a Brazilian, has been posting from behind the scenes of a VS Pink campaign to the delight of celebrities who include Laverne Cox. Cox, also transgender, posted on one of Sampaio's photos: "Wow finally!"

Last November, marketing officer Ed Razek of parent L Brands Inc., said in a Vogue interview that the annual Victoria's Secret angels TV special would never include "transsexuals" because "the show is a fantasy." He apologized after outrage ensued.

Sampaio was not hired for the show and the company is rethinking having one at all after ratings sagged last time around.

Sao Paulo, 16 March 2017

1. STILL IMAGE: Brazilian transgender model Valentina Sampaio wears a creation from the Amir Slama collection during Sao Paulo Fashion Week

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Sao Paulo, 15 March 2017

2. STILL IMAGE: Brazilian transgender model Valentina Sampaio wears a creation from the Isabela Capeto collection during Sao Paulo Fashion Week

3. STILL IMAGE: Brazilian transgender model Valentina Sampaio wears a creation from the Isabela Capeto collection during Sao Paulo Fashion Week

Hundreds of people on Saturday marched in support of LGBT organizations to demand the approval of the recognition of the identity of trans minors in Mexico City.

So far, the only state that allows changing the gender listed on minors' birth certificates is Jalisco, where the process requires the presence of a guardian.

According to Tania Morales, director of the Association for transgender people, a proposal has already won the majority of the vote by the Congress commissions, but the bill must be approved by the full council.

Mexico City law already allows adults to legally change their gender.

Mexico holds second place in the world for murders of gay and transgender people between 2008 and 2020, trailing only Brazil, according to a study by Transgender Europe and the academic journal Liminalis.

Same-sex marriage is recognized in 21 of Mexico's 32 states, and only 13 have laws recognizing self-identified gender.

Mexico City - 10 July 2021

1. Tania Morales raising her fist in front of fellow protesters holding banner

2. Man chanting (Spanish) "Here is the trans resistance"

3. Tania Morales chanting, holding flag

4. SOUNDBITE (Spanish) Tania Morales, Director of the Association for Trans Childhoods:

"Several organizations are calling this march, to all those people who are invisible to the Mexico City Congress: For over a year and a half, Mexico City Congress has a legislation pending to give legal security for the trans childhood."

5. People holding banner

6. March advancing in Paseo de la Reforma Avenue

7. Woman chanting holding banner

8. SOUNDBITE (Spanish) Tania Morales, Director of the Association for Trans Childhoods:

"Right now families need to travel to Jalisco State in the middle of the pandemic, risking our health, you need to have money to have birth certificates, for our children (boys, girls, them) while in Mexico City there is legislation ready to be approved."

9. Activists protesting

10. Woman holding banner (Spanish) "Law for Transgender Childhoods now!"

11. People marching

13. SOUNDBITE (Spanish) Falca, nonbinary person:

"From the moment in which we are no longer capable to define ourselves as we are in front of society, we begin to be abused for not having that identity, we are addressed by a name which does not belong to us, beginning from there."

14. Various of people marching downtown streets

15. Various of people stenciling the street

16. People holding banner

17. Demonstrators in front of Mexico City Congress

More than 1600 people have been killed over 6 years because of their transgender identities - that's according to Transgender Europe, an organisation that promotes equality and inclusion of transgender people.

The group estimates that by the end of this year a further 226 people will be killed for the same reason.

Now transgender people around the world are preparing to mark an annual International Day of Remembrance.

Strutting their stuff in the hope of taking home the coveted title of 'Miss International Queen'.

Here in Thailand, these 25 contestants are competing to take home a crown, a trophy and a 300,000 Thai Baht ($10,000 USD) prize.

According to the pageant's rules and conditions for entry, contestants should have been born male, and must be a transvestite or a pre or post-operation transsexual.

While Thailand is culturally accepting of transgender people, in other parts of the world it's not the case.

Here in London, Faithais Y��ez is preparing to pay tribute to a dear friend.

On November 20th transgender people around the world will mark an International Day of Remembrance (or TDOR as it is known) for people they believe were killed because of their transgender identity.

Y��ez will be mourning her friend, psychologist and activist, Agnes Torres Hernandez.

The transgender campaigner was brutally killed in March earlier this year at the age of 28.

Her friends and fellow activists say she was killed because of her transgender identity and she's not the only one.

According to Transgender Europe, an umbrella organisation which works towards the equality and inclusion of transgender people, since January 2008 the killings of 1,612 transgender people have been reported in 62 countries.

This year, the group says 226 people will be added to that list.

For Y��ez, Agnes' death demonstrates the treatment her fellow countrymen and women face back home in Mexico.

Of the 1,612 killings, 79 percent (1,267) were in Central and South America.

In Brazil there were 644.

"People tend to forget that we are humans as well and we suffer," says Y��ez.

"It's important for me because Mexico is the second country in the world with most transgender murders and I'm Mexican. Not only is it the second most country, it's also the most vicious. Murders are not normal, they are torture, they are rape, they are vicious. So it's important for me to remember those who like Agnes gave their lives for us."

As part of the International Day of Remembrance a candle will be lit for each of this year's known victims of a transphobic killing.

The memorial day first began in the United States and is now held in more than 180 cities in over 20 countries around the world.

It's designed to raise awareness about transgender hate crimes while providing an opportunity to mourn and remember the dead.

For activists like Natacha Kennedy, it's an issue that needs to be addressed globally, not just in South America.

She says transgender people are stigmatised around the world: "Transphobia is something very real in the UK."

"It's not usually the sort of transphobia you would get in Mexico or Brazil. People aren't out necessarily to kill trans people in the large numbers they are there. But it's still real, it still means people don't get jobs, it means that people are attacked physically, people are raped, people can't get housing, people struggle to get into education."

Transgender people are those who do not identify with the gender that they were born with and so adopt the appearance of the gender they feel most suits them.

A common misconception is that this also applies to their sexuality and so transgender people are sometimes the target of homophobic abuse or violence.

With TDOR fast approaching, the International Lesbian and Gay Human Rights Commission (IGLHRC) is claiming government apathy and public ignorance contributes to the high level of violence towards transgender people in Central and South America.

"In most of those countries unfortunately the government does not want even to track the number and track the statistics of violence against individuals including acts of murder of transgender people, let alone investigate those crimes," says Hossein Alizadeh from the International Lesbian and Gay Human Rights Commission.

"Also there are several countries - including some states within the United States - where it is legal to discriminate against individuals based on their gender identity. So a combination of the (un)willingness of the government to provide protection to transgender individuals along with ignorance that exists in the public causes that kind of homophobia that leads to violence and murder."

Despite the growing list of names being remembered on 20 November, there is some cause for positivity in the transgender community.

Earlier this year, the UK witnessed what's thought to be the first Transgender Pride march in Europe, around 450 people took part.

Trans Pride Brighton attracted more than 2,000 people overall.

Revellers enjoyed a weekend of events including a fair, workshops, a picnic on the beach and a festival.

It's hoped events like this will help push the transgender community towards greater visibility and acceptance.

AP Television

Pattaya, Thailand - 1 November 2013

1. Mid of Miss International Queen 2013 contestant from Venezuela introducing herself on stage

2. Wide of banner reading (English): "Miss International Queen 2013"

3. Pan right of contestants wearing national costumes on stage at annual transgender pageant

4. Mid of contestants during evening gown competition

5. Wide of contestants during evening gown competition

6. Wide of audience

7. Pan left of Marcelo Ohio, Miss International Queen 2013 from Brazil, walking across stage wearing sash

AP Television

London, UK - 13 November 2014

8. Close of photo showing Agnes Torres Hernandez, Deceased psychologist and activist, on social media site

9. Close of Faithais Y��ez, Friend of Agnes Torres Hernandez, looking at computer screen

10. Close of hands on keyboard

11. Mid of Y��ez sitting at computer

12. Close of computer screen reading (English): "Transphobia killed Agnes"

13. Close of Y��ez looking at computer screen

14. Close of computer screen showing Agnes Torres Hernandez

15. SOUNDBITE (English) Faithais Y��ez, Friend of Agnes Torres Hernandez:

"People tend to forget that we are humans as well and we suffer. It's important for me because Mexico is the second country in the world with most transgender murders and I'm Mexican. Not only is it the second most country, it's also the most vicious. Murders are not normal, they are torture, they are rape, they are vicious. So it's important for me to remember those who like Agnes gave their lives for us."

16. Wide of Faithais Y��ez, Natacha Kennedy and Martha Dunkley, Transgender Activists, assembling candles for vigil

17. Close of candles

18. Close of hands assembling candle

19. Mid of Martha Dunkley, Transgender Activist, assembling candles

20. Pull focus of candles

21. SOUNDBITE (English) Natacha Kennedy, Transgender Activist:

"Transphobia is something very real in the UK. It's not usually the sort of transphobia you would get in Mexico or Brazil. People aren't out necessarily to kill trans people in the large numbers they are there. But it's still real, it still means people don't get jobs, it means that people are attacked physically, people are raped, people can't get housing, people struggle to get into education."

22. Over-shoulder shot of Y��ez highlighting speech

23. Various mid shots of Y��ez rehearsing speech

25. Close of hand looking over written speech

26. Mid of Kennedy

27. Tilt up of Y��ez

AP Television

Mexico City, Mexico - 28 June 2014

28. Various of men dressed in Mexican women's traditional clothing and performing folk dance

29. Various of men and women wearing traditional Mexican "charro" clothing and hats marching to beat of music

30. Mid of "muxes", the name for indigenous gay and transgender people from the Mexican state of Oaxaca, participating in parade

31. Mid of crowds walking through parade

32. Mid of man holding up sign reading (Spanish): "Because I love, I learned how to love my gay son."

AP Television

London, UK - 13 November 2014

33. SOUNDBITE (English) Hossein Alizadeh, International Lesbian and Gay Human Rights Commission:

"In most of those countries unfortunately the government does not want even to track the number and track the statistics of violence against individuals including acts of murder of transgender people, let alone investigate those crimes. Also there are several countries - including some states within the United States - where it is legal to discriminate against individuals based on their gender identity. So a combination of the (un)willingness of the government to provide equal protection to transgender individuals along with ignorance that exists in the public causes that kind of homophobia that leads to violence and murder."

AP Television

Brighton, UK - 25 July 2014

34. Various of Transgender Pride march

35. Back shot performer on stage at Transgender Pride festival

36. Wide of audience clapping and cheering at Transgender Pride festival

Brazil's Marcelo Ohio was named Miss International Queen 2013 in Thailand on Friday, after fighting off competition from 25 other contestants at the annual transgender pageant.

The 18 year-old waved and clasped her hands in a traditional Thai gesture of respect after the results were announced at the event in Pattaya.

Speaking to media after the event, she said she had finally achieved her dreams.

"For all those who believed in me here is the proof. For all that people that supported me I say that I got to where I wanted to be. This is it," she said.

This year saw a contestant from Thailand's neighbouring Myanmar compete - a first in the nine years the pageant has been running.

28 year-old Tanya Maung was excited to represent her country, and hoped it would change attitudes back home.

"So I'm from Myanmar, so most of my country's people still don't have an open mind with transgender," she said.

Friday's pageant opened with the candidates wearing their national costume, followed by an evening gown competition.

10 semi-finalists were selected from among the 25 contestants, and were eventually narrowed down to three.

Ohio will receive 300,000 Thai Baht (10,000 US dollars), a Miss International Queen crown and trophy.

Her role as Miss International Queen will see her act as a goodwill ambassador for transgender people worldwide.

According to the pageant's rules and conditions for entry, contestants should have been naturally born genetic male, and must be a transvestite or a pre or post-operation transsexual.

A proof of natural genetic gender is required either by birth certificate or medical genetic verification.

AP TELEVISION

1. Mid of Andrea Justine Aliman, contestant from Philippines, having hair brushed

2. Close of contestant having hair brushed

3. Mid of Anastacia, contestant from South Africa posing for photograph

4. Close of Veronica Haddad, contestant from Brazil, getting eyelashes put on

5. Wide of media

6. Mid tracking shot of contestants

7. Mid of Tanya Maung, contestant from Myanmar, having her gown fixed

8. Close tilt down of Maung

9. SOUNDBITE (English) Tanya Maung, contestant from Myanmar:

"I want to promote the right human rights for transgender in my country. So I'm from Myanmar, so most of my country's people still don't have an open mind with transgender."

10. Mid pan of contestants

11. Mid of Renata Ferreira, contestant from Germany

12. SOUNDBITE (German) Renata Ferreira, contestant from Germany:

"I'm very happy to be here in Thailand this year. I have prepared so much for tonight. I have waited for so long and I will do my best for this because I will be the new Miss International Queen 2013."

13. Mid of contestant from Venezuela introducing herself on stage

Wide of banner reading (English) "Miss International Queen 2013"

14. Mid pan of contestants wearing national costumes on stage

15. Wide of contestants wearing national costumes on stage

16. Wide of audience

17. Mid of contestants during evening gown competition

18. Wide of contestants during evening gown competition

19. Wide of audience

20. Wide zoom to mid of finalists hugging as Marcela Ohio, from Brazil (wearing black), is announced as the winner

21. Mid of photographers

22. Mid of Ohio walking across stage wearing Miss International Queen 2013 sash and waving at audience

23. SOUNDBITE (Portuguese) Marcelo Ohio, Miss International Queen 2013 from Brazil:

"For all those who believed in me here is the proof. For all that people that supported me I say that I got to where I wanted to be. This is it."

24. Wide zoom to mid of Ohio on stage, flanked by runners up

Inside their small cabin in a neighborhood in Lima, Xiomara and her seven Peruvian transgender friends live in fear of the new coronavirus.

The 27-year-old transgender sex worker cannot work in a country that went into strict quarantine on March 16 and only allows markets, banks and pharmacies to operate.

"There is no way to sustain ourselves," said Xiomara, who, along with her colleagues, have already exhausted their scarce resources.

They have started drinking soup mixed with eggs and some tea.

A bonus of 224 US dollars that Peru allocates to the vulnerable was not extended to any of them.

"We didn't get a thing, not even provisions," Xiomara said as she lit her small kitchen with a match and her partner Johanna washed the dishes in a plastic container.

According to the Observatory of LGBT Rights of the Cayetano Heredia University, trans women have almost no access to employment, so 70% are dedicated to sex work.

The same study center calculated that in the Peruvian capital around 225,000 transgender women live without health insurance and 10% nationally do not have an identity document.

Xiomara and her companions preferred to keep their last names anonymous for fear of being exposed in a country known for its mistreatment of their community.

They live in a 50-square-meter wooden house, without running water, which Xiomara inherited from a grandmother.

Initially the small house functioned as a restaurant, then it became a home.

There they have installed a couple of cabins to optimize space and in one corner they have a statue of the Virgin of Guadalupe to which they pray in their moments of anguish.

None have been infected with the new coronavirus, but Peru is the second worst hit South American country after Brazil with 34,000 people infected and 934 dead.

Xiomara says that hunger in her neighborhood grows more and more every day.

"There is no money. There is no support. The government, the very government that supposedly gave us bonuses... we didn't get a thing, not even provisions," she said.

Lima - 29 April 2020

1. Open market in Lima

2. Xiomara, a transgender woman, wearing a facemask and buying chicken meat in the market

3. Xiomara inspecting vegetables in a bag, waiting for merchant

4. Xiomara paying the merchant for produce

5. Xiomara and Johana (pink shirt), both transgender women, waiting in a queue at a stand

6. Xiomara and Johana walking away from market

7. Xiomara and Johana walking down the street

8. Xiomara and Johana entering house

9. Two unnamed transexual women, inhabitants of a shared house, folding sheets

10. Johana washing dishes

11. SOUNDBITE (Spanish) Xiomara, trans woman:

"We, trans women, are very discriminated against and isolated from every social event. It can be in public spaces such as hospitals, banks, markets, etc. We try to live with that day by day."

12. Woman sitting on a couch and sharing stories

13. SOUNDBITE (Spanish) Xiomara, trans woman:

"With all that is happening, it is worse still. There is no way to sustain ourselves.  There is no money.  There is no support.  The government, the very government that supposedly gave us bonuses... we didn't get a thing, not even provisions."

14. Various of transgender women inside their home

15. Exterior of the home

SHOTLIST:

1. Close of one of the contestants saying "Welcome to Miss International Queen 2012"

2. Tilt up of Russian contestant dancing

3. Close of participant applying make-up

4. Pan of the contestants

5. Tilt up of winner Kevin Balot

6. SOUNDBITE: (English) Kevin Balot, Winner of the Miss International Queen 2012:

"I believe that we would like to say to every one that we homosexual or transsexuals are not jins (Islamic term for evil spirits). We still deserve to be loved, to be respected. And because in this way we can prove to every one that we are having our own talent, our own beauty and our own unique way."

7. Close of banner reading 'Tiffany's Show, Pattaya, Thailand'

8. Various of Tata Young singing and contestants gracing the stage

9. Tilt up of Russian contestant

10. Mid of American contestant

11. Tilt up of Brazilian contestant

12. Wide of the stage

13. Various of contestants parading on the stage

14. Tilt of Brazilian contestant in a swim suit

15. Pan of the contestants in swim suits

16. Mid of contestants from the Philippines, Thailand and Angola (from left to right)

17. Close of award statue

18. Close of crown

19. Mid of Kevin Balot of the Philippiines, being crowned as Miss International Queen 2012 by predecessor Panvilas Mongkol of Thailand as runner up Jessika Simoes of Brazil looks on

20. Mid of photographers

21. Various of winner sitting on her throne

STORYLINE

The finals of the 2012 Miss International Queen competition reached a colourful and spectacular climax in Thailand on Friday.

The annual beauty pageant for transvestites and transgender males saw contestants from around the world battling for the crown.

The event in Pattaya, 130 kilometres (80 miles) southeast of Bangkok, is fashioned after the Miss World beauty pageant - with the exception that each of the contestants has to have been born male.

The rules state that the contestants must show proof of their natural gender through birth certificates or a doctor's verification.

Like any other beauty contest, Friday's pageant included national costume, evening wear and swimsuit categories.

At the end of an evening of lavish costumes and carefully choreographed routines, Kevin Balot of the Philippines was crowned Miss International Queen 2012.

Balot burst into tears upon hearing she was the winner and was given the crown by her predecessor Panvilas Mongkol of Thailand.

Balot scooped 13-thousand US dollars in prize money as well as a shiny trophy and gifts.

She will now perform the role of a goodwill ambassador and use her position to call for freedom and equality for transgender people.

SHOTLIST:

1. Close of one of the contestants saying "Welcome to Miss International Queen 2012"

2. Tilt up of Russian contestant dancing

3. Close of participant applying make-up

4. Pan of the contestants

5. Tilt up of winner Kevin Balot

6. SOUNDBITE: (English) Kevin Balot, Winner of the Miss International Queen 2012:

"I believe that we would like to say to every one that we homosexual or transsexuals are not jins (Islamic term for evil spirits). We still deserve to be loved, to be respected. And because in this way we can prove to every one that we are having our own talent, our own beauty and our own unique way."

7. Close of banner reading 'Tiffany's Show, Pattaya, Thailand'

8. Various of Tata Young singing and contestants gracing the stage

9. Tilt up of Russian contestant

10. Mid of American contestant

11. Tilt up of Brazilian contestant

12. Wide of the stage

13. Various of contestants parading on the stage

14. Tilt of Brazilian contestant in a swim suit

15. Pan of the contestants in swim suits

16. Mid of contestants from the Philippines, Thailand and Angola (from left to right)

17. Close of award statue

18. Close of crown

19. Mid of Kevin Balot of the Philippiines, being crowned as Miss International Queen 2012 by predecessor Panvilas Mongkol of Thailand as runner up Jessika Simoes of Brazil looks on

20. Mid of photographers

21. Various of winner sitting on her throne

STORYLINE

The finals of the 2012 Miss International Queen competition reached a colourful and spectacular climax in Thailand on Friday.

The annual beauty pageant for transvestites and transgender males saw contestants from around the world battling for the crown.

The event in Pattaya, 130 kilometres (80 miles) southeast of Bangkok, is fashioned after the Miss World beauty pageant - with the exception that each of the contestants has to have been born male.

The rules state that the contestants must show proof of their natural gender through birth certificates or a doctor's verification.

Like any other beauty contest, Friday's pageant included national costume, evening wear and swimsuit categories.

At the end of an evening of lavish costumes and carefully choreographed routines, Kevin Balot of the Philippines was crowned Miss International Queen 2012.

Balot burst into tears upon hearing she was the winner and was given the crown by her predecessor Panvilas Mongkol of Thailand.

Balot scooped 13-thousand US dollars in prize money as well as a shiny trophy and gifts.

She will now perform the role of a goodwill ambassador and use her position to call for freedom and equality for transgender people.

GAY PRIDE PARADE IN BRAZIL

Hundreds of thousands of gay rights advocates gathered in Sao Paulo on Sunday for one of the world's largest gay pride parades, calling for a Brazilian law against discrimination.

The city blocked its main central avenue to allow room for colourful floats and exuberant crowds of people dressed as drag queens with stilettos and wigs, the Statue of Liberty, flamenco and cabaret dancers.

Others held a large rainbow flag through the streets, an international symbol of gay pride.

"Even though it is a social demonstration, it is also political. It is also for political rights," said parade goer Rafael.

Organisers said a law banning discrimination against lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people is overdue in Brazil.

Activists also said they want Brazil to pass a gender identity law like that in neighbouring Argentina, where people can legally change their gender without needing surgery or a judge's approval.

AP Entertainment

Sao Paulo - 4 May 2014

1. Large crowds gathering at Sao Paulo Gay Pride parade

2. Arch of rainbow balloons on top of parade float

3. Man dancing holding rainbow flag

4. Men dressed in drag

5. People dancing under rainbow-colour balloon arch on top of truck

6. People holding giant rainbow flag over their heads

7. Crowd carrying giant rainbow flag

8. People cheering

9. SOUNDBITE (Portuguese) Ivan, no last name given, parade participant:

"I have faith in Brazil with our (World) Cup, bringing improvements, peace and love. This is what we need."

10. Rafael and his boyfriend kissing at parade

11. Rafael and boyfriend holding hands

12. SOUNDBITE (Portuguese) Rafael, no last name given, parade participant:

"It (parade) is an interesting space that talks (addresses) a lot about politics because even though it is a social demonstration, it is also political. It is also for political rights. I think this is nice and it is why we came here today."

13. Woman distributing condoms to parade participants

14. Various of parade

Hundreds of thousands of gay rights advocates gathered in Sao Paulo on Sunday for one of the world's largest gay pride parades, calling for a Brazilian law against discrimination.

The city blocked its main central avenue to allow room for colourful floats and exuberant crowds of people dressed as drag queens with stilettos and wigs, the Statue of Liberty, flamenco and cabaret dancers.

Others held a large rainbow flag through the streets, an international symbol of gay pride.

"Even though it is a social demonstration, it is also political. It is also for political rights," said parade goer Rafael.

Organisers said a law banning discrimination against lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people is overdue in Brazil.

Activists also said they want Brazil to pass a gender identity law like that in neighbouring Argentina, where people can legally change their gender without needing surgery or a judge's approval.

AP TELEVISION

1. Large crowds gathering at Sao Paulo Gay Pride parade

2. Arch of rainbow balloons on top of parade float

3. Man dancing holding rainbow flag

4. Men dressed in drag

5. People dancing under rainbow-colour balloon arch on top of truck

6. People holding giant rainbow flag over their heads

7. Crowd carrying giant rainbow flag

8. People cheering

9. SOUNDBITE (Portuguese) Ivan, no last name given, parade participant:

"I have faith in Brazil with our (World) Cup, bringing improvements, peace and love. This is what we need."

10. Rafael and his boyfriend kissing at parade

11. Rafael and boyfriend holding hands

12. SOUNDBITE (Portuguese) Rafael, no last name given, parade participant:

"It (parade) is an interesting space that talks (addresses) a lot about politics because even though it is a social demonstration, it is also political. It is also for political rights. I think this is nice and it is why we came here today."

13. Woman distributing condoms to parade participants

14. Various of parade

SHOTLIST:

+++NIGHT SHOTS+++

1. Wide of entrance of the ball

2. Pan of group of three transgender people arriving at the ball

3. Wide of crowd watching the guests arriving at the ball

4. Pan of transgender person in pink outfit showing herself off to the audience

5. Wide of group of tourists from England and Norway taking photo at the entrance of the ball

6. Set up of Rebecca Feliz

7. SOUNDBITE: (Portuguese) Rebecca Feliz, Transgender guest at ball:

"For sure, we should all be the same in the law. Rights and duties are the same for everyone."

8. Pan inside the ball, showing the band playing and people dancing

9. Various of dancing

10. Wide of interior of ball and people dancing

11. Set up of Jack Sennelhack and another man dancing

12. SOUNDBITE: (English) Jack Sennelhack, US tourist:

"Everything about the country is beautiful. The parties are magnificent. We have been to all the major events, this is spectacular right now. I never had as much fun in my life."

13. Tilt up of three people dancing

STORYLINE:

Rio de Janeiro bid farewell to the 2007 Carnival on Tuesday night with the famous Gala Gay Ball ending five days of street parties all over the city.

The event attracts gay people, transvestites and transgender people from all over the world.

Guests at the lavish party dress in flamboyant outfits and parade down a catwalk at the entrance to the ball.

Rebecca Feliz, a transgender person, arrived in Rio from Juiz de Fora in Southeastern Brazil.

For her, the Gala Gay Ball is a moment for the gay community to be proud of their rights.

"We should all be the same in the law. Rights and duties are the same for everyone," said Feliz.

Jack Sennelhack, a lawyer from the United States, took part in all the major events during the Carnival, including the two nights of Samba School Parade on Sunday and Monday.

"Everything about the country is beautiful. The parties are magnificent. We have been to all the major events, this is spectacular right now. I never had as much fun in my life," said Sennelhack.

According to Riotur, Rio de Janeiro's Tourist agency, over 700-thousand tourists came to Rio de Janeiro for the city's famous carnival.

SHOTLIST:

1. Pull out from Sugar Loaf Mountain to top shot of GLBT (gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender) Pride Parade on Copacabana Beach

2. Top shot, one of the floats in parade

3. Transvestite dressed in bondage gear, dancing

4. Group of people cheering with gay pride rainbow flag

5. Elderly woman with rainbow feather boa

6. Set up of Toni Reis and his partner David Harrad, kissing

7. SOUNDBITE (Portuguese) Toni Reis, gay marriage activist:

"We already have the outfits, now we just need them to legalise the marriage."

8. Rio de Janeiro State Governor Sergio Cabral arrives

9. Wide of lead float

10. Pan of people singing Brazilian anthem

11. Close up of lesbian couple leaning on each other

12. Various, parade

13. People dancing with couple kissing in background

14. Close up of crowd dancing and blowing kisses to camera

15. Wide of float

16. Medium of transgender participant dancing on float

17. Pan of several transgender participants dancing on float

18. Set up of Claudio Nascimento

19. SOUNDBITE (Portuguese) Claudio Nascimento, Coordinator of Grupo Arco-Iris:

"This parade is speaking out against prejudice, for a city without violence or discrimination. We are here at this parade to demand the senate's attention and to ask them to approve the law to criminalise homophobia immediately."

20. Medium of people with sign reading "criminalise homophobia"

21. Medium of man waving rainbow-coloured gay pride flag

22. Pull out to wide of giant flag

STORYLINE:

Sunny Copacabana Beach was covered with rainbows on Sunday, as it hosted Rio de Janeiro's twelfth annual GLBT (gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender) Pride Parade.

Tens of thousands gathered on the neighbourhood's black and white sidewalks, as twelve floats paraded down Atlantica Avenue.

The parade was inaugurated by Rio de Janeiro Governor Sergio Cabral, who attended the event for the first time.

Several senators, who are supporting a bill that would make homophobia a crime, were also present on the inaugural float.

"We are here at this parade to demand the senate's attention and to ask them to approve the law to criminalise homophobia immediately," parade organiser Claudio Nascimento said.

Nascimento, who is the coordinator of the non-governmental group Arco-Iris, said the parade was speaking out against prejudice and violence in Rio de Janeiro.

According to Arco-Iris, two-thousand five hundred and eighty two homosexuals have been murdered in Rio de Janeiro since 1997.

Gay, Lesbian and Transgender Association President Toni Reis came to the parade in full tuxedo with his British partner of 17 years David Harrad.

The two made their relationship official with a civil union ceremony in Curitiba, in Southern Brazil, in 2004, allowing Harrad to gain Brazilian citizenship.

"We already have the outfits, now we just need them to legalise the marriage," said Reis.

Same-sex couples in Brazil are engaged in an ongoing campaign to be given the same legal status as heterosexual married couples.

Hundreds of thousands of people gathered in the Brazilian city of Sao Paulo for the 21st gay pride parade, one of the largest in the world.

People marched from the Paulista Avenue to downtown, following the 16 sound trucks that led with live music performances.

During the march, activists, politicians and personalities demanded rights and protection to gender diversity.

Brazil occupies the first place in gay homicide in the Americas, with 340 murders in 2016, according to International Association of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Intersex Association.

The parade this year also focuses on secularism and the idea that no religion is law regardless of people's individual beliefs.

Organizers expected some 3 million people to participate in the event.

São Paulo - 18 June 2017

1. Various wide top shot of Paulista Avenue filled with people

2. Wide of drag in front of the march with disability people

3. Couple showing their commitment ring and kissing

4. Tilt up down to the crowd in Avenida Paulista

5. Various of people dancing

6. Woman waving a colored flag symbol of gay pride

7. SONDBITE (Portuguese), Sheilla Star, parade participant:

"We want society to recognize our rights. I'm a human being. I pay my taxes as any other person. We live in a secular country. We can do whatever we want. Religion has nothing to do (with anything.) So, they need to let us have the right to live, to have the right to be happy."

8. Various of people marching and sound truck passing by

9. Various of man dressed in drag costumes posing to camera

10. SOUNDBITE (Portuguese) Andrea Carvalho, coordinator of the group Mother for Diversity:

"We fight a lot against religion prejudice. Since we work with parents, we see that religious parents have a lot of prejudice in accepting their own kids because of religion. But we don't need the religion to accept our kids. We have to accept our kids with our heart independent of religion."

11. Various of people dancing

THOUSANDS CELEBRATE GAY PRIDE IN RIO

Tens of thousands of people celebrated Rio de Janeiro's annual gay pride parade at Copacabana beach on Sunday.

Under a blazing sun, revelers wearing feathery costumes and wigs held up rainbow flags and danced along the promenade as music blasted from half a dozen sound trucks.

The celebration was often interrupted by scuffles throughout the parade as police chased suspected thieves who targeted the large crowd to steal golden chains and cellphones.

At one point fed-up beachgoers watching the parade grabbed one suspect and beat him. The man managed to escape before police arrived.

Police was seen detaining other suspects but have not yet released how many have been detained at Sunday's event.

The crowd enjoyed musical performances over sound trucks placed along Copacabana's famous seaside boulevard.

The parade was also used to raise awareness of gay rights, safe sex and the rising number of gay people killed.

Some activists placed a coffin next to a rainbow flag and asked for peace. They were wearing t-shirts with the number 300, same number of deaths of gays in Brazil in 2016.

According to a statement released by organizers, this year's event focused on passing legislation that would allow adults to legally change their gender on their identity documents and eliminate bureaucracy involved in sex reassignment surgery.

Rio de Janeiro - 11 December 2016

1. Wide of large booth manned by drag queens representing the group "Rio without Prejudice"

2. Pan up of drag queens posing for photo

3. Wide of enormous Gay pride flag along the street

4. Pan from people dancing on the curb to people under the Gay pride flag

5. Tilt up and pan of drag queen with friend walking past

6. Young woman taking a photograph with nightclub hostess and drag queen Nubia Pinheiro

7. SOUNDBITE (Portuguese), Nubia Pinheiro, Nightclub hostess, drag queen:

"I've already lost count of how many parades I've been to because I find that it's a grand event. Besides, it's a great joy and a big party. It's a day when we represent everything that we are and what we want to achieve during the whole year."

8. Mid of man swinging a rainbow-colored flag with Copacabana beach in the background

9. Mid of two men kissing

10. Tilt up of women dancing

11. Wide of the crowd cheering

12. Wide of people dancing

13. Wide of famous Brazilian singer Ludmilla singing

14. Pan from coffin to 3 activists

15. SOUNDBITE (Portuguese) Simon Prado, Activist:

"It is the moment to say that we need to reduce violence; that we need to accept differences; that we need to respect the various kinds of families and all kinds of love."

16. Mid of man holding a banner with the words crossed over reading (Portuguese), "I am gay, heterosexual, bisexual, transgender...(I am) a person."

17. Man handing out free condoms

18. Wide of people walking along Copacabana boardwalk

19. Wide of people fighting at the beach

20. Aerial shot of the crowd at the parade