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

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

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:

Havana, Cuba - 9 March 2010

1. Travelling shot of Yiliam Gonzalez walking in Old Havana

2. Various of people walking in street, couple taking pictures

3. Zoom out of Gonzalez walking as men stare at her

4. SOUNDBITE (Spanish) Yiliam Gonzalez, Cuban undergone government-funded sex change:

"It was hard for me to look at myself in the mirror. I hardly ever did that because it was demeaning. My body did not correspond to my psyche."

5. STILL of Yiliam as a toddler ++MUTE++

6. STILL of Yiliam as a young boy ++MUTE++

7. Close of Cuban ID with Gonzalez'' original first name (William) ++MUTE++

8. Close of Gonzalez'' hands

9. SOUNDBITE (Spanish) Yiliam Gonzalez, Cuban undergone government-funded sex change:

"I said: ''Mom, don''t worry about it. If something happens to me or I die during the operation, just know that I will die happy.''"

FILE: Havana, Cuba - 16 May, 2009

10. Various of gay rights parade

11. Close of the director of Cuba''s Centre for Sexual Education and the daughter of Cuban President Raul Castro, Mariela Castro (in centre, wearing white) dancing with revellers

12. Mid of parade

13. Woman hanging up Cuban flag

14. People sitting under tent

15. Tilt down from man fanning himself to condom packages on table

16. Transvestites holding small flags

17. SOUNDBITE: (English) Ricardo Alarcon, President of Cuban National Assembly:

"Last year we had this meeting and a lot of things have been made in terms of education, in terms of reflection in general, around the questions of diversity. I think it''s an ongoing process and so far successful."

Havana, Cuba - 9 March 2010

18. Various of Gonzalez and her mother walking in neighbourhood

19. SOUNDBITE (Spanish) Yiliam Gonzalez, Cuban undergone government-funded sex change:

"I very felt very bad. I was in a depressive state. I would cry and cry. I felt like a prisoner in my own body."

20. Tilt up from bracelet to necklace

21. SOUNDBITE (Spanish) Yiliam Gonzalez, Cuban undergone government-funded sex change:

"After the operation, I found out what sexual fullness was and to not be afraid and give myself wholly, never having to hide anything."

22. Close of hands playing "My Way" on piano

23. Close of Gonzalez as she plays piano

24. Mid of Gonzalez at piano

STORYLINE:

Looking in the mirror used to make Yiliam Gonzalez sick to her stomach.

"I would see myself, and my body didn''t match who I was," said the 28-year-old wedding pianist, who went by William before receiving a sex change under Cuba''s universal health care system.

Gonzalez is living proof of a small but remarkable transformation, from the revolution of Fidel Castro, Che Guevara and a band of bearded rebels, who long punished gays and transsexuals, but now are paying for sex changes.

Standing six feet (183 centimetres) tall, with shoulder-length blonde hair, carrying an ID card still bearing a man''s name, Gonzalez underwent the procedure in 2008.

She was one of eight Cubans to do so through a programme begun in 1988, then suspended for two decades, after many complained the communist government had better ways to spend its scarce resources.

The operations have begun anew under President Raul Castro''s daughter Mariela, Cuba''s top gay-rights activist, and 22 more transsexuals are waiting to have it performed.

Mariela Castro says the government is moving cautiously, doing only a few per year.

"There has been a lot of resistance because homophobia remains strong in our culture," she said at a recent conference on sexuality.

In the 1960s, Cuba was ferociously anti-gay, firing homosexuals from state jobs, imprisoning them or sending them to work camps.

Many fled into exile. Transsexuals, though not gay, were considered the same.

Government media campaigns now discourage homophobia.

Former President Fidel Castro, during a series of interviews with French journalist Ignacio Ramonet between 2003 and 2005, said he hoped discrimination against homosexuals was a problem being overcome.

Hundreds of gay Cubans marched down Havana''s "La Rampa" boulevard last spring, just a year after authorities had forbidden a gay-pride parade.

Mariela Castro has seen to it that the state formally recognises transsexuals.

A state-trained kindergarten teacher with a degree in sexuality, she runs the National Sexual Education Centre.

It spent years lobbying communist officials, who finally agreed to lift bans on sex changes in 2008, though the resolution was never made public to avoid unwanted attention.

Religious objections weren''t a problem in Cuba, which was officially atheist for decades.

Instead, many Cubans claimed their country was too poor to pay for the procedure, writing letters to the editor in the Communist Party newspaper Granma after the first successful Cuban surgery was announced in 1988.

Canada, Britain, France and Brazil offer government-financed sex changes, among other countries.

Cuba won''t say how much its sex change costs.

Despite a global recession that has hit Cuba especially hard, prompting Raul Castro to announce unspecified cuts in health-care spending, his daughter says the state can''t afford not to perform the surgeries.

For Gonzalez, she knew she was different almost from birth.

By 4, she was already so partial to girl''s clothing and toys that her parents put her in therapy.

The government formally designated her transsexual in 2000.

Six years later, Mariela Castro won approval to restart the procedures, and Gonzalez was among the first recipients.

Gonzalez refused to say the exact date of the operation or how she was chosen.

Two specialists from Belgium performed the operation over eight hours with a team of Cuban doctors.

Gonzalez can''t get married, and is still waiting for permission to change the name on her government ID card.

Until then, she also cannot work in another wedding venue, though she would like to, or go back to school because her name no longer fits the woman she has become.

SHOTLIST:

AP TELEVISION

1. Wide of Gay Pride parade

2. Mid of performers dancing on float

3. Mid of man wearing feathered outfit dancing

4. Wide of revellers dancing

5. Pull out of performer dancing in multi-coloured costume

6. Mid of two revellers, one kissing the others cheek

7. Wide of performer, Tchaka holding umbrella and dancing

8. SOUNDBITE: (Portuguese) Tchaka, performer at Gay Pride parade:

"Society allows itself to be what it is through our diversity. We, with a lot of feet through the door, we are able to say: 'hello, we exist, whether you want this or not.'"

9. Wide of revellers at parade

10. Tilt up of couple holding hands

11. Mid of Minister of Culture, Marta Suplicy posing for photographs

12. SOUNDBITE: (Portuguese) Marta Suplicy, Brazilian Minister of Culture:

"This is the moment when the gay community take to the streets and their supporters go there to say: 'we are together with you and we respect you.'"

13. Various of parade

14. Mid of couple kissing

15. Wide of parade

STORYLINE:

The grey skies of the Brazilian city of Sao Paulo were brightened up by multi-coloured feathers, sequins and music on Sunday as the city hosted its annual Gay Pride parade.

Performers and revellers danced down the famous Avenida Paulista as part of a parade of 17 floats, celebrating their sexuality, and to promote equal rights for the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community, and to reject homophobia.

The parade is in its seventeenth year, and despite the rain, organisers expected over three million people at the six-hour event.

Wielding a rainbow-coloured umbrella and sporting a bright yellow tutu, one performer said the event was a show of strength by the LGBT community.

"We, with a lot of feet through the door, we are able to say: 'hello, we exist, whether you want this or not,'" said performer Tchaka.

This was a view shared by Brazil's Minister of Culture, Marta Suplicy.

"This is the moment when the gay community take to the streets," she said at the event.

The theme of this year's parade was "Never again into the closet," a phrase which serves as a response to the emergence of protests against gay rights by conservative groups in Brazil.

A draft law currently being discussed by congress would permit psychologists to provide treatment to "cure" homosexuals.

SHOTLIST:

AP Entertainment

Sao Paulo - 2 June 2013

1. Wide of Gay Pride parade

2. Mid of performers dancing on float

3. Mid of man wearing feathered outfit dancing

4. Wide of revellers dancing

5. Pull out of performer dancing in multi-colored costume

6. Mid of two revellers, one kissing the others cheek

7. Wide of performer, Tchaka holding umbrella and dancing

8. SOUNDBITE: (Portuguese) Tchaka, performer at Gay Pride parade:

"Society allows itself to be what it is through our diversity. We, with a lot of feet through the door, we are able to say: 'hello, we exist, whether you want this or not.'"

9. Wide of revellers at parade

10. Tilt up of couple holding hands

11. Mid of Minister of Culture, Marta Suplicy posing for photographs

12. SOUNDBITE: (Portuguese) Marta Suplicy, Brazilian Minister of Culture:

"This is the moment when the gay community take to the streets and their supporters go there to say: 'we are together with you and we respect you.'"

13. Various of parade

14. Mid of couple kissing

15. Wide of parade

STORYLINE

GAY PRIDE CELEBRATIONS TAKE PLACE IN SAO pAULO

The grey skies of the Brazilian city of Sao Paulo were brightened up by multi-colored feathers, sequins and music on Sunday as the city hosted its annual Gay Pride parade.

Performers and revellers danced down the famous Avenida Paulista as part of a parade of 17 floats, celebrating their sexuality, and to promote equal rights for the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community, and to reject homophobia.

The parade is in its seventeenth year, and despite the rain, organizers expected over three million people at the six-hour event.

Wielding a rainbow-colored umbrella and sporting a bright yellow tutu, one performer said the event was a show of strength by the LGBT community.

"We, with a lot of feet through the door, we are able to say: 'hello, we exist, whether you want this or not,'" said performer Tchaka.

This was a view shared by Brazil's Minister of Culture, Marta Suplicy.

"This is the moment when the gay community take to the streets," she said at the event.

The theme of this year's parade was "Never again into the closet," a phrase which serves as a response to the emergence of protests against gay rights by conservative groups in Brazil.

A draft law currently being discussed by congress would permit psychologists to provide treatment to "cure" homosexuals.

SHOTLIST

1. Pull out from Sugar Loaf Mountain to wide of Copacabana Beach

2. Tilt up of drag queens

3. Mid of man in costume at gay parade

4. Mid of men dressed as can can dancers

5. Mid of man dressed as singer Amy Winehouse, zoom into close up

6. Tilt up of Geisha surrounded by children

7. SOUNDBITE (Portuguese) Jusara Saiao, drag queen:

"No homophobia ever, I know we are all kidding around here but that is a serious matter. No to homophobia, always."

8. Wide of Rio de Janeiro state governor Sergio Cabral on top of sound machine

9. Mid of Cabral UPSOUND (Portuguese) "I doubt there is a scenery as beautiful as this one in Copacabana for the Gay Parade."

10. SOUNDBITE (Portuguese) Claudio Nascimento, Arco-Iris Group President:

"Most people have nothing against homosexuals, society is favourable towards equal rights for homosexuals. The prejudice against our community is lead by reactionary sectors of society, who simply discriminate. We are here to say no to homophobia."

11. Pan of crowd singing national anthem

12. Pull out from sticker on man's shirt reading "No homophobia", zoom out to woman kissing young man on cheek

13. Wide of people dancing during parade

14. Various of people dancing

15. Medium of Slovenian tourist dancing

16. SOUNDBITE (Portuguese) Vox pop, Slovenian man, name not given:

"This is a party for freedom."

17. Various aerials of parade

STORYLINE

Samba queens, Japanese Geishas, even an Amy Winehouse look-alike gathered on Copacabana Beach Sunday, for Rio de Janeiro's 13th annual Gay Pride Parade.

Organisers estimated the parade would attract more than one (m) million people, including Rio de Janeiro state Governor Sergio Cabral, who inaugurated the celebration.

This year's parade's theme was a protest against homophobia and the promotion of amendment PLC 122/06 , which would criminalise all verbal and physical abuse against lesbians, homosexuals and transgender.

Parade organiser and Arco-Iris Group President Claudio Nascimento said he believed most people were in support of equal rights for all and that only a few "reactionary sectors" still discriminated against that community.

Nascimento presented an award to President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva during the parade, which was accepted by Environment Minister Carlos Minc, for raising awareness for gay rights during his government.

Silva organised the first government-sponsored GLBT (Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender, Transsexual) conference in Brasilia this year.

In Rio de Janeiro, beachgoers, parade followers and tourists alike danced to the techno beats blasting from the twenty different floats driving down Atlantica Avenue.

SHOTLIST

1. Aerial pan of Copacabana beach with Gay Pride parade

2. Men in drag at gay parade

3. Detail of gay pride parade transfer 'tattoo' being applied

4. Gay Christian Church banner reading (Portuguese): "I have the right to be gay and Christian")

5. Close of men kissing

6. Set-up of Marcio Santos, local businessman (with orange mohican haircut)

7. SOUNDBITE (Portuguese) Marcio Santos, local businessman:

"This is breaking barriers. It will help a lot to draw the attention of our authorities to the (gay) cause, make them aware of GLS (gay, lesbian and sympathisers) people."

8. Aerial of truck at gay parade

9. Ground shot of people dancing at parade

10. Aerial of big rainbow flag being carried by marchers

11. Ground shot of rainbow flag

12. More people dancing

13. Set-up Claudio Nascimento, Gay Parade Organiser

14. SOUNDBITE (Portuguese) Claudio Nascimento, Gay parade organiser

"This will help our society in fostering further analysis of the issue and especially to let our leaders know that there's no government if it doesn't attend to all its citizens."

15. Wide of float at gay parade

16. Aerial of gay parade, float and flag

STORYLINE:

Hundreds of thousands of people gathered at the iconic Copacabana beach on Sunday to celebrate the 16th annual Gay Pride parade in Rio de Janeiro.

Revellers danced to loud music as they accompanied floats along Copacabana beach.

The event is aimed at mobilising the local lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community as well as highlighting their issues to leaders and civil society as a whole.

This year's talking point is Bill 122/2006 before the Chamber of Deputies and Senate, which makes discrimination based on sexual orientation a criminal offence.

The bill also proposes to recognise civil unions between persons of the same sex.

Local media reported that around 800,000 attended the parade.

SHOTLIST:

RESTRICTION SUMMARY:

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Rio de Janeiro - 28 June 2022

1. LGBT activists gathered in front of the Chamber of Deputies from the state of Rio de Janeiro waving Brazilian flags in the LGBT colors

2. People dancing

3. Various of people with stilts holding sign reading (Portuguese) "LGBTIA+ for democracy - genocide never again"

4. Various of people playing instruments as they march

5. Various of people marching

6. SOUNDBITE (Portuguese) Tatiani Araújo, member of the Social Workers' Network for the Right to Decide:

"Today is a pride day of LGBTIA+ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Intersex, Asexual, and inclusive) who fight for democracy, for rights, who fight for the life of everyone."

7. People gathered in Rio de Janeiro historical center

8. Women holding Brazilian flags in the LGBT colors

9. Man performing

10. People applauding

11. Sign reading (Portuguese) "LGBTI+s want to live! Against violence, unemployment, and misery. Exploding the closet and capitalism!"

12. Member of LGBT movement from Rio de Janeiro state, Raniery Soares

13. SOUNDBITE (Portuguese) Raniery Soares, LGBT movement from Rio de Janeiro state:

"This is a cry of freedom, a way to say that our bodies exist, and we can't bear seeing losing our bodies, and we are not just talking about murders, we are also talking about suicide as well. Our population LGBTQ is the one that commits suicide the most in Brazil."

14. People gathered in front of the Chamber of Deputies of the state of Rio de Janeiro  

STORYLINE:

Activists gathered in Rio de Janeiro on Tuesday, calling for democracy and an end to violence against the LGBT community.

The act happened in the anniversary of the Stonewall uprising sparked by a police raid on a gay bar in Manhattan on June 28th, 1969, a catalyst of the modern LGBT movement.

Waving Brazilian flags in rainbow colors, the activists marched and chanted through the historical center of Rio de Janeiro.

"This is a cry of freedom," said Raniery Soares, a member of the Rio de Janeiro state LGBT movement. "This is a way to say that our bodies exist, and we can't bear seeing losing our bodies, and we are not just talking about murders, we are also talking about suicide as well. Our population LGBT is the one that commits suicide the most in Brazil."

Brazil has an alarming number of violent deaths of people from the LGBT community, with a 33 percent rise from 2020 to 2021, according to the "Violent Deaths Against LGBTI+ Observatory."

AP Video shot by Mario Lobao

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SHOTLIST

RESTRICTION SUMMARY

++COMMERCIAL MUSIC, MUSIC VIDEO AND OR PERFORMANCES, MUST BE CLEARED ACCORDING TO YOUR OWN LOCAL MUSIC PERFORMANCE AND COPYRIGHT AGREEMENTS WITH YOUR APPLICABLE COLLECTING SOCIETY++

ASSOCIATED PRESS

São Paulo - 2 June 2022

1. Various of "Menino Rei" collection by the brothers Ceu and Junior Rocha on the catwalk

2. Model dressed as food delivery holding a sign reading (Portuguese) "Enough, Bolsonaro get out"

3. Various of "Menino Rei" collection by the brother Ceu and Junior Rocha on the catwalk

4. Various of designers Ceu and Junior Rocha at the end of the show

5. Designers Ceu and Junior Rocha taking pictures with fans at backstage

6. SOUNDBITE (Portuguese) Ceu Rocha, Menino Rei designer, standing next to his brother Junior Rocha:

"We know that structural racism kills people, so what we did here was to translate our protest through beauty and our art. For us, it is not enough to use fashion and the catwalk superficially. We came to show our pain, our protest, and say what we believe."

7. Various of models having their makeup and hair done in backstage

8. Exterior of São Paulo Fashion Week

9. Exposition at the São Paulo Fashion Week venue

10. Man taking picture in front of São Paulo Fashion week sign

STORYLINE:

Designers from "Menino Rei" denounced racism and Black population genocide on the second day of São Paulo Fashion Week, one of the biggest and most important events of its kind in Latin America.

The brothers Ceu and Junior Rocha, designers of Menino Rei, presented the collection using Black people as protagonists.

The group of models consisted of artists, singers, ex-footballers, food delivery boys, mothers, fat and thin people, transgender people and wheelchair users in order to show diversity among Black and afro-descendant communities.

A singer opened the show with the music "Canto das Três Raças", (Three races song) reference to the Black resistance in Brazil, and was followed by a model dressed as a food deliverer, protesting against President Jair Bolsonaro holding a sign saying "Enough - Bolsonaro Out!"

Several demonstrations took place in the country in the last weeks denouncing illegal police violence against marginal communities of colour that have left dozens of residents dead following gun battles sparked by police raids in favelas.

For the designer Ceu Rocha it is impossible to be disconnected from the street.

"For us, it is not enough to use fashion and the catwalk superficially. We came to show our pain, our protest, and say what we believe," said Ceu Rocha after the event.

São Paulo Fashion Week is in its 53rd edition with the theme "IN Pacts" aiming to discuss the impacts of fashion on society.

AP video shot and produced by Tatiana Pollastri

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Hundreds demonstrated in Niteroi city on Thursday against racism and police violence in Brazil.

Raising their fists and carrying banners reading "Black Lives Matter", the protesters shouted slogans demanding the end of racism and against the policies of president Jair Bolsonaro.

Mothers of some young black men allegedly killed by the police attended the demonstration and carried banners with pictures of their children.

Bruna Mozee, mother of Marcos de Sousa said that she is fighting for justice.

According to Mozee, Marcos was executed by the police in 2018 after alleged involvement in drug trafficking.

The number of deaths during police operations or with the intervention of policemen has increased in Rio de Janeiro since 2019 and keeps growing in 2020.

Official figures reported by the Public Security Institute shows 606 people were killed in the first 2020 quarter, already an increase of 8 percent for the same period last year.

A comparison for April's 2019 and 2020 of the same figures shows an increased number of deaths during police interventions of 43 percent.

Niteroi, Rio de Janeiro State - 11 June 2020

1. Various of people with their arms up carrying banners reading (Portuguese) "Black Lives Matter"

2. Demonstrators marching and shouting (Portuguese) "Black Lives Matter!"

3. Demonstrator carrying banner reading (Portuguese) "I can't breathe"

4. Demonstrators shouting (Portuguese) "Out Bolsonaro" and carrying banners reading (Portuguese) "Black lives matter" and "Black lives matter. Quarantine now. Out Bolsonaro (President Jair Bolsonaro) and Mourao (Vice President Hamilton Mourao)"

5. Picture of Marcos de Sousa, son of Bruna Mozee, who according to his relatives was executed by the police

6. Bruna Mozee marching

7. SOUNDBITE (Portuguese) Bruna Mozee, mother of Marcos de Sousa killed in 2018:

"I'm here today fighting for the black lives, that matter! The police enters in the favela killing and don't ask who is who. In Brazil there is no death penalty but my son was executed, shot in the back when he was already surrendered on the floor. They (the police) did not give my son the right to be judge, they executed my son and gave him the sentence there"

8. Various of demonstrator carrying a banner reading (Portuguese) "80% of those killed by the police, are black," while police offers stand behind

9. Demonstrators shouting (Portuguese) "Power to the black people, power to the black people"

10. SOUNDBITE (Portuguese) Benny Briolly, member of the Transgender women movement:

"Either we understand that it's up to us to (defend) ourselves, black woman for black woman, man for man, favela for favela, quilombo for quilombo (black communities created during the slavery) or they (pointing to city hall) will continue killing our body, killing the children of the black women, killing the soul of those black women removing our main hope"

11. Demonstrators raising their fists and carrying banners reading (Portuguese) "Black lives matter" and shouting (Portuguese) "the racism, to be destroyed"

12. Demonstrator with his fist up and shouting (Portuguese) "Bolsonaro, you are responsible for this genocide"

13. Demonstrators outside Niteroi's city hall

A dozen activists started a hunger strike after the Bolivian Constitutional Court ruled that members of the LGBTQ community can change their gender identity on their identification card but are not legally allowed to marry, adopt children or run for public office.

"They (LGBTQ people) have every right in the world to be who they are and have the identity that they want, but going to the extreme, to be married and after that adopt children, we believe that we are not prepared for that in our country," said Congressman Amilcar Barral.

On Wednesday, a small but defiant group representing the LGBTQ community marched into the square outside the Congress building, while those initiating the hunger strike to protest the ruling hunkered down in Bolivia's Ombudsman's office.

Surrounded by signs that read 'We are not second class citizens,' many of the activists complained that Wednesday's ruling was a direct contradiction to last year's law approved by Congress which allowed for legal name and sex changes to be registered onto individual identity cards.

Carla Guardia, the spokesperson for Equal Before the Law rights group said, "What this ruling does by annulling this law is that the members of the transsexual and transgender communities have no rights, that the names on their identity cards are only that and that it is not worth anything."

Since the law to change one's name and sex legally on identity papers took effect, some 72 people have done, so according to sources at Bolivia's office of Civil registration.

It is not known how many of those individuals married after the change and the office is unable to release that information as it is deemed private and confidential.

Around the world, 23 countries have legalised same-sex marriage.

In South America it is legal in Argentina, Colombia, Uruguay and Brazil.

La Paz - 15 November 2017

1. Members of the LGBTQ community marching in to protest law that does not allow them to marry or adopt children

2. Various of protesters chanting (Spanish) "Return our rights to us."

3. Police with protesters

4. Exterior of the Congress building

5. Members of congress working during a congressional session

5. SOUNDBITE (Spanish) Amilcar Barral, Member of Bolivian Congress:

"I don't know up to where rights are given (for members of the LGBTQ community). Rather, it is not right for a newborn child or an adopted child to see, for example, two men kissing each other. We know that it might be natural and it may be that they have the right, but it is not normal, above all, in our society. I don't want to sound homophobic or anything. I respect any person's preference. Nevertheless, when we begin to care a little more for what ethics and morals are in each family, it is that we do not agree on the adoption of children (that members of the LGBTQ community be allowed to adopt). That is what most worries us. For all the rest, we understand about the rest (of the laws), that they (LGBTQ people) have every right in the world to be who they are and have the identity that they want, but going to the extreme, to be married and after that adopt children, we believe that we are not prepared for that in our country."

6. LGBTQ activists participating in a hunger strike to protest the law that does not allow for them to marry or adopt children, seated inside a room

7. Sign on the wall reads (Spanish) 'Hunger Strike until all rights have been reinstated for trans people.'

8. Two members of LGBTQ community seated talking together

9. SOUNDBITE (Spanish) Pamela Valenzuela, LGBTQ activist and transsexual:

"With this ruling we go backwards 50 years. We had made real advances with the recently approved gender identity law with regards to human rights. Unfortunately, the Judges of the Constitutional Court's ruling regresses us, taking us 50 or 80 years backwards."

10. Sign on the wall reading (Spanish) 'I am not a second class citizen.'

11. Members of the LGBTQ community

12. SOUNDBITE (Spanish) Carla Guardia, Spokesperson for the group Equal Before the Law:

"What the ruling does by annulling this article is to tell the members of the transsexual and transgender communities that they have no rights, that the names on their identity cards are only that and that it is not worth anything. The ruling by the Constitutional Court contradicts Article Two of law 807 which says that transsexual and transgender persons should not use their previous documentation (former gender identity cards), so they are making the state's political constitution vulnerable."

13. Various of people walking on the street

A dozen activists started a hunger strike after the Bolivian Constitutional Court ruled that members of the LGBTQ community can change their gender identity on their identification card but are not legally allowed to marry, adopt children or run for public office.

"They (LGBTQ people) have every right in the world to be who they are and have the identity that they want, but going to the extreme, to be married and after that adopt children, we believe that we are not prepared for that in our country," said Congressman Amilcar Barral.

On Wednesday, a small but defiant group representing the LGBTQ community marched into the square outside the Congress building, while those initiating the hunger strike to protest the ruling hunkered down in Bolivia's Ombudsman's office.

Surrounded by signs that read 'We are not second class citizens,' many of the activists complained that Wednesday's ruling was a direct contradiction to last year's law approved by Congress which allowed for legal name and sex changes to be registered onto individual identity cards.

Carla Guardia, the spokesperson for Equal Before the Law rights group said, "What this ruling does by annulling this law is that the members of the transsexual and transgender communities have no rights, that the names on their identity cards are only that and that it is not worth anything."

Since the law to change one's name and sex legally on identity papers took effect, some 72 people have done, so according to sources at Bolivia's office of Civil registration.

It is not known how many of those individuals married after the change and the office is unable to release that information as it is deemed private and confidential.

Around the world, 23 countries have legalised same-sex marriage.

In South America it is legal in Argentina, Colombia, Uruguay and Brazil.

La Paz - 15 November 2017

1. Members of the LGBTQ community marching in to protest law that does not allow them to marry or adopt children

2. Various of protesters chanting (Spanish) "Return our rights to us."

3. Police with protesters

4. Exterior of the Congress building

5. Members of congress working during a congressional session

5. SOUNDBITE (Spanish) Amilcar Barral, Member of Bolivian Congress:

"I don't know up to where rights are given (for members of the LGBTQ community). Rather, it is not right for a newborn child or an adopted child to see, for example, two men kissing each other. We know that it might be natural and it may be that they have the right, but it is not normal, above all, in our society. I don't want to sound homophobic or anything. I respect any person's preference. Nevertheless, when we begin to care a little more for what ethics and morals are in each family, it is that we do not agree on the adoption of children (that members of the LGBTQ community be allowed to adopt). That is what most worries us. For all the rest, we understand about the rest (of the laws), that they (LGBTQ people) have every right in the world to be who they are and have the identity that they want, but going to the extreme, to be married and after that adopt children, we believe that we are not prepared for that in our country."

6. LGBTQ activists participating in a hunger strike to protest the law that does not allow for them to marry or adopt children, seated inside a room

7. Sign on the wall reads (Spanish) 'Hunger Strike until all rights have been reinstated for trans people.'

8. Two members of LGBTQ community seated talking together

9. SOUNDBITE (Spanish) Pamela Valenzuela, LGBTQ activist and transsexual:

"With this ruling we go backwards 50 years. We had made real advances with the recently approved gender identity law with regards to human rights. Unfortunately, the Judges of the Constitutional Court's ruling regresses us, taking us 50 or 80 years backwards."

10. Sign on the wall reading (Spanish) 'I am not a second class citizen.'

11. Members of the LGBTQ community

12. SOUNDBITE (Spanish) Carla Guardia, Spokesperson for the group Equal Before the Law:

"What the ruling does by annulling this article is to tell the members of the transsexual and transgender communities that they have no rights, that the names on their identity cards are only that and that it is not worth anything. The ruling by the Constitutional Court contradicts Article Two of law 807 which says that transsexual and transgender persons should not use their previous documentation (former gender identity cards), so they are making the state's political constitution vulnerable."

13. Various of people walking on the street

STORYLINE: Kaka and Robbie Rodgers talk at MLS open day

SCRIPT INFORMATION:

Brazilian star Kaka, the 2007 World Player of the Year, has been talking about why he has decided to come and play in the MLS (Major League Soccer) for Orlando City.

He spoke at an MLS open day in Los Angeles on Tuesday (January 20).

At the same event, LA Galaxy left-back Robbie Rogers, the first openly gay player in Major League Soccer, reiterated his criticism of FIFA for awarding the 2018 and 2022 World Cups to Russia and Qatar, two countries with poor records when it comes to rights for gays.

The former USA international said FIFA has a responsibility to live up to its own mission statement.

Los Angeles, California, USA. 20th January, 2015.

1. 00:00 SOUNDBITE: (English) Kaka, Orlando City

"So I always said that, 'One day I would like to play here, in MLS.' So, in the last year I have some approach with some clubs. L.A. Galaxy, New York Red Bull, more specifically. But two, three years ago, Favio De Silva, who is a friend of mine, he start to think about buy a franchise in the MLS. So we start to think about this possibility, and in the end, he bought the team and he asked if I want to join him in this venture, and I accepted that. So this is why I am here."

2. 00:48 Cutaway Kaka

3. 00:53 SOUNDBITE: (Portuguese) Kaka, Orlando City

**This soundbite for our Portuguese-language clients**

4. 01:26 Cutaway Kaka

5. 01.30 SOUNDBITE: (English) Kaka, Orlando City

"So, I think this moment is very important, and things are changing. I think David (Beckham) started this movement. Because when he came here he was 32 or 31, and he had the possibility to stay in Europe, but he decided to come and play for Galaxy, and even if he had the other possibilities, I think he started to see that the league was great and the good badge, and started to have a good possibility. Now it is another movement. I coming, (Frank) Lampard is coming, (Steven) Gerrard is coming, and another under 30 player is coming Jovinco Villa that is so great a player, they play for the national teams and now I think next year a lot of player will join us in this challenge."

6. 02:41 Cutaway Kaka

7. 02.45 SOUNDBITE: (English) Kaka, Orlando City

"In Brazil in this moment, the soccer is so unorganised, so it is difficult for me as a Brazilian to see that what they are doing with the soccer there. Because it is part of our future in Brazil. So we love football, we love the national team, and to see the calendars, the clubs, in this bad situation, it's hard. I think Brazil can learn a lot of things from the other countries, and the other soccer leagues. But also from the MLS. that has a sustainable growth. So it is very organised, the clubs are in economic healthy, and I think Brazil can learn a lot of things from this league as well."

8. 03:44 Cutaway Kaka

9. 03:48 SOUNDBITE: (English) Robbie Rodgers, LA Galaxy

"Yeah, FIFA's decision to host the World Cup In Russia and Qatar, I don't know, seems a little bit crazy to me to be totally honest. Very ignorant. I think that according to mission statement, they are trying to create a better environment and world through football, through soccer. Through education and through communities and through bringing everyone under one roof, under I guess soccer football. And by hosting the Worlds Cup in those countries I think you are not sending that message. I think the message you are sending is one that is a bit discriminatory, I believe. I think human rights in general in those countries is not spot on but also, especially to the LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender) community and being an openly gay athlete, it's tough to be, as a professional athlete and someone that has played in a national level with a national team, to see those kind of decisions being made, and it is just like a kick in the balls to be honest."

10. 04:58 SOUNDBITE: (English) Robbie Rodgers, LA Galaxy (about former England captain Steven Gerrard joining LA Galaxy)

"I am interested in how he blends in with the league and the team. It is not always that easy. Sometimes we play in 100 degree weather in Houston where it is really humid. But a guy of his quality with Captain of his national team, Liverpool. He has accomplished so much, I don't see there being any problem, and I'm excited to see what he brings everyday, training, games, and just the quality and his technical ability, and just so many things, I think it is going to be a little bit like Robbie Keane, impact so much so quickly."

MISS UNIVERSE CONTESTANTS STAGE ANNUAL NATIONAL COSTUME SHOW

Flamboyance, imagination, creativity and feats of physical endurance were all to the fore in Thailand on Monday (10 DEC. 2018), when the Miss Universe contest staged its annual national costume show.

The two-hour spectacular acts as a fun-filled, colour-crammed taster for the big show-down – the actual final of the competition – which takes place in a week's time.

The scene backstage, before curtain up, bordered on the surreal as contestants mingled, wearing costumes inspired by the natural world, by folklore, by traditions and by famous landmarks: all in gloriously colourful fabrics.

"The national costume event is the event where they can let their hair down, where everyone is here just having fun and so this is the night to relax", said the President of the Miss Universe organisation, Paula Shugart.

And once the show began, it was obvious what she meant. One of the showstoppers came right at the start, when Miss Universe Brazil stunned the crowd when she turned her feathered suit into a giant bird, complete with flapping wings.

In all 93 women took to the stage at the Nongnooch Pattaya International Convention and Exhibition Centre, in Chon Buri, each with an original twist on the concept of what a national costume actually is.

Miss India's outfit drew on ancient Indian history, though the audience was left wondering at her physical strength as much as on her evocation of a glorious past.

Miss Universe Guatemala's extraordinary look represented a virgin Mayan princess. Mariana Garcia said she felt proud to wear the costume but admitted it came at a price.

"Ah it's heavy, it's like having another human," she said.

Great Britain's Dee-Ann Kentish Rogers took a different tack, commemorating female British social history.

"My costume is a tribute to the suffragettes, the women who fought for the right for women to vote 100 years ago this year," she said.

The former top athlete is a qualified barrister and is the first black woman to win the Miss Universe Great Britain title in 66 years.

The costumes continued to wow, from Japan's very modern look to Miss Universe Laos's celebration of her country's ancient myths and legends which made the audience do, not so much a double as a triple-take.

One of the most talked-about costumes came near the end: Singapore's entry.

"It's really about extending friendship and peaceful relations with other countries," said Zahra Khanum.

What she meant was an outfit that marked the historic US-North Korea summit, in June, which the island nation hosted: Singapore as the angel of global peace.

There was a big reception for Miss Universe Spain. Her costume may have seemed orthodox, but Angela Ponce herself is anything but. She is the first openly transgender woman to win a national title and strode out to meet her public with obvious pride.

But the biggest roar of the evening though was reserved for local favourite, Thailand's Sophida Kanchanarin, whose traditional clothing, combined with a playful elephant companion, pushed all the right national buttons.

The US's Sarah Rose Summers injected a little raciness into proceedings when she transformed her demure, rose-themed look, into something far more relaxed.

Miss Universe Zambia brought the night to a rousing conclusion, spear and shield thrust aloft.

Chon Buri, Thailand, 10 December 2018

1.  Wide of Miss Universe Costa Rica Natalia Carvajal Sanchez extends costume into butterfly wings. walks past camera and blows kiss

2.  Two contestants stand around backstage

3.  Miss Universe Barbados, Meghan Theobalds displays her costume with other contestants behind her

4.  Miss Universe Bahamas, Danielle Grant, blows kiss. Pan to Miss Universe Australia, Francesca Hung

5.  SOUNDBITE (English) Paula Shugart, President of Miss Universe Organization:

"After all of the competition and the weeks on location, the national costume event is the event where they can let their hair down, where everyone is here just having fun and so this is the night to relax, but have a good time and they are all doing this great sow together"

6.  Wide of costume show stage as show begins

7.  Miss Universe Brazil, Mayra Dias, shows off her costume which turns into a bird

8.  Miss Universe Chile, Andrea Diaz, shows her costume

9.  Miss Universe Canada, Marta Stepien, in her maple leaf-inspired outfit

10.  Miss Universe China, Meisu Qin, on stage

11.  Miss Universe India, Nehal Chudasama, with her costume

12.  Pan up the extraordinarily elaborate costume of Miss Universe Guatemala, Mariana Garcia

13.  Close of sculpted head that is part of her costume

14.  SOUNDBITE (English) Mariana Garcia, Miss Universe Guatemala:

"Ah it's heavy, it's like having another human but I can wear it, I walk really easy with it, I just have to move (inaudible.)"

15.  SOUNDBITE (English) Dee-Ann Kentish Rogers, Miss Universe Great Britain

"My costume is a tribute to the suffragettes, the women who fought for the right for women to vote 100 years ago this year, so thank you very much to these women and it is just a celebrate of everything we have achieved since then"

16.  Miss Universe Great Britain on stage in costume

17.  Miss Universe Japan, Yuumi Kato, in costume

18.  Miss Universe Laos, On Anong Homsombath in her classically-inspired costume

19.  Wide of Miss Universe Singapore, Zahra Khanum getting ready

20.  SOUNDBITE (English) Zahra Khanum, Miss Universe Singapore:

"The idea behind my dress is really about explaining the global idea of what Singapore is right now. Singapore has been extending its friendship to other countries since a long time, many years back and until now and in the future hopefully it'll continue doing the same thing, so it's really about extending friendship and peaceful relations with other countries"

21.  Zahra shows dress on stage with a design celebrating the recent US-North Korea summit

22.  Miss Universe Spain, Angela Ponce, on stage. She has made news as the first openly transgender women to compete for the title.

23.  Wide of Thai crowd going crazy as their contestant comes on stage

24.  Miss Universe Thailand, Sophida Kanchanarin on stage in elephant-inspired costume

25.  Miss Universe USA, Sarah Rose Summers, on stage in her costume, inspired by the nation's national flower, and by her middle name

26.  Wide of audience

27.  Miss Universe Zambia, Melba Shakabozha in costume, with spear and shield