Tamara Adrián stands as a pioneering force in the fight for transgender rights in Latin America, embodying resilience, intelligence, and unwavering dignity. A distinguished lawyer, honored professor, and devoted activist, she has used her voice to challenge the silence, her mind to challenge injustice, and her heart to envision a world where dignity is not conditional. From the university halls of Venezuela to the global stage of human rights, Tamara’s journey weaves together academic excellence, political courage, and a deeply personal pursuit of authenticity. Despite years of legal limbo in her own country, where her petition for gender recognition has been continually deferred, Tamara has remained unwavering. Her determination is not rooted in anger but in love, love for justice, for visibility, and for a new generation of trans youth who dare to dream.
As a trans woman and a lesbian, she speaks openly of the transformative power of love, the strength found in knowledge, and the quiet revolution that begins when we accept ourselves fully. Tamara has stood at the crossroads of history more than once, as a candidate for Venezuela’s highest constitutional court, as a pioneer in politics, and as the subject of a feature film about her life. And yet, with all her accolades, it is her encouragement to young trans people to believe in their worth, to pursue education, and to fight for inclusion that defines her most deeply. “In order to change the world,” she says, “you must first change yourself.” In this intimate conversation, Tamara shares not only her extraordinary career but the emotional truths behind her public life, her fears, her femininity, her style, her activism, and above all, her hope. Let us now listen to a woman who has become, for so many, the voice they never had and the future they now believe in.
Monika: Today, it is my great pleasure and honor to speak with Tamara Adrián, a prominent LGBT activist and law professor from Venezuela. She is also an international advocate, currently serving as the Trans Secretary of ILGA, Chair of IDAHO-T, and a board member of WPATH, GATE, and GLISA. Hello, Tamara!
Tamara: Hello, Monika. It is a pleasure to be with you today and respond to your questions. I think young LGBT people are in need of positive life examples, so they can create and follow a life plan that truly reflects their wishes and desires, and allows them to develop their abilities and pursue their dreams without discrimination.
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| Interview: Dr. Tamara Adrian (YouTube) |
Monika: Let’s begin with your journey. How would you describe your professional path so far?
Tamara: Well, I am a lawyer who graduated with honors in Venezuela. I hold a Doctorate in Law with honors from Paris University, and I work as both a law professor and a practicing attorney. Within this context, I’ve been able to strengthen my activism through both writing and direct action. Some people are only academics, while others are solely activists. I believe that when you’re able to combine both, you can propose ideas from an academic standpoint and defend them in the field through activism.
Monika: In 2004, you brought your case before the High Court of Venezuela, seeking legal recognition of your gender as female. What has happened with your petition since then?
Monika: In 2004, you brought your case before the High Court of Venezuela, seeking legal recognition of your gender as female. What has happened with your petition since then?
Tamara: Pretty much nothing. I file new arguments and reinstate the petition every six months in order to avoid preclusion, but nothing has happened. This is a very sad and unfortunate situation, as Venezuela was the first country in the region, and one of the first in the world, to recognize the identity of trans people back in 1997.
Monika: That early recognition sounds groundbreaking. What did the legal process look like back then, and how does it compare to your current demands?
Tamara: Following the standards of that time, between 1977 and 1988, more than 150 people received legal recognition through a “marginal note” on their birth certificates after undergoing gender reassignment surgery. This meant that the original certificate wasn’t changed or amended, instead, a note was added at the end of the document stating something like: “Where you read male, you must read female, and where you read Fernando, you must read Maria.” As a result, there was no privacy, every time the certificate was shown, it disclosed a person’s entire history. My current petition seeks a new birth certificate, which is the standard today, and it promotes recognition of gender identity regardless of surgical status. My case is now before the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights, and the responses so far from the Venezuelan state have been incredibly weak and evasive, clearly intended to delay progress.
Monika: In 2010, you put yourself forward as a candidate for a seat on Venezuela’s Constitutional Tribunal. What was that experience like, and how was your candidacy received?
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| At the Copenhagen World Outgames 2009. |
Tamara: I was classified among the top candidates, based on my CV. However, this was a political process, and the CV had nothing to do with the final selection, it all depended on your submission to the party currently in power in Venezuela. As I am a free thinker and not aligned with the PSUV, the Chavist party that has been in power since 1998, my name was excluded from the final list submitted to the National Assembly.
Monika: That’s quite revealing. Looking back, do you think the government missed a chance to send a progressive message to the world?
Tamara: I really believe that they lost a unique opportunity to try to present themselves as socialists, which I believe they are not, to the international audience, by appointing me as a second alternate. They would have never asked me to effectively become a Judge. But they could have said: “Look, we are so inclusive that we appointed a trans woman as Judge to the Supreme Court.” The fact is, their prejudices are so deep that Venezuela is the only country in the region where no significant advancements have been made toward the LGBTI population.
Monika: How does Venezuela compare to its neighbors when it comes to LGBTI rights?
Tamara: When you look at the region, you notice that about 70% of the population enjoys equal legal rights: Mexico, Colombia, Ecuador, Brazil, Uruguay, and Argentina, and to a lesser extent, but progressing, Chile, Bolivia, and Peru. In Venezuela, no real advancement has been achieved: we have no recognition for same-sex couples, no recognition for the identity of trans people, no effective protection against discrimination. It’s sad, especially coming from a government that considers itself socialist.
Monika: How would you describe the current realities faced by transgender people in Venezuela, and how does this compare to the broader South American context?
Monika: How would you describe the current realities faced by transgender people in Venezuela, and how does this compare to the broader South American context?
Tamara: Trans women, and let’s not exclude trans men, are the most vulnerable portion of the entire LGBTI population. Exclusion, segregation, violence, killings, and a lack of opportunities in education, employment, housing, and health care are the daily reality faced by most of us. In the case of Venezuela, if you also consider the lack of gender identity recognition and the total absence of any affirmative action policies in our favor, the situation becomes extremely difficult to overcome without courageous steps from governments truly committed to securing equal rights.
Monika: Have you seen any examples in the region that offer hope or demonstrate what positive change can look like?
Tamara: Yes, and Argentina is the most powerful example. They approved a Gender Identity Law in 2012, which allows trans people to have their gender identity legally recognized without requiring surgery, hormone treatment, or physical changes, and without any medical or psychological report, just a simple request to the civil registry officer. They issue a new birth certificate, identity card, and passport, and amend all historic documentation to reflect the correct name and gender, within 15 working days. In just a year and a half, more than 3,000 trans women and men had their identity recognized. The result: crimes against the trans population dropped by more than 67%. Because there is a clear link between citizenship and equal rights, if your identity is not recognized, you are like an undocumented immigrant in your own country. You're prevented from enjoying the most fundamental rights.
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| Interview for CoolChannel TV (YouTube) |
Monika: I realize I don’t know much about the transgender movement in Venezuela. Apart from Esdras Parra, the well-known poet, painter, and writer who passed away in 2004, were there any transgender role models during your transition? What was your understanding of transgender identity back then?
Tamara: Thank you for bringing up Esdras. In the sixties, she was one of the most prominent figures in the cultural movement, serving as Director of the National Review of Culture when she transitioned. Unfortunately, she was fired and excluded from any opportunity to continue her work, ultimately having to switch careers and become a translator. In many ways, she exemplifies how trans people are “socially punished” simply for being themselves.
Monika: Given these challenges, how did you find your way in activism and education?
Tamara: At that time, the movement was quite incipient. I began to see some activists willing to work on the ground, but the main problem was the lasting impact of educational exclusion. Without theoretical tools, it’s difficult to have meaningful influence, and your activism may remain limited. This is why I encourage so many young trans people to pursue their studies. Sometimes they tell me, “Why bother? I won’t get a job anyway.” And I reply, “It’s in your hands to change the world. If you have the skills and aren’t hired, you can sue for discrimination; but if you lack the skills, you’ll never have that chance. Even if you don’t find immediate employment, you can become self-employed, start your own business, or be in a stronger position to effect change. To change the world, you must first change yourself.”
Monika: Looking back, what was the most difficult part of coming out for you?
Tamara: I think that my worst fears never came true. And I believe this happens to anyone. You are fearful of coming out because you imagine the worst possible outcomes. In reality, some bad things may happen, but at the same time, so many wonderful things begin to unfold. You realize that coming out was necessary to become a real person, not just a kind of impersonation. It’s not easy, I know, but it’s essential for growth. Some people say it’s necessary to fulfill your purpose in this world. In a way, I think my purpose is to help people understand that gender is not the same as sex.
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| At the General Assembly of the Organization of American States 2011. |
Monika: Transgender women often face the harsh reality of being judged by whether they “pass” as women or not. You are a lovely woman yourself, but what advice would you give to those who fear not passing as women?
Tamara: I believe the task is proportional to the size of your dreams: to train your voice, to become a passable woman, to internalize your identity and move beyond the cartoon-like version you may feel you are at the beginning of your transition. In any case, everyone needs to be clear about what they can and cannot change. This awareness will certainly help you pass, even if your body shape or facial features aren’t naturally supportive.
Monika: How do you feel about the way transgender stories and characters have been portrayed so far in films, newspapers, or books?
Tamara: In general, they reflect either a caricatured view of the trans population, portraying us as men in drag rather than as women living and struggling in a different body, or depict us as somehow dangerous, which fuels discrimination and stigma. Some portrayals try to break away from these stereotypes, but they are few and far between. There are exceptions, though, and one such exception is a film based on my life. Although it is fictionalized, it attempts to depict the challenges faced by trans people during their transition. The film is called Tamara, and its premiere was scheduled for the end of 2014.
Monika: Are you actively involved in politics? Do you take part in lobbying efforts? And do you believe transgender women can make a real difference in the political arena?
Monika: Are you actively involved in politics? Do you take part in lobbying efforts? And do you believe transgender women can make a real difference in the political arena?
Tamara: Of course. It is necessary to be actively involved in politics, and furthermore, to engage with a political party. For many years, I thought the opposite and focused my efforts within NGOs. But every time I needed to get something done, I had to go ask politicians for it.
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| At the International Congress of Gender Identity in Barcelona, Spain, 2010. |
Monika: So, what changed your perspective and made you decide to enter politics directly?
Tamara: A few years ago, I realized I must become a politician myself, so I could take the actions I was requesting from others directly. This led me to become a founding member of Voluntad Popular, a left-democratic party, which is the only Venezuelan party that includes the pursuit of equal rights in its by-laws. Within this party, I organized a social movement called Pro-Inclusion, aimed at promoting equal rights. This political activity has been very rewarding, and many other LGBTI persons are now becoming involved in politics. Of course, some critics say: “You’re now a politician, so you can’t be part of civil society anymore,” as if these roles were incompatible. I believe politics is just another tool for achieving equality. Now I act as a scholar, activist, politician, and international advisor. Not easy!
Monika: Is there anyone in the Venezuelan transgender community whose activism could be compared to what Harvey Milk achieved for gay rights in the USA during the ’60s and ’70s?
Monika: Is there anyone in the Venezuelan transgender community whose activism could be compared to what Harvey Milk achieved for gay rights in the USA during the ’60s and ’70s?
Tamara: Well, sometimes people tell me that I am doing something similar to what he did.
Monika: What are the most urgent issues on the transgender advocacy agenda in Venezuela today?
Monika: What are the most urgent issues on the transgender advocacy agenda in Venezuela today?
Tamara: The three main pillars for equality are: a) full legal recognition of gender identity without any medical or surgical requirements; b) effective protection against discrimination; and c) affirmative actions to overcome the effects of social, cultural, educational, employment, and health care exclusion.
Monika: Could you share with us the role that love plays in your life?
Tamara: I would not have had the opportunity to be who I am if I did not have the amorous, loving, compassionate, and unconditional love of my wife. Yes, I am a lesbian trans woman.
Monika: Are you interested in fashion? What kinds of outfits do you usually wear? Do you have favorite designers, colors, or trends?
Tamara: What I wear is what I know fits me well. This is a must. I may love things that do not fit me. This is the trick: find your style.
Tamara: In general, I am not supportive of beauty pageants; I think they promote and exploit the worst parts of gender stereotypes. Being Venezuelan, and with our country holding records for “misses” who have won Miss Universe, Miss World, and other pageants, I have come to a point where I just hate them. But, as I always say, the fact that I dislike pageants does not give me the right to judge those who decide to participate in these contests.
Monika: Many transgender women write their memoirs. Have you ever thought about writing such a book yourself?
Tamara: Should I have the time!
Monika: Are you currently working on any new projects?
Tamara: Of course. I’m organizing the 2014 IDAHO-T day around the idea of “freedom of expression,” aiming to secure international protection for trans people based on treaties protecting freedom of expression, which goes beyond freedom of speech; I’m coordinating activities for the Trans Secretariat of ILGA to build a worldwide network of trans people; promoting trans participation in sports with GLISA; advocating for changes in the ICD-2015 for WHO to depathologize trans conditions; and creating a global network to expand WPATH’s actions worldwide… well, so many things. I just need more people involved. I hope many of the people reading this interview feel motivated to help!
Monika: Tamara, thank you very much for this interview!
All the photos: courtesy of Tamara Adrian.
© 2014 - Monika Kowalska
Some documentaries with Tamara Adrián:
