ongoing project Translatinas, that explores the challenges and resistance of transgender women from Central and South America as they face discrimination and cope with the psychological consequences of their personal histories of sexual violence, and discrimination. This work documents intimate and collaborative portraits of these women in their homes; emphasizes portraying them as strong and resilient women, worthy of respect, rather than simply as victims deserving of pity.
Laura Martinez's presentation at a local LGBTQ club in Jackson Heights, Queens New York. she is a famous Drag performance into the Latin LGTB community she has been working in the treatment business for more than 11 years, she is followed by many emerging drags and transgender people that want to be like her.
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Laura poses before here the operation of gender reassignment surgery.
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Laura poses during her recuperation of the operation of gender reassignment surgery This process is delicate and painful she had more than a year to recover herself. The most important step in her life.
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Laura poses after her operation of gender reassignment surgery in her home in Queens New York The most important step in her life to complete her transformation. She takes under her wing more than 40 Latina transgender woman that receives her last name Martinez, as a symbol of being into her family. "Many trans teens commit suicide or take drugs, or alcohol because of the lack of support of their original families,” Laura said.
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Juni Estudillo, 27 year old Mexican, Ever since childhood, Juni was unable to connect with her male gender; at the age of 18 she decided to tell her parents she was gay and started having romantic relationships with men, but she never bonded. She felt something was missing. She had never heard of trans women. It was her brother who shared with her some videos about trans woman in Mexico, and it was then she began to learn about what it was to be a trans woman. During the process she met Vanessa, a trans woman from whom she received guidance.
At first she thought it was impossible to transition to a woman, but over time she realized all she needed was to pass the psychological and medical exams.
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“I currently avoid going to church when there’s people or celebrations, not because I’m antisocial, but because many people at church judge me. I prefer to go and connect with God alone. I go every Friday in the afternoon, right after receiving my paycheck as a kitchen helper in a restaurant, to give thanks for my health, my job, my studies as fashion designer and my family.”
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Today, Lesly Herrera Cstillo’s family respects her identity. “Since I can remember I feel that I am a woman. I don't need to be called transgender because I am a woman”.
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Tiffany Mathieu has been working for years with Latino Queer communities organizations that support Transgender people in Jackson Heights and Manhattan.
Joana Toro Documentary Photographer
Joana Toro is a Colombian documentary photographer. working on immigration, Identity and social issues.
