Da luta pela vida à busca pela cidadania: o ativismo político de travestis e transexuais na cidade de Maceió-AL

Abstract

This dissertation reports a survey held with the social movement of travestis and transsexuals from Maceió city. Given the recent nature of the organization of this social movement in Brazil, and especially in the capital of Alagoas, it was necessary to understand the motivations and actions of these subjects in the political field. This study shows relevant as far as the contexts of transphobia and gender violence in the city in question are considered. Thus, this study aimed to analyze the political activism of travestis and transsexuals in the city of Maceió, through the Association of Travestis and Transsexuals of Alagoas (ASTTAL). The specific objectives outlined were to investigate the political contexts of association’s emergence; identify the main fight flags and group action strategies; analyze the motivations of travestis and transsexuals to political engagement; and analyze the subjective experience of participation in the social movement. To achieve these objectives there was inclusion and participation in the trans movement and activities related to it, such participation was reported in field diaries, also were conducted semi-structured interviews with the association's members. This set of experiences and information were designed and analyzed starting from the theory of performativity, proposed and redrafted by Judith Butler, also leaning on the transfeminism and intersectionality. From that, we had findings, which was divided into five major categories, which pointed to dimensions such as movement's relationship with the state, the motivation to act as militant, impressions and experiences about participation of themselves and the community in this movement, how they comprehend politics and how they experience and fight transphobia. Thus, among many explanations, we understand that even tracing a steep path to sustain this movement, it has been crucial in breaking the transphobia in the city and in promoting health, citizenship and the protagonism of travestis and transsexuals. Finally, it is expected that this research can contribute in the discussions relating to trans population and its relationship with political activism, in and out of these movements.