The “Asociación de Trans y Trabajadorxs Sexuales” (ATTS) was born 14 years ago in Roca and continues to expand throughout the towns of the region. The objective is to promote the rights and inclusion of the community, guarantee access to health and provide permanent support in the processes of identity change.
Yesterday the Day of Trans Visibility was commemorated worldwide, a date that aims to sensitize and make visible the trans community promoting equal rights and inclusion.
Currently, thousands of people continue to face barriers and discrimination. In addition, violence once morest transgender people continues to be a serious and alarming problem.
The ATTS organization has worked tirelessly to raise awareness and support people across the province. They currently provide support and counseling services, as well as workshops and training open to the community.
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Georgina: Breaking the mold in listening and accompaniment
Georgina Colicheo lives in Roca. She is 55 years old. She is a transvestite, a sex worker and a descendant of native peoples. 14 years ago he began to organize together with another group of people to guarantee the rights of the trans community in the region.
«I realized that as a collective we were naturalizing abuse, aggression and violence. It was there that we began with María Díaz to move to generate spaces for containment, listening and fighting. We joined at the same time that rights for the LGBTIQ+ collective were being conquered at the national level”, says Georgina.
«The first days of work we began to work in an office where we would never have imagined being because it was daytime and until then we moved only at night in order to survive. That was the beginning of a journey that, although there is still a long way to go, made us achieve many achievements”, he adds.
Today the organization is consolidated in the region and it fulfills roles that in some cases are not guaranteed by the state with the speed required. Through the inclusive office in Roca, More than 140 targeted users receive care with hormonal treatments, general health and containment.
As a collective we were naturalizing abuse, aggression and violence. It was there that we began to move to generate spaces for containment, listening and fighting.
Georgina Colicheo.
«Roca’s inclusive office broke the mold when it comes to community care. While in other spaces professionals only focused on individual attention, we We decided to promote a reciprocal accompaniment and support scheme. This is how we promote debate rounds, listening spaces and permanent follow-up”, indicated the ATTS reference.
Andi: The question that changed everything
Ulises Andrés Gómez is a trans boy. He lives in Roca, is 22 years old and is a Psychology student. Today he is an active member of the organization and collaborates in support and accompaniment spaces.
«Since kindergarten I began to suffer from the division of boys and girls. I did not feel comfortable and in countless situations I was in the middle. When the stage of adolescence arrived, I began to feel an automatic rejection with my body and the changes that were taking place, “says Andi.
«I might not find an explanation for what I felt until one day I went on the Internet and I was able to name what was happening to me. I didn’t dare tell anyone because I was convinced that my family was going to reject me.” adds.
«I imitated my sisters in everything. She did my makeup, combed my hair like them, dressed me. Somehow I was trying to hide what was happening to me to avoid any conflict»indica.
His first meeting with ATTS did not go unnoticed by Andi. He went to the Plaza San Martín while waiting for a bus. There, curious, he began to inquire regarding the activities they were developing until a person who was conducting a survey of the organization asked him: “How do you identify yourself?”
«I told him that I was a woman although the question resonated with me a lot. Then they told me that I didn’t have to be afraid and that whatever happened to me I had to go talk to them because they were going to accompany me.
From there began a path of introspection and personal listening. Then it was time to tell his closest friends: “They accompanied me a lot and even helped me plan how to tell my family that I knew would be difficult”Andi indicates.
I didn’t dare tell anyone what was happening to me because I was convinced that my family was going to reject me.
Ulises Andres Gomez
“The day I told my family it was like living a chapter of ‘La Rosa de Guadalupe’,” he says with a laugh. Beyond that situation over time and thanks to the help and accompaniment of the organization, they were able to accompany their son in this process of change.
Today he is an active member of the organization and collaborates in providing accompaniment and support to the recipients of the proposal. One of its main objectives is cCollaborate in the modification of behaviors and situations that are generated daily in the educational institutions of the area.
Paola: Overcoming fears and getting rid of prejudices:
Paola Spitzmaul is Eva’s mother, a trans woman. Currently, she is a member of the “Xadres” group, of mothers and fathers of trans childhoods and adolescents.
“When my daughter began her transition stage, it was a huge bewilderment for me. I was afraid, uncertain and doubts of all kinds. She distrusted the people she met with and that’s where I got into the organization to see who she met with, “ Paola comments.
As a family we have to put love first. Always accompany even if we have fears, doubts and uncertainty.
Paola Spitzmaul.
She was received by the group “Xadres” and they began to accompany her and train her. Today, following many years, He chooses to join the group because he believes that his experience can help other fathers and mothers to walk that path.
“As a family we have to put love above all else.. Always accompany even if we have fears, doubts and uncertainty. There is always someone who lends a hand and helps overcome barriers imposed that are not healthy for society », he indicates.
On Trans Visibility Day, diversity and inclusion are celebrated, and a more just and equitable society is promoted. Through his daily work, the organizations hope that the date will continue to grow in importance throughout society and that the fight for the rights of the trans community will continue to advance.
Watch the interview on YouTube:
You can also watch this interview through the “RÍO NEGRO” channel on YouTube and hear the testimonies of Georgina, Andi and Paola in first person.
In I SAY:
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