Chile Trans Groups Push for Greater Rights (VIDEO)

Chile’s trans rights activists are hoping to build momentum behind enacting wider trans rights legislation through a new video campaign.

According to Blabbeando, the Chilean Transexual Organiztion for the Dignity of Diversity (OTD) has already produced a couple of ads confronting discrimination against transgender individuals. Now, the group has launched a specific campaign hoping to press the government on enacting a nationwide gender identity law. The video campaign is called “For the Dignity of Identity.”

Watch it below:

Currently, while there is legal precedent for gender change recognition in Chile, there is no formal process and it is usually the case that trans people are denied the right to change their gender identity markers, leading to numerous difficulties whenever they are asked to produce identification that does not match their gender expression.

Recently, Argentina enacted what is thought to be the world’s most advanced and comprehensive gender change law that not only allows for government subsidy of medically necessary gender change treatment, but bans institutions receiving government funds from attempting to put a premium on such regimens because the government now classes gender change as a basic right. The law also allows for greater ease of recognition for those persons wishing to change their gender identity markers on official documents.

Argentina’s success followed a concerted effort by trans rights groups in the country, including a video campaign. Chile’s trans rights groups hope a similar campaign will yield results for their cause, too.

Chile recently passed an LGBT-inclusive hate crimes and nondiscrimination law following the brutal murder of 24-year-old Daniel Zamudio who earlier this year was attacked by a group of men, thought to be neo-Nazis, over his sexual orientation.

Chile is also contemplating a civil unions law.

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Image taken from video, no infringement intended.

Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of
Care2, Inc., its employees or advertisers.

Anita W.

10:35AM PDT on Jun 23, 2012

John M. - Really??????? Come into the 21st century with the rest of us.

June 23
send a green star

Elsie V.

12:45PM PDT on Jun 19, 2012

I think could be a good idea if someone of the famous care2 activist help with a campaign for the goverment to understand and take care of their trans citizens

June 19
send a green star

Molly A.

9:42AM PDT on Jun 19, 2012

Beautiful! Thank you. (And I love listening to that Chilean Spanish.)

Jen M.

9:33AM PDT on Jun 19, 2012

Aww! What a lovely video, that just made my day better. :)

John M.

6:22AM PDT on Jun 19, 2012

You ARE what you were born with,NOT, what you wish to be...

John B.

5:55AM PDT on Jun 19, 2012

Thanks Steve for the article and the video. Sounds like the OTD and other LBGT rights groups are nudging the Chilean Government in the right direction for an more inclusive society.

Nadine H.

3:54AM PDT on Jun 19, 2012