Anyone in Rio de Janeiro

[Sandra_TGTS]

Hi,

is anyone from or has anyone been to Rio de Janeiro? Not necessarily looking for a support group, but any contacts would be great. I'll be going there in May and would like to talk about how to move around and where to stay en femme with minimal risk of trouble and harassment.

[Bird]

Im not from Rio but I am from Brazil if that helps you somehow. Though I am further down south in Santa Catarina

[Jacqueline]

Sandra,

Good question to ask when traveling. There has been a lot of violence in our communities lately. I am afraid I am of little help but to welcome you to the site. There are a lot of people here with tons of experience and advice.

I also wanted to share some links with you that are helpful to new members. If you have not had a chance to read them, please take a moment and do so:

Things that you should read

Site Terms of Service & Rules to Live By	Standard Terms & Definitions	Post Ranks (including when you can upload an avatar)
Reputation rules	News posting & quoting guidelines	Photo, avatars, & signature images policy

I hope you get some good responses and stay safe.

With warmth,
Joanna

[Sandra_TGTS]

Hi,

thanks Joanna :-) I'll be good :-)

[Sandra_TGTS]

Hi Bird,

great to hear from you!

Do you know anything about the scene in Sao Paulo or Rio? Most of all, I have three questions:

1. Are there "gay" areas in these cities where there are tolerant clubs and where it is fairly normal for people to see a transgendered person?

2. Do you know how I can find a hotel, where it is ok to check in as male, but then go in and out as a woman?

3. Are there any areas, where it is fairly safe to walk around as a trans woman in the day and in the nighttime?

I intend to see regular attractions in the towns in the daytime and to clubs in the evening. I consider it safer to move around during the day, so I'd rather be staying in the clubbing areas to minimise transfers and taxi rides after dark. And, I do not wish to draw attention to me in the hotel where I am staying. I do pass as a woman visually, but my voice is still totally male, so I can get in unpleasant situations.

[Starfire]

I am very interested about this as well, specifically for Rio de Janeiro.  Most likely I will be travelling to there in July of this year.

[JenJen]

I just finished seeing and episode of "Gaycation" on Viceland where they visited Brazil and Rio de Janeiro. I would recommend seeing it before traveling. It appears there is a problem with the police targeting and murdering transexuals to "cleanse" the streets. This may not impact travelers unless you visit the favelas, but better to be educated on whats going on.They actually anonomously interview one of the murderers, scary stuff.....

[JenniferLopezgomez]

I have internationally travelled to several countries since becoming full-time JENNIFER including Morocco which is Arab Muslim. I travel using my female gender United States Passport. I've never had any problems internationally with airport security, nor local police, nor immigration, nor customs. Everyone simply takes me as the beautiful woman I am. 

Anyone with any questions about international travel as a trans person, just ask or PM me. I probably have more experience with international travel since going full-time female than most trans ladies. I might choose to answer you privately rather than publicly depending on your question.

[Beatriz]

Late reply, but I read that someone's making a trip in July in the thread, so might still be relevant.

I live in Sao Paulo, never been to Rio, however over here it's pretty bad if your appearance doesn't make people see you as a woman. Back when I was transitioning, in 2014, I got insulted in the middle of the street and in the subway many times (in broad daylight), as well as sexually harrassed. I've never been beaten up or anything, but from how everyone acted, it wouldn't be weird at all for it to happen, and nobody would help.

Even now, I often catch people staring at me with weird looks in the subway - I know how to recognize what look means what from what I've been through - and am still insulted sometimes, just much less often. That's with me "passing" though, and even if someone were to confront me, my voice is completely feminine so I'd at least be physically ok.

Sao Paulo is a relatively advanced city in comparison to the rest of Brazil, too. Rio's probably the same in regards to how people treat trans people. It's way worse in small cities and the northeast region (even in the metropolis).