Attacks on trans identities become a strategic political tool in Brazil

May 21, 2026

When Kim Flores, a trans woman in São Paulo, was denied waxing services in 2022 and shared her experience online, right-wing politician Nikolas Ferreira weaponized her story to spread transphobic rhetoric and boost his political profile. Ferreira, who has a history of targeting trans people, reposted Flores's video with transphobic commentary, helping him achieve massive social media growth and eventually secure the most votes of any candidate in Brazil's 2022 elections. Though Ferreira was ordered to pay damages to Flores in 2025, he used the court decision to further position himself as a martyr for "free speech," gaining millions more views.

Who is affected

Kim Flores, the trans woman initially denied service and subsequently targeted online
Trans women politicians Duda Salabert, Erika Hilton, Linda Brasil, Dani Balbi, and Natasha Ferreira
An underage trans girl whose image was published without consent
Trans people broadly in Brazil who face difficulties renting housing and performing daily activities
LGBTQ+ communities experiencing marginalization
Trans candidates and elected officials who are targets of coordinated transphobic attacks

What action is being taken

Kim Flores is suing detractors for libel, defamation, transphobia, hate speech, and affronts to human dignity
Trans women politicians like Natasha Ferreira are pursuing broad human rights agendas and demanding seats at decision-making tables
Researchers Caê Vatiero and Victória Ribeiro Carvalho are studying patterns of transphobic attacks against trans politicians
Trans candidates continue running for political office despite harassment

Why it matters

This matters because transphobia has become a systematic political tool in Brazil for gaining social media engagement and electoral success, with real-world consequences for trans people's safety and access to basic services. The weaponization of trans identities as "moral panic" appeals to existing prejudices while threatening democratic institutions, echoing historical patterns where morally charged campaigns preceded attacks on democracy. The economic structures of social media platforms enable and incentivize the profitable spread of hate speech, while trans people are increasingly pushed to society's margins despite achieving historic political representation.

What's next

Nikolas Ferreira can still appeal the court decision ordering him to pay damages to Kim Flores. No other explicit next steps are stated in the article.

Read full article from source: Global Voices