Discover the story of Karla Avelar and Bianka Rodríguez: two trans women who fight for a more inclusive world for the LGTBI community in El Salvador.
«Some values must be universal, such as Human Rights; equality and dignity of every human being. – Bianka Rodríguez (Executive Director of COMCAVIS TRANS)
For many, concepts such as "human rights" or "dignity" are facts, something that is not questioned or questioned. However, they live oblivious to the reality of thousands of people around the world; people who, due to their sexual or gender condition, are discriminated against, harassed and even murdered.
At the Justice Foundation, we believe that the only way to combat hate is through information and education. Therefore, this article is about two very important figures for the LGBTI community in El Salvador: Karla Avelar and Bianka Rodríguez. Two women who have fought tooth and claw to be recognized and treated with dignity.
The story of Karla Avelar
Karla Avelar defines herself on her Twitter account as: "Trans woman in search of a better world, faithful believer in love of neighbor and enemy of lies." And there is no doubt that she has been a true fighter for the rights of the LGBTI community around the world.
Karla was born in January 1978 in El Salvador and it was already in her adolescence that she began to suffer discrimination due to her gender identity since she feels that she was not born in the body that corresponded to her.
Throughout his life he has had to face death threats, sexual assaults and even attempted murders.
But after many years of ordeal, she decided that it was time to fight against it and in 2008 she founded the COMCAVIS TRANS association with the aim that other trans women, like her, could feel heard, identified and supported.
From that moment, Karla Avelar decides that she is going to dedicate her life to eradicating transphobia, becoming in 2013 the first trans woman to report hate crimes against the LGBTI community before the IACHR (Inter-American Commission on Human Rights).
Her work was recognized in 2017, when she was nominated for the Martín Ennals Awards that support human rights defenders. However, what seemed like a moment of happiness was cut short again by the kidnapping of his mother and the demand, by the kidnappers, to hand over the money he won with said prize in exchange for his mother's freedom.
This event marked a before and after in Karla's life, who was forced to leave her native country to seek refuge in Europe. He currently resides in Switzerland and it is in Geneva where he continues to fight every day for a world without hate.
Unfortunately, Karla Avelar has not been and will not be the only trans person to suffer this discrimination that extends to all areas of society and that leads them, on many occasions, to be extorted and forced into prostitution.
When Bianka Rodríguez crosses into Karla's life
However, despite everything mentioned, Karla Avelar is not alone.
Another important person for the group who has been by their side is Bianka Rodríguez, the current director of COMCAVIS TRANS.
Bianka's story is very similar to Karla's and highlights the reality of being a trans person in El Salvador and not conforming to the heterosexual canons established by society.
Bianka suffered rejection from a very young age by her closest family environment and bullying at school, which made her abandon her studies and think that one day she would end up murdered like many other transgender women.
Looking for answers and support, the COMCAVIS association crossed her path, where she met Karla, who immediately saw herself reflected in the young woman. Later, due to her exile, Bianka was proposed to take the reins of the association and, although the decision was not easy for her, she ended up accepting in order to continue with the work that was being carried out: providing support and offering help. to all those transgender people who need it.
What is it like to live in El Salvador if you are transgender?
El Salvador is one of the Latin American countries with the highest crime rate due to the different gangs that control the territory. If we add to this a sexist and transphobic society, we find the perfect scenario for hate crimes and murder to be carried out against the group. In fact, from 1993 to 2018, more than 700 cases of murders of trans people have been recorded that have not been solved and whose perpetrators have gone unpunished.
Due to this situation, and because the country's justice system ignores the cry for help of these people, more and more people are forced to abandon their families and their country of origin if they want to live a life in peace.
«We live in a situation where society discriminates against us; "The State discriminates against us," says Bianka, emphasizing that the problem is a social problem and that it must be eradicated from the roots and at all levels: civil and institutional.
COMCAVIS TRANS and its role for the LGTBI community in El Salvador
As indicated on its own website, the COMCAVIS TRANS association was born from the need of many women in the group who feel discriminated against, not represented and lack information.
Since its beginnings in 2008, led by Karla Avelar, it has been growing and evolving to become "a non-governmental, apolitical, non-religious and non-profit organization, whose purpose is to represent, defend, ensure and promote human rights." human rights and the interests of TRANS women, to promote their development and respect for their human dignity.
Thanks to COMCAVIS, people from the LGBTI community in El Salvador have found a refuge where they feel safe, as well as support to fight for the equality they so richly deserve.