The Supreme Court of Justice of Brazil approved legal gender reassignment in 2009, and with support from the Ministry of Health, Brazil's public health system provides free gender reassignment surgeries.

In practice, many transgender people face discrimination at healthcare facilities. Given the social context of Brazil, the ordinances by the Ministry of Health are still not enough. Coordinator of the State Center for Combating Homophobia in Pernambuco, Hugo Felipe Lima, said "The context is discrimination, people are depending on the humanity of others. No one admits to being biased, but from the doctor to the professional cleaning prejudice happens."

In 2012 the Center began offering priority job training in health. More than 400 people have passed through awareness workshops. This semester, classes are expected to resume, covering the 12 regional health managers. Read More