Text by Kees Rottinghuis / Fotos by Jonathan Alpeyrie

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – In Casa Nem a party is being prepared, so the house is bustling. Everybody is getting dressed or helping somebody else. But this is not your average party. Casa Nem is a home for LGBT in Rio, mainly trans people live there. So, bras are stuffed, and some extra make-up is applied. Together they can party safely.

The need for such a home in Brazil is evident. Although data is patchy according to the National Association of Travesties and Transsexuals Brazil last year 163 trans people were killed in Brazil and trans people have a life expectancy of just 35. Transgender Europe also ranks Brazil as the deadliest country for trans. That’s why Casa Nem exists.

One of the residents of Casa Nem is Agatha. She moved in a few months ago after getting kicked out by her family. “I was living with my sister and her husband. But things got difficult.” Most transgender have a complicated relationships with their families. Brazil is a religious country where being trans is not commonly accepted, especially in the lower parts of society. When parents don’t approve, they can kick out their children as early as thirteen. They can have nowhere to go or stay.

Casa Nem offers a place for those in need of one. It is a LGBT group that consists mainly of trans and together they squat a building in Copacabana. There are no rules for joining. Contacting a resident or a knock at the gate could get you in. Most join via social media because that is the best way to get into contact with others trans, tells Dylan.

He was born as a female and in his teenage years, he was confused. “I started to have a virtual life to talk about my feelings. I thought I was the only one. But online I could talk about it.” Read more via Rio Times