Binarism, identity, labor and prostitution: a qualitative research on the transgender population of Belo Horizonte, Brazil

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: Verify the transgender people (transvestites and transsexuals) inclusion/exclusion in the Belo Horizonte’s job market. METHODS: Nine semi-structured interviews were applied to transgender people residents in Belo Horizonte/MG. The selection was made randomly and according to the availability of the people. For the data analysis, the use of categorical content analysis was made, which subdivided the analysis corpus in four categories. RESULTS: The results indicate that job market inclusion/exclusion of the interviewed people is organized by categories. a) gender binarism, about the participants transition process; b) documentation, about the official recognition of the gender identity, the use of social name and the violence suffered; c) work, demonstrating the relation of the people with the formal and informal instances of work and income and d) prostitution. CONCLUSION: From the participants of this study, it is possible to say that the studied population has difficulties to access the formal job market and this directly affects the perpetuation of social exclusion, through the invisibility, increased informality, violence and non-recognition of the gender identities.