Mayla and Sofia wondered from girls why they were born with male genitals. “We never identify” as men, say these Brazilian trans twins who, at 19, are recovering from a successful sex reassignment surgery
For AFP
February 24, 2021- 09:16
Mayla and Sofia wondered from girls why they were born with male genitals. “We never identify” as men, count these Brazilian trans twins who, at 19, are recovering from a successful sex reassignment surgery. Photo / AFP“This is the only case reported [de gemelas trans realizándose juntas esta cirugía] in the world “, says the doctor José Carlos Martins who carried out the operations of almost five hours, with a day difference. Photography / AFP“When they took over, for me it was a relief (…) I don’t even remember that one day it was them, for me it will always be them,” says her mother, Mara Lucia da Silva, 43. The paternal grandfather of the two finished a property to pay for the surgeries, which cost nearly $ 20,000. Photo / AFP“I realized that I always loved my body, but I wasn’t satisfied with my genitals (…) I was blowing dandelions and I was always asking my heavenly father to transform me into a girl,” Mayla says , who says he cried with emotion when he first saw her after surgery. Photo / AFPSofia, who is also religious, believes that “God created souls and not bodies,” and hopes her story will serve to confront prejudice: “I want to help people see that we are human beings too.” Photo / AFPThey wanted to operate on him in Thailand but Mayla discovered a clinic in Blumenau, a small town in Santa Catarina, southern Brazil. Sex reassignment can be done in Brazil from the age of 18. It has been provided in the public health network by law since 2011, but only five hospitals perform the procedure. The long wait stimulates the private alternative. Photo / AFP
