Brazil to provide free sex-change operations

[Li'l Zé]

Court rules the surgery is a constitutional right for residents.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/20323334/

[syntax]

whoa, thats huge news

[maggiegee]

Brazil to pay for sex-change operations http://i92.photobucket.com/albums/l2/magi43/afp4.gif

AFP - Friday, August 17 10:29 pm

BRASILIA (AFP) - Brazil's public health care system will cover the cost of sex-
change operations, the government said after a federal court ruled the
procedure was a constitutional right.

To qualify for health care, the operation will first have to be approved by a
panel of doctors, after appropriate psychological and medical evaluations are
made of the patient, the Health Ministry said in a statement.

The ruling issued late Thursday by the Regional Federal Court of Porto Alegre,
in the south, sided with the Public Ministry's (ombudsman's office) argument
that sexual reassignment surgery was a constitutional right, along with
human dignity, equality, privacy and health care.

The government in the lawsuit maintained it lacked the funds to pay for sex-
change operations, but said it would not appeal the court ruling.

The court's chief judge Rober Raupp Rios said the ruling would prevent self
mutilation by people with sexual identity problems.

The Ministry of Health estimated the cost of sex-change operations in Porto
Alegre at about 1,000 dollars, and that as many as one Brazilian in 10,000
could be seeking one.

During 2000-2007, Brazil carried out 250 sex-change operations, the ministry
said.

[maggiegee]

Court rules the surgery is a constitutional right for residents.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/20323334/

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[Viridian]

The Ministry of Health estimated the cost of sex-change operations in Porto Alegre at about 1,000 dollars, and that as many as one Brazilian in 10,000 could be seeking one.

During 2000-2007, Brazil carried out 250 sex-change operations, the ministry
said.

First of all, one thousand dollars for a fairly complex surgery? I don't think so. Second, any government that can't afford 250K a year...
Third, wtf is up with Brazil and being trans? Is it the water?

[WillowQueen]

I dunno, but there are some pretty hot Brazilian transsexuals. Get me some of that water.

[Viridian]

I know what you mean. I think they're held by their ding-dongs as babies, that's why they're all hung so well :lol:

Although, I have to say the plastic surgery there is a bit sloppy. I've seen some of the worst boob jobs ever on Brazilian girls - like one in the middle and one on their shoulder almost. Bleah.

But free SRS as a right for Brazilians in need is a huge step. For any government to recognize transgender citizens in this manner, I give my wholehearted support and thanks!

[maggiegee]

First of all, one thousand dollars for a fairly complex surgery? I don't think so. Second, any government that can't afford 250K a year...
Third, wtf is up with Brazil and being trans? Is it the water?


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There are 190 million people in Brazil. A country with a GDP (purchasing
power parity) of $1.655 trillion in 2006, and a per capita income of $3460.
It has a labor force of 96.34 million, and a unemployment rate of 9.6%.
With 31% of it's population living under poverty.

1.00 US Dollar = 2.02155 Brazilian Reais

https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/br.html (https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/br.html)

And while $1000 may seem absurdly low for GRS, the fact of the
matter is that GRS is a relatively low cost procedure, and one which
has for the most part been perfected.

It should be pointed out that Thailand is the undisputed center for
gender reassignment surgery, but Brazil is a world leader in cosmetic
procedures per capita.

By way of illustration:

Dr. Preecha Tiewtranon, MD

http://www.pai.co.th/ (http://www.pai.co.th/)

http://i92.photobucket.com/albums/l2/magi43/pai_tream5x2.jpg

Male to Female (MtF)
Penile Skin Inversion / Vaginal Plasty $7,500

Sigmoid Colon/ Rectosigmoid Vaginoplasty/ $9,500

http://i92.photobucket.com/albums/l2/magi43/doctorsaran1.jpg

http://www.doctorsaran.com/ (http://www.doctorsaran.com/)


Surgical Procedure Doctor Saran Price

Sex Reassignment Surgery (SRS)

Male to Female $5,000

Sigmoid Colon $8,000

Tokai Clinic in Thailand (http://www.jujinclinic.com/sex_reassignment_surgery_price.htm)

Sex Reassignment Surgery, SRS, GRS, Sexchange US$ 3,000

Why Brazil for cosmetic surgery?

Brazil has long been at the centre of a thriving cosmetic surgery industry.
The South American country boasts the second largest number of
registered cosmetic surgeons (after the United States) anywhere in the
world in an industry that was estimated to have generated upwards of
£5.5 billion in 2005 alone.


Here are some cosmetic surgery costs for Brazil.

Price Table for Surgeries

http://www.brazilplastic.com/valores.htm (http://www.brazilplastic.com/valores.htm)

Plastic Surgery (USD) Minimum time to stay in Brazil
RHINOPLASTY
1.700 USD
15 DAYS

BREAST AUGMENTATION
2.900 USD
15 DAYS

LIPOSUCTION / LIPOSCULPTURE 3.200 USD
15 DAYS

TUMMY TUCK
3.200 USD
30 DAYS

FACELIFT (RHYTIDICTOMY)
3.200 USD
25 DAYS

BREAST REDUCTION
2.500 USD
20 DAYS

BETTER BUTTOCKS
3.500 USD
15 DAYS

CALF IMPLANTS
2.900 USD
15 DAYS

HAIR REPLACEMENT
2.900 USD
10 DAYS

EAR SURGERY (OTOPLASTY)
1.200 USD
15 DAYS

EYES LIDS PLASTIC SURGERY 1.200 USD 10 DAYS


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_________________
Ignorance May Be Bliss

[victoriajaye]

wow thanks for the menu Maggie!

[maggiegee]

wow thanks for the menu Maggie!

One of the most daunting challenges facing a woman is how will she
fund her transition.

One of the things that we have done and will continue to do is to
provide information on surgeons and their costs, that information can
be found in the resource section at the top of the page.

http://i92.photobucket.com/albums/l2/magi43/libra4x3.jpg

[maggiegee]

Related information on Brazil:

Transsexuals of Brazil - Pt 1 & 2 (http://www.tgirltalk.com/forums/vbnews.php?do=viewarticle&artid=99&title=transsexuals-of-brazil-pt-1-2)

Transsexuals of Brazil - Pt 3 & 4 with bibiography (http://www.tgirltalk.com/forums/vbnews.php?do=viewarticle&artid=100&title=transsexuals-of-brazil-pt-3-4-with-bibiography)

Fighting stigma against sexual minorities in Latin America (http://www.tgirltalk.com/forums/vbnews.php?do=viewarticle&artid=101&title=fighting-stigma-against-sexual-minorities-in-latin-america)

And finally on the term 'travesti'.

As to travesti;

The long historical use of the English word “transvestite” seriously
complicates efforts at communication and translation across language
barriers. The reason is that it is easily confused with the word “travesti”,
which is used in many Romance languages (Spanish, Portuguese, Italian,
etc.).

In the Portuguese and Spanish-speaking worlds, the word “travesti” has long
been used to refer to gender-variant males (just as “transvestite” was long
used in the English speaking world). However, “travesti” has a very
different meaning in the Romance languages than “transvestite” has in
English.

Instead of referring to heterosexual crossdressers ( “transvestites”),
“travestis” refers to young gender transitioners who are attracted to
men, who feminize their bodies and partly transition (usually without
genital surgery) and who historically have worked in the sex trade.

Thus “travesti” is best translated into the word “she-male” (although
that word has a negative connotation in English).

[maggiegee]

But free SRS as a right for Brazilians in need is a huge step. For any government to recognize transgender citizens in this manner, I give my wholehearted support and thanks!

Well if you have the patience of Job, the NHS of the United Kingdom
will provide those services.

National Health Service

http://www.nhs.uk/Pages/homepage.aspx (http://www.nhs.uk/Pages/homepage.aspx)

Gender Clinics

The Claybrook Centre
Charing Cross Hospital
Hammersmith
London
W6 8RF
Tel: 0208 846 1516

Gender Clinic
Dept of Psychiatry
St James University Hospital
Leeds
LS9 7TF

Gender Identity Clinic
179-183 Fulham Palace Road
London W6 8QZ
Tel 020 8483 2800
Tel 020 8483 2801



http://i92.photobucket.com/albums/l2/magi43/Gender-Recognition-Panel-ou.gif


http://www.grp.gov.uk/index.htm (http://www.grp.gov.uk/index.htm)

The Gender Recognition Panel assesses applications from transsexual people for legal recognition of the gender in which they now live. The Panel was set up under the Gender Recognition Act 2004 and ensures that transsexual people can enjoy the rights and responsibilities appropriate to their acquired gender.

If a person is successful in their application to the Panel, they will be issued with a full Gender Recognition Certificate and that person's gender will become for all purposes their acquired gender.

Our website provides information for applicants, medical practitioners and chartered psychologists and other parties who may be interested in the gender recognition process.
_________________

[maggiegee]

http://i92.photobucket.com/albums/l2/magi43/sus.jpg

The Sistema Único de Saúde (SUS) is the health care system of Brazil,
which is government funded and managed. In 1988 the Brazilian constitution
created SUS and grants all Brazilian citizens the right to procure free
medical assistance from public as well as private providers reimbursed
by the government.

The private sector covers 32 million citizens (roughly 20 percent of the
Brazilian population) and consists of several hundred firms offering four
principal types of medical plans: private health insurance, prepaid group
practice, medical cooperatives, and company health plans.

The private nonprofit and for-profit health care sector delivers the bulk of
medical services, including government-subsidized inpatient care (that is,
private facilities owned 71 percent of hospital beds designated for
government-funded health care in 1993).

Private sources finance the other half of total health expenditures.
Perceptions of inefficiency in the government reimbursement schedule and
deterioration in service quality of the public health system spurred a rapid
growth in the private financing of health care during the 1980s, particularly in
well-developed cities of the Southeast.

http://www.sespa.pa.gov.br/Sus/sus.htm

[maggiegee]

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Permanent Visa

Who is eligible: (http://en.brazilny.org/index.php?/consulado/anchor/viper/#one)
General Requirements: (http://en.brazilny.org/index.php?/consulado/anchor/viper/#two)
Additional Requirements: (http://en.brazilny.org/index.php?/consulado/anchor/viper/#three)
Consular Fees: (http://en.brazilny.org/index.php?/consulado/anchor/viper/#four)
Special Notes: (http://en.brazilny.org/index.php?/consulado/anchor/viper/#five)Who is eligible:

scientists, professors or researchers; director or administrator of a social assistance and/or religious institution; investor or person under a work contract with a company in Brazil for a long-term activity;
retired person;
person married to a Brazilian citizen;
immediate family member of a Brazilian citizen or a permanent resident in Brazil.Back to top. (http://en.brazilny.org/index.php?/consulado/anchor/viper/#top)

General Requirements:

two Visa Application Forms (http://en.brazilny.org/index.php?/consulado/forms/visa/), filled out, dated and signed by the applicant (parents must sign for minors under 18 years old);
passport valid for a minimum of six months from the date of intended arrival in Brazil, with at least one blank page available. The Consulate will take a copy of the passport to legalize. US$5.00 fee will apply;
two recent 2" x 2" passport-type photos, front view, white background. Snapshots or computer pictures are not accepted;
FBI clearance (http://www.fbi.gov/hq/cjisd/fprequest.htm) issued within the last 3 months, certifying absence of criminal record, legalized by the Consulate. US$20.00 fee will be charged;
proof of residence within the consular jurisdiction for the past 12 months (i.e., letter from the employer/educational institution, notarized copy of the utility bill or voter's registration, legalized by the Consulate. US$20.00 fee will be charged;
copy of Birth and Marriage Certificate legalized by the Consulate. US$5.00 fee will apply.Back to top. (http://en.brazilny.org/index.php?/consulado/anchor/viper/#top)

Additional Requirements:

a) Scientists, professors or researchers; investor or person under a work contract with a company in Brazil for a long-term activity require previous authorization by the Ministry of Labor and Employment in Brazil:Ministério do Trabalho e EmpregoCoordenação-Geral de ImigraçãoEsplanada dos Ministérios, Bloco F, Ed. Anexo, 2º andarBrasília, DF 70.059 900 – BRAZILTelephone (011-55-61)325-5722. Fax (0115561) 325-5725.b) Director or administrator of a social assistance and/or religious institution:
affidavit from the institution in Brazil, legalized by a notary public in Brazil, with:
invitation for the applicant to render service as a volunteer;
specific information on the activity to be performed, location and duration of the engagement;
declaration that the institution in Brazil assumes full responsibility for the maintenance of the applicant and his/her return on expiration of length of stay or at any time following the termination of the mission and that the applicant will not be paid by any source in Brazil;
Brazilian or international health insurance valid in Brazil. The original can be presented for the Consulate to take a copy and legalize. US$5.00 fee will be charged. A copy that is brought by the applicant must be notarized by a notary public and legalized by the Consulate. US$20.00 fee will be charged;
copy of the following documents of the institution in Brazil (notarized):
social statute;
act of nomination or designation of its directors;
proof of inscription in the national or local Council of Social Assistance;
proof that the institution is still established;
act of indication of the applicant to the intended position, with powers of representation, registered at the Brazilian proper governmental institution.
Attention: These documents will be sent to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Brazil. Only after the approval, will the visa be granted.c) Person married to a Brazilian citizen, or immediate family member, dependent of a Brazilian citizen or a Brazilian permanent resident
documents required from the Brazilian citizen or Brazilian permanent resident
copy of the Brazilian ID or the Brazilian permanent resident card of the head of the family in Brazil; notarized in Brazil;
affidavit form stating full responsibility for the applicant’s stay in Brazil (Termo de Responsabilidade (http://en.brazilny.org/index.php?/consulado/forms/termo_de_responsabilidade)) filled and signed, notarized in Brazil or legalized at the Consulate. U$20,00 fee will be charged;
documents required from the applicant and/or the Brazilian citizen or Brazilian Permanent Resident
in the case of immediate family member, proof (through a notarized document) to the following relationship: a) spouse; b) economic or physical dependent parent; c) minor son/daughter (under 21 years old); d) single permanent economic or physical dependent son/daughter/orphan; e) minor and single brother/sister/grandchild and legally adopted children;d) Person with the sole custody or financial responsibility for a Brazilian minor
Documents required from the minor
copy of the Birth Certificate notarized in Brazil;
copy of the document that states the sole custody or the financial responsibility notarized in Brazil or in the United States. In this last case the Consulate must legalize it. U$20.00 fee will be charged;
copy of the Brazilian ID or the Brazilian permanent resident card, if it is the case, notarized in Brazil.
Documents required from the applicant:
copy of the passport (number and identification pages) legalized by the Consulate. US$5.00 fee will apply;
affidavit on means of support, on a job in a company established in Brazil (with position and monthly income), or declaring amount of the family’s income and resource, if self-employed. Also: business registration deed or detailed documents of the sources of income. Any of these documents must be notarized in Brazil or the United States. In this last case it has also to be legalized at the Consulate. U$20,00 fee will apply.e) Retired person
Documents required from the applicant and his/her dependents:
copy of the passport (number and identification pages) legalized by the Consulate. US$5.00 fee will apply;
copy of the Birth and Marriage Certificate (if it is the case) legalized by the Consulate; US$5.00 fee will apply;
FBI clearance (http://www.fbi.gov/hq/cjisd/fprequest.htm) issued within the last 3 months, certifying absence of criminal record, legalized by the Consulate. US$20.00 fee will be charged;
proof of residence within the consular jurisdiction for the past 12 months (i.e., letter from the employer/educational institution, notarized copy of the utility bill or voter's registration), legalized by the Consulate. US$20.00 fee will be charged;
affidavit of the payment institution on means of support, declaring amount of the month income and resource, certified by a notary public and legalized by the Consulate. U$20,00 will be charged. Applicants must provide official documentation stating a minimum pension of $2,000.00 (two thousand dollar) a month per person plus 2 (two) dependents for their life term, as well as bank statement verifying service for regular transfers to Brazil. An additional US$1,000.00 in the monthly pension will be necessary for each dependent in case the applicant has more than two dependents.In all cases, the Consulate may request additional information or documentation, as deemed necessary.

Back to top. (http://en.brazilny.org/index.php?/consulado/anchor/viper/#top)

Consular Fees:

US$200,00 for the visa.
In addition to the amounts indicated above, a processing fee of US100.00 will be charged to all US passport holders in reciprocity for an identical fee paid by Brazilian citizens who apply for a Visa to the US;
an additional absent fee of US10.00 will be charged for any application not submitted in person by the applicant;
No cash, personal or company checks are accepted, only money order or certified check, made out to the Consulate General of Brazil.Back to top. (http://en.brazilny.org/index.php?/consulado/anchor/viper/#top)

Special Notes:

the visa is good for multiple entries and it must be used within 90 days from the date that was issued.
registration with the Federal Police in Brazil is mandatory within 30 days from first arrival in Brazil. Together with the passport, you must submit one of the original visa application forms which will be returned to you once the visa is issued.
The legalization of documents issued in the United States must be done by a Notary Public within the jurisdiction of the Consulate.Back to top. (http://en.brazilny.org/index.php?/consulado/anchor/viper/#top)
ATTENTION TO THE INFORMATION BELOW:

- Before you come to the Consulate, check the hours of operation (http://en.brazilny.org/index.php?/consulado/anchor/horarios/#three).

- Have to call us? see the hours (http://en.brazilny.org/index.php?/consulado/anchor/horarios/#four) we have reserved to answer your questions.

- No cash, personal or company checks are accepted, only US POSTAL SERVICE MONEY ORDER, made out to the Consulate General of Brazil..