The census being conducted in Chile does not take gender identity into account. Organizations denounce its exclusion of trans and non-binary people. “The slogan of the 2017 Census, ‘ Everyone Counts, ’ is false, as long as our communities continue to be excluded and killed because of their gender,” writes Niki Raveau, director of Fundación Transitar. By Niki Raveau Photos: Fundación Transitar “Everyone Counts,” the slogan of the 2017 Census in Chile, is false as long as our communities continue to be excluded and killed because of their gender. Likewise, as long as the country lacks a gender identity law. Officially, we neither count nor exist. The Chilean government, institutions, and legislators are caught between two poles (the DSM-5 of power always binary): 1- to do nothing (or almost nothing) in favor of the trans population; 2- to “do something” (in this case, refer to gender) only to end up promoting gender discrimination, known as transphobia, within the framework of a national process.

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The video “P8 Training: Sex,” produced for the Chilean government by the “31 Minutos” brand, teaches how to answer the “sex” question on the census questionnaire through an overacted and caricatured portrayal of a “trans woman” (femininity and rejection of male consumerism are always the most violated and punished stances). Not only are we not recognized, but we are mocked! And, as we know, some mockery and phrases can kill. Option one: kill. Option two: ignore. Man or Woman? Aside from the few current efforts to address the trans population, institutional models promote ignorance and transphobia, discrimination and death.

To exist with or without a license

During the summer, our foundation went to the Civil Registry of the Maipú Commune, Arauco Sub-office, to renew identity cards. We had already done this the previous year, under similar circumstances, at another office in the commune. Fifteen children and young people attended, along with their families and support network. The children signed with their chosen name and had their photograph taken according to their gender identity. This was possible, although we were aware of cases where problems had arisen due to clothing. The daily act: existing with or without an identity card. With or without an institution. Attending collectively before the regulatory body, as a registration (demand) of (non)existence. Also, for the safety of children and young people, as well as a catalyst for collective action.

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Specifically, after a meeting with the office director, it was arranged that whenever an institutional website associated with the civil registry (police, etc.) was accessed, the system would display the following message regarding the identity card of the corresponding child or young person: “Confirmed with photo and signature, child (or girl, depending on the other permitted option) is represented by the Transitar Foundation,” including the organization's contact information. Two children have already traveled abroad with this card and received appropriate treatment.   For the 2017 Census, the children participating in Transitar will not directly answer any questions (they won't even be present during the questionnaire if they don't find it interesting). Young people who wish to and are aware of the arbitrariness will answer. Man or Woman. Male and female without connection, is all that the law, the institution, and the Census offer. Death, denial, and indifference. As an exercise, the parents, who otherwise should not give any explanation to the census taker, will answer on behalf of the children using their chosen name and gender identity ("sex" in the questionnaire box). Yasna, mother of Alicia, a five-year-old trans girl, wrote in the Transitar WhatsApp group: “This isn't a tool that allows trans identity to be visible; there's no way to register it. It's simply a valuable opportunity, I believe, for our children and young people, for their family members to declare their gender identity, and for them to be recognized and valued when they declare it in the census.” May judges, politicians, and institutions not obstruct the account.   *Niki Raveau is the director of the Transitar Foundation .    ]]>