Today was a historic day for the trans community in Argentina. President Alberto Fernández presented the 9,000th amended ID card, in accordance with the Gender Identity Law, to Isha Escribano at a ceremony in the Casa Rosada (Government House). With this, the National Registry of Persons (RENAPER) has reached 9,000 amended ID cards issued under the Law. Also present at the ceremony were the Minister of the Interior, Wado de Pedro, and the Minister of Women, Gender and Diversity, Elizabeth Gómez Alcorta.

Isha Escribano is a trans woman with a long and distinguished career. A graduate of the University of Buenos Aires with a medical degree, she has approximately 35 years of experience in psychotherapy. For years, she has followed a spiritual path as a yoga instructor, studying under Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, and is the founder of The Art of Living in Argentina. “If I hadn’t met that person, I wouldn’t be here today,” Isha stated. She is also a multifaceted artist: a musical composer, singer, writer, and journalist.

In the Hall of Indigenous Peoples at the Government House, after receiving the corrected document, Isha Escribano said: “In a few years I won’t be here anymore, but we’re doing all of this as a team: what unites us is love. And what we’re leaving for future generations, all my transvestite and transgender sisters who have many different life experiences than I did, but we’re united by something very strong: what it cost us to get here, and in my case, what it cost me to love, respect, and value myself.”

Last Friday, Isha went to get her new ID card accompanied by Wado de Pedro, a friend of the artist for 10 years. During the appointment, the Minister of the Interior was visibly moved: “Please allow me to express my emotion. I received a call from Estela Carlotto, who sent her congratulations to Alberto Fernández, to Isha, and to everyone present.”

“We are a better society when we grant rights” 

The last to speak was Alberto Fernández. “We are very happy because someone has had their rights recognized, rights that were always denied to them. We as a society are better when we grant rights. Today we are a little more equal, and for that reason, we are better,” the president acknowledged.

Isha Escribano's message about the situation of trans women and transvestites in Argentina resonated: “No one deserves to be destined to beg for love in the shadows. We are not bonsai trees—more beautiful the more we are pruned—and it's not about fitting in, it's about blossoming. This is an act of blossoming, of love, and nothing blossoms without love.”

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