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SANTA FE, Argentina. Zaira Aranda , a trans activist, headed the list of council candidates in Romang (Santa Fe) and won 48.48% of the vote in yesterday's elections. This secured her two of the three seats up for grabs on the council, making her the first trans councilor in the province of Santa Fe. She aspires to be the president of the council starting in December and told Presentes that she will donate her salary to provide scholarships for education and transportation.

“It still hasn’t sunk in. I think people recognized the work I’ve been doing for years,” she said in an interview with Presentes . She added, “It’s a huge source of pride for trans women because it’s the first time someone from a working-class neighborhood has been elected to the City Council. I think the neighborhoods have finally empowered themselves and raised the banner of humility.”

Creating history

The newly elected councilwoman, who will take her seat on December 10, acknowledges that her victory is historic for several reasons: her gender identity, her neighborhood origins, and the upset of the Justicialist Party, which once again holds a majority in the local legislative body.

Along those lines, Aranda attributes this support to her long history of social and political work in the neighborhoods alongside trans and travesti women. But not only with them, but also with all the families in the most marginalized neighborhoods of Romang.

“The first thing I’m going to do on December 10th is donate my salary. I’m going to form a technical team to organize that process, but my entire salary as a councilwoman will go towards education and transportation scholarships for those who can’t afford to study,” she told Presentes . She emphasized, “I never had the opportunity to study because I didn’t have the money to pay the tuition. I don’t want that to happen to anyone. These scholarships will be for trans people, but also for cis people, because everyone deserves opportunities. I’ve always said that public officials’ salaries are the people’s money and they have to go back to the people, and now I’m going to do it.”

Militant commitment

In the special report on LGBT candidates in Argentina published by Presentes , Zaida acknowledged that she sought to become a candidate to work for the well-being of diverse communities in her province. “This is my third time running for office. And I like that, because I see so many injustices against diversity, both socially and culturally. I think that every politician always looks out for their own interests and not the well-being of the people. So I decided to work to change that.”

She also explained why it is essential for someone from a diverse background to hold certain positions. “ From a seat in government, rights are guaranteed, and those with the fewest resources are protected. A politician must always be at the service of the community . In my experience, having run for city council three times, holding a position like this empowered me and allowed me to give back to the people the trust they placed in me.”

Councillor for diversity

Among Zaira's projects during the campaign was the idea of ​​promoting the formation of neighborhood committees. "They are important for diversity and for all social sectors. Because it's a space to be close to the neighbors."

She also announced her intention to run for president of the City Council and to work diligently to secure two terms in the local legislature. “Historically, those who reach the City Council are doctors, lawyers, accountants. Today we are changing that, and we will continue empowering trans women so they can succeed. Before, they all worked on the streets, but now they have finished school, found other jobs, and transformed their lives.”