Today, on November 20, as the world observes Transgender Day of Remembrance in solemn reflection on lives lost to hate, I take a unique turn to celebrate the remarkable journey of none other than Laerte Coutinho. Renowned as a Brazilian cartoonist and screenwriter, Laerte is the focal point of the compelling Netflix documentary 'Laerte-Se' (directed by Lygia Barbosa da Silva & Eliane Brum, 2017).
Laerte-Se intricately traces the path of Laerte Coutinho as a transgender woman navigating life in a country that unfortunately tops the charts in trans hate murders, using archive footage of pictures and videos, cartoons, and narrations. Before delving into this poignant narrative, it's crucial to revisit Laerte's revolution in the 1970s. At this moment, Brazil was in the sixth year of a military dictatorship that lasted 21 years, characterized by brutality, authoritarianism, torture, and censorship—especially after the implementation of AI-5 that suspended most civil rights in 1968. Laerte was part of the counterculture against the regime through her work with O Balão and O Pasquim.
Laerte even touched upon controversial themes when creating a character named God in a religious country.
Laerte’s revolution continued in the early 2000s. Beyond politics, she became an advocate for the LGBT+ cause, especially for the 'T,' which comprises fewer than 1% of the world's population. Her cartoons reflected gender non-conformity through her character Hugo in 2004, who crossdressed as Muriel and questioned many gender norms, including public restroom usage and various other relevant topics related to transgender issues. It brought visibility to the transgenders for a wide demographics. In the documentary, she admits that their transitions were parallel, bringing representation to a community in the margins of Brazilian society while questioning the conservatism of social groups. In 2010, Laerte’s transition came to the public eye through the magazine Bravo. She began to crossdress publicly and undergo a social transition, even though she did not change her name but adjusted her pronouns.
After Laerte’s revolution, she did not lose her job. Not only did her work reflect this transgender awareness, but her presence extended to television, documentaries, short films, and clips, even including nude pictures. The documentary omits an important achievement in 2012 when she founded the Brazilian Transgender Association (ABRAT), which seeks to defend the free expression of transgender identity, the civil rights of transgender people, and their greater understanding, acceptance, and inclusion in contemporary Brazilian society.
Laerte is more than a cartoonist; she is an artist, a grandmother, a daughter, a mother, a communicator, and a cult figure. She is a human being too. In the intimate documentary, there are revelations of her regrets about her homophobic past in her social circles and work. She expresses insecurities about her gender identity, feeling like a fraud in the eyes of others. The documentary also opens up discussions about the hierarchy within the transgender community between those who underwent physical transition and those who did not. Additionally, it delves into her struggles as a transgender woman with cisgender women.
Beyond the transgender cause, the documentary extends her revolution as a 60+ woman carrying the weight of ageism and machismo. Laerte, a Brazilian artist, continues to inject an acid critical vein into the country through her diverse comic strips and characters over these decades.
Laerte-Se prompts reflections for audiences on gender—what defines a woman and what defines a man. Laerte explores the codes and etiquettes associated with genders, emphasizing that gender goes beyond anatomy. She declares, 'It is possible to be a woman outside the body. There is no way to leave your body aside, but it also cannot be limited to your body. In that way, you’re accepting biology as the only guide. What it means to feel like a woman.'
In 'Laerte-Se,' a handheld camera is employed, setting the scene in Laerte’s house and capturing her daily routine. This intimate approach transcends with the revelations mentioned, particularly when she reflects on her teenage years: 'My desire for men was so shocking; I wished to become a woman. I believe this was a way of approaching being transgender in my adolescence.' These cinematic techniques allow the audience to deeply connect and engage with her story. It is worthwhile to highlight how these elements contribute to celebrating her journey. Laerte's existence has paved the way for a generation of transgender individuals, expanding her impact beyond the transgender cause. and identity Her relevance endures, forever maintained as a part of Brazil's cultural heritage.
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