Alexya Salvador

#AlexyaSalvador (November 18, 1980 – ): Salvador was born in #Brazil, and has become known as the #FirstTransgenderShepherdOfLatinAmerica. Throughout her life, she campaigned for #LGBTQIA rights and the rights of marginalized communities. At the age of 18, she founded a homeless shelter that she managed for two years before becoming a public school teacher. Her motivation for becoming a teacher was due to the bullying she received as a child for living her truth. She wanted to be that positive influence for public school children, who often suffer for lack of LGBTQIA role models and visibility. She became the vice president of the #BrazilianAssociationOfHomotransaffectiveFamilies, an organization that promotes resources and understanding for families where the parents are LGBTQIA. Since 2015, she has served as a pastor of the #MetropolitanCommunityChurch, making her the first trans pastor in Brazil and held the first LGBT-friendly liturgy in Cuba in 2017. Ordained in 2019, she was the first transgender cleric in Latin America and supports her spiritual calling with action. She ran for public office in Brazil in 2018, and though she didn’t win that election she continues to fight against racism, homophobia, and transphobia in Brazil, where more than 380 LGBTQ people have were murdered in 2017 alone. With three children (two of whom are trans as well), she is the first transgender person to adopt children in Brazil. In an interview, she stated “When I talk about #Christ, I like to think about the #Jesus of the people, the Jesus who walked with those who nobody wanted to walk with. And this Christ also wanted to walk with me.” This month, the film #DeusEMulher (“God is a Woman”), scheduled to appear during the #CannesFilmFestival, explores the life of Salvador. #PrideMonth #LGBTQIA #LGBTQIAPride #Pride #LegendsOfPride #YouCannotEraseUs