Michelle Suárez Bértora
Michelle Suárez Bértora (21 February 1983 – 22 April 2022) was a Uruguayan activist, lawyer, lecturer, politician, and writer. She was Uruguay's first transgender university graduate, first trans lawyer, and first transgender person elected to office. She was a Senator from 2014 until 2017. She was born in Salinas, Uruguay.
Michelle Suárez Bértora | |
|---|---|
| Born | 21 February 1983 Salinas, Uruguay |
| Died | (aged 39) Montevideo, Uruguay |
| Nationality | Uruguayan |
| Alma mater | University of the Republic |
| Occupation | Lawyer, politician, writer |
| Title | Substitute Senator |
| Term | 2014–2017 (resigned) |
| Political party | Frente Amplio |
She transitioned at the age of 15 with the support of her mother. Suárez went to primary and secondary school in Salinas in 2004. After six years of study, and a legal transition to allow her to graduate with her proper gender. She was the first (and only) trans-woman to become a lawyer in Uruguay.[1]
She graduated in 2010 from the University of the Republic as the first transgender person to complete university studies in the country.[2][3]
In 2014, she also became the first transgender person elected to the Uruguayan legislature.[4]
Suárez Bértora died on 22 April 2022 in Montevideo, Uruguay from a heart attack at the age of 39.[5]
References
- ↑ (in Spanish) Primera abogada trans de Uruguay. Montevideo, Uruguay: Portal 180. 11 August 2010. http://www.180.com.uy/articulo/13262. Retrieved 30 March 2015.
- ↑ Vaz, Gabriela (22 August 2010) (in Spanish). Yo decidí no marginarme. Montevideo, Uruguay: El Pais. http://historico.elpais.com.uy/Suple/DS/10/08/22/sds_509791.asp. Retrieved 30 March 2015.
- ↑ "Entrevista a la doctora Michelle Suárez Bértora, primera egresada trans de la Universidad de la República". Ministerio de Desarrollo Social Unidad de Información y Comunicación (in Spanish). Montevideo, Uruguay: Government of Uruguay. Archived from the original on 4 April 2015. Retrieved 30 March 2015.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unrecognized language (link) - ↑ (in Spanish) Michelle Suárez: "it is a sad honor being the first" trans in Parliament. Montevideo, Uruguay: El Observador. 7 November 2014. http://www.elobservador.com.uy/noticia/291658/michelle-suarez-es-un-triste-honor-ser-la-primera-trans-en-el-parlamento/. Retrieved 30 March 2015.
- ↑ Falleció Michelle Suárez, la primera senadora trans en la historia del Uruguay (in Spanish)