CasaNem
CasaNem was founded in 2016 in the city of Rio de Janeiro as a preparatory centre for university entrance exams for transsexuals, transvestites and transgenders. As many of the students lived in precarious conditions and others suffered violence from their families, the centre became dedicated to sheltering this population.
With its headquarters located in the Flamengo neighbourhood, CasaNem has 30 residents and supports around 80 people, among the LGBTQI+ population, homeless people and socially vulnerable people in the region.
In 2020, after consecutive removals and changes of address, CasaNem obtained its permanent headquarters. The place, managed exclusively by trans people, promotes training and empowerment for LGBTQI+ through courses, workshops, discussions, performances and a community kitchen.
Brazil continues to be an extremely dangerous place for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTi) rights defenders as it maintains the top position in the world ranking of homophobic murders, registering 44% of all killings worldwide. Despite hosting one of the biggest annual Pride Parades in the world and the Supreme Court having recognised equal rights for same-sex couples, the state has yet to enact policies and laws that criminalise homophobic crimes.
