Latin America's trans politicians gain ground in a dangerous region

Erika Hilton, who became the first transgender councilor elected by the city of Sao Paulo talks to an assistant in her office after an interview, in Sao Paulo, Brazil, February 25, 2022. Picture taken February 25, 2022. REUTERS/Alexandre Meneghini

When Erika Hilton decided to run for political office in South America's biggest city in 2020, she had no idea she would receive more votes than any other female candidate to win a city council seat in Brazil that year.

Since then, buzz surrounding the transgender 29-year-old has only grown. Hilton has seen an outpouring support from artists and leftist politicians, appearing on magazine covers in Brazil. In October she was recognized as one of the Most Influential People of African Descent, a United Nations-backed award recognizing achievement by Africans and their diaspora.