A top Brazilian police officer who 'exuded testosterone' has shocked
colleagues by taking a long holiday, only to return to active duty as a
woman. Thiago de Costa Teixeira, 33, served in an anti-drugs unit and is
currently in charge of a division in the city of Goiana. He took a
three-month holiday at the end of last year in order to get a sex change
in Thailand, and will return to work as Laura next month.
Her 'bravery' has been hailed by superiors in the police force, and LGBT
campaigners have said that it is a first for a Brazilian worker not to
be forced out of their job after having a sex change.The police officer
was previously married to a woman and has two young sons.Along with the
sex change operation Miss Teixeira also had facial reconstruction
surgery to create a softer female jawline and nose.
Miss Teixeira, who has applied to have a gender and first name changed
legally, said: 'I’ve always wanted to be a woman. But I was too ashamed
to admit it. Eventually I couldn’t hide who I was.'At first I was
worried about how my police colleagues would react to the news but so
far the reception has been great.
'I haven’t received a negative comment from any of the people I work
with. In fact, everyone is treating me as if nothing has happened, she
told Brazilian newspaper O Popular.
Brazil suffers from a high level of homophobic violence and abuse.
According to government statistics complaints of violence against gay
people more than doubled between 2012 and 2013.
Miss Teixeira has already indicated that he plans to ask for a transfer
from his old job running the police station in Goiana to the police unit
that specialises in tackling crime against females.
'I feel that as a woman now I can make a difference investigating and
helping transgender victims in particular who suffer abuse and violence
because of who they choose to be,' she said.
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