Trans Migrants in Spain: An Interview with Daries about the Ley Trans

This article sheds light on the reality of Daries[1], a migrant trans individual in Spain, while they navigate new laws, policies, and programs meant to aid the trans community as a whole. Similar to how indigenous gender studies distinguish between indigenous experiences with gender in different colonized countries, it is important to distinguish the experiences of trans individuals who are migrating from Latin America to Europe. By sharing Daries’ story, this article demonstrates the importance of capturing the heterogeneity that exists among trans communities, especially as it relates to their experiences as migrants abroad. Spain has recently passed the ley trans, a law which asserts that all trans identities must be recognized and protected. However, the lived experiences of migrant trans individuals are not fully integrated within the ley trans because their stories are not being as extensively shared as those of non-migrant individuals. When trying to understand the experiences of migrant trans individuals, the politics of recognition reveal the limitations faced by trans migrants in having their identities fully recognized. For migrant trans individuals, their recognition from the state is based on their proximity to binary gender identities and citizenship status. Hence, I describe: (1) the exclusions that currently exist among migrants who are trans and living in Spain; (2) the lack of recognition and integration within the new national trans policies being implemented in Spain; and (3) existing citizenship policies that limit a migrant’s individual trajectory when they settle in a host country.