08/27/2026
Brazilian state deputy Fabiana Bolsonaro applied dark foundation to her face and arms during a live session of the So Paulo Legislative Assembly on March 18, 2026 in protest of trans lawmaker Erika Hilton being appointed chair of the Chambers Womens Rights Committee. She asked colleagues: "Am I Black now?" and argued that just as makeup doesnt change race, transitioning doesnt change gender.
Hilton made history as the first openly trans woman elected to Brazils National Congress. Bolsonaro called her act a "social experiment." Her speech was interrupted by a colleague who accused her of racism, transphobia, and blackface. 18 lawmakers filed a constitutional complaint. A criminal complaint for racial discrimination has been filed.
Bolsonaro is not related to former president Jair Bolsonaro she adopted the surname in 2022. The same year, she changed her racial classification from white to mixed-race, just as Brazil doubled public funding for Black candidates. Hilton has asked electoral authorities to investigate that change.
This event brings up complex questions about identity and political protest. What are your thoughts on these intersections?
Note: The information presented here is for general knowledge and discussion.