Born: February 31, 1944, Pernambuco, Brazil
Pronouns: She/her
Identities: Transgender woman
Occupations: Dermatologist, Politician, Activist

Overview

Camille Cabral is a trailblazing Brazilian-born French dermatologist, activist, and politician known for being the first trans woman elected to public office in France. Her career merges medicine, advocacy, and political engagement to uplift transgender individuals and fight systemic discrimination. As a pioneering figure in European trans politics, Cabral has become a beacon for intersectional activism centered on health, gender, and immigration rights.

Early Life and Education

Born in Pernambuco, Brazil in 1944, Camille Cabral studied medicine and became a trained dermatologist before immigrating to France. Her early experiences with gender identity and the healthcare system shaped her passion for improving medical and social outcomes for marginalized communities.

After arriving in France, she resumed her professional medical work while becoming increasingly active in grassroots LGBTQ+ and immigrant rights efforts. Her dual identity as a trans woman and migrant helped fuel a broader perspective on justice and public policy.

Medical Career

Cabral built a respected career as a dermatologist in France, focusing on community-based care for underserved populations. Her medical expertise informed her political and activist work, especially regarding trans healthcare access and inclusive public health strategies. She has consistently advocated for depathologizing trans identities in medical contexts and promoting informed, respectful care.

Activism and Political Career

In 2001, Camille Cabral was elected as a councillor in the 17th arrondissement of Paris, representing the Green Party (Les Verts). This made her the first openly transgender person elected to political office in France. During her time in office, she championed issues such as public housing, anti-discrimination protections, and access to healthcare for trans people and immigrants.

Cabral also founded Pastran, an organization dedicated to the health and human rights of transgender people. Pastran has been instrumental in providing medical guidance, advocacy training, and a community support network for trans individuals navigating legal and medical systems in France.

Legacy and Impact

Camille Cabral’s legacy lies in her fearless dedication to intersectional justice. She broke barriers not only in terms of gender identity but also as a Brazilian immigrant in French politics. Her work has influenced both national and European dialogues on trans rights, healthcare reform, and anti-racist feminism.

She is frequently cited as a key figure in early 21st-century European queer politics and is celebrated for showing how professional expertise can powerfully intersect with lived experience and grassroots activism.

Quotes

“As long as society continues to deny our identities, we must occupy space, claim rights, and heal our communities.”

“Being a doctor and being trans are not contradictions. They are both about transformation, about helping people live better in their bodies.”