First and foremost let me say, bigotry of any kind will not be tolerated. If you are here to spread any negativity please turn yourself right around and go read something else because this post is not for you. This is a post is about celebrating the accomplishments of a beautiful charismatic woman who just so happens to be transgender.
Meet Valentina Sampaio, a 23 year old model from Brazil who just grabbed a spot in the coveted Sports Illustrated's swimsuit edition. Haven't heard of her yet? Well just you wait, this girl has been absolutely taking the fashion industry by storm. After being named Sports Illustrated's Rookie of the year and landing her spot in the swimsuit edition, Sampaio took to Instagram to give us a preview as to what we can expect to see on the issue out July 21st and share her gratitude.
Saying, "I am excited and honored to be part of the iconic Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue. The team at SI has created yet another groundbreaking issue by bringing together a diverse set of multitalented, beautiful women in a creative and dignified way".
She also choose this time to highlight some of the travesties and dangers one can face being transgender in her home country of Brazil writing, "I was born trans in a remote, humble fishing village in northern Brazil. Brazil is a beautiful country, but it also hosts the highest number of violent crimes and murders against the trans community in the world—three times that of the U.S. Being trans usually means facing closed doors to peoples’ hearts and minds. We face snickers, insults, fearful reactions and physical violations just for existing. Our options for growing up in a loving and accepting family, having a fruitful experience at school or finding dignified work are unimaginably limited and challenging."
This was not the first time Valentina Campaio used her platform to speak on the dangers trans gendered people face and while she may be making leaps and bounds in the fashion industry it is clear that she has higher ambitions to help create a world in which all people fell safe to be themselves.
If you too would like to step up and help Valentina in changing the environment for our trans gendered community you can find some ideas here and don't forget to celebrate Campaio's accomplishment by picking a copy of the issue out later this month!
Photo Credit:Getty/Randy Shropshire/Stringer