About the documentary

“La Perla Victoria: Desde un Corazon Trans” (From a Trans Heart) tells the story of Victoria Castro, a Salvadoran trans woman forced to flee her country due to transphobic violence.

Before migrating, Victoria faced years of discrimination, exclusion, and violence. Like many trans people in Latin America, her search for safety led her to undertake a perilous journey through Mexico, hoping to find protection in the United States.

However, upon arrival, she encountered another system of violence: the dehumanizing immigration detention system, where trans women face a disproportionate risk of abuse, violence, and neglect.

From there, the documentary follows Victoria as she rebuilds her life, exploring how care, community, and love can become forms of resistance against violence. Her testimony invites us to imagine a world where trans migrants can live with dignity, safety, and community.

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A project by Cuidar Cura

Cuidar Cura highlights the networks of care that Latin American migrant communities build to navigate life in the United States. Through real stories—like Victoria’s—we seek to transform how we understand care, family, and belonging, promoting narratives that recognize our shared humanity and contribute to a more just and inclusive future.

The documentary was produced in collaboration with T4T Empowerment and Familia TQLM, organizations that support and strengthen the leadership of trans migrant communities.

Bringing the story to communities

During its first year, “La Perla Victoria: Desde un Corazón Trans” will tour various communities across the United States through in-person screenings, accompanied by spaces for dialogue on identity, migration, belonging, healing, and collective care. The tour will begin with presentations in Chicago and California before becoming available online to the general public.

Host a screening in your community

We want this story to reach more communities.

We invite organizations, community groups, universities, and local leaders to host a screening of “La Perla Victoria: Desde un Corazón Trans” and facilitate a conversation about the challenges and strengths of trans migrants.

By requesting a screening, you will receive:

• Access to the full version of the documentary.
• An event planning guide.
• A conversation guide with questions and resources to facilitate community dialogue.

Fill out the contact form, and our team will get in touch with you to coordinate the screening and share the available materials.

Stories change realities, too

Narratives shape how we understand migration, gender, and belonging. Sharing stories like Victoria’s is a way to combat misinformation, recognize the dignity of trans migrants, and build communities where everyone can live with safety and respect.

“La Perla Victoria: Desde un Corazón Trans” is an invitation to look beyond violence and recognize the power of solidarity, care, and community.

Generously funded by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.

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