Erika Hilton

About

Politician and activist named one of BBC's 100 Women of 2022. She is most widely recognized for her work advocating for black and LGBTQ+ rights. After receiving the most votes nationwide and becoming the first openly transgender councilor of São Paulo in 2020, she went on to join the Chamber of Deputies and become one of the first two openly transgender people elected to the National Congress of Brazil.

Before Fame

After revealing her transgender identity, her family kicked her out of her home at the age of 14. Forced to live on the streets, she was a sex worker for several years. In 2020, she gained international recognition for denouncing a bus company that declined to print her new name on its ticket. Before launching her political career, she studied gerontology and teaching at the Federal University of São Paulo.

Trivia

She was decorated with the Generation Change Award at the 2021 MTV Europe Music Awards in Budapest, Hungary. 

Family Life

Despite having been evicted from her childhood home at the age of 14, she later reunited with her mother. She began dating fashion photographer Daniel Zezza in June of 2023.

Associated With

She represented the Socialism and Liberty Party of Brazil during her Municipal Chamber incumbency alongside fellow deputies including Ivan Valente and Sâmia Bomfim.