Direct > Culture & Context

TRUCSS

AFRICA CREATIVE DDB, Sao Paulo / TRUCSS / 2023

Awards:

Silver Cannes Lions
CampaignCampaign(opens in a new tab)
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Overview

Credits

Overview

Why is this work relevant for Direct?

Brazil is the country that most kills trans women in the world. In addition to this violence, they also suffer from hiding the genitals with glue and tapes, having more chances of going unnoticed. This practice generates great risks of kidney diseases.

So we created the first funnel-shaped panties, designed for the trans woman's body. We chose to use prejudice as leverage when releasing our film on the most conservative broadcaster in the country.With the wave of hatred towards our cause, we built a movement that culminated in the bill for the free distribution of Trucss in the Health System.

Background

The life expectancy of transgender women in Brazil is only 35 years, largely due to physical violence. However, we cannot overlook the institutional violence that they experience daily. Key issues that continue to be inadequately addressed include the use of women's restrooms, access to quality healthcare (including the disrespect of their social names in the public healthcare system), and limited access to education due to violence. As a result, 90% of this population is underemployed, exacerbating the economic inequities they face.

In addition to responding to the pressing public healthcare problem, the creation of this funnel shaped lingerie seeks to address the lack of awareness around the use of tape and glue to hide the male genital, a precarious and unsafe solution commonly employed by transgender women in Brazil. Our goal is to provide safer and more accessible methods to a larger population and raise awareness of this issue.

Describe the creative idea

In collaboration with the trans community, medical institutions, and fashion professionals, we have designed the first funnel shaped lingerie specifically tailored to the bodies of transgender women. This innovative undergarment is intended to mitigate the harm caused by the practice of concealing sexual organs using tape or glue. The launch of this product in Brazil’s most conservative television station, headed by religious extremists marks the start of a broader movement to distribute these panties through the public healthcare network, thereby increasing access for a population in which 90% of members are underemployed and have limited financial resources. By reducing the need for hemodialysis and kidney transplants, this initiative seeks to alleviate the burden on an already overtaxed healthcare system.

Describe the strategy

Despite representing 12% of the Brazilian population, the LGBTQIAP+ community continues to face marginalization and exclusion. To foster a deeper dialogue beyond religious dogmas and transphobia, we created an environment for meaningful discussion around the impact of concealing one's sexual organs. We recognized that this practice reduce the risk of physical violence, but also resulted in a new form of violence against the body, contributing to a public health crisis with significant societal costs.

To do this, we aired content in Brazil’s most conservative television network, headed by religious extremists. By provoking discomfort and outrage, we were able to elevate the discussion around the practice of concealing one's sexual organs, ultimately drawing attention to its the public health implications. The climax of our campaign was the creation of a bill that would promote the distribution of this lingerie through the Unified Health System (SUS).

Describe the execution

We launched our world's first funnel shaped lingerie through an fashion film format, positioning ourselves as a brand that defies traditional norms and conventions.

We aired content in Brazil’s most conservative television station, headed by religious extremists. Despite provoking discomfort and outrage, our campaign generated significant attention and received support from celebrities and influencers across the country. This movement brought attention to the issue of access to safe and appropriate undergarments for trans women, and the climax of our campaign was the creation of a bill that would promote the distribution of this lingerie through the Unified Health System (SUS).

List the results

The impact of our campaign was significant, starting with increased discussion and online searches about the topic. This discussion expanded to social media, with people taking sides for or against the inclusion and recognition of the trans population.

As the campaign progressed, it began to shift the conversation towards reducing transphobia in Brazil, highlighting the issues of underemployment, lack of access to quality healthcare, and institutional violence faced by the trans community daily.

The climax of our campaign was the creation of a movement that applied social pressure for the creation of a law that would provide resources to reduce the mortality rate of trans women due to health issues and promote the distribution of lingerie designed specifically for them through the Unified Health System (SUS).

Please tell us how the brand purpose inspired the work

Trucss is a brand that was founded with a specific purpose: to enhance the quality of life and improve the health outcomes of transgender women. The brand's founder, who previously worked as a hemotherapy technician, witnessed firsthand the devastating impact of the precarious practice of hiding the male genitalia, which put many trans women at risk of losing their lives. With the creation of the Trucss lingerie line, the first-ever funnel-shaped undergarment, these women can safely use the restroom at any time. Ultimately, Trucss aims to improve the quality of life and life expectancy of one of the most vulnerable populations in the country. Their current goal was the creation of a bill that would promote the distribution of this lingerie through the Unified Health System (SUS).

Is there any cultural context that would help the jury understand how this work was perceived by people in the country where it ran?

Brazil has the unfortunate distinction of having the highest number of murders of transgender women in the world, with 131 such murders recorded in 2022 alone. This alarming statistic has led to an abysmally low life expectancy of just 35 years for the transgender population in Brazil. Moreover, 90% of this population is underemployed facing significant barriers to accessing public healthcare.

The past four years have seen a rise in conservatism in Brazil, culminating in the election of former President Jair Bolsonaro, who has left the LGBTQIA+ community even more vulnerable. This reality has made it even more challenging for trans women to protect themselves from violence, and many resort to the precarious practice of hiding their sexual organs. This prevents them from using the bathroom leading to serious kidney issues. Overall, the situation they face in Brazil is one of extreme vulnerability, and urgent action is needed.

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