Who is Rina Cabeza?An
18-year-old from Azkoitia, told that she was a boy at birth, and that because of society she has been forced to have a child life.

Until recently it did not exist before society, society saw another... How and when did you say you're Rina?
It was in the summer of DBH2, about 14 years old. “I have to tell you,” I thought. I've been clear all my life, but because they don't teach us at school and at home, unfortunately, they don't educate us in diversity, I didn't know what was happening to me. I didn't know who I was, I didn't know how to say it. It had to be something like a fear ... So when I was on summer vacation in Tenerife, I thought I would tell my brother. In the pool, I did. “I have to tell him something.” He answered, “What, are you a child?” He got it right, and I was very happy, because he knew who I was, without telling him anything. Without ever saying it, she saw what it was. We told it to my mother the same day, later to my father.

Would you say it's especially difficult to express your gender in adolescence?
Yes. Because, although I've always been a girl, from the point of view of society it's a tremendous change, because I've always been seen as a boy. So, “stay there! I’m not a boy, I’m a girl,” things suddenly change. Both with friends and with family... And for good. With colleagues, for example, I never opened up, and since I counted it we have developed a very good relationship.

What process was done at the center to explain that you're a woman?
Very hard, but also very joyful. Hard on the part of the management: from the very beginning I got stuck. The teachers behaved well. We called a meeting with them, and we told them, between the tutor and I, that I'm Rina, that I'm a woman, and I want them to treat me like this. All the professors appeared, except for Ethics. She told me from the beginning that she didn't accept me and that I would go to hell. How can an Ethics professor have these values?

With the address I was also ill until the last moment, as at the end of the year nothing had changed: neither the name of the lists, nor the e-mail... Absolutely nothing. I had to go with my tutor to the direction: “If you don’t change everything, we’ll call the Department of Education.” Education already had a protocol in place, which I think is very good, for the Department to intervene in cases where the centres do nothing.

In class, as I say, it was OK. After we told the professor, we communicated it to colleagues, at noon on Friday. I thought, “It’s Friday, if it goes wrong I won’t have to see them until Monday.” But everything went fine. Most of them protected me and the others didn't say anything bad, they didn't take a stand and it's over. I've never been one of those people who has a lot to do with my peers, had all three friends of always. Once reported, the relationship improved with everyone.

In the legal and clinical context, what barriers can a trans teenager find today in Euskal Herria?
Of all. To start with, you should go to the family doctor to take the first steps of the process. At that time, it's the first one that puts you in doubt. “Are you sure?” says the doctor. If I weren't sure, I wouldn't go, right? If not, what am I going to do? I was sent to Zumarraga before moving to Cruces Hospital, where the whole process is carried out. In Zumarraga, the same question: “Are you sure?” Back from Azkoitia, how can I not be sure? Later, I was one day with the psychologist in Cruces. In fact, at the time, they sent us, first of all, to the psychology section. This is not the case now, and I am very pleased. I had to hear several questions, all of them out of place.

In addition to this pathology, does the bureaucratic process also have its origin in infantilizing?
Yes. As we have mentioned, you are always questioned. This makes it clear that this is a form of infantilization. In his view, we are not aware of the step we are taking and what that means. His temperament is constantly being questioned. In my case, I have always been clear. When I ask myself if I am sure, who are you to doubt that I am a woman or to infantilize me? Do you want to tell me who I am?

What conditions does the Spanish State have for their identity to be officially recognised?On
the one hand, you must be at least 18 years old. So if you're a minor, you have a party. On the other hand, you must have a Spanish identity card. The Spanish State does not support trans foreigners who may suffer murder or prison sentences in their countries of origin. In addition, they ask you for at least two years of hormonal action, with everything that physically and mentally supposes... In the case of trans women, the goal is to carry out certain changes in the body and adapt it to the image of women that society demands.

How can transposed people be affected by the removal of these limits?
The situation would be much better. After all, you are surrounded at all times by someone who puts you in doubt, and you are marked by concrete steps to live in your personality. These limits need to be lifted. Imagine if a trans person doesn't want hormones, they don't have the right to change gender in their ID. To compare, today the operation is not mandatory, but it is until ten years ago. The coroner had to have corroborated that you were actually operated, to confirm that you're a woman measuring the depth of your vagina.

Many of the situations that have occurred in the consultation can be heard inconvenient if the trans people are asked. Is that the case?
Yes, and I don't know anyone who hasn't experienced uncomfortable situations in the consultation. In my case, it all started with the psychologist, and very bad. “What do you prefer, blue or pink?” What does that matter to figure out who I am? But of course, you have to answer that you prefer roses. In my case, the favorite color is black, but good. “Little players with dolls or toy cars?” And I went through the Nintendo, but yes, I had to say I preferred dolls. He asked me a lot of indiscreet questions.

What's the problem? Asking too many questions or asking inappropriate questions?
Too many incorrect questions I would say, ha, ha, ha. These questions are out of place, and besides, it's not the only mistake that makes you, the mistakes happen to each other. “What do you like, guys or girls?” And I say: What does it matter? Do I like boys to be a girl? In my case, I like both, so what am I? Am I not a girl? Am I not a boy?

Since you've been young, you've touched the limits of laws and social norms, how has that influenced your consciousness?
I always say that maturity has come to me earlier than I should. After all, I have realized everything that this process has brought me, what society we live in and how I must respond to it. It's made me develop consciousness, and I won't tell her that I'm very old, because I'm 18, but I do notice that I'm more aware of what I do. Above all, what can the actions of the environment mean to other people.

Has it been a way to measure the solidarity of those closest to you who tell you that you are a woman?
From the moment I counted, I have had the support of everyone around me. It is true that in the family some people cost more, but today they accept me and we get along well. People need more time to accept these things, it's understood by the education they've received and by the time they've lived. But as I always say, all we need is the support of those around us, both friends, because they are the family we decide, as well as the family itself.

Meter, for better or for mal.Es certain
that in the village has served to see good and bad things: the acceptance and support of some, the looks and insults of others... It's something that we have to live every day. Looks are the most common, and in the most severe cases, beatings. The latter has not been the case, but should I be glad? It would be the most natural thing not to live under this threat, and it's sad, but in a way you're quieter if it doesn't happen to you.

Recently a trans-Malaga girl of your own age was attacked in Barcelona.
Receiving this kind of news is very hard for me. Even though it doesn't happen in my environment, in society it happens, that's the reality. It's not easy, you're stuck as you are. How far can we go? Receiving these kinds of messages saddens me, even if I don't get close to it. He is still there, and he must be put to an end. But I don't think even in ten years, we're going to make it disappear.

In some aspects of life, how to get out of these vulnerable situations?I would say
it is not yet possible, but it is a way to do actions that can influence people's consciousness. In my case, I give lectures so that people know that it's the most normal thing in the world, that I'm not sick and that I'm one more person in this world. There is a lack of awareness, because there are many people who do not accept us and do not accept us. I sincerely believe that it will take some time for the new generations to make that change.

What is the idea that most underscores in the conversations?
That transsexuality is very badly treated by the media. It is referred to as a “sex change” and it is not. It's not that I was the first boy and now the girl, because I've always had her, even if you haven't seen me like that. In addition, I try to stress that we are normal people, that we are not sick, and that we have to raise awareness so that society can take steps forward.