About the Documentary
La Perla Victoria: Desde un Corazón Trans follows the courageous journey of Victoria Castro, a transgender woman who grew up in El Salvador and was forced to flee due to transphobic violence. As a sex worker navigating constant danger, Victoria eventually undertakes the perilous migration through Mexico, carrying the weight of her past while searching for safety. In the United States, instead of finding refuge, she is trapped in the dehumanizing immigration detention system, where trans women face heightened risks of abuse and neglect.
Her story is one of survival and transformation—of living as a trans woman and sex worker for 18 years, enduring domestic violence, and confronting the cruelty of borders and prisons. Yet, it is also a story of healing and collective care: reconciling with her family, building systems of love and support with her chosen family, and finding joy with her husband, AJ, a trans masc man. Through all of this, Victoria embodies resilience, radical love, and a vision of care that transcends violence, offering a powerful testament to the strength of trans communities and the possibilities of living fully, unapologetically, and in connection with others.
Creators
Victoria Castro
Victoria Castro is the founder and Executive Director of T4T Empowerment.
Sol Jimenez Palacios
Sol Jimenez Palacios is the National Organizer for Familia TQLM.
Devyn Galindo
Devyn Galindo is a two-spirit artist, photographer, and experimental filmmaker.
Dulce Guzman
At Alianza Americas, we believe that building a more just future begins by recognizing and uplifting the diverse identities that make up Latin American and Caribbean communities. By centering community voices and exposing systemic inequities, we work to imagine new approaches rooted in solidarity and collective liberation. This film is part of that effort—an invitation to transform the narratives about our communities into ones that are truthful, inclusive, and capable of inspiring a more just and shared future.
Dulce Guzman is the Executive Director of Alianza Americas.
Cuidar Cura
Cuidar Cura is a narrative-shifting campaign that highlights the care networks that Latin American immigrant communities build to navigate life in the United States. These networks, rooted in cultural traditions and a collective responsibility for the well-being of children, women, and the elderly, demonstrate the strength of community care. By celebrating these traditions, the campaign challenges dominant narratives and envisions a world where care is recognized as essential to our shared humanity.
Want to organize a screening in your community? Contact us.
By requesting access to the documentary, hosts will receive access to the full film, along with an event guide and a conversation guide designed to support meaningful community dialogue and help build networks of care and support at the local level. Please fill out the contact form, and we'll get in touch soon.