Transnational pathways of financial interdependence: testimonios from young transgender women Venezuelan migrants in Latin America

Achieving financial independence from parents holds importance in the transition to adulthood, particularly in high-income countries. However, this process becomes complex for young LGBTQ+ people and those from low-and middle-income nations, especially in cases of cross-border migration. This study presents qualitative insights drawn from testimonio interviews with 17 Venezuelan transgender women, aged 19–29, who migrated to Peru. Employing a thematic analysis, we explored four key themes: (1) motivations for leaving Venezuela, (2) financial support to migrate, (3) employment challenges in host countries, and (4) family remittance. Our focus centers on the participants’ challenges in achieving financial independence throughout their migration journey. Commencing migration from vulnerable economic positions, participants often received initial familial economic support. However, once established in Peru, they faced a paradox of sending remittances back to Venezuela to support their family even amidst personal economic difficulties in the host country. These findings reveal the complex financial interdependencies and vulnerabilities that mark the experiences of young Venezuelan transgender women migrants, contrasting sharply with the experiences of young transgender people in high-income nations. The findings challenge typical portrayals of young transgender individuals by illuminating the often overlooked role of Venezuelan transgender women migrants as familial providers, redefining financial independence in the context of global inequities.