The victim of sex abuse as a child growing up in Mexico, Frannya was first prostituted as a teenager by a man she loved, and later by a boyfriend in the United States through Backpage.com. As a transgender woman, her buyers—often married men with children—were attracted to her as “an exotic rare species” or a “Martian.” A support group for transgender survivors gave Frannya back her life.
“Frannya”
Survivor of Sex Trafficking; Activist
“No man can ever give you value by owning you. It’s not victimless; you become damaged. I had aspirations, but being ‘in the life’ stole my spirit and soul. Although being transgender is very hard, there are more opportunities now. Young transgender girls should study and prepare for their futures without going into this turbulent, dark life. They can do so much to reinvent the transgender community.”