Keila Simpson

Keila Simpson (Pedreiras, born in 1965 or 1966) is an LGBTQ activist considered one of the most important in Brazil. In 1998, she founded the Associação Nacional de Travestis e Transexuais. She is the first travesti to be awarded an honorary doctorate in Brazil.

Keila also served as vice-president of the first organization to represent the LGBTQ population in Brazil, the Associação Brasileira de Lésbicas, Gays, Bissexuais, Travestis, Transexuais e Intersexos (ABGLT); and coordinated the Center for the Promotion and Defense of LGBT Rights (CPDD LGBT), which receives complaints of violations of the rights of the LGBTQ population in Bahia. In 2013, she served as president of the Conselho Nacional de Combate à Discriminação, receiving the National Human Rights Award that same year from then-President Dilma Rousseff for her services to the LGBTQ community in Brazil. In December, she became the first transvestite to receive an Honorary Doctorate in the country from the Rio de Janeiro State University (UERJ), also being the first transgender person to receive the title in her lifetime.

On 20 June 2023, the Salvador City Council awarded her the title of Soteropolitan Citizen due to her contributions to the city, being the first transgender woman to receive this honor.