SAO PAULO — Brazil’s largest city hopes to encourage transvestites and transsexual youth to return to school and finish their educations by offering them monthly payments.

The program being offered by Sao Paulo’s Municipal Human Rights and Citizenship Secretariat is intended to help transgender youth from having to turn to prostitution to support themselves.

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Starting next week, 100 students will receive 840 reals ($325) a month if they attend 30 hours a week of middle- and high school classes.

Secretariat spokesman Luciano Velleda said the program will give transvestites and transsexuals “the chance to improve their lives and leave their current situation of economic and social vulnerability.”

There was no immediate comment from the Brazilian Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transvestite and Transsexual Association.

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