Yes, it's the same person. It does say that she is transgender.
A lot of people run for positions of power in Brazil, it's a power hungry country. Most people don't get in as people are starting to realise that zero to hero love affair is making more mess than it's solving anything. Being a politician just because you are black, transgender or female is such a typical Brazilian mentality, with no plans of what they would actually do to re-address the power balance other than "be" a politician. 
I wouldn't try to understand Brazilian politics, it will make your head explode!