Former adult film actress Deyci Alejandra Omana Ortiz has officially taken office as a senator in Colombia after winning a seat on a platform focused on protecting the rights of people working in the adult entertainment industry.
Ortiz, 33, who was previously known professionally as Amaranta Hank, was sworn in on Monday in Bogotá as a member of the left-wing Historic Pact coalition. Before entering the adult entertainment industry in 2017, she worked as a journalist. She stepped away from the industry in 2019 and later shifted her focus to politics.
Elected in Colombia’s Norte de Santander region, Ortiz says one of her main priorities is ensuring adult content creators have access to legal protections and social security benefits. According to her, many workers in the industry remain vulnerable because there are few regulations governing their work.
During her campaign, Ortiz argued that prejudice and misinformation have prevented authorities from addressing the challenges faced by adult industry workers.
She has also responded to critics who question whether someone with a background in adult entertainment should hold public office. Ortiz insists that a person’s previous career should not prevent them from serving in government, pointing to other former adult entertainers around the world who have successfully transitioned into politics.
Reflecting on her own experience, Ortiz said her time in the industry gave her firsthand insight into inequality, economic struggles, and the importance of personal freedom. She believes those experiences will help shape her contributions to legislative debates.
“The problem is that society consumes adult content but often refuses to allow those who created it to have a voice in positions of power,” she said.
Ortiz is a member of the Historic Pact coalition, the political alliance associated with former Colombian President Gustavo Petro. The coalition currently holds the largest number of seats in Colombia’s Senate.
Beyond advocating for adult workers’ rights, Ortiz has also pledged to support improved mental health services and stronger measures aimed at preventing sexual abuse.
Speaking after her election, she expressed gratitude to voters and described her victory as part of a broader political shift taking place in Colombia.
“There is a political transformation underway,” she said. “There is still a long road ahead, but what matters is that the change has already begun.”
