Curbing Homophobia and Intolerance Towards Gays in Brazil

[+ Axiom2001]

In the most recent addition of THE ADVOCATE, the following article appeared. Thought all of you would be interested in reading it if you haven't already done so.

 

"The World" Brasil

Prejudice out at school

 

"Recognizing that prejudice often starts at a young age, the Brazilian government has decided to address antigay discrimination by taking the issue to the classroom. 'Brazil Against Homophobia,' launching May 25, will focus on training public school teachers in how to discuss homosexuality with students."

 

"Prejudice and discrimination breed much of the violence practiced against homosexuals," national human rights secretary Nilmario Miranda told Agencia Brasil. "To stem this violence, teachers must be able to transmit values of tolerance and respect."

 

"The program also includes special training for the country's police forces; which are often accused of excessive violence against gays. "It is perhaps the most important step ever taken" to guarantee Brazilian gay rights, said Toni Reis, secretary-general of the Brazilian Association of Gays, Lesbians, Bisexuals, and Transsexuals."

[trilingual]

This isn't the only way Brazil, the "world's largest Catholic country," is advancing in the field of gay rights.

 

Many Brazilian states and municipalities (some quite small and located in conservative rural areas) have passed non-discrimination laws. Non-discrimination is the law in the nation's two largest cities, São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro, both of which are also among the world's largest cities.

 

Over the past ten years or so Brazilian courts have increasingly been finding that gay couples indeed have rights similar to married partners in areas like inheritance, health benefits, pensions and adoption. Registries have been created in a number of places where couples can legally acknowledge their relationship, which is a big step towards securing judicial recognition. A bill to permit civil unions has been languishing in the Brazilian Congress for a number of years now, but as the courts chip away at the status quo and as other countries begin recognizing gay marriage, Brazil will probably follow. If same-sex marriage becomes legal in Spain and Portugal, which seems increasingly likely, that will be extremely influential in Brazil, which shares similar cultures and legal heritages with both countries.

 

In spite of being a "Catholic" nation, Brazil has had a remarkably relaxed attitude towards sexuality in general and homosexuality in particular. This doesn't mean that there has never been discrimination or violence against gays, but compared to many other cultures Brazil has always been very "laissez-faire" concerning matters sexual. For those who are interested, a fascinating read is the book "Perverts in Paradise," by João Silvério Trevisan, one of Brazil's most brilliant writers. It's a long look at Brazilian history, from its colonial beginnings to modern times, through a lavender lens. I'm not sure if the English edition is still in print (if not, it can be obtained from your local library, possibly through an inter-library loan). If you can read Portuguese, a revised edition of "Devassos no Paraíso" came out about three years ago, updating the information in the original book. It's a terrific read, in either language!

[catnip]

A quick look at http://www.abe.com shows that this book is readily available on the net. Another good recommendation, tri - thanks! Have started "Death in Brazil" and am liking it so far.

 

What would happen if gay marriage became leagal in Brazil? Could we go and then marry our Brazilian boyfriends (are you reading this, Big Daddy?) and then have a stronger case for the US to issue them a visa? Even though the marriage might not be recognized (yet) in the US, it would seem tricky situation for the US to flat out reject the Brazilian's application.

[trilingual]

It's hard to say, because at this point all of the countries that allow gay marriage (Netherlands, Belgium and Canada) are countries whose citizens don't require visas to visit the U.S.

 

Even though a Brazilian marriage might not be recognized in the U.S., I think it would have to figure into the decision about whether to grant a visa. And I would insist on fairness in the issuance of visas: the U.S. routinely issues visas to the multiple wives of Muslim visitors to the U.S. The legal marital status of those wives while in the U.S. isn't clear, but they're clearly granted visas because of their relationship to their spouse.

 

Although same-sex marriage has not yet been legalized through legislation in Brazil, the courts have recognized same-sex relationships as a basis for ordering the Brazilian government to grant permanent resident status to the same-sex foreign partners of Brazilian citizens on the same basis as it is granted to opposite-sex spouses of Brazilian citizens. This means that if you're seriously involved with someone in Brazil, you could apply for permanent resident status there on that basis. However, other marital provisions would apply to the relationship, too, including obligations of support and alimony, community property and inheritance rights.