The Struggle of the LGBTQI+ Community in the Favelas of Brazil

Author: L.M Bonato
Author Contact: feedback@sexualdiversity.org
Published: 8th Nov 2024
Peer-Reviewed Publication: N/A
Additional References: LGBTQ+ News Publications

Summary: OP-ED article by L.M Bonato about LGBTQI+ resistance in Brazil amidst organized crime.

Main Document

Being LGBTQI+ in Brazilian favelas is a daily act of resistance against prejudice stemming from poverty, religious conservatism, and the extreme brutality of organized crime. In a country where 89% of the population identifies as Christian, the moralism imposed by factions only exacerbates the marginalization of queer bodies. The police, instead of providing support, often become agents of oppression, while reporting violence becomes an act of bravery, frequently met with further violence.

Almost all cases of homophobia go unreported due to fear of repercussions and the limited legal recourse available. The state simply does not provide adequate support to victims, who cannot safely return home after reporting, risking assassination. Issues in the favelas are internalized; it is a consensus among residents that what happens there should stay there.

In the court of crime, faction members proclaim themselves judges of a justice system that deliberately excludes LGBTQIA+ individuals and other minorities, fostering a cycle of silence and violence insurmountable to the state. The story of Laura Vermont, a transgender woman brutally murdered in 2015 in São Paulo's eastern zone, tragically illustrates this lived reality: lynchings, torture, and a life sadly hidden in darkness, where the only safe option is to conceal one’s orientation and gender to avoid aggression.

Meanwhile, in wealthier areas, same-sex marriage was decriminalized in 2013, but the structure of prejudice remains firm. The lower class once again bears the brunt of aggression, where homophobia becomes the norm, not only morally but especially physically. Coming out as LGBTQIA+ means risking one’s physical integrity and potentially facing irreparable harm, even death, due to the relentless societal pressures.

Factions like PCC (Primeiro Comando Capital) prohibit homosexuality under the threat of torture and death, as stated in their code of conduct. In Rio de Janeiro, one of the country’s main criminal hubs, a homosexual is assaulted daily. The narco-pentecostalism of TCP tightens this noose, using trafficking as a means of violent evangelization, committing various acts of religious, gender, and sexual intolerance in a modern crusade to forcibly bring evangelism to the less affluent through narco-pentecostalism.

The dominance of these factions is strongly fed by inequality. Young people, lacking prospects and opportunities, see traffickers as heroes and crime as the only option for social advancement, thus losing faith in the state and the police, whom they view as perpetuators of violence and injustice. You cannot convince a child who has witnessed their father being killed in a police shootout, or even why they were mistakenly targeted for holding an umbrella that, curiously, resembles a gun in the state’s eyes, that the police are there to protect them. Organized crime, with its vigilante aspect, provides the only applicable form of justice in the favelas. They indeed ensure that there are no robberies, rapes, or betrayals in the region, punishing such offenses in the so-called court of crime. This creates a certain sense of security, analogous to the state in its actions and its structure of domination and continuous expansion.

It is desolating that social support does not reach the most vulnerable layers of society. The internet has brought forth a new array of discussions about gender equality, sexuality, and other social issues, but the reality in the favelas is an impenetrable barrier to the media. Armed crime imposes a distorted view of masculinity, replicating the already entrenched patriarchy, where homosexuality is rejected as "fragile" and "feminized," which affects not only homosexuals but also silences female voices. Aggressions and feminicides are alarmingly common, often motivated by accusations of adultery.

Furthermore, lesbian women face constant sexual harassment and threats of "corrective rape." The only way for a woman to be respected in the favelas is to be "someone important’s woman," while their own affiliation with organized crime has little social impact, leaving them vulnerable and without support.

The lack of media coverage is alarming, with a member of the LGBTQIA+ community being murdered or succumbing to oppression every 38 hours. This shocking statistic highlights the urgent need for change and intervention. Suicide is a societal issue, not merely an individual one. When taking one’s own life becomes commonplace, it reflects a failure on all our parts to make the world a just place. This distressing picture has become even darker following Jair Bolsonaro's administration, where the rights of marginalized communities faced increased threats and challenges.

The urgency of this issue calls for international attention. It is necessary to recognize the need for support for victims, especially after reporting— a critical moment in areas dominated by factions. It is fundamental not only to listen but to act, providing shelter and protection afterward to those who dare to be who they truly are. Advocacy and activism are essential to bring about change, ensuring that those who are victimized receive the care and support they need. The struggle continues, and it is vital for allies and supporters to stand in solidarity with the LGBTQIA+ community, fighting for justice, equality, and dignity for all.

The global community must amplify these voices and stories, shedding light on the stark realities faced by LGBTQIA+ individuals in Brazil’s favelas. It is not merely an issue confined to one country; it is a human rights crisis that demands attention and action from everyone, regardless of their background. Together, we can work toward a future where everyone is free to live authentically without fear, prejudice, or violence.

About the Author

L.M Bonato is a Brazilian writer and polyglot (Portuguese, English, Spanish) with expertise in literature, poetry, humor, book reviews, politics, and social activism. Published works include New Beats, Chegamos (Editora Persona), Lua Gibosa do Bosque da Solidão (Triumpus), and Esparama magazine's inaugural edition.

Post to Twitter Add to Facebook

Latest LGBTQ+ News Publications
The above information is from our reference library of resources relating to LGBTQ+ News that includes:
	The Struggle of the LGBTQI+ Community in the Favelas of Brazil OP-ED article by L.M Bonato about LGBTQI+ resistance in Brazil amidst organized crime. Publish Date: 8th Nov 2024
	Increased Adoption of They/Them Pronouns Research paper provides the first evidence of how people use they or them when talking about a specific person in a spoken storytelling context. Publish Date: 19th Apr 2024 - Updated: 24th Jun 2024
	Exploring Sex and Gender in Science Cell issue on sex and gender in science includes a collection of articles on topics related to strategies for promoting gender equality in academia, enhancing rigor in the study of sex-related variables, and supporting transgender researchers. Publish Date: 14th Mar 2024 - Updated: 5th Oct 2024
	Today's Problematic Use of Pornography International study reveals how problematic use of pornography is affecting people in different parts of the world, across various genders and sexual orientations. Publish Date: 5th Mar 2024 - Updated: 5th Oct 2024