A place known to be LGBT+ friendly is also one of the most deadliest places for LGBT+ people. Grupo De Bahia reported that there were 387 deaths as a result of homophobia in the past year, rising the violence by 30%. Many suicides accompany these deaths. The municipality of Sao Paulo is known to have a humongous pride parade and Brazil is known to have marriage equality and legal resources for transgender lives, so why would it be such a dangerous place for queer lives?
President of Grupo Gay de Bahia, Luiz Mott, says the rising violence comes with the rise of very conservative politicians. Mayor of Rio, Marcelo Crivella says homosexuality was caused by botched abortions, openly broadcasting the homophobia to the nation. In September, a judge overturned Brazil’s 18-year ban on conversion therapy.
The contradicting narratives for the lives of LGBT+ folk in Brazil is confusing, and also tragic. It’s clear that 2017 was a year full of attacks on the Brazilian LGBT+ Community. Just in March of last year, Dandara dos Santos, a trans women was brutally stoned and shot to death by four men, which shook up the nation. Just in December, the body of a gay homeless man was found burned. These are only just two of the horrendous hate crimes against Brazilian LGBT+ folk.
Once again, Brazil is said to be a safe place for LGBT+ people to be, but it should be known that there is no legislation against the hate crimes on people because of their sexual orientation, meaning authorities ignore these crimes, making the attacks more accessible to the attackers. The LGBT+ people of Brazil need to be fought for and be given to justice to the heinous crimes of their community.
