Being gay in Brazil vs. the USA

I have always been a defender of gay people. In the early 90’s I was a panelist in a debate show on TV in the city of Curitiba, Brazil, as a Sociologist. It was kind of a “The View” where many different topics were discussed, especially controversial ones. There was a moderator and 3 other professionals. One was a psychologist. There was also an audience that could make comments and questions. For many years I participated in this show until I moved away from Curitiba.

In one particular show where homosexuality was discussed, I recall saying that gay couples should have the same “rights” as heterosexual couples. I did not say “marriage” or even “legal union’ since back them gay marriage was not on the plate worldwide. Nevertheless, the first studies showing that gay people are born gay were being advertised, and I felt that discriminating and making gay people ”ashamed” of being gay just led to immense suffering and unfair treatment.

Which brings me to an interesting difference between gay men in America and gay men in Brazil: in Brazil, gay men are more out. They like to dress different from other men, and mix some feminine styles with a masculine wardrobe. Simply put, there is no doubt they are gay. They also act and talk more effeminate, oblivious to stares or sneering behind their backs. In America, gay men seem to hide their feminine side more. A few dare to wear earrings or a colorful scarf. The majority just dresses like any other guy. I have seen women hit on gay men without realizing they were not interested-because they were gay.

Does that mean that the Brazilian society is more tolerant to gay men? I don’t think so. Brazilians are more “out” in everything, including sexuality. Women dress sexier and show their bodies more. It is normal for straight men to wear small swim trunks (so called Speedos in America) and walk around without a shirt even in the streets. The entire nation of Brazil is more out, in every aspect. Therefore, gay men (and women) seem to be more out about their sexuality as well.

However, Brazil is far from accepting gay marriage. The Catholic Church makes sure of that (and now the growth of Evangelical churches makes it even worse). Abortion is not legal in Brazil, which is absurd. While in America discriminating against gay people at work or in life is protected by law, in Brazil people still make fun of gay people without any consequences. Gay couples walking hand in hand are cause shock (for that matter, most parts of America are also like that). But as with many other social advances, the gay cause is becoming stronger in America (I foresee gay marriage accepted in more and more states), which will spill over to Brazil eventually. Hopefully Brazil will also become a more secular society, with less influence of the old fashioned Catholic Church.

Here’s a good article about how gay people are born gay, for those who think they have a choice: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/blogs/jquirk/detail?entry_id=48335