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Alex and you can Sara is both cisgender feminine, who identify once the “sapatao” (lesbians)
To learn about LGBTQ+ matchmaking in Brazil, We interviewed a longtime pal, Alex*, and her girlfriend Sara* (labels have been altered for anonymity). Alex was 21 and you will off Belenzinho, the fresh east region out-of Sao Paulo. Sara, 22, is from Sao Paulo as well.
Alex satisfied Sara back to high-school (once they nevertheless imagine they certainly were upright), but do not spoke more a good “hi, exactly how will you be?”. Following from inside the , it discovered one another at a bar through a mutual friend. Alex conveyed their particular demand for Sara compliment of their shared pal, however, Sara denied their unique in the beginning- in order to later get a hold of herself towards Tinder swiping suitable for Alex just a few weeks after. Immediately after a couple months regarding casually relationships, Alex and you will Sara managed to get specialized and possess been matchmaking to possess one year and you may 8 weeks.
Alex observes herself expressing some this new Butch lesbian stereotypes, primarily as the she actually is “also idle to acquire every dressed up”. New Brazilian requirements regarding charm-makeup, heels, clothes, and long, straight locks-is one thing that’s constantly becoming confronted by the some other intersectional identities. It’s quite normal observe Brazilian lesbians don their hair quick, don shorter cosmetics, and top a whole lot more casually. Sara, that is much more arranged, claims that many minutes she does not end up expressing their particular sexuality while the she would such as for instance. On her behalf, distinguishing and you can saying a person’s sexuality remains a soft question, “Brazil is still a nation you to carries a culture where she is seen many times because submissive with the man, but I’m you to definitely little-by-little, everything is modifying.” She thinks that one date, individuals will enjoys an even more inclusive and you may equal worldview.
Sao Paulo was a very unlock-oriented and you will progressive town from the facial skin-top. It is home to one of several planet’s most significant Satisfaction parades, with about 5 mil users back into 2013. When you find yourself fortunate to check out, the brand new lifestyle for the Rua Augusta plus in the brand new Consolacao area is actually everything you but fantastically dull. The massive metropole enjoys a reputable gay scene, with folks publicly saying themselves and you may strolling hand-in-give making use of their friend. But with a lot of people (several million some body, become accurate), it could be naive to say that gay anybody never run on the any judgmental somebody.
The majority of Alex’s household members knows the woman is relationship a lady, and they admiration the couple despite the fact that imagine it is a wrong choice. “My mommy has come to state that basically continue so it, I might head to hell,” Alex says, “However with big date, those individuals views was said less and less”. Likewise, Sara’s mommy is the singular you never know throughout the their unique daughter’s sexuality and dating. Sara continues to have of several challenges she foresees delivering several many years so you can face; she will get paralyzed at the idea from her household members once you understand, even though which is one thing she desires afterwards. Brazilians floor by themselves inside solid, family unit members values, nevertheless these normalized criteria can be quite harmful when the a gay youngster chooses to turn out on their parents. Of many anxiety about not merely are ostracized but banged off their property.
It is clear the help regarding the Sao Paulo gay community try powerful and you will joined. Alex thinks it is extremely simple to find anyone else around, however, probably a tad bit more complicated to track down anyone else instance herself in the shorter, peripheral cities. For the Brazil, it’s popular to locate LGBTQ+ family online, particularly which have musical partner teams. This is genuine for Sara, just who says she discover 99% off their particular gay or lesbian friends thanks to Twitter through the their particular larger Woman Gaga stage. Relatives having just known each other on the web satisfy in the songs festivals and shows, and continue maintaining in contact over Fb, Myspace, and you can WhatsApp organizations.