“Stars are born from chaos” – Clarice Lispector
March 17th was especially important for me, for Laura and also for all of us lesbians. I explain why: on this day we recorded the first programs of “As Brejeiras”.
When Paco Llistó, editor-in-chief of Dykerama/The Cover, came with the proposal to present an internet TV program for the “girls”, I confess that I couldn’t contain myself with so much joy and emotion. At the time I looked at Laura, there was a half-second silence and we said in chorus and automatically: Yes! When do we start? It was pretty funny. We had already thought about this possibility, but the difficulties were so great that we put the idea aside. After all, we have a publisher to run and it’s a lot of work!
So, these wonderful people, young, competent, full of courage and determination and a lot of boldness were the springboard that Brejeiras needed to give a voice to lesbians now in such a powerful vehicle that is internet TV. Two days after our meeting with Paco to discuss other matters, the green light came for “As Brejeiras” to take place. I received Laura's email giving the good news and I couldn't contain myself, I cried like now while writing this article. I confess, I'm getting older and more and more sensitive.
But the truth is that in these last few months I've been through such a huge disappointment that I've gone off track, more or less (more like) like Earth and Japan after this whole tragedy. I would say that on my Richter scale, my personal shock managed to surpass 10 degrees! Yes, setbacks and disappointments happen, but life always surprises us with generosity and good things, exceptionally GOOD (all caps).
Life has been kind to me lately when it opened up the possibility of expressing myself in writing in the Dykerama column and addressing several issues that had been stuck in my head for many years, as well as new ones that have been appearing. And now this gift, a program that we hope will be great and bring positive results for us homosexuals.
The mission of “As Brejeiras” is to address lesbian culture in Brazil and Latin America. We intend to talk about books, like in one of the programs we just recorded about Fátima Mesquita, author of Julieta e Julieta, the first book of lesbian stories with a happy ending in our literature. Furthermore, we intend to address other subjects that we consider relevant to lesbians, such as music, shows, films, short films, events, various demonstrations, websites, blogs created or run by lesbians.
We will also show prominent lesbians in public life or personalities (men or women, hetero or homo) who do something interesting or relevant to the LGBT community. I hope we can get the job done!
Now, why is this space important for us lesbians? Are we going to show up and fight? Yes! It is worth it? We believe so! Is it an unmissable chance? For sure! Will we be criticized by everyone? It's a possibility, but there will be praise too. Will there be controversy? I hope so. Are we going to behave ethically and respectfully towards everyone? Of course yes! We are going to try out several possibilities and we need to have patience and persistence to get the tone of the program right and this needs to take into account the spirit of collaboration that we expect from internet users, right? Now you respond. We already have an email: brejeiras@dykerama.com.
Now, for us, this space given to us lesbians is undoubtedly extremely important and has meaning as an expression and affirmation of lesbian culture. When I got home after recording I couldn't help but send a thank you email to the team that helped us in the studio. Everyone was very attentive, patient and affectionate with the brewers. Then I remembered another cool phrase by Contardo Calligaris that I read the other day: “It is always worth risking your skin for an idea or hope that seems to justify existence.” We are taking risks!
The vast majority of lesbians are still invisible, but if it is at our own risk, we will all be visible and have a voice! I hope to count on all of you as our allies in this mission for diversity. Every day I get more emotional thinking that we, lesbian women, step by step are conquering our space.
Service:
“As Brejeiras”, with Hanna Korich and Laura Bacellar
On Mondays, at Dykerama.
* Hanna Korich is one of the founding partners of Editora Malagueta, now Brejeira Malagueta – the first and only publisher dedicated to lesbian literature in Latin America, since 2008.
