We closed the year 2010 celebrating the INSS resolution that establishes as a rule the granting of a lifetime pension upon the death of a beneficiary to male and female partners in stable same-sex relationships (over five years). It is a great achievement for LGBT people in Brazil and the result of the systematic work of the Brazilian LGBT movement.
Other victories, with many struggles, we had in several municipalities and states of our federation, such as the adoption of the social name of transvestites in official documents in the area of education, as well as other areas. The Unified Health System has successfully assisted transgender citizens in the gender reassignment process. Stable same-sex unions and the right to inheritance have been recognized here and there in the courts of justice in some states. City Councils approved laws that protect LGBT citizens from homophobia in commercial and educational establishments.
LGBT Reference Centers (such as Cads, in SP) and reporting systems against homophobic actions were implemented in some municipalities in Brazil. LGBT councils in various political spheres were created, NGOs that work with Human Rights and pro-LGBT were opened, and the Federal Revenue Service finally adopted joint income tax declaration for same-sex couples as a rule. Rio de Janeiro elected the first gay deputy committed to the LGBT cause, Jean Wyllys. These are victories that we cannot ignore, nor belittle. Little by little, we are moving towards completing the process of full citizenship for LGBT people in our nation.
However, there is still a lot of ground for us to walk, many struggles to fight, and many enemies still rise up on different fronts against the democratic process of granting full citizenship to LGBT people. We still boast, to our shame, the first place in the ranking of countries in the number of LGBT murders. The Gay Group of Bahia, which carries out the noble work of research into such murders, has already recorded 250 "homocides" in 2010!
In São Paulo, homophobia shows its young, middle-class and well-fed face in the homophobic attacks that took place on Avenida Paulista. In Rio Grande do Norte, the Archbishop of the region, like the inquisitors of old, tries to ban the Pride Parade in the capital. The Fundamentalist Evangelical Parliamentary Front, the biggest public enemy of the LGBT struggle in Brazil, increased the number of its members, greatly increasing the chances of the defeat of PLC 122/06 in the National Congress, in addition to other laws in transit in that House of Laws , which prevent and limit the guarantee of pro-LGBT laws.
Religious fundamentalism showed its fierce face in the faces of pastors like Silas Malafaia, who in addition to spreading provocative billboards throughout Brazil, roamed from TV program to TV program fighting PLC 122 and the LGBT citizenship process. He is not alone, as there are countless pastors who act like him from north to south of this country. It was local religious fundamentalism that prevented the re-election of the greatest LGBT ally we have ever had in the Senate, Fátima Cleide, hitting our fight there hard. The same fundamentalism showed strength and power in the presidential elections, co-opting the political debate around taboo topics such as abortion and same-sex "marriage", leading both candidates in the second round to retrograde positions and political compromises with the leaders of religion, the leaders of the evangelical "herd". The evangelical vote has never been so competitive in Brazil.
Religious fundamentalism is growing and appearing on radio and TV stations, in specialized periodicals and magazines, demonstrating that they are rich, wealthy, powerful and that they use all their wealth to fight with all their strength the fight for human and LGBT rights. Jair Bolsonaro, the deputy who has been shouting around, is his newest ally and spokesman.
Does anyone doubt that religious fundamentalism is the father and mother of machismo and homophobia and as such it must be systematically deconstructed and fought by those who fight in favor of LGBT people?
The Brazilian Homosexual Movement and LGBT people in Brazil need to come together for this good fight and outline objective and clear strategies for the success of the endeavor. We cannot, under penalty of defeat, diminish or underestimate the firepower of religious fundamentalists and this fight is daily and begins in every Brazilian home, in every school, in every municipality.
It is not enough to combat them only on an intellectual level, by writing articles and books. Popular campaigns are needed, aiming to enlighten the population. It is necessary to implement and carry out in public schools (I know projects like "Diversity at School" that ignore the issue of fundamentalism) policies that enlighten our children and young people about homosexuality. It is necessary to find ways in our legal system to prosecute those who abuse the constitutional right to freedom of expression that exceeds the limits of the law, among many other actions applicable in the context.
If we do not overcome the religious fundamentalism in vogue in our nation, we run the risk of delaying our achievements even further, in addition to not finding legitimacy and social support for our causes. Ignorance is fought with knowledge. And knowledge must be democratized. Empowering oneself does not exclude the heart and mind from common sense, which must be clarified, regarding social and political issues.
I wish each and every reader of this column a merry Christmas and a new year full of achievements, peace, love and health. Lots of strength and determination! In 2011, resistance is necessary!
* Márcio Retamero, 36 years old, is a theologian and historian, with a master's degree in Modern History from UFF/Niterói. He is pastor of the Bethel Community / ICM RJ and the Presbyterian Church of Praia de Botafogo. He is the author of "The Banquet of the Excluded" and "Can the Bible Include?", both published by Editora Metanoia. Email: marcio.retamero@gmail.com.
