Federal deputy Janete Pietá (PT-SP) was present at the II National March against Homophobia that took place last week in Brasília. Janete has a long history alongside feminist struggles and the black movement. Now, she also endorses the fight against homophobia and is in favor of LGBT rights.
In the interview you can see below, the deputy comments on the occupation of the Esplanada dos Ministérios by the gay movement and says that the act was important to enforce the Brazilian Constitution.
Janete Pietá points out that for the issue of human rights to advance, the black, female and LGBT movements need to come together and build a common agenda. She also classifies the National Congress as "very conservative" in relation to gender and sexuality issues.
What is your opinion about this occupation of the Esplanada dos Ministérios by the LGBT movement?
Brazil has to show its face and in the last Census a survey was carried out which showed that there were more than 60 thousand unions between homosexuals. We have to work on diversity and I always preach that our Constitution says in its third article that we have to respect diversity: women, black men and women, ethnic respect and also respect for sexual orientation. It is not possible in the name of any religion, or in the name of God, to kill and persecute. One may not agree with diversity, but turn to violence, as occurs on Avenida Paulista, to murder militants and people who simply made a choice that is not straight.
You have a long journey alongside the feminist and black movement. Do you believe there is a lack of dialogue between these two movements and LGBT?
We have to build this alliance. I am coordinator of the feminist bench and I am here to demonstrate that we want this unity. Until the LGBT movement is united with the women's movement, with the black movement... What is so discriminated against today in Brazil must be strengthened. And to be honest, women and black people make up the majority of the nation.
Do racism, sexism and homophobia go together?
Yes, I have no doubt. I was at the Durban Conference in 2001, and exactly that was discussed there, of any and all types of discrimination, for example, there was talk of homophobia, prejudice against foreigners... So we have to work so that the world opens up to this issue and accept diversity. Democracy will only be complete when everyone works together.
Is the National Congress more or less conservative?
Congress is very conservative. And in this sense, it is conservative in relation to gays and lesbians, conservative in relation to women's bodies and completely contrary to social advances. It is essential that we follow the example of the Federal Supreme Court (STF) and approve laws for LGBT people, for example, as Argentina has already done and some states in Brazil.
Would a public stance by President Dilma Rousseff on LGBT issues make a difference?
Dilma is different from Lula, but she has worked on policies and has stimulated the health issue.
