Verônica and her transgender model's hell in Brazil. How far can it go?

Picture composition by Neon Cunha first issued on FB 

Caption: I'm Verônica, but it's a fight of all of us.

By Sergio Viula

Her name is Veronica Bolina. She is a Brazilian transgender woman. This week social networks were taken by surprise when her photos after arrest were shared.

Veronica got involved in a row in her apartment building. Neighbors called te police, whose duty should have been that of taking her to the police station for legal procedures and prosecution if the case really requires that. No so quckly.

Instead, she was put in a masculine jail, despiste her female gender. Such a thing, by itself must have exposed her to rape, beating and other forms of violence by other inmates.

Not only that, but prision supervisors or watchmen are known to inflict humiliation on prisioners, especially when they are transcender or gay.

For reasons that still await clarification, Veronica bit the ear of one of the watchmen. The only imagens we have of her after being jailed were taken in the penitentiary yard. In the photo her face is destroyed, her breasts are naked, she is isolated from the rest of the group as if she were positioned for a sadistic photo.

Brazilian transgender people are constantly subjected to all kinds of societal and state violence. The military police, a force inherited from dictatorship times, is the most violent of all forces, sometimes surpassing the worst crooks they are supposed to fight. And this is the police who acts on streets.

We do need to draw the world's attention... for the sake of those who have no one to appeal to.

Do I sound too dramatic? Read The Advocate. They issued an importante article about fundamentalism and homophobia/transphobia in the Brazilian Congress.

UN, Human Rights Campaign, OEA, Humano Rights Watch, etc, please, give some thought to this case. Violence against trans people is so overwhelming that Veronica herself denied being a victim of torture. Absolutely horrified in isolation, what else could we expect from her?

Blissful LGBT stories from Brazil

Below you'll find at least one blissful story related to L-G-B-T people in Brazil or from Brazil. 

Of course, there have been lots of other good and bad news about the LGBT community in the country, but these are here to inspire you somehow.

This blogger (Sergio Viula) wishes you all a fabulous new year!  :)

LESBIAN ON THE SPOTLIGHT:

GAY ON THE SPOTLIGHT:

BISSEXUAL ON THE SPOTLIGHT:

TRANSGENDER ON THE SPOTLIGHT:

BRAZIL: Pastor Silas Malafaia sues Human Rights activist Toni Reis

In Portuguese here.

Pastor Silas Malafaia

Below, you'll find a note released by Dignity Group (Grupo Dignidade), which I've just translated into English, keeping it as faithful as I possibly could to the original.

However, I've been told that it is hard to understand the case. So, I decided to offer my readers a summary by myself. Those interested in the note itself will find it below.


SUMMARIZING THE CASE


Translated and summarized by Sergio Viula



Silas Malafaia is a pastor of the Assemblies of God in Brazil. His central office is in Rio de Janeiro. An openly opponent of the LGBT rights, Malafaia has been attacking the LGBT movement for quite a long time now. Not only has he preached against it, but also promoted actions against it through politicians faithful to him.

The Brazilian Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transvestite and Transexual Association (ABGLT) has prosecuted him for promoting hatred speech against LGBT people, especially after the 15th LGBT Parade of São Paulo, when Malafaia said that gays should be beaten with a stick to learn a shame lesson (see his own words in the release below). He was allegedly defending the holiness of the Catholic saints (an Evangelical pastor? - tell me about it), whose images had been used as a publicity piece for HIV prevention, which was kind of a response to the Catholic preaching against condoms.

Malafaia countered that prosecution by taking action against Toni Reis, former president of ABGLT, who had taken the case to Justice first of all. The pastor is playing the victim of an alleged orchestrated campaign launched against him by the LGBT movement as if he had the right to harass LGBT people on nationwide open TV networks and get away with it.

Toni Reis has been notified by court to respond to Malafaia's accusations before the case proceeds. That's what he's going to do within he 10-day term assigned by Justice.

We, the LGBT community, come out to say that we trust Brazilian Justice and that we believe it will enhance the right to personal dignity as the Federal Constitution sets up.

Sergio Viula

----------------------------------------------

Brazil
Pastor Silas Malafaia sues Human Rights activist Toni Reis


Translated from Portuguese to English
by Sergio Viula


Brazil - Curitiba, July 27, 2013.

After stating in interviews that he feels "repulsed by expressions of gay love" and literally saying, " I love homosexuals as I love bandits," controversial Pastor Silas Malafaia claims that his reputation was "immensely offended" by Toni Reis, ex-president of the Brazilian Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transvestite and Transexual Association (ABGLT) and current Executive Director of Grupo Dignidade (Dignity Group).

The pastor's criminal complaint was submitted to the 16th Criminal Special Court of Rio de Janeiro, being denied at first.

Malafaia claims he's been a victim of defamation and insult, requiring Toni and ABGLT to be held responsible and condemned by Justice for denouncing his homophobic statements. The pastor has appealed from the Court's negative decision, always claiming that he has the right to consider homosexuals as sinners.

Understand the case: "Beating with a stick"

One of the pieces of the 15th LGBT Parade of São Paulo

The 15th LGBT Pride Parade of São Paulo took place on June 26th, 2011. As usual, the Parade counted with an STD and HIV campaign. Well-humored, the slogan read: "No event the Saints will protect you: wear a condom."

The publicity pieces included saints of popular devotion in sensual attitudes.

The Catholic Church reacted. In an article issued two days after that, in the official jornal of the Archdiocese of São Paulo, Cardinal Odilo Scherer stated: “We felt sad when we saw saints' images being used with debauchery", but he went on with his message arguing that homosexuality is not an "option" and defending celibacy as the best way to avoid HIV infection.

On his program "Victory in Christ" (“Vitória em Cristo”) [broadcast by Brazilian open TV on July 02, 2011], Pastor Silas Malafaia, not yet satisfied with the Catholic Church's reaction, went on and urged:

“The guys on the Gay Parade ridiculed symbols of the Catholic Church and nobody says anything. The Catholic Church should have hit those guys with a stick, you know? (note: using a Brazilian slang) 'Beat those guys with a stick so they will learn. That's a shame.”

That snippet went viral on the social networks then - at a time when gay young men had been assaulted with fluorescent lamps on Paulista Ave (the main avenue of São Paulo). Lots of people felt outraged by Malafaia's statements, but we are afraid some have felt encouraged by his words to 'beat homosexuals', given the rising numbers of homophobic violence lately (as all reports about homophobia in Brazil have shown, including the Special Secretary of Human Rights', connected to the Presidency of Brazil).

ABGLT, represented by its president then, Toni Reis, felt compelled to react to those statements, addressing the Federal Prosecutor for the Citizens Rights (Ofício PR 236/2011). The letter questioned the use of Open TV, a state concession in Brazil, to disseminate aggression against homosexuals' manifestations, quoting Malafaia's statements and demanding actions.

Federal Public Ministry (MPF) against Malafaia

In response to that, on February, 2012, The Federal Public Ministry established Civil Inquiry number 1.34.001.006152/2011-33, requiring a formal disclaimer of the pastors' statements to be shown on Bandeirantes TV network (channel that broadcasts his program).

In May, 2012, Federal Judge of the 24th Civil Court of São Paulo, Victorio Giuzio Neto, announced the extinction of the action taken by the Federal Ministry.

The Regional Prosecutor of Citizens' Rights, Jefferson Aparecido Dias, appealed from the decision and the case was sent to the cabinet of Jude Cecilia Marcondes, where it awaits to be judged.

To support the appeal, the Prosecutor stated that:

[Defendant Silas Lima Malafaia's statements] have clear homophobic content, inciting violence against homosexuals, disrespecting their fundamental rights based on the dignity of the human person. Although there is worship freedom and freedom of speech, also previewed by Federal Constitution, the manifestation of thought cannot be used as a justification to the breaching of the fundamental rights of others.

This is the Federal Public Ministry's opinion, with which we fully agree. However, that was not the first time Silas Malafaia speaks out against homosexuals and, unfortunately, we are afraid it won't be the last time. He hides behind a supposed right to freedom of belief, but he forgets that his rights end when the rights of others begin.

Malafaia's criminal report: I am offended by gay activists.

Malafaia, preaching in one of his services broadcast on TV.

Discontented with the repercussion of his statements and cornered by Federal Justice, Malafaia decided to prosecute ABGLT and its former president, Toni Reis, for defamation and offence. His lawyer claims what he calls 'offence by the LGBT movement' gained "dimension due to the use of the world wide web of computers."

The lawyer goes on:

"An attitude that can only be regretted, groups and movements associated to the protection of the interests of Lesbians, Gays, Bisexuals, Transvestites and Transexuals have been promoting a solid and oriented campaign against the offended [Silas Malafaia] who, unjustifiably and unreasonably have been assigned the position of an adversary." .

The initial petition was rejected by both the Public Ministry and Judge Arthur Narciso de Oliveira Neto, who considered the criminal report incomplete. Malafaia appealed from the decision and Justice notified Toni Reis, as former president of ABGLT, to submit a response.

Being summoned by the Federal Public Ministry, Malafaia saw his might to be threatened. Now he tries to hide behind the mantle of religion freedom, claiming that his statements are not homophobic or violent, but mere manifestations of his beliefs. Toni sees the pastor's attitudes as desperate and trusts Brazilian Justice.

The notification was delivered at Dignity Group's central office last Friday, July 26th, 2013, and we intend to use the ten-day term to prepare our defense. It's important to highlight that, diversely from what Malafaia claims, The Brazilian LGBT Movement does not fear debate. We will reply to the pastor in an orderly, pacific way - as we always have.

Toni Reis's family during the Diversity Parade in São Paulo

An activist for the Human Rights with international recognition, Toni Reis does not feel surprised by the pastor's attitude. Unfortunately, Brazil has been watching an intensification of intolerance against minorities from the evangelical fundamentalists, principally enhanced by pastors as Silas Malafaia and Marco Feliciano. They seem to not desire anything else but might. Might that is manifested by the imposition of their beliefs in frontal conflict with the minorities' Constitutional Rights. Our fight will go on, either at Court, on the means of communication and social networks, and diversity will triumph over hatred. Our families - new and proud families - will keep on going out to the streets to celebrate diversity and that accepting love which never discriminates.

Dignity Group (Grupo Dignidade), sympathetic to the person of its Executive Director, and zealous in defense of Human Rights in Brazil, will attentively follow up the upcoming of this case. Follow us on the social networks to keep up with the its developments.

CURITIBA, July 27th, 2013.

More (in Portuguese) here:
http://www.grupodignidade.org.br/blog/2013/processo_malafaia_ton/

Gay couple adopts second daughter just to find out she is their first daughter's biological sister

Gay couple adopts second daughter just to find out she is their first daughter's biological sister

Vasco and Junior with their two daughters

Last December stored a surprise for the first gay couple to have adopted a child in Brazil. Four years after adopting Teodora, Vasco & Junior decided to try a second adoption, just to find out that this second child, only 2 years old, was Teodora's sister, now at the age of 11.

In 2008 their case made headlines on Fantástico, a very popular Brazilian TV programme, when they were granted the right to have their names registered as Teodora's parents on her birth certificate.

Vasco says that he noticed see so many similarities between the two girls that he decided to go to the city court in order to find out who Helena's biological mother was. However, no details about her background were given until they were finally granted the adoption.

Differently from Teodora, Helena was immediately registered as their daughter without the need of later additions.

The couple say that they won't stick to only two daughters, though. They intend to adopt another one, says Vasco enthusiastically.

Brazilian Deputy Jean Wyllys under attack by fundamentalists

  Read: Protests against human rights committee boss - GAY STAR NEWS

Brazilian Deputy Jean Wyllys

under attack by fundamentalists

Jean Wyllys’ abridged trajectory

Written by Sergio Viula

Jean Wyllys de Matos Santos was born in the small town of Alagoinha, Bahia, on March 10th, 1974. He is a journalist, with a master’s degree in linguistics from the Federal University of Bahia. He is also a writer and, more recently, a politician, elected in 2010 as a federal deputy by PSOL (party) from Rio de Janeiro His mandate started in February, 2011. 

Interestingly, Jean Wyllys took part in the 2005 edition of Bib Brother Brazil and won the reality show competition. That’s when the whole country came to know the great person he is.

Ironically, Jean Wyllys was elected to the Brazilian parliament with the lowest amount of votes from Rio de Janeiro, which meant getting 13,016 votes (0,2%), being dragged upwards by the performance of a mate from the same party, Deputy Chico Alencar, who had been granted 240.671 (3%) of the votes. Nonetheless, in 2012, the Congress on Focus Prize (Prêmio Congresso em Foco), Jean Wyllys, who had won the elections by a slight margin, was chosen the BEST FEDERAL DEPUTY OF BRAZIL by the Internet voters.

The slandering campaign against Jean Wyllys

Jean Wyllys is also the first Congressman of Brazil to publicly assume his homosexuality and engage in the promotion of equal rights: The same rights, with the same names, to all persons. Due to his inclusive attitude and his unmerchantable humanism, besides his unrestricted defense of an actually secularist State, Wyllys has been targeted by a heavily dishonest campaign launched by fundamentalists and opportunists, self-labeled as evangelicals, who have taken over some positions in the Brazilian parliament.

The latest clash came up when he assertively opposed the assignment of another deputy, Mr. Marco Feliciano, ankowledged for is homophobic, racist and xenophobic statements and behavior, frankly displayed on this twitter profile and other websites. After Jean Wyllys took position against the assumption of the Human Rights Committee and Minorities by Feliciano, his image started appearing on extremists’ sites and profiles featuring offensive statements and words untruthfully put in his mouth. All of that with one purpose: discredit his character, work and reputation.

However, what those lies really unveil is how desperate the homophobic fundamentalists are in face of the lack of arguments that could possibly support their anti-humanistic and homophobic position.

Marco Feliciano's misdeeds

Marco Feliciano has been sued by the Republic General Prosecutor on the basis of the law that previews crimes of prejudice against colour or race. The lawsuit is being assessed by the Federal Supreme Court of Brazil. He is also responding for the crime of embezzlement and for the crime of libel against a senior lady.

The stand taken by Jean Wyllys against the permanence of Marco Feliciano in the Human Rights and Minorities Committee, due to these and other violations, is not exclusively of his. Several other deputies have shown disapproval of Feliciano’s assignment to the position.

Last Saturday (March 9th), people crowded to the streets in order to protest against Marco Feliciano in the Human Rights and Minorities Committee. The movement started and grew within the social networks out of the disatisfaction of common citizens. 

Tomorrow (March 16th), even more people in more cities will be marching at the same time. The marches include Paris, San Francisco and Buenos Aires, as you will find below:

Rio de Janeiro
http://www.facebook.com/events/321823457920482/

São Paulo
https://www.facebook.com/events/340454419387589/

Brasília
http://www.facebook.com/events/481740001891799/?ref=3

Florianópolis:
http://www.facebook.com/events/251495138319802/

Natal
http://www.facebook.com/events/106407749549095/

Porto Alegre
http://www.facebook.com/events/548803448483326/

Fortaleza
http://www.facebook.com/events/228308493980868/?ref=3

Belo Horizonte
https://www.facebook.com/events/348104915294107/

Curitiba
https://www.facebook.com/events/459834907423566/?ref=3

Volta Redonda
http://www.facebook.com/events/455415371197056/

Ribeirão Preto
http://www.facebook.com/events/492679180793670/?ref=3

Cabo Frio
http://www.facebook.com/events/548803448483326/

Chapecó
http://www.facebook.com/events/117488858437334/

Salvador
http://www.facebook.com/events/563738633650470/?ref=3

Fortaleza
https://www.facebook.com/events/228308493980868/?ref=3

Campinas
http://www.facebook.com/events/503400349718541/?ref=3

Jundiaí
http://www.facebook.com/events/433235110085109/

Recife
http://www.facebook.com/events/259381697531265/?ref=3

Santo André
http://www.facebook.com/events/135207669992438/?ref=3

Jacarezinho
http://www.facebook.com/events/436914013060257/

São Carlos
http://www.facebook.com/events/225014687637354/

São José dos Campos
http://www.facebook.com/events/289873961142702/?ref=3

Paraty
*entre em contado com www.facebook.com/luizakp
Goiânia
http://www.facebook.com/events/476866269035447/

Buenos Aires
http://www.facebook.com/events/363210527125800/

San Francisco
https://www.facebook.com/events/226741177463779/?context=create

Paris
http://www.facebook.com/events/113224145535118/

Belém (PA)- Devido as peculiaridades (o regime de chuvas),
ele será no Domingo de manhã:
http://www.facebook.com/events/279062932228018/279068108894167/?notif_t=plan_mall_activity

Dourados (MS) -  também terá manifestaçáo, embora em outro horário (17h30min - horário local) 

http://www.facebook.com/events/441342355944728/441720059240291/?comment_id=442118402533790&notif_t=event_mall_reply 

The cryout in one voice is:

Out, Feliciano!

MEANWHILE, PRESIDENT DILMA ROUSSEFF REMAINS SILENT ABOUT LGBT PEOPLE'S RIGHTS.