A mind opener: In Search of Myself.

On Amazon

In Search of Myself by Sergio Viula

ON AMAZON HERE: 
https://www.amazon.com/Search-Myself-troublesome-homosexual-emancipation-ebook/dp/B00ASKZRJQ

The original book (Em Busca de Mim Mesmo) in Portuguese was warmly welcomed by both LGBT and straight people in Brazil. That's why I decided to translate the book and get it published on Amazon. The book was devised to be a tool for enlightenment in terms of 'ex-gay' therapies and other sources of prejudice, each of them resulting in damage to so many.

'IN SEARCH OF MYSELF' is touching, funny at times, disturbing once in a while, but encouraging and inspiring all the way through. There are lots of cases and tips related to the Brazilian context which may give readers of other countries a good glimpse of what's going on in the land of the biggest Pride Parade of the world - the LGBT Pride Parade of São Paulo. Also, in Rio the LGBT Pride Parade is the third biggest city celebration, only losing to New Year's Eve and Rio's insuperable and worldwide famous Carnival.

However, things are not that pinkish in the lives of many Brazilian LGBT people, especially those overwhelmed with fundamentalist beliefs and fears. The author knows his stuff very well as he was also a Baptist pastor and one of the founders of an 'ex-gay' ministry in Brazil.

After working 18 years with the church, I went from an enemy of the LGBT movement to an LGBT activist himself. My coming out took place in 2003 and since then I've been working hard to help foster LGBT awareness and advance LGBT rights in Brazil.

The book is a must-read. It is honest and transparent from beginning to end.

Please read it and send feedback. I'll be pleased to learn more about my readers' impressions.

Sergio Viula
IN SEARCH OF MYSELF

ON AMAZON HERE: https://www.amazon.com/Search-Myself-troublesome-homosexual-emancipation-ebook/dp/B00ASKZRJQ

RIO: MARCH AGAINST HOMOPHOBIA AND 'GAY CURE' - JUNE 28, 2013

Protesters call for the removal of Deputy Marco Feliciano from the presidency of the Human Rights Committee of the Chamber of Deputies (Photo: Kátia Carvalho/Estadão Conteúdo).

Protesters hold a demonstration in Rio, calling for the criminalization of homophobia

 (Photo: Marcelo Piu/ Agência O Globo).


By Sergio Viula

Update on Jan 9th, 2025

English

On June 28, 2013, around a thousand protesters gathered in downtown Rio de Janeiro to protest against the "gay cure" bill approved by the Human Rights Committee of the Chamber of Deputies, chaired by Deputy Marco Feliciano. The demonstration began at the Candelária Church and marched to the City Council of Rio de Janeiro, lasting over four hours. During the protest, participants expressed their opposition to the bill and called for Feliciano's resignation from the presidency of the committee.

Psychologist Fernanda Haikal, from the Regional Psychology Council, participated in the protest and criticized the bill, stating that "it is not a disease, nor a choice, but a condition."

This protest was part of a series of demonstrations across the country against the "gay cure" proposal, which aimed to allow psychologists to offer treatments for homosexuality. The bill sparked widespread controversy and led to intense debates about the rights of the LGBT community in Brazil.

In July 2013, Deputy João Campos, the bill's author, decided to shelve it following public pressure and mass protests.

These demonstrations highlighted the importance of social mobilization in defending human rights and fighting discrimination.

Português:

Em 28 de junho de 2013, aproximadamente mil manifestantes se reuniram no Centro do Rio de Janeiro para protestar contra o projeto de "cura gay" aprovado pela Comissão de Direitos Humanos da Câmara dos Deputados, presidida pelo deputado Marco Feliciano.

O ato teve início na Igreja da Candelária e seguiu até a Câmara Municipal do Rio de Janeiro, durando mais de quatro horas. Durante o protesto, os participantes expressaram sua oposição ao projeto e pediram a saída de Marco Feliciano da presidência da comissão.

A psicóloga Fernanda Haikal, do Conselho Regional de Psicologia, participou da manifestação e criticou o projeto, afirmando que "não se trata de uma doença, nem uma opção, mas de uma condição".

Esse protesto foi parte de uma série de manifestações em todo o país contra a proposta de "cura gay", que visava permitir que psicólogos oferecessem tratamentos para a homossexualidade. O projeto gerou ampla controvérsia e levou a debates intensos sobre os direitos da comunidade LGBT no Brasil.

Em julho de 2013, o deputado João Campos, autor do projeto, decidiu arquivá-lo após a pressão pública e os protestos em massa.

Essas manifestações destacaram a importância da mobilização social na defesa dos direitos humanos e na luta contra a discriminação.