NYT highlights wave of violence against gays in Brazil.
"While Americans vigorously debate how to respond to the massacre at a gay nightclub in Orlando, Florida, Brazilians are facing their own epidemic of homophobic violence, which has earned Brazil the infamous ranking of the deadliest place in the world for lesbians, gays, bisexuals, and transgender people," says an excerpt from the report; the article highlights that machismo associated with unemployment and the rise of evangelical conservatism, both in the population and in politics, are among the causes of the Brazilian homophobic wave.
247 - The American newspaper The New York Times, in an article written by correspondent Andrew Jacob, paints a picture of the growing wave of violence against the gay community in Brazil.
"While Americans vigorously debate how to respond to last month's massacre at a gay nightclub in Orlando, Florida, Brazilians are facing their own epidemic of homophobic violence, one that, according to some surveys, has earned Brazil the infamous title of the world's deadliest place for lesbians, gays, bisexuals, and transgender people," reads an excerpt from the text.
Citing a survey conducted by the Gay Group of Bahia (GGB), nearly 1,600 people have been murdered in the last four years. According to the GGB, a gay or transgender person is killed almost every day in this country of 200 million inhabitants.
The fear is that violence will increase during the Olympics, which will be held in August in Rio de Janeiro. "Amid a crushing recession and high unemployment, street crime has increased by 24% this year and homicides have risen by more than 15%," the publication highlights.
Despite this, the article emphasizes that "Brazil's almost mythical reputation for tolerance is not unjustified. In the nearly three decades since the military dictatorship gave way to democracy, the Brazilian government has introduced numerous laws and policies aimed at improving the lives of sexual minorities."
According to experts, homophobic violence is linked to sexist customs and the model of evangelical Christianity "exported from the United States, which is openly opposed to homosexuality."
Currently, almost 25% of the Brazilian population is evangelical, and its political representation is growing. "Evangelical voters helped elect more than 60 representatives to the 513 seats in the Chamber of Deputies, doubling their number since 2010, and they form one of the most disciplined blocs in a divided and undisciplined legislature," the text notes.