As always, we are proud to celebrate all expressions of love, all gender identities, and everybody louder and prouder — this June (and beyond!) Inclusivity is at the core of Sol de Janeiro’s brand DNA and this year, we are excited to recognize the achievements of the LGBTQIA+ community across the globe, especially during Pride Month.
On Saturday, June 19, 2022, the iconic Brazilian Pride Parade returns to Avenida Paulista in São Paulo, a first since the pandemic. In 2019, more than 3 million people were in attendance — many in protest of President Jair Bolsonaro’s stance on the LGBTQIA+ community. Despite Brazil’s vibrant culture, queer Brazilians still face discrimation and high levels of violence as reported by NBC News.
Below, we shine some SOL sunshine on a few known individuals and grassroots organizations making a huge impact and difference
Liniker E Os Caramelows
This Brazilian soul band fronted by Black trans vocalist Liniker Barros is shaking up gender norms one performance at a time. Their viral hit, “Zero” raked in more than 38 million views on YouTube catapulting them into the spotlight and the lyrics resonated with the queer community across the globe. "'Zero' is a song that talks about things in life we need to re-frame and follow," Barros shared with NPR via email. "In Brazil, this song meant something for a lot of people. It's about a moment when I see people sharing and giving each other love, and it's beautiful. It's important for us to talk about love. Always."
Black Bixa
The brainchild of Fulbright recipient and queer activist/filmmaker, Dominique Griffin’s YouTube series Black Bixa, explores the parallels between both experiences between the Black queer community in Brazil and the United States. “Bixa is a slur in Brazilian Portuguese used derogatorily against queer men and trans women,” Griffin explains to GLAAD. “[However] the community reclaimed and repurposed the term, transforming it into one of endearment within queer spaces.” You can watch more episodes here.
Pabllo Vittar
LGBTQIA+ pop star and media sensation, Pabllo Vittar is not one to hide who she/he/they is (FYI: Vittar identifies by all three pronouns!) As one of the most followed drag queens on social media, the Grammy-nominated Vittar is only just beginning. Her relentless dedication towards equality on behalf of those who don’t have a voice that makes her one to watch. “Every day there is a lion we have to kill— I’ve been through a lot of complicated situations, but in the end, I’m grateful, because they made me a more confident and strong person,” she tells VOGUE. “I think the coolest thing about my career is the messages I get on social media, people saying that they are happier, that my music helped them get through hardships, or I’ve helped them feel good about themselves.”
Grupo Gay Bahia
For over 42 years, Grupo Gay Bahia (GGB) has served as a gay rights activism resource originally founded by anthropologist, author, and historian, Luiz Mott. This impactful organization has been integral in disseminating information against discrimination, minimizing the spread of HIV/AIDS in vulnerable communities across Brazil, reporting on LGBTQIA+ rights, and safe travel itineraries for queer travelers.
Linn da Quebrada
Groundbreaking queer singer-slash-rapper, Linn da Quebrada born out of the Brazil’s favelas effortlessly mixes funk carioca and hip-hop. In 2017, Quebrada followed Beyonce’s lead and released a “Lemonade”-style, audiovisual album entitled “Pajubá” featuring 14 tracks exploring non-gender conformality and showcasing other Brazilian artists including Liniker Barros, Gloria Groove, and Mulher Pepita.
Check out last year’s blog post for additional movers + shakers (think, Monica Benicio and more) making a difference, plus resources we can all use. Happy Pride Month SOL Family!
