This June, we are proud to celebrate all expressions of love, all gender identities, and everybody louder and prouder — all month long (and beyond!) As a brand led by three diverse founders, inclusivity is at the core of Sol de Janeiro. We recognize the experiences and history of the LGBTQIA+ community from the origins of the 1969 Stonewall riots to the more celebratory evolution of Pride month.
Origins of Pride
Rooted in origins of activism and bravery, Pride has evolved into a global celebration that welcomes all ages, genders, and identities. In 2019, World Pride drew millions to respective cities like New York City (which celebrated its 50th anniversary) and São Paulo (which hosted its largest parade yet!)
While there is much work to do, one place to start is to use proper acronyms that are both accurate and culturally sensitive. LGBTQIA+ terminology continues to expand; allies can evolve too by educating themselves on ways to be both accurate and respectful as to how individuals choose to self-identify. To start, reference this Comprehensive List of LGBTQ+ Vocabulary Definitions.
Movers + Shakers
While there are too many key LGBTQIA+ advocates and activists to name, we wanted to shine a spotlight on a few exceptional Brazilians who keep us inspired and motivated to keep fighting for equal rights for all.
Monica Benicio
After Marielle Franco, a human rights activist, who was fatally shot in March 2018, her widow Monica Benico dedicated herself to becoming an advocate for both LGBT and Black Brazilian community. Most recently, she made history by becoming Rio de Janeiro’s first out lesbian city councilwoman.
Alexia Twister and Gloria Groove
Meet the new stars of Netflix’s new series, A Queen is Born, featuring Brazilian drag queens, Alexia Twister and Gloria Groove. Similar to its American counterpart, RuPaul’s Drag Race, Twister and Groove “act as godmothers, helping people who dream of being part of the drag universe to pursue the career,” according to GCN. The result is an uplifting, empowering, and of course, entertaining.
Alane Reis
Wearing many hats isn’t new to the cofounder of Revista Afirmativa, Alane Reis whose titles also include grassroots organizer, journalist, digital media specialist, and communications lead for Odara – Instituto da Mulher Negra. At the core, Reis’ platform is dedicated to Bahian and Black Brazilian community and for readers who are interested in human rights. Through powerful words and in-person events, Revista Afirmativa “affirms positive, anti-stereotypical representations of Black Brazilians, especially Black Brazilian youth.”
Resources for All
Looking to educate yourself more on the origins of Pride Month? Here’s a short list of resources to celebrate throughout June — and beyond, curated by our SOL Family.
How to Stay Educated:
- Movies: Love, Simon (Netflix), Milk (Amazon Prime), Moonlight (Disney+), Marielle and Monica (The Guardian), A Queen is Born (Netflix)
- Books: “Tomorrow Will be Different” by Sarah McBride, “Stonewall” by Martin Duberman, “Untamed” by Glennon Doyle
- Ted Talks: Love is Love
- Proper Vocabulary: Comprehensive List of LGBTQ+ Vocabulary Definitions.
How to Get Involved:
- Donations: Human Rights Campaign, Lambda Legal, The Trevor Project, The Ali Forney Center
- Virtual & In Person Experiences: NYC PrideFest, Pride Presents: A unique Cinematic Event Celebrating LGBTQIA+ film during Pride
