Brazilian Man Wins Asylum in U.S.

I hate to be a negative nancy but I'm afraid things aren't that much better in the US. A friend of mine who lives in rural Southeast Ohio had a similar experience with the local police just a couple of years ago. It can happen anywhere, even in Amsterdam but if he feels safer and happier here then more power to him.

Why on earth would you want to come here over Canada?

I congratulate our Brazilian brother, Brazil has great LGTB protection laws etc. But not every city is Rio and SP. If he did not feel safe he ought to get asylum here. Asylum cases are hard to win, so if there was no reason no lawyer would have taken his case. Wish you all the best man on the road to full USA citizenship.

I agree that homophobia is very much an issue in Brazil and that the apparent tolerance shown in the parades and during carnival do not represent the real level of acceptance of Brazilians towards homossexuality. However, having lived in the US and in Europe for a few years, I know that gays who live in big cities and capitals in Brazil are in no higher risk of being the victims of homophobia than gays living in big cities of southern US or even parts of London. The situation for transgenders is more complicated, I have to admit. And it is not true that skin heads can move freely in the city. They do exist, but the police have arrested many in the last years. Big cities in Brazil are violent for anyone, gays are not especially targeted. Not more than they are in big cities around the world. I have lots of friends in São Paulo, Rio and in Porto Alegre and maybe we can complain about some homophobia but never physical attacks that could justify asylum. Good luck to him, anyway.

Sorry, I have to disagree with the comment, however well-intentioned, that Brazil is so gay friendly. There is a big difference in tolerating some externality such as parades, floats and festivals and partnerships rather than a deep seated change. Notably on this site there is an article about a Brazilian general who thinks gays should not lead the military. That alone speaks for the situation. Having visited Brazil a couple of times, it is one thing to be on the outs and another thing to be a native. I am sure these students researched the case. Asylum cases are not taken lightly since so few are granted. Interestingly enough I heard more than a few comments by our gay sisters and brothers about maybe going to Canada after the election for the previous administration. How is that for a democracy that guarantees quality of life to all?

People that visit the gay scene in Rio gets a really distorted impression of Brazil. That country is a big contradiction. I was also beaten by the police, made a report at the police station and no action was ever taken. One of the worst parts was to hear cruel “gay jokes” in the work place and on national TV. Even with the right wing nuts trying to demonize and take away the LGBT rights here in the U.S., there is no comparison between the two countries LGBT equal rights movement Brazil is at least 25 years behind. I’m from Sao Paulo and also was granted asylum in the U.S. I proudly will become an U.S. citizen this year.

Replying to Roger, Brazil has serious problems in regards to homophobia. We need to remember Brazilian society based on a macho society and there are men who sleeps with men and has relationship with men who are married and is play their lives as heterosexuals. Some of these men think that they have sex with men once in a blue moon they do not consider themselves as gays but heteros. It also depends where you live in Brazil, ethinicty you belong to and the social class you belong to. I am glad that the U.S granted this person to stay and it is clear that he has suffered too much. The Grupo Gay of Bahia has follwoed closely the homophobic crimes against the GLBT people.

This sounds weird... Brazil usually gets great comments when gay people visit there and from their own gay population. They even offer residency to gay partners if I am not mistaken. The situation sounds bad from this persons point of view, and the advocate makes it sound like the entire nation is killing all gay people. Please research shit before you start printing it.