Gay and Lesbian Brazil
Gay life in Brazil still thrives in the large cities, despite the long shadow cast by AIDS. In general, the scene has benefited from a relatively relaxed tolerance in attitudes towards sexuality - certainly when compared to the rest of Latin America - and the divide between gay and straight nightlife is very blurred. Attitudes, however, vary from region to region. Rural areas and small towns, especially in Minas Gerais, the Northeast and the South, are deeply conservative; the medium-sized and larger cities less so. The two most popular gay destinations are Rio and Salvador, though even here the scene is remarkably discreet when compared to many northern European, North American and Australian cities. And even in Brazil's big cities, there's an ugly undercurrent of homophobia present and gay visitors are advised to be cautious. In 1999 alone 170 gay men and lesbians were murdered in Brazil, and in February 2000 there was a widely publicized gang murder of a gay man in Sao Paulo's Praca da Republica, one of the city's main cruising areas. Some of the culprits were apprehended by the police and are now awaiting trial: remarkable in a country where over the past twenty years only 4 percent of murders have led to criminal convictions. For an up-to-date view of gay- and lesbian-related issues in Brazil, check out the electronic magazine "G!Web" (in Portuguese) at www.gweb.com.br.
Fun Tipsmary says "Bring your inhaler if you have asma." tips for BrazilRobyn says "Dont go it so boring,so dont go " travellingayanda says "can anyone tell me about cheap accomodation in brazil?" Tour Brazil and Argentina On Line (Video + Stills)David Mundstock says "My recent movie, “Tango and Samba Falls”, presents highlights of Argentina and Brazil, starring Buenos Aires, Rio de Janeiro, and Iguazu Falls.
Tango in Buenos Aires, meet Evita, enjoy Gaucho dancing from the Pampas; and then north to the Argentina side of massive Iguazu Falls, featuring “The Devil’s Throat”.
Across the border to Brazil, for a close-up of the falls from below. In Rio, gaze at the views from famous mountain tops, and look for the Girl from Ipanema at Rio’s beaches. Take in a Samba show, featuring costumes that range from almost nothing to extremely elaborate and colorful. With digital effects.
“Tango and Samba Falls” can be seen on the web, if you have a high speed internet connection. This is a free, non-commercial, streaming video on the Windows Media Player. No ads and no strings attached. I sell absolutely nothing.
With any modem you can view a gallery of Argentina/Brazil still pictures.
There are over 30 of my other amateur travel videos on-line including trips to China, Russia, Antarctica, Italy, Britain, Hawaii, Australia, Bali, American National Parks, Africa, Greece, and Turkey; see lions, whales, elephants, or penguins.
The planet is yours, including my Home Page giant galaxy of still pictures from every continent.
To watch videos or look at the stills, please ask a search engine for: Intrepid Berkeley Explorer"
Your Tip for Brazil
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