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Images of Latin America's machismo and its resultant homophobia are changing now that individual rights --such as the right to act in accordance with one's sexual orientation - enjoy the protection of law. Brazil (South America's largest country and which adopted a liberal constitution in 1988) continues to fashion protections for all of its citizens.Shortly after electing labor hero Luis Inacio Lula da Silva as that nation's president (to the dismay of Brazil's right-wing zealots) various states are now taking serious measures ensuring that no one will be discriminated against because of his or her sexual orientation. Following the lead of important states such as Sao Paulo (Brazil's largest, with a capital three times more populous than New York City) , Rio de Janeiro, and Minas Gerais (the most important, politically), Santa Catarina has just promulgated a new law, recently signed by its governor, that will severely fine businesses discriminating against gays, lesbians, bisexuals or transgenders. The text of the new law - which was signed late last week - does not (at least apparently) give way to any loopholes: "Any aggressive or discriminatory against any homosexual, bisexual or transgender citizen will be punished accordingly with the law." The punishments are cumulative: A first offense will bring a warning, but any subsequent action will be heavily fined (fines vary from $300 to $1000 - a considerable sum in Brazil). In the case of further incidences, the offender will face the permanent seizure of operating license. The law goes into effect immediately. Santa Catarina's bold step into social equality were met with enthusiasm by same-sex activists in Santa Catarina ("Hooray!", read the title of Glssite's newsletter commemorating the law's signing) who worked long and hard to get it into effect. The first Brazilian state to create such laws (which then generated much controversy) was Bahia, the northeastern home of the Luis Mott-led Grupo Gay da Bahia, arguably the largest and best-known activist group in the nation. Its laws were enacted in 1997. A few years ago, this writer reported in GayToday how same-sex couples (following a lawsuit) won the right to receive Social Security benefits previously awarded only to conventional couples outside of wedlock, thanks to a clause in the new constitution awarding live-in couples the same benefits granted to those who marry. |