As a homo- and transphobia are understood as aggressive and hostile behaviour directed against homosexuals and trans* people. The cause is often a deep-seated fear of the "otherness" of these people, which is experienced as provocative and refers to their own suppressed personality traits. How Brazil and Germany deal with this is described by Peter Wiessner
Brazil is considered an open country. Sao Paulo, for example, hosts one of the world's largest gay pride parades every year - with up to five million participants, according to the organisers.
The host country of the 2014 FIFA World Cup is also often portrayed as a role model in terms of HIV policy. The government took the threat of HIV seriously at an early stage and ensured access to HIV treatment for everyone. It recognised very quickly that the groups particularly affected by HIV needed to be fully involved in the planning and implementation of prevention. And when it became clear how quickly people with HIV can become victims of discrimination, several federal states strengthened the rights of affected groups and individuals: since 1989, the constitutions of these states have prohibited discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation.
Role model Brazilen
Anti-discrimination laws are now comprehensively implemented - with regulations that would be almost unimaginable here: Since May 2000, for example, hotels, restaurants and bars in Rio de Janeiro have had to pay a fine of up to 7,000 dollars or face a month's closure if they are found to have treated gay guests in a discriminatory manner.
The rights of sexual minorities have also been strengthened at other levels: since 2011, individuals and same-sex couples have also had access to sperm banks and artificial insemination, and since May 2013, marriage has been open to same-sex couples nationwide and joint adoption by same-sex couples has been enforced nationwide.
Progressive, when you consider that not so long ago, our Chancellor said: "I tell you quite honestly that I have difficulties with complete equality. I am unsure about the best interests of the child." By way of comparison, Brazil declared 17 May, the international day against homophobia and transphobia, as an official bank holidays back in 2009.
Many good measures and laws - because they are unfortunately necessary
So far, so good. But you also have to look at the background to all these anti-discrimination measures, namely the increasing number of assaults to which people are exposed because of their gender or sexual orientation.
According to a Brazilian human rights organisation, there were 2,830 attacks against gay and transgender people and other people who do not conform to the sexual norm last year.
Amnesty International reported 126 homophobic and transphobic murders in 2002, and the trend is rising: 198 murders were documented in 2009, and 235 people fell victim to the terror directed against sexual minorities in 2010.
And the website www.homofobiamata.wordpress.comwhich documents and publicises such cases, reports 336 murders in 2012.
Support from the highest level - hardly conceivable in Germany
Nevertheless, Brazil is actively campaigning for homosexuals and trans* people as well as other minorities and is not resting on its laurels. When participants at the last gay parade in Sao Paulo demanded that the government take a more offensive approach to combating the increasing discrimination against gays and lesbians, President Dilma Rousseff sent a message of solidarity via the short messaging service Twitter, which is much more widespread in Brazil than in this country, in which she advertised a hotline for victims of homophobic attacks.
As a symbolic act alone, this would certainly not be enough. However, as the word of politicians in Brazil is generally taken more seriously than here, it can be assumed that words will be followed by deeds.
And we in Germany can certainly take a leaf out of their book.
Contact: Peter-wiessner@t-online.de
