Murder of transvestites and "pais de santo" in Brazil: homophobia, transphobia and religious intolerance

Abstract

This paper addresses the vulnerability of transvestites and homosexual men linked to African-Brazilian religions to lethal violence in Brazil, where there is no specific legislation to characterize homophobic or transphobic crime. It focuses on the Queer Theory, which recognizes certain social positions as contemptible. It works the relationship between sexuality, race and religion to reflect lethal violence against gay and transgendered from popular, poor, black and mestizo layers. It concludes by reflecting on the responses produced by LGBT activists and scholars engaged in queer reflections, as well as on public policy proposals to tackle homophobia and religious intolerance against subaltern groups.

Transphobia; Homophobia; Religious intolerance