On a sunny Saturday, June 29, Ilha do Governador (Governor’s Island) held its first LGBT+ Pride Parade at the foot of the Morro do Dendê favela, in Aterro do Cocotá, in the North Zone of Rio de Janeiro. The event was organized by the NGO Meeting of Colors, which primarily supports LGBT+ children and youth from the island’s favelas. A historic milestone for the neighborhood, the parade symbolizes resistance and the LGBT+ community’s achievement in carving out a space for itself in a traditionally conservative neighborhood of Rio de Janeiro.
“There’s never been a parade here in our area. Ilha do Governador is an extremely conservative neighborhood, surrounded by military barracks, but there is an LGBT+ population here. So, we wanted to bring this idea, this struggle to our neighborhood, so that people can grasp that we are here, that we exist, that we need to celebrate… to celebrate our lives… to celebrate being alive.” — Byron Teixeira
According to Byron Teixeira, born and raised in Ilha do Governador’s Itacolomi favela, founder of the NGO and creator of the parade, the event aims to establish a safe space of pride and belonging for the LGBT+ community of Ilha do Governador and surrounding neighborhoods in the Leopoldina region.
Meeting of Colors was founded in 2018, following an incident of homophobia experienced by Teixeira while still part of his church community. In response, he and other LGBT+ youth began organizing discussion groups on Ilha do Governador. Their goal was to create a space for dialogue and mutual support.
“When I was going through a moment of deep depression, I sought out someone who I thought was a leader to me at the time. Instead of receiving support, I was told, ‘this is not your place if this is how it’s going to be.’ So, I founded Meeting of the Colors with the aim of creating a space of support for people who have gone through or are going through experiences similar to mine.” — Byron Teixeira
The singer, community health agent, and volunteer Juliana Macedo explains that Meeting of the Colors serves two main groups: the local community of Ilha do Governador and LGBTQIAPN+ individuals seeking support. She believes that the NGO’s uniqueness lies in combining social assistance with raising awareness of LGBTQIAPN+phobia.
“The educational work we do with children, for example, always includes a performance by a drag queen. The idea is precisely to break the paradigm and prejudice, to have an active voice, and to be present in the community for everyone. We’re also agents of change; we’re not just gay or lesbian. It’s about doing away with the stereotype that it’s only one thing, that it’s all debauchery. We want to do meaningful work for the community as a whole.” — Juliana Macedo
Ver essa foto no Instagram
At the Foot of Morro do Dendê or on São Bento Beach, Ilha do Governador Fights for Freedom
More than an important milestone in the fight for rights, the creation of Ilha’s LGBT+ Pride Parade also breaks away from prejudices. In a conservative neighborhood where local media portrays LGBT+ individuals negatively—depicting their presence as dangerous and socially disruptive, and labeling them as “strange characters” in the neighborhood newspaper’s editorial pages—this act challenges cisheteronormativity and promotes respect for diversity. By being held at Aterro do Cocotá—a space of LGBT+ gathering and expression on Ilha do Governador, an area where homophobia has led to violence and transphobia has resulted in deaths—Ilha do Governador’s Pride Parade subverts and transforms this space of pain.
“We’ve been fighting to have the Ilha Parade for quite some time. We started out with educational meetings, lectures, and discussions. Then, we began helping people. It was a natural unfolding. From there, we became an NGO and got a place for ourselves, the Sunset Kiosk [on São Bento Beach], which became something of a hit. So, we wanted to organize the parade… but it was difficult because we needed permits, licenses, that kind of thing.” — Juliana Macedo
Ver essa foto no Instagram
Besides dealing with bureaucracy, years of local organizing were needed until the LGBT+ Parade could be held. Other events planned by the NGO served as precursors to the first Ilha do Governador Pride Parade.
“We began by organizing the Festival of Colors, originally called the Colors Fair, which featured not only artistic performances but also vendors selling food and crafts. That was three years ago. By the second edition, we realized it was more of a festival than a fair, so we renamed it the Festival of Colors. It took place at the [Renato Russo] Arena. This year [2024], we managed to get in touch with City Hall. It was very challenging. There were all sorts of hurdles. They tried multiple times to prevent it from happening. But this year, with the NGO having grown and become stronger, it got more difficult for them to stop us. And we succeeded in holding the parade here. It was very tough because even after getting permission, there were demands like ‘you need chemical toilets, and we [City Hall] won’t provide them,’ ‘you need a certain amount of this and that,’ and various other little things to try to hinder us. But we stood our ground, persisted, and thankfully, everything worked out.” — Juliana Macedo
In addition to bureaucratic hurdles, organizers reported instances of intimidation leading up to the first Ilha do Governador LGBT+ Pride Parade. However, collective engagement prevailed, and the group decided to march through the streets of Ilha do Governador the day after International LGBTQIAPN+ Pride Day to demand equality of rights.
“We received several threats [through] messages and comments [on social media]. The Parade is something I’ve always dreamed of organizing since I started the movement here on Ilha do Governador. I didn’t build this alone. Many people pitched in and worked to make it happen. When we talk about the LGBT+ Parade, there’s this ‘South Zone-like’ notion that you have to travel to attend it, you know? So, making this happen here, in my neighborhood, for the people who live here with me, who are part of this struggle, helps show others that we’re here, that we resist, and exist. I think that’s extremely important. Beyond being a celebratory event, it marks a historical moment for our lived experiences. That, to me, is priceless. There are people here today who are 10, 30, 60 [years old] celebrating Pride Day. Not just LGBT+ individuals, but allies, straight-cis people who believe in our fight and believe that we can have a better future, one with more respect and equality… we truly need to keep celebrating Pride Day, reaffirming our stance, and remembering who we are.” — Byron Teixeira
The event occupied the skate park and the Renato Russo Cultural Arena, both located at Aterro do Cocotá, as well as the LGBT+ Sunset Kiosk in the Galeão neighborhood, home to Rio de Janeiro’s international airport, specifically at São Bento Beach, another traditional spot for Ilha do Governador’s LGBT+ residents. For decades, the area housed the historic Bacana’s Kiosk—a karaoke bar identified at the time by the acronym “GLS,” which stands for gays, lesbians, and supporters. The acronym was eventually replaced by LGBT in the 2000s. The spot is still frequented by members of the community today, though it has changed names and no longer self-identifies as a space for Ilha do Governador’s LGBT+ community.
The Sunset Kiosk is currently the sole operating LGBT+ bar and only the third in the history of Ilha do Governador, Rio de Janeiro’s oldest neighborhood. The second was the now-defunct Free Space bar in the Bancários neighborhood. It is important to note that Cocotá, Bancários, and Galeão—spaces of LGBT+ socialization for the island’s residents—are working-class neighborhoods. Over time, affluent areas of the island, such as Jardim Guanabara, Ribeira, or Moneró, have not proven safe for LGBT+ ventures, despite the community’s presence throughout Ilha do Governador.
The Ilha do Governador Pride Parade featured a diverse schedule throughout the day, including social actions, collective planting initiatives, drag queen performances, ballroom presentations, LGBTQIAPN+ artist performances and shows, and a closing party at the Sunset Kiosk.
Ver essa foto no Instagram
Present at the event were artists, activists, collectives, authorities, businesses, and civil society institutions. Some of the organizations that helped organize the first Ilha do Governador LGBT+ Pride Parade were: Cocotá Agroforestry, GT Maracajá, Renato Russo Cultural Areninha, Esperança Garcia Grassroots Education Movement, Injustiçada, Sem Frescura Kiosk, Rio de Janeiro Military Police (PMERJ), the 33rd Commission on Sexual and Gender Diversity of the Brazilian Bar Association (OAB), Nação Alarde, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (Fiocruz), the Rio de Janeiro State Legislative Assembly (ALERJ)’s Commission for the Defense of Human Rights and Citizenship, Pela Vida Project, and Estácio de Sá University. Additionally, authorities, their representatives, and important political figures participated, including: Councilwoman Monica Benício, the Rio de Janeiro City Council‘s only lesbian councilwoman, who was born and raised in the Maré cluster of favelas and is the widow of late Councilwoman Marielle Franco; Thiago Santana, municipal president of the Workers’ Party; Pedro Mara, professor and LGBT+ rights activist in sports, and advisor to State Deputy Flávio Serafini; representatives from the office of State Deputy Dani Monteiro; and journalist Glenn Greenwald, widower of former Federal Deputy David Miranda, who passed away in 2023, and who was gay and a originally from the Jacarezinho favela.
Ver essa foto no Instagram
Among the drag artists were Mariana Crocs, Yunny Drag, Lua Drag, Naomih Leon, Ravena Creole, Shannon Skarllet, Chanel, Lalita Queen, Opulence, Betina Polaroid, Natasha Princess, Manalu, Cútis Negra, Ramona, Conga Bombreia, Ganashea, Melânica Drag and Naja. DJs included Janayara, Mello, Aurora Visage, Toni, Pam Belli and Noé, while the singers were Ruffo, Dornelles, Lala Bitch, ÏMNO and WE-SY, and the Marepô Band. Additionally, dancers Gabriel Rocha, Bront and Kastellany were also present.
The event also hosted the Diversity Fair, featuring various businesses, including: Armário das Amigas, Portal de Jade, Brechó Capivara, Don Quiser, Flash Tattoo, Tornado Carioca Gourmet Baked Potatoes, Pissart Ferreira, Coisinhas que Fiz, Unje Mimo, Leli Snacks and Nibbles, Casa Frida, Mori Arts, Tropos Store, Kathy’s Store, Nuastral, and Donna de Mim.
The festival served as a gathering in a struggle that spans generations. Roberto Moraes and Amaurhy Blutos, artists from the Boogie Woogie favela and creators of the characters Marina Crocs and Yunny Drag, were pioneers in the Ilha do Governador drag performance scene 30 years ago. As they celebrate their part in this enduring legacy, Moraes recalls the challenges they faced gaining acceptance.
“Since I already have a history here on Ilha do Governador, having been the rhythm section queen for several carnival groups, the island has always embraced me [artistically]. But things meant for the gay community never used to work out. I was a ‘bubble,’ you know, something different. Now, I want to help the collective so that everyone can come and go and live their lives in diversity. In the past, bars closed, nightclubs shut down. Anything meant for the gay crowd didn’t work out. And now, thank God, we are here.” — Roberto Moraes
Blutos shares that the event symbolizes the achievement of a dream that once seemed distant, since he never had any support.
“This is something that a group of long-time Ilha do Governador residents and I have tried to do for many years… to break away from these taboos. But there was never anyone to support us. Today, with Byron and Meeting of Colors, we’re bringing a new era to the island… I woke up crying today, I put on my makeup crying. The importance of this event is huge because whenever I dressed up to go out here and visit bars, people were like, ‘leave.’ I went to a few bars here on Ilha do Governador, but they closed down because they didn’t have this strength, this will to insist on something that might take root in this ground.” — Amaurhy Blutos
Ver essa foto no Instagram
He also made clear how crucial this event is, a milestone for the LGBTQIAPN+ community in the region.
“For me, it’s been inexplicable… It’s been very impactful and decisive for them to look and say ‘there really is an LGBTQIAPN+ culture here.’ We’re here to fight for our cause, no matter what other residents of this neighborhood say; what matters is that they deal with us because we exist here. I started at 17 and now I’m 44. I stopped due to marriage at the time because [there were two options] ‘you either get married or you’re a drag queen.’ I had to live, to survive. So when Sunset opened here on Ilha do Governador, I said ‘no way, I’m going to get into this scene too. I deserve it! I built this, so I’m going to be a part of it.’ Mariana and I faced a lot of prejudice. We went to the carnival blocks in drag because there was nowhere else for us to go. So we went to carnival. For every ten photos, ten compliments, thirty were disdainful. But we’re here, year after year showing up at every carnival, in every Ilha do Governador carnival group, until we were invited to be the muse, to be the queen. Until we achieved the recognition that we have on Ilha do Governador as drag queens. What’s happening today marks a new chapter in Ilha do Governador’s history. For some people, this is just a party, but for me, this is a struggle… we really did win this fight!” — Amaurhy Blutos
The manager and project director of Black Corporate, Anne Beatriz, sees the gathering as an opportunity to humanize and normalize differences in the region.
“This parade is an act. We are here to express our diversity, our experiences, and it’s very important that we can increasingly talk about the LGBT+ population. And also that we can incorporate this into the agendas of Black women, minorities, immigrants. May we, more and more, be able to produce culture and entrepreneurship… So, today’s LGBT+ Parade here means that we exist. Despite what others may say, it’s a place for families, it’s a place to celebrate, it’s a place to be happy and to be who we are. And I think there’s nothing more important than arriving somewhere and knowing that you are who you are and that’s okay. I think that’s the main point of all this.” — Anne Beatriz
Student Yohan Araújo, a resident of the Tauá neighborhood on Ilha do Governador, says that the parade is important because it demands the guarantee of basic rights and brings a lot of hope to the collective struggle.
“We’re having an event in a place that is quite conservative and homophobic. It’s really beautiful to see what we’re doing, taking over this space… For me, it brings hope that we can achieve a lot and that this is just the beginning.” — Yohan Araújo
Gabbie Rosa, a student and resident of the Portuguesa neighborhood, shares similar feelings about the first Ilha do Governador Pride Parade.
“I was born and raised here on Ilha do Governador and never saw it as a place that would welcome and accept me, you know. Then, when Byron proposed Meeting of Colors and the Parade, I was overjoyed. I met a lot of people because of this and felt truly embraced.” — Gabbie Rosa
Professor Rhuan Paulo de Sousa, from Ramos, a neighborhood adjacent to Ilha do Governador, the creator of Noemih Leon, emphasizes the political role of the parade. According to him, the greatest contribution of an event like this is to broaden the social foundations of the neighborhood for the LGBT+ struggle.
“Every day we resist. We need to be here and love ourselves for who we are, not for what society has told us. I believe that this parade here on Ilha do Governador is crucial for developing a sense of belonging… I spoke with people and asked them what they hope to achieve with the first LGBT+ Pride Parade here on Ilha do Governador. What do they expect will change? And people said: love, more respect, more cultural activities on Ilha do Governador, so we don’t have to travel 20, 30, 40km to find artists we like… Belonging is closely related to territory. Our spaces should be occupied by our art, by the art we produce. And we produce a lot of art… Let this be the beginning of a great community… Looking around now, many popular leaders are emerging. Many leaders who will go on not just in June, but who will keep building this scene, this Ilha do Governador LGBT+ culture, this power, throughout the year.” — Rhuan Paulo de Sousa
More than ever, the fight of Ilha do Governador’s LGBT+ residents is for a safe space, for rights, for the collective empowerment of the LGBT+ community in all its diversity, and for the recognition that their journeys should be a source of pride, not something to remain hidden away in closets. In a traditional neighborhood like Ilha, this pride also involves strengthening the roots of these people, firmly planted in their own soil.
Ver essa foto no Instagram
The first Ilha do Governador Pride Parade represents a milestone for the entire Leopoldina region. It symbolizes the community’s resistance and establishment in Rio de Janeiro’s oldest neighborhood. This mobilization facilitates inclusive initiatives at the local level, promotes solidarity, and engages residents with the LGBT+ cause. It also honors and celebrates the stories of the local LGBT+ matriarchs, patriarchs, and traviarchs, who, through decades of struggle, made it possible for the first Ilha do Governador LGBT+ Pride Parade to take place in 2024.
About the author: Amanda Baroni Lopes is a journalism student at Unicarioca and was part of the first Journalism Laboratory of Maré community newspaper Maré de Notícias. She is the author of the Anti-Harassment Guide on Breaking, a handbook that explains what is and isn’t harassment to the Hip Hop audience and provides guidance on what to do in these situations. Lopes is from Morro do Timbau and currently lives in Vila do João, both favelas within the larger Maré favela complex.