{"id":75693,"date":"2023-06-30T11:33:14","date_gmt":"2023-06-30T14:33:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/rioonwatch.org\/?p=75693"},"modified":"2024-07-24T11:08:18","modified_gmt":"2024-07-24T14:08:18","slug":"casa-dulce-seixas-the-first-and-only-lgbtqiapn-refuge-in-the-baixada-fluminense-offers-hope-and-transformation","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/rioonwatch.org\/?p=75693","title":{"rendered":"Casa Dulce Seixas: The First and Only LGBTQIAPN+ Refuge in the Baixada Fluminense Offers Hope and Transformation"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"Shirley<\/a>
Shirley de Maria Padilha and Casa Dulce residents pose for a photo. Photo: B\u00e1rbara Dias<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Clique aqui para Portugu\u00eas<\/i><\/span><\/em><\/span><\/i><\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/em><\/p>\n

This is our latest article in<\/em>\u00a0a\u00a0series<\/a>\u00a0created in partnership with the\u00a0Behner Stiefel Center for Brazilian Studies<\/a>\u00a0at San Diego State University, to produce articles for the\u00a0Digital Brazil Project<\/a> on water issues and the LGBTQIAPN+ population in Rio\u2019s favelas and in the Baixada Fluminense\u00a0<\/em>for RioOnWatch.<\/em><\/p>\n

Published on LGBTQIAPN+ Pride Day 2023<\/a>, this article explores the life-changing work of the first and only shelter for LGTBQIAPN+ people in Greater Rio de Janeiro’s Baixada Fluminense<\/a> region. Casa Dulce Seixas<\/a> (the Dulce Seixas House) in Nova Igua\u00e7u<\/a> has provided shelter and assistance to over 150 people and is supported by a network of collaborators.<\/h4>\n

\u201cThe struggle of a stereotyped body
\n<\/span>Possessed as fetish on street corners
\nBut dispossessed of rights.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

These lines from the poem \u201cPride and Mourning<\/a>\u201d by Davlyn Lotus<\/a><\/span> summarize the misfortunes faced by LGBTQIAPN+ people in Brazil\u2014a community chronically <\/span>victimized by numerous forms of violence. Brazil ranks top in the world<\/a> for consumption of trans pornography, while also being the country, for the 14th consecutive year, most lethal for trans people<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Structural LGBTQIAPN+phobia<\/a> in Brazil is reflected in neglect by public authorities and the failure to introduce public policies which support victims of violence, socioeconomic vulnerability, or homelessness. One way to reduce the inequalities between LGBTQIAPN+ and heterocisnormative<\/a> people is inclusion in the labor market.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Solidarity, Support, and Training for LGBTQIAPN+ People and Women Victims of Gender Violence <\/b><\/h3>\n

Casa Dulce Seixas is a shelter for LGBTQIAPN+ people living on the streets or in situations of socioeconomic vulnerability or domestic violence, providing them a place to stay for an indefinite period. It also supports heterocisnormative women victims of gender violence or in vulnerable situations. The shelter emerged out of the Il\u00ea Omim Dewa As\u00e9 Od\u00e9 Candombl\u00e9 temple, which<\/span> has been sheltering people for the last 14 years with support from Dulce Seixas Cordeiro, one of the most devoted followers of Candombl\u00e9 Priestess Shirley de Maria Padilha<\/a>. Cordeiro gifted the land to Padilha and later donated the house where Casa Dulce Seixas currently operates. <\/span><\/p>\n

\"Casa<\/a>
Casa Dulce Seixas coordinator Shirley de Maria Padilha in front of her oracle table. Photo: B\u00e1rbara Dias<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

For three years now, Casa Dulce has been the first and only shelter for LGBTQIAPN+ people in the Baixada Fluminense region. Located in the municipality of Nova Igua\u00e7u, the refuge has supported over 150 people since opening its doors. It has welcomed people from all over Brazil including the states of Amazonas, Bahia, Paran\u00e1, and Tocantins, but mainly supports people from the favelas of Rio de Janeiro, including City of God<\/a>, Complexo da Mar\u00e9<\/a>, and Mandela<\/a>, among others. <\/span><\/p>\n

\"On<\/a>
On the left, a plaque honoring Dulce Seixas next to a photo of Casa Dulce coordinator and Candombl\u00e9 priestess Shirley de Maria Padilha in center. Photo: B\u00e1rbara Dias<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The refuge faces multiple challenges given the context of the Baixada Fluminense as a peripheral region suffering a chronic shortage of public policies and dominated by Evangelical Christianity. As such, Casa Dulce holds discussion circles in order to combat LGBTQIAPN+phobia and religious racism<\/a>. In addition to these challenges, lack of financial resources makes it hard to carry out access support outside the house, such as medical care, psychological support, lack of documentation, and access to social benefits for the 30 people currently living at the house.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Mannequin<\/a>
Mannequin dressed as the Orisha Oxum. Casa Dulce Seixas shares its space with a Candombl\u00e9 temple coordinated by Shirley de Maria Padilha. Photo: B\u00e1rbara Dias<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Davlyn Lotus, 29, serves as Casa Dulce’s secretary. A psychology graduate and cultural producer, she talks of how important Casa Dulce has been in her journey, and how she feels repaying some of what she received by working to take in and care for her people and against LGBTQIAPN+phobia.<\/p>\n

\u201cBeing at Casa Dulce Seixas has great social and personal value. At university, I was always invited to think about my people and my territory, deconstructing concepts\u2026 To look around me, at what I suffered due to ignorance and intolerance. I later came to understand that I am also a tool to transform this reality\u2026 Today, getting involved in political organizing and the whole benchmark that is Dulce Seixas renews my hope every day. Reaching places I never thought of being and having the ears of people I never thought would listen shows the importance of my position and of those I represent\u2026 I am grateful for the bonds I have created since I arrived here, I am grateful for the open doors and opportunities that I’ve had and will have here. I was called on to help transform, but I [myself] am one of the great transformations realized in this house.\u201d \u2014 Davlyn Lotus<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

\"Casa<\/a>
Casa Dulce Seixas secretary Davlyn Lotus at the building entrance. Photo: B\u00e1rbara Dias<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Casa Dulce puts the most basic concept of social assistance into practice through the <\/span>Dulce\u2019mente Solid\u00e1ria<\/a><\/span><\/i> (Sweet’ly in Solidarity) initiative. Started in 2020, the program has distributed over 500 baskets of basic foodstuffs in eight editions, the most recent being <\/span>January 2023. These food baskets were donated by collaborative networks that are not fixed, requiring new calls for donations every month. <\/span><\/p>\n

\"Casa<\/a>
Casa Dulce Seixas resident Wendel Felice helps keep the space clean. All work is carried out collectively. Photo: B\u00e1rbara Dias<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Every day, there are reports of families in need of emergency aid from Casa Dulce Seixas. The organization’s main program<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>Dulce\u2019mente Acolhedor<\/a> <\/span><\/i>(Sweet’ly Sheltering) <\/span>provides a home, family, food, emotional and psychological support, and future prospects to<\/span> youth, adults, and elderly people living on the streets, in socioeconomic vulnerability and food insecurity, victims of gender violence and LGBTQIAPN+phobia, and people who have suffered violence from family members who do not accept them as they are. \u00a0<\/i><\/span><\/p>\n

\"Casa<\/a>
Casa Dulce Seixas resident Jean Claiton prepares the collective lunch. Photo: B\u00e1rbara Dias<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

A lot of people who seek out the NGO have experienced trauma caused by physical and psychological violence and arrive with only the clothes on their backs. Casa Dulce Seixas has taken in foreigners, economic migrants, and war refugees, including Juliete Palomo, a Venezuelan citizen who immigrated to Brazil, and a refugee from the war in Ukraine who were finally able to find a home in their new country, a place where they felt supported and safe.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Juliete<\/a>
Juliete Palomo is Venezuelan and a guest at Casa Dulce Seixas. Photo: B\u00e1rbara Dias<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Thay Silva is a Casa Dulce Seixas resident from Pra\u00e7a Seca<\/a>. A recent arrival at the shelter, he shares what it means for him to have a family and a home. He says he feels on the right path now that he has support from Casa Dulce Seixas and a community of people who care for each other, emanate positivity, and encourage each one of those taken in to have a better future. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cCasa Dulce welcomed me in a way that words cannot express. Honestly speaking, there is a lot of care given to people who, deep down, have adapted to having nothing. I really feel at home and at ease. I am treated well and, with all the positivity, I hope to grow in life in this place, conquering my space, getting my job, improving my quality of life, and seeing the change that I long for. I know that Dulce Seixas will guide me on the right path towards all my future victories. I can only thank the open doors of Casa Dulce Seixas, from the bottom of my heart.\u201d \u2014 Thay Silva<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

\"Thay<\/a>
Thay Silva, Casa Dulce Seixas resident. Photo: B\u00e1rbara Dias<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Dulce\u2019mente<\/em><\/span> Acolhedora<\/span><\/i> is the initiative that requires most attention due to the medical needs of those taken in, who are taken to receive care at Fiocruz<\/a> and other clinics, such as the Psychosocial Assistance Center (CAPS<\/a>) and Emergency Care Units (UPAs<\/a>) in cases of more serious and urgent illness. Feeding the residents of Casa Dulce Seixas requires five to ten baskets of basic foodstuffs provided by the Nova Igua\u00e7u Municipal Social Assistance Secretariat (SEMAS<\/a>) and another ten baskets donated by Fiocruz program FioTec<\/a>. <\/span><\/p>\n

\"John<\/a>
John Ricardo, Casa Dulce Seixas resident. Photo: B\u00e1rbara Dias<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The Casa’s monthly expenses reach R$10,000 (US$2,017). They include <\/span>the electric bill, which ranges from R$960 (US$194) to R$2,000 (US$403) per month, water bill, Internet bill, and groceries to supplement the nutritional offer<\/span> (meats, vegetables, and fruit). In addition, the NGO pays for cleaning materials and personal hygiene products, as well as transportation expenses, medication, and the IPTU [property tax] charged by City Hall.\u00a0 <\/span><\/p>\n

The organization intends to establish the <\/span>Dulce\u2019mente Capacitadora <\/span><\/i>(Sweet’ly Training) <\/span>program to train people for work or entrepreneurship and foster financial autonomy. A free baking course for residents and local LGBTQIAPN+ people was scheduled to be held in the first half of 2023, but had to be postponed to later in the year due to <\/span>difficulties installing equipment and structural problems such as flooding, leaks, and water damage.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Alexandre<\/a>
Alexandre Almeida, Casa Dulce Seixas resident. Photo: B\u00e1rbara Dias<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Casa Dulce Seixas also aims to implement the <\/span>Dulce\u2019mente Liter\u00e1ria e Cultural<\/span><\/i><\/a> (Sweet’ly Literary and Cultural) program, including building a community library offering free book loans, based on the understanding that literature is a human right<\/a> and essential for free thought in a democratic society. The space will also serve as a meeting place for the community surrounding Casa Dulce and for social movements in the area. In addition, the program also aims to hold cultural events such as slams<\/a> and poetry nights. <\/span><\/p>\n

\"Manuela<\/a>
Manuela Jardim, Casa Dulce Seixas resident. Photo: B\u00e1rbara Dias<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Amanda Corr\u00eaa arrived at Casa Dulce Seixas nine months ago from the Portelinha favela in the coastal city of Rio das Ostras<\/a>\u00a0in the Lakes Region<\/a> of Rio de Janeiro state. She talks about the affection she has received at the house. For her, Casa Dulce Seixas has been the base that allowed her to heal wounds left by LGBTQIAPN+phobia and study and get a job at a multinational. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThis place provided me with shelter, in addition to other basic needs so that I could restructure myself for the world. Now I\u2019m studying Human Resources at university. I was hired by Amazon as a young apprentice. I can support myself thanks to all the affection coming from this good place, which welcomes \u2018wounded\u2019 people and heals them to return to life’s battles.\u201d \u2014 Amanda Corr\u00eaa<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

\"Casa<\/a>
Casa Dulce Seixa residents pose for a photo in the window of their home. Photo: B\u00e1rbara Dias<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Juliana Souza Santos, known as \u201cJu Tempestade,\u201d arrived at Casa Dulce Seixas ten months ago<\/span> from Itabuna<\/a> in the state of Bahia. She says LGBTQIAPN+phobia in her hometown made life unsustainable, so as soon as she found out about Casa Dulce, she got in touch with Candombl\u00e9 Priestess Shirley de Maria Padilha and asked to be sheltered there. Now <\/span>living in another state, she makes a point of highlighting the importance of Padilha and Casa Dulce in her journey. She refers to Padilha as a mother who cares, shows affection, and offers a safe haven for her children to help them develop and grow. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI left for Rio de Janeiro as soon as I found out about Casa Dulce on the Internet. I left my city due to financial difficulties and because there was a lot of prejudice. Plus, my family didn’t accept me. I met Shirley and I am grateful for all the affection, attention, and support she and the shelter gave me. Now I\u2019m fulfilled! Married, working, and living in Esp\u00edrito Santo<\/a>, it is thanks to all the work of this family that I am in this place of fulfillment. Shirley is a mother, she treats everyone like they’re her own children and does everything to help us achieve our goals. I am very grateful for knowing this place that transforms lives. I am one of those who have been transformed thanks to all the care I received from Shirley, Johari, and Davlyn.\u201d \u2014 Juliana Souza Santos<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

\"Shirley<\/a>
Shirley de Maria Padilha, coordinator of Casa Dulce Seixas. Photo: B\u00e1rbara Dias<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Maya Rangel dos Santos Cruz was taken in seven months ago from Coroa Grande<\/a>, a neighborhood in the municipality of Itagua\u00ed, also in the Baixada Fluminense. Padilha is also like a mother to her, someone who teaches, protects, and supports. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI’ll tell you a little bit of my story. Before discovering Casa Dulce, I lived with my aunt and uncle. I experienced transphobia since I was a child, I was beaten and oppressed. When I turned 15, I was kicked out for affirming my sexuality. So, I went to the shelter for teenagers in downtown Rio de Janeiro where I suffered sexual abuse, my first rape, by an educator\u2026 [I] stayed [there] until I was 18 years old. When I turned 18, I went to a City Hall hostel where I also suffered a lot. I couldn’t fit in\u2026 there were drugs involved and I didn\u2019t get involved. It was not for me to be there. In search of a new home, I found myself at an LGBTQIAPN+ house called Casa Nem<\/a><\/span>. There, I learned a lot of things, but it wasn\u2019t my place either. So, I left for Casa Dulce Seixas, where I met a friend, a protector and, first of all, a mother, called Shirley, director and founder of Casa Dulce. She supported me and helped me\u2026 I\u2019ve been married for two years, we\u2019re well established, I have my [own] house and I\u2019m very happy! I am very grateful to Casa Dulce Seixas for taking me in and supporting me regardless of all my history.\u201d \u2014 Maya Rangel dos Santos<\/span> Cruz<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

\"Casa<\/a>
Casa Dulce Seixas residents have breakfast together. Photo: B\u00e1rbara Dias<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Casa Dulce recognizes and values the story of each person who passes through the shelter.\u00a0Every victory is the merit of him, her, and them with a pinch of the home’s embrace and welcome. Everyone at Casa Dulce expresses gratitude for these people allowing them to be part of their lives. Each individual is taken in with great affection, finds a home, and becomes a part of the Dulce Seixas family. However, donations are needed for the work of Casa Dulce Seixas to continue. If you want and can help, contact Casa Dulce Seixas<\/a> through social media. <\/span><\/p>\n

About the author: Johari Silva<\/a> is a communicator, social organizer, advocacy mobilizer for A\u00e7\u00e3o da Cidadania<\/a>, member-director of the Organizing Committee of the LGBTQIAPN+ Pride Parade in Nova Igua\u00e7u and municipal councilor for the Defense of Black Rights, Health and Food Security in Nova Igua\u00e7u.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

\n

Support\u00a0<\/b>RioOnWatch<\/i><\/b>\u2019s tireless, critical and cutting-edge hyperlocal journalism, online community organizing meetings, and direct support to favelas\u00a0<\/b>by clicking here.<\/a><\/b><\/h4>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Clique aqui para Portugu\u00eas This is our latest article in\u00a0a\u00a0series\u00a0created in partnership with the\u00a0Behner Stiefel Center for Brazilian Studies\u00a0at San Diego State University, to produce articles for the\u00a0Digital Brazil Project on water issues and the […]<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"author":242,"featured_media":75694,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"template-full.php","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1290,1332,3527,329],"tags":[460,1500,2329,3495,107,282,26,25,1708,1507,1862,122,1189,3378,3393,3712,3011,2455],"writer":[3622],"translator":[3592],"illustrator":[],"photographer":[3548],"class_list":{"0":"post-75693","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-civilsociety","8":"category-photo-essays","9":"category-representation","10":"category-solutions","11":"tag-baixada-fluminense","12":"tag-candomble","13":"tag-fiocruz","14":"tag-food-insecurity","15":"tag-health","16":"tag-housing","17":"tag-housing-rights","18":"tag-human-rights","19":"tag-itaguai","20":"tag-lgbt","21":"tag-mental-health","22":"tag-nova-iguacu","23":"tag-racism","24":"tag-religious-intolerance","25":"tag-representation","26":"tag-safe-space","27":"tag-series-human-rights-with-support-from-the-behner-stiefel-center-at-sdsu","28":"tag-transgender","29":"writer-johari-silva","30":"translator-cristina-fornara","31":"photographer-barbara-dias"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/rioonwatch.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/75693","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/rioonwatch.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/rioonwatch.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/rioonwatch.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/242"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/rioonwatch.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=75693"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/rioonwatch.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/75693\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/rioonwatch.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/75694"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/rioonwatch.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=75693"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/rioonwatch.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=75693"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/rioonwatch.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=75693"},{"taxonomy":"writer","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/rioonwatch.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fwriter&post=75693"},{"taxonomy":"translator","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/rioonwatch.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftranslator&post=75693"},{"taxonomy":"illustrator","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/rioonwatch.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fillustrator&post=75693"},{"taxonomy":"photographer","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/rioonwatch.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fphotographer&post=75693"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}