“One of the objectives of our manifesto is to give visibility to non-normative forms of sexuality and gender in the Indigenous context, because the lack of representation causes estrangement and non-recognition, and consequently opens up space for repression against us.”
Manifesto by Indigenous LGBTQ+ Movement of Brazil
Visibility as a means towards empowerment. That is one of the goals that the Indigenous LGBTQ+ movement in Brazil strives for as they brought their agenda to the center stage of the Free Land Camp this year in Brasília. Organized by APIB (Association of Brazil’s Indigenous Peoples), the Free Land Camp is the largest Indigenous gathering in Brazil, and for the first time in history, participants held a plenary dedicated to the LGBTQ+ agenda. Members of the movement from all regions of Brazil gathered onstage to present their manifesto, titled “Coloring the fight in defense of the territory,” and called for recognition and respect for their existence.
“Taking into account the reality of Brazil, the country that kills the most trans people in the world, to talk about the existence of LGBTQ+ Indigenous bodies and denounce the double violence that we suffer daily is to talk about survival.”
Manifesto by Indigenous LGBTQ+ Movement of Brazil
Brazil has some of the highest rates of violence against LGBTQ+ people in the world, and it is the country with the largest number of killings of trans people. Indigenous peoples in Brazil are also experiencing escalating rates of violence, greatly in part due to Bolsonaro’s administration. Brazil’s current president has made his disrespect for Indigenous peoples and his homophobia towards the LGBTQ+ community clear from the start. He promised that under his administration, not a single inch of Indigenous land would be titled. He has supported bills that would open up Indigenous territories to extractive activities such as mining — territories which are currently protected under the Brazilian constitution. Bolsonaro has given implicit authorization for violence against Indigenous peoples and the invasion of their lands by constantly threatening their existence, and showing that the Brazilian government does not protect them, but rather supports and advocates for the continuous genocide of Indigenous peoples. It is in this context that Indigenous LGBTQ+ people find themselves in a position of double vulnerability.
“Racism is an obstacle faced by Indigenous people, that is a fact. When the Indigenous people belong to the LGBTQ+ community, another social marker, stigmatization increases.”
Manifesto by Indigenous LGBTQ+ Movement of Brazil
In 1614, Brazil recorded its first killing of a person due to their LGBTQ+ identity. Tupinambá Tibira was an Indigenous person from Maranhão, who was sentenced to death after the arrival of French colonizers in northern Brazil. “The death of Tupinambá Tibira marks the beginning of attempts to annihilate our bodies, and that is still reflected today in the daily violence that we, Indigenous LGBTQ+ people, suffer inside and outside our communities,” the movement manifesto says. Homophobia has colonial roots, it is a concept that colonizers introduced to Brazil and other colonized countries. Activists remind us today that according to Indigenous memory and history in Brazil, before colonialism, “Indigenous territory was queer.”
“We bring together different peoples of Brazil and share our voices in the Free Land Camp 2022, to join the fight for territory, dignity, and protection of our bodies. Up to the present moment, we have been silenced and made invisible, but we are gathered here to share our demands, to break the chains that hold us, to bring the sound of our maracas and drums, and to scream for freedom and affirm that our struggle walks in line with the Indigenous movement as a whole. We declare that we are together in the struggle with our people, leaders, and organizations in favor of the demarcation of our territories and respect for our traditions, fighting against any type of setback, withdrawal of rights, and attempts of domination over the Indigenous peoples in this territory that have been taken from us.”
Manifesto by Indigenous LGBTQ+ Movement of Brazil
The Indigenous LGBTQ+ movement in Brazil claimed their space at this year’s Free Land Camp, coloring the camp with rainbow flags and presenting a manifesto calling for respect for their existence. They revealed that their struggle is aligned with the struggle of the general Indigenous movement, as they are both fighting in defense of their bodies and territories. And they showed us that to act in defense of Indigenous rights is to reject colonization in all of its forms, including prejudice against the LGBTQ+ community. In order to protect and defend the Amazon, we must take their lead and color this movement with their stories, strategies, and history. Join us in lifting up and centering this agenda for Amazonía!
To learn more about the Indigenous LGBTQ+ movement in Brazil, you can follow Tibira Collective and the Caboclas Collective on Instagram!
