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The Brazilian church that welcomes gay believers into the fold The Brazilian church that welcomes gay believers into the fold
(35 minutes later)
From the outside, there is little to distinguish the Metropolitan community church from the many other evangelical houses of worship littering the streets of Rio’s Zona Norte. But as Marcos Lord prepares for an evening sermon, it soon becomes clear that this church is not like the others. From the outside, there is little to distinguish the Metropolitan community church from the many other evangelical houses of worship in Rio’s Zona Norte. But as Marcos Lord prepares for an evening sermon, it soon becomes clear that this church is not like the others.
It takes the pastor about an hour to get ready for the pulpit: donning false eyelashes, a wig and a pair of vertiginous high heels to transform himself into the drag queen Luandha Perón. It takes the pastor about an hour to prepare for the pulpit: donning false eyelashes, a wig and a pair of vertiginous heels to transform himself into the drag queen Luandha Perón.
In a country where evangelical Christians have become increasingly influential - and outspoken in their homophobia - the church is unusual in providing a space for gay, bisexual and transsexual believers. In a country where evangelical Christians have become increasingly influential – and outspoken in their homophobia – the church is unusual in providing a space for gay, bisexual and transsexual believers.
This evening, Luandha is hosting a recital of lesbian poetry. “This story isn’t erotic enough for my liking,” she jokes with the congregation, before reading a touching poem that one member has written about the first time she met her partner.This evening, Luandha is hosting a recital of lesbian poetry. “This story isn’t erotic enough for my liking,” she jokes with the congregation, before reading a touching poem that one member has written about the first time she met her partner.
Watching this confident character command an audience, it is hard to imagine that Marcos once believed he was possessed by demons, and felt unable to come out until he was 26. Watching this confident character command an audience, it is hard to imagine that Lord once believed he was possessed by demons, and felt unable to come out until he was 26.
Aged 19, he had fallen in love with a fellow member of his church who described himself as an “ex-gay”, believing that the church had cured him. At 19, he fell in love with a fellow member of his church who described himself as an “ex-gay”, believing that his faith had cured him.
The episode caused painful family tensions and Marcos stayed away from religion for many years until he discovered the Metropolitan community church. The episode caused family tensions and Lord stayed away from religion for many years until he discovered the Metropolitan community church.
A teacher by day, Marco says the character of Luandha – more outspoken and forthright than he can be – waits “like a genie in a bottle” for her turn to appear. A teacher by day, Lord says the character of Luandha, who is more outspoken and forthright than he can be, waits “like a genie in a bottle” for her turn to appear.
The gay rights movement in Brazil has not always been supportive, however, seeing religion and gay rights as mutually exclusive. Evangelical church members with influence in public life have frequently used their religion to campaign against laws such as the proposed criminalisation of homophobia in Brazil. The gay rights movement in Brazil has not always been supportive, however, seeing religion and gay rights as mutually exclusive. Evangelical parishioners with influence in public life have frequently used their religion to campaign against laws such as the proposed criminalisation of homophobia in Brazil.
Presidential candidate Marina Silva, a pentecostal evangelist, was forced to backtrack on proposals for same-sex marriage, despite being viewed by many as a liberal, progressive figure.Presidential candidate Marina Silva, a pentecostal evangelist, was forced to backtrack on proposals for same-sex marriage, despite being viewed by many as a liberal, progressive figure.
Since she became candidate after the death in a plane crash of Eduardo Campos, religion and issues such as gay rights have been put centre stage.Since she became candidate after the death in a plane crash of Eduardo Campos, religion and issues such as gay rights have been put centre stage.
A homophobic rant by fringe candidate Levy Fidelix this week overshadowed a TV election debate and caused a storm on social networks in Brazil.A homophobic rant by fringe candidate Levy Fidelix this week overshadowed a TV election debate and caused a storm on social networks in Brazil.
“The fundamentalists say the Bible says homosexuality is a sin, but the same text says children who defy their parents should be killed,” says Lord, 40. “They choose which parts they want to believe,” he says. “But why can’t I be gay and be a Christian? I just want the same respect as everyone else.” “Fundamentalists say the Bible says homosexuality is a sin, but the same text says children who defy their parents should be killed,” says Lord, 40. “They choose which parts they want to believe. But why can’t I be gay and be a Christian? I just want the same respect as everyone else.”
There are 14 Metropolitan community churches across Brazil, each with an average of about 70 members. The church was started in Los Angeles in 1968 by the Reverend Troy Perry, specifically for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender Christians. Teacher Leia de Carvalho, 45, is like many of the congregation here. She grew up in a strict religious family, but left formal religion when she discovered her sexuality. There are 14 Metropolitan community churches across Brazil, each with about 70 members. The church was started in Los Angeles in 1968 by the Reverend Troy Perry, specifically for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender Christians.
“My dad was a Baptist pastor,” she says. “When I realised I was gay, I put myself in exile from the church for many years, but there was always something missing in my life. Teacher Leia de Carvalho, 45, is like many of the congregation here. She grew up in a strict religious family, but left formal religion when she discovered her sexuality.
“To my family, I was assexual. Then, in 2010, we had the first wave of civil partnerships in Brazil and I was on TV with my partner. My mother saw it.” “My dad was a Baptist pastor,” she says. “When I realised I was gay, I put myself in exile from the church for many years, but there was always something missing in my life. To my family, I was assexual. Then, in 2010, we had the first wave of civil partnerships in Brazil and I was on TV with my partner. My mother saw it.”
At first, De Carvalho’s family told her she was defying God, though they gradually learned to accept her sexuality. Yet it wasn’t until she found out about the Metropolitan community church, eight years ago, that the final part of the puzzle fell into place. At first, De Carvalho’s family told her she was defying God but they gradually learned to accept her sexuality. Yet it wasn’t until she discovered the Metropolitan community church, eight years ago, that the final part of the puzzle fell into place. “I felt like I was coming home,” she says, with tears in her eyes.
“I felt like I was coming home,” she says, with tears in her eyes.