Demonstrators strode past the Copacabana beach just hours before Brazil’s knockout game with Chile.

There have been frequent protests in Brazil against the amount of money spent on the World Cup while many Brazilians remain poor and without utilities such as running water.

On the anniversary of the Stonewall riots though, protesters decided to combine these issues with an anti-homophobia message.

One protestor named Jobe told 972 mag: “We are not just LGBT. We are also workers, blacks, women and we can not disconnect from the other social movement. We need to come together and join forces.”

He added: “I don’t want my taxes to be invested in these games but rather in social services like health, education, public transportation and housing rights. We are not against football but the World Cup is good for enterprises that come to Brazil and exploit it.”

Fans of both Brazil and Mexico fans have been heard chanting homophobic insults at the World Cup and homophobic t-shirts have been on sale in Brazil.
In May, over one million people marched through the Brazilian city of Sao Paolo, calling for a law to protect against discrimination.

Joe Lo

* Pink News. 1^st July 2014, 4:43 PM:
http://www.pinknews.co.uk/2014/07/01/brazil-world-cup-protesters-mark-stonewall-riots-anniversary/

 World Cup: Brazil could be punished for fans’ homophobic chants

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LAST UPDATED ON 20TH JUNE

FIFA has started disciplinary proceedings against Brazil, after the host country’s fans used homophobic slurs at a World Cup match.

Brazilian fans chanted Portuguese and Spanish gay jibe ‘puto’, meaning a male prostitute and a common gay slur.

Football equality organisation the Fare Network reported the abuse directed at Mexican goalie Guilermo Ochoa, during Brazil’s game against Mexico.

Mexican fans also used the jibe in their country’s match against Cameroon.
Fare reported the abuse to football’s world governing body FIFA, who have now opened disciplinary proceedings over the fans ‘improper conduct’.

It is likely Mexico and Brazil will only be given warnings. However if fans continue the homophobic jibes, their teams could face point deductions.
Fare Network director Piara Powar said: “The levels of homophobic abuse at some matches is also totally unacceptable.”

“There is some rapid education required before it begins to run out of control.”
This news comes as Russia and Croatia face action over their fans displaying racist and anti-Semitic banners at their World Cup Matches.

André Rhoden-Paul

* Pink News. 19^th June 2014, 3:24 PM:
http://www.pinknews.co.uk/2014/06/19/world-cup-brazil-could-be-punished-for-fans-homophobic-chants/

 Brazil: Activists march for discrimination laws at Sao Paulo Pride

Rights activists in Brazil are calling for a law to protect against discrimination, as they gather for one of the world’s largest pride parades in Sao Paulo.

Over a million people are expected to take part in the annual parade, with most of the city centre closed off to make room for the crowds and floats.

According to AP, organisers are calling for tougher laws to combat hate crime, after cases of homophobic and transphobic crime across the country.

In February a gang of teenagers were arrested in Sao Paulo for beating a gay 18-year-old to death with a skateboard, while in January a gay 16-year-old had his teeth ripped out with pliers, before he was kicked to death.

Homophobic football t-shirts were recently on sale in the country, which is due to host the World Cup next month.

Organizers also want to see a gender identity law similar to the one passed in Argentina last year, which would allow people to legally change their gender, without the requirement for surgery, or for a judge’s approval.

The law, which was passed unanimously by the Argentinian senate, also states that by law, hormone therapy and reassignment surgery must be available to transgender citizens.

Fernando Quaresma, president of the Association of LGBT Pride Parade in Sao Paulo, said last year: “The parade is not an off-season carnival.
“It is a movement of massive visibility on part of a community which suffers daily prejudice and discrimination, violence, hatred and intolerance.”

Nick Duffy

* Pink News. 4^th May 2014, 8:24 PM:
http://www.pinknews.co.uk/2014/05/04/brazil-activists-march-for-discrimination-laws-at-sao-paulo-pride/