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Gay marriage: Brazil whips Australia

Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual

When I think of Brazil (understand I'm an ignorant American) the cult of machismo comes to mind. Or is it that? Are Brazilian heterosexual men so secure in their masculinity that the pal between their legs doesn't shrivel when they hear that two gay men have decided to commit their lives to one another?

Unlike the controversy raging in the United States over gay marriages, a landmark judicial decision two months ago allowing civil unions in Brazil's southernmost state has generated little tension in Porto Alegre. It's such a non-issue in South America's largest country that many people don't even know about it.

Gays in Brazilian state quietly tie the knot as controversy rages over gay marriages in United States

In another country whose language I understand the homophobes plan to protect the sanctity of ordinariness by force of law. Maybe Australians have the wrong kind of machismo. Maybe they are tall broad-shouldered sissies.

"Labor has made clear that we don't support gay marriage," the shadow attorney general, Nicola Roxon, said. "Labor's view is that the history of marriage in Australia has been heterosexual ... we are not going to get hot under the collar about a piece of legislation which is just confirming the existing law."

Australia to ban gay marriages

Comments

Hi, I'm from Brazil. It's not true that gay marriage is no issue around here. It IS -- and although Sao Paulo, the largest latin american city, has a mayor who once wrote the first project on the subject, when she was a congresswoman, it's really hard for a politician to break the conservative majority and become governor (let alone President) while supporting such projects. Nevertheless, we go on. What happened in Porto Alegre (traditionally, a very 'macho' city) was a decision taken by a judge. Perhaps it might be extended to other states, since it's based on the Constitution. Some state agencies, like Radiobras (official prop) are willing to extend to gay clerks' pals the same benefits granted to hetero clerks' wives and husbands. But again it's not yet official politics. It depends on having a nice boss in the right place.
About this business of our government and associated weasels wanting to make marriage specifically between a man and a woman. The Labor party here edges further to the right every day and the current government edges further up Bush's arse every minute. We have a saying: When Howard (our PM) opens his mouth you can hear Bush talking. We have our share of fundamentalist nutbags here. Though not as many as in America thank christ. But most of us as gritting our teeth and hanging on for the federal election later this year.

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Feel free to share your feelings about Gay marriage: Brazil whips Australia. Please stick to the theme of the entry. Disagreement is fine. Homophobia, racism, and kindred expressions of hatred will be deleted. This site is one of my hobbies. I genuinely enjoy hearing from people and hate moderating or killing comments. Forthright disagreement is fine as long as it is civil.
My thanks,
Richard