Made in Brazil

A Semana: Romulo Arantes, Gays On TV, And São Paulo Gay Pride

Actor Romulo Arantes Neto made headlines this weekend for stating that "transvestites are not happy people" when asked about the scandal involving soccer star Ronaldo on an interview to Folha de São Paulo. Knowing Romulo, I am fairly certain that the sad statement was taken out of context, and that he did not mean it as it was printed, especially considering he just posed for the cover of gay magazine Junior. Btw, I have just heard that he will play a mutant on the campy soap Caminhos do Coração.

Two weeks after he was caught with three trannies in a motel room, Ronaldo found out his now ex-girlfriend is pregnant with his child. That is what I call bad timing.

A very pregnant Camila Alves spent mother's day with bf Matthew McConaughey in LA.

Shia LaBeouf does drag and takes his pants off on SNL.

Globo networks announced that it will again veto the gay kiss screenwriter Aguinaldo Silva wrote for the last episode of soap Duas Caras. To justify the veto, Globo claimed that a televised gay kiss does not fit the quality standards of the network.

Watch the commitment ceremony featured last night on Brothers & Sisters, which is a perfect example of what Brazilian TV should be doing.

Patrick Dempsey scores the cover of the latest Men's Vogue.

Nightclub Megga Fun, which had recently opened in São Paulo, was shut down over the weekend. I wonder if DJ Hex Hector, who was scheduled to spin at the club, will now be playing at a different venue for Pride.

The Week's owner Andre Almada will be releasing a guide about proper nightlife etiquette.

The São Paulo Gay Pride Association is working with the military police to guarantee that there will be a large improvement on security this year for the parade on Avenida Paulista. Still I would highly suggest keeping all your belongings neatly tucked inside your underwear if you are going to be attending. About 3.5 million are expected again.

A Semana: Gay Publications, Tourism, Kaká, And Rihanna

Brazil's newest gay publication called AIMÉ has apparently already been released, but nobody I know has seen an actual issue of the magazine. So far all that has surfaced is the cover with ex-Big Brother Brazil Fernando Fernandes.

Tourism minister Marta Suplicy stated this week that the government needs to implement more gay friendly policies in order for Brazil to start attracting more gay tourists than Argentina. Unfortunately the minister did not propose any solutions to the problem other than suggesting more support to the gay pride parades which take place in São Paulo, Rio, and Salvador. Now how about trying to make the country more safe in general for tourists, then focusing on the gay agenda?

Ford and V Man began their nationwide model search at the Diesel store in Union Square in New York this week, and Models.com has caught some of the action on video.

I am loving the cover of the new issue of OUT magazine featuring the 2008 Hot List, as well as some of the hottest male models around (unfortunately no Brazilians).

Soccer player Kaká is the only Brazilian featured on Time magazine's list of the world's 100 most influential people.

Talking about lists, head over to AfterElton and vote for who you think should make it to this year's list of the to 100 Hottest Guys.

DNA magazine launched DNAmobi online.

Singer Ricky Martin has reportedly paid US$8 million for an island off the coast of Rio, which I hope will lead to more pictures of him in speedos.

Maroon 5 and Rihanna team up in "If I Never See Your Face Again".

Brazilian funk group Bonde do Role will be performing at Europa in Brooklyn on May 14. Tickets can be purchased at Ticket Web.

Madam Andreia Schwartz will be hosting a party tonight at nightclub The House in Rio to celebrate the release of the May issue of Sexy magazine, for which she posed naked.

Model Izabel Goulart will be meeting fans and signing photos tomorrow afternoon from 2pm to 4pm at the Armani Exchange store in SoHo. Armani Exchange will be donating 10% of total sales at the store tomorrow to the Diabetes Research Institute Foundation, so make sure to stop by, shop, and email me pictures.

A Semana: São Paulo Pride, Loveland, Fashion Rio, SJP, And An Earthquake

São Paulo's Military Police and the Gay Pride Association met last week to come up with new security measures for the parade on May 25th this year. Although I am happy to report that a hospital with 40 beds will be set up for the weekend, I am not thrilled with the number of police officers which will be on duty during the event. Only 1,000 have been confirmed so far. Considering the parade attracted a crowd of 3.5 million people last year, the number almost sounds like a joke.

With the parade a month away, Embratur has relaunched its pathetic Loveland website. I still have not figured out what the government hopes to achieve with it as it is not useful or informative to any foreign tourist coming to this country.

Screenwriter Aguinaldo Silva promised the first gay kiss broadcast on national TV on the primetime soap Duas Caras. I hope Globo networks will not boycott it again.

Who knew Jesse Metcalfe could look this hot? It is all about the chest hair.

The controversial adult Abercrombie & Fitch catalog is back.

I love the pictures of the lifeguards in Rio exercising taken by duo EXU which I found over at my friend JD Ferguson's blog.

Brazilian labels are fleeing Fashion Rio this season. Colcci and Reserva had already announced that they would be moving their shows to São Paulo Fashion Week, and today swimwear label Blue Man confirmed that it will be moving in the same direction. Considering that several other labels have made the same switch last season, is Fashion Rio soon going to be over?

Rumor has it that Sarah Jessica Parker got paid US$600K to star in the campaign for São Paulo's new Cidade Jardim shopping center.

A totally unexpected earthquake measuring 5.2 on the Richter scale hit São Paulo last night. No significant damage was caused.

A Semana: Naomi Against Dengue, Gisele Back At SPFW, Madonna On Tour, And Gay Rights

Naomi Campbell landed in the country yesterday to participate in the campaign against the dengue epidemic. She wanted to donate blood in the morning, but was not able to do so because she underwent a surgery less than five months ago. On a side note, we all know she did not fly British Airways to get here.

Brazilian label Colcci will be moving its spring 2008 show from Fashion Rio to São Paulo Fashion Week. Expect to see Gisele on the runway again.

Menswear label Reserva is hosting a cool photo exhibit entitled Álbum de Família, with b&w pictures of models and celebrities shot by Thales Botelho. Make sure to check it out at the brand's store at Rio Sul Mall until May 10.

Models.com just posted pictures from last week's Jeffrey Fashion Cares. The event featured 40 top male models, and raised $485,000 to charity.

According to Drowned Madonna, the singer will kick off her tour to promote Hard Candy on September 11 at London's Wembley Stadium. Rumor has it that shows are being planned in Australia, Brazil and Argentina. Before anything is actually confirmed, The Week in São Paulo will celebrate the release of Madonna's new album with a party on April 30.

Ohlala Mag goes backstage at the Nico & Adrian show this weekend in New York.

Actor Mario Lopez talks about his Broadway debut in A Chorus Line, and his gay fanbase.

The federal government is proposing a new and revamped law which would guarantee visas to foreign gay men and women who are in a stable relationship with a Brazilian citizen.

Fighting For A Change In The Brazilian Legal System

Yesterday I got a phone call from my fellow blogger Marcos over at Carioca Virtual about his friend José Ávila, who is currently facing a legal battle to maintain possession of his assets after the loss of his partner Fábio earlier this year.

Even though the couple were together for almost ten years, right after Fábio passed away, José Ávila found himself locked out of his own apartment by his partner's family. He was also accused of transferring money from the couple's joint account to his personal account, even though he had legal proof that the transfer had been done with his partner's consent prior to his death. Thanks to his team of lawyers, and to the surprisingly progressive gay right laws of his home state of Rio Grande do Sul, on March 12th José regained possession of the apartment he shared with Fábio, and was appointed the treasurer of his assets. However, Fábio's family was unhappy with this decision, and José is now facing a long trial in which he will have to prove that he and Fábio were actually a couple, and that has the rights to everything that the two of them built together over the years.

Because I want to see changes in my country's legal system so that I never have to go through what José is going through, I decided to do my part and ask for your help in this matter. If you are living in Brazil or visiting in the next few weeks, I would like to ask you to take your time and sign a petition that my fellow Brazilian bloggers have put together on behalf of José Ávila, which will be used in the trial. It is now available at FOCH stores in São Paulo, Rio, and Curitiba.

I appreciate you taking the time to read this. I will keep you updated on the case as it progresses.

Brazil's First Televised Gay Wedding

Last night Felipeh Campos and Rafael Scapucim got married in a ceremony for over 1,000 guests which was broadcast live on the TV show Superpop. I watched most of it, and have to admit that it was one of the tackiest weddings I have ever seen, which made it even more camp and fun. I'm hoping this is going to become a trend.

The couple is spending their honeymoon in San Francisco. I wish them the best, and applaud them for having the balls to get hitched on national TV. More pictures at Terra.

A Semana: Models, Seal, Leona, Beyoncé, And A Big Gay Wedding

Brazilian model Raphael Lacchine is on his way to Milan to shoot the new Diesel underwear campaign.

Raquel Zimmermann teamed up with Kaiser Karl for yet another Fendi ad campaign, and Models.com managed to capture the shoot on video.

Model Aline Weber, who you may remember as look #1 on Balenciaga, just shot a 26-page spread for Numéro, and is in LA shooting the new Moschino campaign with David Bailey.

Seal performed in São Paulo last night after being away from Brazilian stages for 16 years. He plays in the city again tonight.

Both Justin Timberlake and Shakira have canceled their upcoming performances in Brazil.

Leona Lewis' debut single Bleeding Love just broke into the #1 spot at Billboard's Hot 100, making her the first British female solo artist in 21 years to achieve this milestone. I told you she was gonna be huge.

Beautiful Nigthmare: a new track by Beyoncé makes its way to YouTube.

Ricky Martin (in muscle bear version) gives naked thrill in hotel sauna.

Ohlala Mag goes backstage at a fashion show in Brooklyn.

São Paulo will host a big gay wedding on April 10. 30-year-old Felipe Campos and 24-year-old Rafael Cordeiro will sign a partnership agreement in a ceremony for over 1,000 guests, done candomblé style. The couple hopes to raise awareness of gay marriage with the big bash, and possibly inspire other couples to do the same.

Quick thank you note to my friends Billy and Matthew for The Little Black Book Of Style I got on Monday. I love it and can't believe you guys did that. Now if you could only get Nina Garcia to pose with a Made In Brazil sign.

Brazilian Beauty: A New Campaign Against AIDS

The Brazilian government launched yesterday a new campaign against AIDS targeting young gay men. The promotional material inspired by the movie American Beauty is beyond genius, and very sexy. It will attract attention for sure.

Do whatever you want, but do it with a condom.

According to official data, in the past 12 years there has been a significant increase in the percentage of homosexuals between the ages of 13 and 24 affected with AIDS. Read more about the new campaign at aids.gov.br.

A Semana: Gay Rights, Big Brother, Edilson, And Celine Dion

The exchange rate for the US dollar dropped 0.81% and closed at R$ 1.711 yesterday, the lowest exchange rate to the Brazilian real since May of 1999.

Am loving this: a 27-year-old from Pontal, in the countryside of São Paulo, was fined R$ 14,880 (or approximately USD$ 8,500) for calling an openly gay 48-year-old man a "fag" and throwing a beer can at him at a gas station. It is the first time this fine is put into practice by the State since the creation of law nº 10.948 back in 2001. FYI, the law ensures penalization for discriminatory behavior towards homosexuals, and up until this week all previous claims had been filed for lack of evidence. In this case, the police was actually on the scene.

Muscled Big Brother Brazil contestant Fernando, who was eliminated this week, says he may consider posing naked for a gay magazine.

After spending two hours locked in a glass box without moving last night, openly gay contestant Marcelo maintains his leader status on the show. However, the highlight of yesterday on Big Brother was watching Rafinha have to run out of the shower in a swimsuit to complete a stupid task.

Make sure to check out the pictures of Brazilian newcomer Edilson shot by Greg Vaughan. The kid is with Major in the US.

Givenchy is bringing sexy back by hiring Justin Timberlake as the face of its new men's fragrance.

Out magazine takes you through a day in the life of Andre J.

Jawbone Films puts together a gay rugby drinking party to sell earpieces.

Thought I was the only one obsessed with Celine Dion? Think again. Four Four takes Celine's insanity to a new level.

Homophobia And Gay Bashing On Orkut

As I had mentioned earlier this week, the violent attack against gay student Ferrucio Silvestro generated a series of homophobic communities on Orkut. O Globo Online reports today about one specif Orkut community created recently and called "Ferruccio devia ter apanhado mais" (or Ferrucio should have gotten beaten harder), which had already been brought to my attention by readers of this blog. The community, which had up to 233 members and included topics such as "kill them all" and "what would you have used to beat him up?", has already been removed from Orkut at this point, but a specific profile still remains up there. It is called "Homens De Bem," identified by a skull, and this is the link for it. Today I urge you to write to Google and Orkut to have the profile removed. As much as I promote freedom of speech, stating that all gays should be eliminated is crossing the line.

You can read more of the current online discussions about the case here. Some of the homophobic comments written there are truly shocking, and prove that we still have a long way to go in this country.

A Semana: André Ziehe, Fashion Rio, Santoro, And Gay Rights

Armani Exchange partnered with Tiesto to design a limited edition Remix The Future t-shirt. 100% of the profits from the sales will support Mercy Corps. and its mission to alleviate suffering, poverty and oppression by helping people build secure, productive communities. Model Andre Ziehe can already be seen in the ad promoting the t-shirt at AX Style Traxx. He is also going to be on the upcoming AX campaign shot in Ibiza with fellow Brazilians Izabel Goulart and Miro Moreira.

Another Brazilian label has conquered a slot on the New York Fashion Week line up: Iódice will present its fall collection in the Big Apple for the first time ever this February.

The line up for Fashion Rio has been unveiled. The shows start on January 8, and the complete schedule is after the jump.

The Golden Globe nominations have been announced today.

Brazilian actress Alice Braga attended the premiere of I Am Legend sandwiched in between Tom Cruise and Will Smith.

Rodrigo Santoro attended a party celebrating the 65 years of chocolate popsicle Chicabom in São Paulo last night.

President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva announced that he is organizing the first national conference of lesbians, gay men, bisexuals and transexuals, to be held from May 9th to 11th in 2008. The conference is expected to propose the guidelines for the implementation of public policies and the national plan to promote the citizenship and human rights of LGBT people.

The Brazilian Supreme Court suspended yesterday the law that made sex change operations obligatory by the public health system. According to minister Ellen Gracie Northfleet, from now on each request for a sex change operation will be examined separately in order to cut down government costs. Transexual organizations around the country classified the measure as a violation of civil rights.

Surprisingly, according to Folha Online, 18 out of the 20 most watched movies at For Man, the only gay erotic channel in the country available on cable, had something to do with a transexual theme.

I was sad to read that three establishments in São Paulo requested not to be included in journalist Sérgio Ripardo's new gay guide to the city because they did not want their names associated with any gay media. They were hotels Formula-1, patisserie Ofner, and cafe Santo Grão. From now on, I guarantee you that I will not be spending my money at any of them. Call me silly but I don't want to endorse any establishment that is homophobic.

15-year-old Responsible For Gay Bashing

A 15-year-old boy admitted this past Monday on being partially responsible for the brutal attack against openly gay 19-year-old student Ferrucio Silvestro in Niterói. According to O Globo Online, the minor was actually identified by three witnesses, and told the police that the bashing started because he thought that Ferrucio was hitting on him. Two other suspects also reported to the police, but denied any involvement on the case, even though one of them owns a motorcycle that fits the description from the witnesses. All three suspects were let go.

I have read comments on several Brazilian sites that the only reason why the case is getting media repercussion is because the teen attacked was gay. My response to that is the reason the case is on the news is because Ferrucio was attacked solely because of his sexuality. I am not aware of any case in the country where a heterosexual teen is beaten to the point where he is almost dead just because he is straight. I think you all get the point.

Grupo Diversidade Niterói is organizing a march for peace in São Domingos this Thursday at 6 pm. More info here.

Gay Teen Bashed in Niterói

O Globo Online has just reported today that 19-year old student Ferruccio Silvestro was beat up on the night of November 30th. Leaving a gay club in São Domingos, Niterói, Ferrucio was approached by three middle-class boys in their early 20s who screamed at him "We don't want faggots in our neighborhood." Ferrucio tried to run and hide at a nearby gas station, but the group of boys reached him, and kicked him to the ground, leaving him unconscious. The gay teen spent the last four days at the hospital, and is set to press charges tomorrow.

This is the second time this year that a major gay bashing incident happens in Niterói. Back in August, two gay guys were assaulted by four men on their way to the local Gay Pride festivities.

For those of you heading to Rio for NYE, please keep an eye open at all times. As tolerant as the city may seem, attacks against gays still happen.

Don't Forget To Wear A Condom

Today is World Aids Day. No matter how horny you may get flipping through this blog, remember to always practice safe sex.

Click here for the new Brazilian campaign against AIDS.

World AIDS Day And A Message To Brazilian Teens

World AIDS Day is celebrated on Saturday, December 1. The safe sex campaign developed by the government this year is targeted at teenagers, and one of the commercials takes a cool and honest approach to gay relationships. Since I could not find the video on YouTube, I uploaded it myself.

Singer Negra Li is the spokesperson for the campaign. More info at Qual Sua Atitude, and subtitles in English for the commercial above after the jump.

Politics Are A Drag

While some of you were enjoying your Thanksgiving holiday this past Friday, a drag queen was stirring things up at the Legislative Assembly of São Paulo. During the televised launch of a movement favoring gay rights at the Assembly, politician Carlos Gianazzi decided to hire 20-year-old Nick Peron to perform and strip down to his underwear, and is now being accused of a breach in protocol since his fellow politicians did not went along with the idea. Carlos Gianazzi claimed that the drag performance should not cause anyone to raise eyebrows, "it was completely normal, at São Paulo's Gay Pride Parade it is natural and broadcast all over the news." Watch it on video at Globo.

Even though I am all up for a good drag show, I have to agree with the other politicians attending on the matter of finding it slightly inappropriate. If you have an important project that involves creating a counseling center on legal and social levels for the gay community, there are better ways of getting your point across than hiring a drag queen to dance samba.

A Semana: Gisele, Santoro, Alicia Keys, Sex On The Beach, And New HIV Data

La Bündchen has once again been confirmed to walk the runway for Colcci on January 8 at Fashion Rio. It will be her seventh consecutive season on the campaign for the brand.

Designer Marc Jacobs keeps on flaunting his naked body in yet another shot from Visionaire 52.

Rodrigo Santoro is in early talks with Buena Onda Americas to play the lead role in the upcoming production of Old Mountain, an epic about the childhood friendship and adult-life confrontation of a rich landowner's son and the son of his humble black foreman, set in Minas Gerais.

Alicia Keys' new album As I Am debuted on the first slot of the Billboard charts this week, with sales of 742,000 copies. That's the best sales week for a female artist since Norah Jones' Feels Like Home in 2004. Alicia Keys' single No One took over the first slot on the Hot 100 chart this week as well.

Work that: check out Mary J. Blige in the new commercial for iPod and iTunes.

Brazilian celebs never learn: actors Karina Bacchi and Jean Fercondini were caught in steamy pictures at the beach yesterday.

Nightclub Bubu Lounge has been closed temporarily by the city of São Paulo. The club usually packs about 2,000 people on Friday nights. I personally love it there so I hope it reopens soon.

DJ duo Chus & Ceballos will be playing at Flexx in São Paulo tomorrow night.

In a study released this week, statistics show that the number of heterosexual men infected with the HIV virus in Brazil has risen in the last ten years. In 1996, 25.6% of all men infected with HIV were heterosexal, while 29.4% were homosexual. Those numbers have now changed to 42.6% and 27.6%, respectively, proving that the HIV and Aids epidemic has been kept under control amongst the gay community in the country. However, the same study notes that there has been an increase on the number of gay men infected with HIV between the ages of 13 and 24.

A Semana: The Hulk, Cavalli, Celine, Batman And Robin

Brazilian actress Débora Nascimento is part of the cast of the new Hulk movie, shooting in Rio this week. The crew is reportedly staying at the recently opened Fasano, and at Caesar Park in Ipanema.

Designer Kris Van Assche was in São Paulo this week, casting for the next Dior Homme show. Names on his list of options include Martin Kunzli, Rafael Swarovsky, and Igor Monteiro.

In less than two hours, shoppers cleared the racks at the H&M flagship on Fifth Avenue in New York, buying every single item available from the retailer's collaboration with Roberto Cavalli. The designer himself was there along with model Jessica Stam, watching the mayhem.

After announcing a partnership with Eastpak, Raf Simons is at it again. The Belgian designer is rumored to have signed with Fred Perry to develop a menswear collection, set for a fall 2008 debut.

Stream Alicia Keys' new album As I Am on MTV.com now. I got a copy of it this week, and have been playing it non-stop. It is r&b at its best. I also highly recommend picking up Seal's System, which was produced by Stuart Price and sounds like a soulful version of Confessions On A Dancefloor.

The greatest singer in the world covers Heart's Alone on her new album. Watch her perform it live.

The new play A Vida Secreta de Batman e Robin (or The Secret Lives Of Batman & Robin) is getting buzz in São Paulo for portraying the duo as a gay couple who sleeps together in the batcave. With the Village People and Donna Summer on the soundtrack, Batman reveals that he wished he were Butterflyman.

This week's Veja São Paulo gives an in-depth picture of the real story behind the wave of attacks and murders by punks and skinheads in the Jardins neighborhood over the last year. The article also finally confirms what the police was afraid to report: the death of French tourist Gregor Erwan Landouar, stabbed on Gay Pride weekend, had a homophobic explanation.

The Miami Herald examines racism and discrimination against blacks in Brazil. I suggest all of you take the time to read it.

A Semana: Prada Girl, A&F, Bond Girls, And Tim Festival

16-year-old Brazilian newcomer Claudia Seiller is rumored to be the next Prada girl.

Designer Raf Simons, in his first-ever collaboration, has teamed up with Eastpak to release a line of knapsacks and duffel bags for next fall.

Ever wondered who ended up purchasing the gold robot leggings from the Balenciaga spring show?

Who knew Abercrombie & Fitch had a blog about models?

Mariah Carey launched her M by Mariah fragrance in New York.

Carrie Underwood performed So Small on GMA. Make sure to check out her sophomore album Carnival Ride. I love it.

Actress Juliana Paes was voted the sexiest woman in the world for the second year in a row by Brazilian magazine VIP. She is rumored to be up for the role of the next Bond girl.

Tickets for The Police's only concert in the country go on sale tomorrow. Prices for the December 8 performance at Maracanã Stadium will range from R$ 160 to R$ 500 (about USD $80 to $250), certainly not cheap for the world's biggest arena.

Another edition of Tim Festival kicks off tonight in São Paulo at Ibirapuera with Cat Power and Antony and the Johnsons. The festival will also take place in Rio, Curitiba, and Vitoria, until next Wednesday, with attractions such as Björk, Arctic Monkeys, and The Killers. Canadian singer Feist canceled her performances due to labyrinthitis.

São Paulo is making significant advances on its gay political agenda: officials from the state and municipal executive branches are joining officials from a key agency set up to defend citizens' rights to sign a cooperative agreement to jointly provide support services (including court support) to those who have suffered from illegal discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation.

This Man Should Be Sent To A Mental Institution

Brazilian senator Magno Malta gave a public (and televised) speech yesterday regarding the approval of bill 122, which would classify homophobia as a hate crime on federal level. Not only was the senator against the bill, but he also followed to state that allowing gays to manifest affection in public would be the equivalent of giving pedophiles (or even necrophiles) a seal of approval. Watch it unfold in the video below:

I am beyond outraged with his speech, and translated a few excerpts of it. This is what Mr. Malta had to say about the approval of a bill which can guarantee the rights of over 18 million Brazilian citizens.

"(Homosexuals) may be having sex under your window, and you won't be able to tell them that there are children around and that that is not appropriate behavior, because then it will be considered discrimination, and you may go yo jail for it.

(By approving this bill) you are giving homosexuals more freedom and rights than those given to blacks and native-Brazilians in the past.

My greatest concern now is that pedophilia is considered a mental disorder. However, by approving this bill which states that we can no longer discriminate against homosexuality, we would be doing the equivalent of legalizing pedophilia. Bestiality may then also be considered a sexual option. Necrophilia may then also be considered a sexual option. Passing the bill would mean approving that kind of behavior and making it legal."

Mr. Malta has no idea of what he just got himself into. I am now thinking about organizing a trip to the senator's house exclusively to have wild gay sex under his window.

Comparing homosexuality, a sexual orientation and not a sexual option, to a mental disorder such as pedophilia should be unacceptable for someone on his position. Aside from that, making statements about gays not knowing how to properly behave in a public environment is demeaning, only contributes to promote prejudice, and should be punished.

The Association Of Gays, Lesbians, And Transgenders released a statement today against the senator's speech. You can read in its entirety in Portuguese at Mix Brasil.