AdiverseMaré

The favelas of Maré are diverse in origins, shapes, histories, and the makeup of their residents. They are also diverse in terms of gender. If Maré is feminine in essence, that doesn't mean many genders don't exist there. It is in this welcoming territory that diversity has been celebrated for decades, in different ways.

In the 1980s and 1990s, the ‘Noite das Estrelas’ (Night of the Stars) was a festival derived from the June festivities (festas juninas) and celebrated diversity in several favelas in Maré. During these events, travestis, trans people, and homosexuals, such as Marcela Soares and Van Preta, would gather for music and dance shows, in moments where they could celebrate the freedom of their bodies and of life.

Image description: This is a photograph of a social or festive event. In the image, there is a person centrally positioned, wearing a long pink dress and a pink hat, with arms raised. Behind this figure, there is a crowd of people watching. Most are standing, while some are seated. The scene appears to be taking place indoors, possibly a ballroom or a school, since there is a basketball court in the background. The predominant colors are the pink of the dress and hat, contrasting with the more varied clothing of the onlookers.

LGBTQIA+ people from Maré also had to fight for their space in society, for the right to be who they are. From these experiences of struggles shared by all mareenses, some collectives were formed in the territory, such as: Conexão G, Instituto Trans da Maré, Resistência Lésbica da Maré, among others.

Image description: The image is a poster with a colorful stripe at the top and bottom. In the center, there is the text "INSTITUTO ARTIS TRANS DA MARE" in large, colorful letters. Below the text are human figures in different colors, representing male and female genders. The figures are arranged horizontally, starting from the left and going to the right.

This mobilization is reflected not only in pride, but also in the fact that Maré has become a pioneer in the struggles and achievements of the LGBTQIA+ population. It is in Maré that, since the early 2000s, one of the largest and oldest LGBTQIA+ parades has taken place – the first within a favela. Marielle Franco, one of its most famous residents, was bisexual and was in a same-sex relationship.

In September 2021, in Nova Holanda, the Casa da Diversidade Gilmara Cunha was inaugurated. The name is a tribute to the founder of the Conexão G group -- the first LGBTIQIA+ Citizenship Promotion Center set up in a favela in Rio. The unit is linked to the State Program Rio Sem LGBTFobia, and offers various services to the LGBTQIA+ population, showing that, while Maré is diverse and complex in the many genders of human existence, it is also pain, struggle, pioneering spirit and pride.

Image description: The image is a photograph of a person standing in front of a wall with graffiti and an informational sign. The person is wearing a printed dress and a face mask. The wall to their left displays a colorful logo with the word "Conexão" below it. To the right, there is a sign that reads "Grupo Conexão G de Cidadania LGBT Moradores de Favelas". The background of the wall is gray, with graphic art elements in green, blue, and pink.