Brazilian Telenovela Airs Country’s First Gay Sex Scene
“[It] will have a climax—that explosion, that feeling. Something intense," teased "Liberdade Liberdade" star Ricardo Pereira.
A Brazilian soap is airing a steamy gay scene for the first time, sending Christian groups into a tailspin.
On the telenovela Liberdade Liberdade (“Freedom Freedom” in English), Andre (Caio Blat) and Colonel Tolentino (Ricardo Pereira) have long been attracted to each other—but as the show is set in the 18th century, they’re constrained by laws and social mores.
But on today’s episode, reports O Globo, their relationship is finally consummated—reportedly marking the first gay sex scene on Brazilian TV. (A kiss between two men was previously featured on the telenovela Love of Life.)
Religious groups are protesting—one linked to the Catholic Church claimed the show “wanted to take the devil into viewers’ homes,” and evangelicals have called the sex scene “a sexual assault on the Brazilian family.”
The show airs on TV Globo at 11pm, but opponents complain some kids might still be up at that time—or see the episode online. (Apparently the softcore heterosexual scenes that blanket Brazilian television are fine.)
Despite the controversy, the show’s stars stand by the storyline.
“I am very happy to be representing this story,” said Blat. “It adds to the feeling of the show, addressing various forms of prejudice and discrimination.”
“This is a mature telenovela,” he added. “People realize these are contemporary issues that are being addressed in a historical context.”
Pereira says today’s intimate encounter has been building for some time.
“What they have for each other can be seen in the show,” he says. “A feeling that has been explored within [the confines] of what one could do in society at that time.”
“The love that is there is beautiful and brings forth much what the show is about—the fight against prejudice, intolerance and for equality among all people.”
Homophobia and attacks on LGBT people in Brazil have reached epidemic levels, with one gay or trans person murdered nearly every day. Brazilians take their soaps very seriously—even more than the Olympics, which the country is hosting next month.
I hope that wasn't the real thing.