O Lampião da Esquina: expressão e voz dos homossexuais através das cartas ao jornal (1978-1981)

Abstract

The dissertation aims to analyze the section of letters from readers of Lampião da Esquina, the first national newspaper to openly address the issue of homosexuality. Published between 1978 and 1981, the journal sought to speak about homosexuality in a positive way, challenging the recurring stigmas on the subject, which reinforced the pathological and “abnormal” character of homosexuals and which condemned any and all types of manifestation that did not fit the patriarchal and heteronormative model of society. In this sense, the hypothesis is defended that the section of letters from readers of Lampião da Esquina, entitled “Cartas na Mesa”, can be considered as a channel for building a network of sociability that sought to give voice to homosexuals, one of social groups that suffered most from repression and silencing during the years of the Brazilian dictatorship.