O lugar do silêncio na violência homofóbica: o dizível e o indizível nas narrativas de sofrimento

Abstract

The aim of this investigation is to analyze the role of silence in narratives built by people who suffered homophobic violence. The concept of homophobia is understood here as concerning to any kind of violence (physical our psychological) motivated by social prejudice based on gender and/or sexual orientation. Homophobic violence is thus seen as a consequence of the historical process which distinguished homosexuality from heterosexuality and established the latter as "normal' and "natural". The research was carried out in three public services located in the state of Rio the Janeiro (Brazil): two anti homophobic violence centers, and one health clinic for transsexuals placed in an university hospital. From June to November 2011, 11 semi-structured interviews were conducted with "users" of those services, and 25 with different professionals working there (lawyers, physicians, psychologists etc). The analysis indicates that silence has an important role in protecting or maintaining relevant social relationships, and should be accepted by professionals dealing with this kind of violence as a legitimate discourse about physical and moral pain.