BRAZILIAN GAYS IN LISBON
30/01/2006
By
Spiralya
OUR BRAZILIAN BROTHERS
BRAZILIAN GAYS IN LISBON
THEY GIVE MORE COLOUR AND HAPPINESS TO OUR CITY
During centuries millions of Portuguese went to Brazil, now many thousands of Brazilians come to Portugal. Lisbon is the city most chosen, mainly by the gay, which finds here, besides more work opportunities, a greater tolerance relating to homosexuality as compared to the other points of the country. The zones of Anjos and Arroios (two Lisbon quarters) are the most sought after, already with a vast Brazilian community. One has only to pass through these zones to come across constantly with people speaking with the Brazilian accent. Lower rent prices, greater housing offers and the vast Brazilian community installed, explain the preference.
However, it must be mentioned that the majority live in small apartments or in rented rooms. “I don’t know if rents are lower in Arroios or Anjos, if we exclude the suburbs, but before coming to Portugal my friends who were already here, living in these zones, said this was the best place for Brazilians. I live in a rented room with another Brazilian in the street Morais Soares, where we pay 250 euros a month”, tells us Roberto, 27 years old, from Santos (Brazil), in Lisbon for the past two years, and with a Portuguese boyfriend.
Regarding the quality of life in Lisbon, he thinks, “ at the moment due to the situation the country is in ‘it has worsened a lot’. Still, going back to Brazil is not part of his plans despite the fact many of his compatriots wish to do so. “Many Brazilians are here only to earn money, go back to Brazil and open up a business of their own, but that is not my case, because I always wanted to live in Europe.
I love Lisbon, and if I leave here, it will only be to go to London. But only if the situation here worsens a lot more. To Brazil, only on holidays to see the family and missed sights. I find Lisbon tranquil and I have many friends here. I think the Portuguese benefit a lot with us Brazilians who come here because we are warmer, affectionate, happy and expansive… when I arrived here I had some difficulty in relating because the Portuguese is more reserved and a little sad. The Brazilian is always happy and when close to someone, even unknown to him, he starts up a conversation but not the Portuguese. Here if you start a conversation with a stranger, it is not well seen” he concludes.
Portugal serves to a lot of them as a parting point to other European destinations, preferably to London and Paris, or as a shelter when things go bad in other countries (which often happens), to which contributes a common language and culture, besides the large resident Brazilian community.
In 2004 they were already the largest immigrant community and the number never stops to increase. More than 150 000 (half of them illegal).
“ I arrived in Lisbon last year with a tourist visa, then went to London but as I was not allowed to leave the airport where I was detained and expelled back to Lisbon, I ended up staying here” tells us Rafael, 33 years old, natural of Bahia – Salvador.
“I like being in Lisbon but in England I could save money quicker so that I can go back to Brazil and open up a business. The Portuguese are kind, Lisbon is tranquil and very beautiful but the gay community is very closed. I had a Portuguese boyfriend but it did not work out because he was ashamed to assume me due to me being dark” he reveals. He continues, “ I think the Portuguese gays very complexed and closed in on themselves. Now I have a Russian boyfriend and we are getting on very well”.
More than 100 000 Brazilians emigrate every year looking for better work conditions all over the world. The total number of Brazilian emigrants is now over 2 million, being calculated that close to 33% are illegal in their country of residence.
“Lately I have been specializing in Brazilians”, jokes Carlos, 25 years old, from Lisbon. “They are a lot more expansive and direct than the Portuguese, crazy. In chat sites, for example, it is very difficult to set up a meeting with a Portuguese, in the majority are undecided and we must be very patient before finally he finally accepts to the first encounter, and in the majority of cases even that does not happen. I am tired of being stood up by Portuguese in the net. With Brazilians it is all much simpler. The majority accept to a first meeting right after the first conversation. I think the Portuguese have a lot to learn with the Brazilians” he concludes.
Brazilian emigration is a recent phenomenon and happens after the 70s of the last XX century.
The majority has less than 31 years of age, 75% are men, with ages between 20 and 35 and have high school qualifications and 7,3% owns a degree. 31% come from Minas Gerais, 12,8% from S.Paulo, 12% from Pará and 9,8% from Goiás. The reasons for emigration are low salaries (54,5%), unemployment (25%), urban violence (4,5%), lack of professional advancement (4,8%) and academic improvement (4,3%).
The reasons for choosing Portugal are the expectations of being well received, and the common language.
Once in Portugal, the majority of immigrants stay in the Greater Lisbon area: 35% in the capital and 12,8% in Almada (city on the other side of the river).
The majority work in jobs with lesser qualifications than the ones they held in Brazil. 42,6% are in commerce, 32% are labourers, mainly in civil construction (27,8%). 44,8% have a contract and 33,8% do not have any labour link. 36,6% are illegal.
85% receive more than 400 euros/month; 35% earn twice this amount.
45% say they will go back to Brazil as soon as they have the savings they pretend. On average each emigrant sends to Brazil around 300 euros per month (which over there is worth 3 times more).
Principal reasons for emigration:
Easiness with the language and a common culture
The existence of bilateral agreements and common organizations such as CPLP (Community of Countries with Portuguese Language)
Mutual investments between Portugal and Brazil
Important market sections for Brazilian specialists in many areas where Portugal is lacking. A growing number of Brazilian businessmen are also installing in Portugal looking towards to the internationalisation of their companies
The idea that Portugal is a entering point into Europe or even as passage to the United States
The possibility of obtaining citizenship due to family links
The return of Portuguese emigrant families to Brazil
BRAZILIAN GAYS IN LISBON
THEY GIVE MORE COLOUR AND HAPPINESS TO OUR CITY
During centuries millions of Portuguese went to Brazil, now many thousands of Brazilians come to Portugal. Lisbon is the city most chosen, mainly by the gay, which finds here, besides more work opportunities, a greater tolerance relating to homosexuality as compared to the other points of the country. The zones of Anjos and Arroios (two Lisbon quarters) are the most sought after, already with a vast Brazilian community. One has only to pass through these zones to come across constantly with people speaking with the Brazilian accent. Lower rent prices, greater housing offers and the vast Brazilian community installed, explain the preference.
However, it must be mentioned that the majority live in small apartments or in rented rooms. “I don’t know if rents are lower in Arroios or Anjos, if we exclude the suburbs, but before coming to Portugal my friends who were already here, living in these zones, said this was the best place for Brazilians. I live in a rented room with another Brazilian in the street Morais Soares, where we pay 250 euros a month”, tells us Roberto, 27 years old, from Santos (Brazil), in Lisbon for the past two years, and with a Portuguese boyfriend.
Regarding the quality of life in Lisbon, he thinks, “ at the moment due to the situation the country is in ‘it has worsened a lot’. Still, going back to Brazil is not part of his plans despite the fact many of his compatriots wish to do so. “Many Brazilians are here only to earn money, go back to Brazil and open up a business of their own, but that is not my case, because I always wanted to live in Europe.
I love Lisbon, and if I leave here, it will only be to go to London. But only if the situation here worsens a lot more. To Brazil, only on holidays to see the family and missed sights. I find Lisbon tranquil and I have many friends here. I think the Portuguese benefit a lot with us Brazilians who come here because we are warmer, affectionate, happy and expansive… when I arrived here I had some difficulty in relating because the Portuguese is more reserved and a little sad. The Brazilian is always happy and when close to someone, even unknown to him, he starts up a conversation but not the Portuguese. Here if you start a conversation with a stranger, it is not well seen” he concludes.
Portugal serves to a lot of them as a parting point to other European destinations, preferably to London and Paris, or as a shelter when things go bad in other countries (which often happens), to which contributes a common language and culture, besides the large resident Brazilian community.
In 2004 they were already the largest immigrant community and the number never stops to increase. More than 150 000 (half of them illegal).
“ I arrived in Lisbon last year with a tourist visa, then went to London but as I was not allowed to leave the airport where I was detained and expelled back to Lisbon, I ended up staying here” tells us Rafael, 33 years old, natural of Bahia – Salvador.
“I like being in Lisbon but in England I could save money quicker so that I can go back to Brazil and open up a business. The Portuguese are kind, Lisbon is tranquil and very beautiful but the gay community is very closed. I had a Portuguese boyfriend but it did not work out because he was ashamed to assume me due to me being dark” he reveals. He continues, “ I think the Portuguese gays very complexed and closed in on themselves. Now I have a Russian boyfriend and we are getting on very well”.
More than 100 000 Brazilians emigrate every year looking for better work conditions all over the world. The total number of Brazilian emigrants is now over 2 million, being calculated that close to 33% are illegal in their country of residence.
“Lately I have been specializing in Brazilians”, jokes Carlos, 25 years old, from Lisbon. “They are a lot more expansive and direct than the Portuguese, crazy. In chat sites, for example, it is very difficult to set up a meeting with a Portuguese, in the majority are undecided and we must be very patient before finally he finally accepts to the first encounter, and in the majority of cases even that does not happen. I am tired of being stood up by Portuguese in the net. With Brazilians it is all much simpler. The majority accept to a first meeting right after the first conversation. I think the Portuguese have a lot to learn with the Brazilians” he concludes.
Brazilian emigration is a recent phenomenon and happens after the 70s of the last XX century.
The majority has less than 31 years of age, 75% are men, with ages between 20 and 35 and have high school qualifications and 7,3% owns a degree. 31% come from Minas Gerais, 12,8% from S.Paulo, 12% from Pará and 9,8% from Goiás. The reasons for emigration are low salaries (54,5%), unemployment (25%), urban violence (4,5%), lack of professional advancement (4,8%) and academic improvement (4,3%).
The reasons for choosing Portugal are the expectations of being well received, and the common language.
Once in Portugal, the majority of immigrants stay in the Greater Lisbon area: 35% in the capital and 12,8% in Almada (city on the other side of the river).
The majority work in jobs with lesser qualifications than the ones they held in Brazil. 42,6% are in commerce, 32% are labourers, mainly in civil construction (27,8%). 44,8% have a contract and 33,8% do not have any labour link. 36,6% are illegal.
85% receive more than 400 euros/month; 35% earn twice this amount.
45% say they will go back to Brazil as soon as they have the savings they pretend. On average each emigrant sends to Brazil around 300 euros per month (which over there is worth 3 times more).
Principal reasons for emigration:
Easiness with the language and a common culture
The existence of bilateral agreements and common organizations such as CPLP (Community of Countries with Portuguese Language)
Mutual investments between Portugal and Brazil
Important market sections for Brazilian specialists in many areas where Portugal is lacking. A growing number of Brazilian businessmen are also installing in Portugal looking towards to the internationalisation of their companies
The idea that Portugal is a entering point into Europe or even as passage to the United States
The possibility of obtaining citizenship due to family links
The return of Portuguese emigrant families to Brazil
