THE GLOBALIZATION OF LGBT RIGHTS: A COMPARATIVE LOOK AT BRAZIL AND CHINA

Abstract

This study examines legal documents, news articles and the online content of major LGBT non-governmental organizations, the Grupo Gay Da Bahia and Aibai (爱白) Culture & Education Center, using content analysis in order to explore the different ways in which transnational LGBT identities and rights discourse is being adapted to fit local strategies for obtaining legal and social rights as well as positive visibility in Brazil and China. This study focuses on content related to transgender issues, HIV and Aids and anti-LGBT discrimination and violence. The comparison of two increasingly influential economic states from different geographic regions with different political structures, understandings of rights and cultural attitudes regarding gender and sexuality demonstrates that globalization of LGBT rights is not universal. Rather, this study adds to past literature that has found that articulations of LGBT identity in Brazil and China are characterized by the “Hybridization” of these transnational LGBT identities and rights discourse with local practices and understandings to achieve local goals. LGBT rights and experiences in Brazil and China do not fall neatly on one spectrum and perhaps should be conceptualized on multiple spectra. LGBT realities challenge expectations of progress and repression.