“They are mar-vel-ous, and they all want me!”: Gay Brazilian tourists and global geographies of desire

Abstract

This article explores the geographies of desire that inform contact between gay Brazilian tourists and the men they encounter abroad. It argues that Brazilian men largely embrace the sexualized image of themselves that circulates globally and value foreign men according to their proximity to whiteness. By studying tourists who hail from the Global South, their imaginings of the Global North, and the ways they exoticize themselves, the article brings a new perspective to the scholarship on tourism, which usually focuses on North-to-South travel.

Not So Micro: An Investigation of the Impact of Microaggressions on Sexual Risk Taking and Mental Health in South Asian and Other Racialized Gay, Bisexual, and Other Men Who Have Sex With Men

“…As some participants reported feeling invisible as a result of sexually racist microaggressions (P1, P2, P3, P14, P18), fetishization-related microinsults offered a unique experience wherein participants' skin tone and/or race became a celebratory medium through which they could obtain sexual encounters, particularly with White GBM as reiterated by Participant 8. Similarly, Participant 6 described a theme of uniqueness with respect to being viewed as "somewhat normal" in India versus being allotted an "exotic" and desirable status in Canada, a finding that has been replicated in at least one other study (Jarrin & Pitts, 2020).…”

“…As these participants infer, there appears to be a reclamation of power by SAGBM when responding to fetishization-related microinsults which tentatively allots them sexual capital that is otherwise reserved for White GBM (Green, 2008;Han & Choi, 2018;Kuzmanovic, 2018). As such, for SAGBM responding to FM with a subsequent sexual encounter, an argument can be made for 'eating Whiteness', wherein RGBM actively participate in these racially-tinged sexual experiences, obtaining perceived social capital by romantically dating or engaging sexually with White GBM (Jarrin & Pitts, 2020;Malanansan, 2003;Pérez, 2015). Thus, while many participants reported feeling objectified and uncomfortable as a result of fetishization-related microinsults, the emergence of positive narratives highlight the subtle nuances of how SAGBM experience and respond to fetishization-related microinsults.…”

“…Given the value placed on Whiteness, it has been suggested that some RGBM, including SAGBM, may seek out romantic and/or sexual relationships with White GBM in order to feel validated, gaining social capital in the process (Jarrin & Pitts, 2020;Malanansan, 2003;Minwalla et al, 2005;Pérez, 2015). For example, in a study by McKeown et al (2010), a vast majority of SAGBM participants endorsed feeling specifically attracted to White GBM and reported believing their own racial identity or ethnic background was unattractive, suggesting that SAGBM may have internalized societal messages regarding their degree of desirability (i.e., internalized racism; Han, 2007;McKeown et al, 2010;Raj, 2011;Ro et al, 2013).…”

From urban to highly urban: Internal migration patterns of sexual minorities in Brazil

“…In Brazil, São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro are famous both within the country and outside for their vibrant LGBTQ communities. One of the biggest cities in the world, São Paulo, is very much in the map of LGBT friendly cities, having the largest pride parade in the world, and Rio de Janeiro does not fall far behind, with its iconic carnivals that are complemented with its natural beauties making it the capital for gay tourism in the country (Bandyopadhyay & Nascimento, 2010; Jarrin & Pitts, 2020). Simultaneously, like other major cities in Latin America, São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro have high levels of violent crimes, which include high levels of homophobic crimes (Pinto et al, 2020).…”

Introduction to Gender and sexuality in tourism and hospitality

“…It is no longer enough to understand how sexuality affects tourism and hospitality choices but also how it intersects, overlaps, and juxtaposes with factors such as age, social status and body (dis)abilities when informing those choices (Cai and Southall, 2021). In this sense, research that goes beyond stereotypical representations of LGBTQI+ tourists as affluent and cultivated people, and includes participants from places other than the Global North (Hattingh, 2021; Jarrin and Pitts, 2020) or from non-Caucasian backgrounds (Ro et al, 2017) is very welcomed. However, it should be acknowledged that, despite these efforts, there is still space for research that focuses on all the letters of the LGBTQI+ acronym, particularly ‘BTQI’.…”