May 21, 2022

08:05

Priscilla Peixoto- Cenarium Magazine

MANAUS – The activist and health educator, with a focus on the LGBTQIA+ population, Lucas Brito, 26, is promoting a campaign to collect food baskets aimed at members of houses that support the community in Manaus. Donations can be made by pix (92) 984507199 with any amount or with kilos of food and items that make up the basic food basket.

“The campaign is mine as an individual, with support from some 4 institutions that are helping in the disclosure (Minha Manaus Project, Ateliê 23, Apê no Centro, and Impact Hub Manaus). Whoever does not feel comfortable making the donation by pix, can donate the item. In cases of large purchases it is even better because the baskets are cheaper. Just call me at 984507199 and we can arrange delivery,” explains Lucas.

Lucas says that the initiative is part of his constant work in defense of LGBTQIA+ rights. Besides working with issues related to the health of the LGBT population, Lucas is also the former president of the Casa Miga shelter, which receives Brazilians and refugees expelled from their homes because of their sexual orientation or in situations of social vulnerability.

Donating is important

According to the activist, with the donations, 115 baskets have already been assembled and sent to the appropriate support houses, they are; trans people assisted by the Association of Transvestites and Transsexuals of the Amazon, (Assotram), LGBT+ refugees supported by the Mana Institute and Casa Miga shelters. The intention is to reach 200 units by next Friday, the 27th.

“Donating also means fighting LGBTphobia and helping to guarantee so many people who are still invisible for being who they are,” says Lucas, who points out.

“May 17th marked the day that, in 1990, the World Health Organization removed homosexuality from the classification of mental illness. In these last 32 years, even though we have advanced in the fight against lgbtphobia, our bodies are still placed in vulnerability. To understand this is to know that we still need to guarantee support for the dignity of these people, especially given the economic reality of our country,” Britto points out.

For those who want to know more about and contribute to the work developed by the support houses for the LGBTQIA+ community in Manaus, just contact the associations through the social network Instagram of each institution.