Brazil is South America's most popular destination for gay and lesbian travelers, and major cities such as Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo, and Salvador have numerous gay bars, organizations, and publications. In 2005, São Paulo hosted the largest gay-pride parade in history: the police reported that nearly 2 million people attended (including 700,000 tourists). The city hosts the parade annually. The great Carnaval celebrations include many gay parades. At the end of the year, Mix Brasil International Festival of Sexual Diversity takes place in São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, and Porto Alegre.

Still, the acceptance of same-sex couples in the major cities is often limited to more touristy areas. Hotels are little by little trying to adapt to the increasing number of same-sex couples, which means you may or may not have difficulties getting a room. Public displays of affection between same-sex couples are severely frowned upon and usually cause problems in public places, especially around senior citizens or families with kids. Cities like Rio are more tolerant in this regard, but, just to be on the safe side, be discreet if you do not want to cause problems.

Gay-Friendly Destinations

Rio is much like New York City or any other large metropolitan center with regard to acceptance of gays and lesbians. Rio's gay beach scene is at Bolsa, on Copacabana Beach in front of the Copacabana Palace, and at Ipanema, by Posts 8 and 9, east of Rua Farme de Amoedo (also called "Farme Gay"). Locals on these sandy stretches are usually open to questions about what's happening in the gay and lesbian community.

In São Paulo, gay and lesbian bars and services are concentrated in Largo do Arouche and Jardins.

Gay & Lesbian Resources in Brazil

Disque Defesa Homossexual is a number set up by the Rio police to aid lesbians and gays who have suffered violence or discrimination. Grupo Arco-Íris is a non-profit association founded in 1993 that organizes meetings and debates in Rio about themes related to gays and lesbians. In Salvador you can get gay and lesbian information and purchase the guide Guia para Gays (R$10) from the Grupo Gay da Bahia. Style Travel, an offshoot of the established Brasil Plus travel agency, is a great source of information on gay and lesbian lodgings, tours, and nightlife options in Rio. It can supply knowledgeable, English-speaking gay and lesbian guides and arrange trips to outlying areas. Style Travel is a member of the International Gay and Lesbian Travel Association (IGLTA). Riogayguide.com is a great soup-to-nuts resource for bars, clubs, cafés, hotels, and events in Rio.

Information

Disque Defesa Homossexual (021/3399-1111. weekdays 10-5). Grupo Arco-Íris de Conscientização Homossexual (021/2552-5995). Grupo Gay da Bahia (Rua Frei Vicente, 24, Pelourinho, Salvador, BA. 071/321-1848). Style Travel (Av. da Américas, 4200, Bloco 9 - Sala 119A. 021/3150-3150. www.styletravel.com.br). Riogayguide.com (www.riogayguide.com).

Gay- & Lesbian-Friendly Travel Agencies

Different Roads Travel (1017 N. LaCienega Blvd., Suite 308, West Hollywood, CA, 90069. 310/289-6000; 800/429-8747 (Ext. 14 for both). 310/855-0323. lgernert@tzell.com). Kennedy Travel (130 W. 42nd St., Suite 401, New York, NY, 10036. 800/237-7433 or 212/840-8659. 212/730-2269. www.kennedytravel.com). Now, Voyager (4406 18th St., San Francisco, CA, 94114. 415/626-1169 or 800/255-6951. 415/626-8626. www.nowvoyager.com). Skylink Travel and Tour/Flying Dutchmen Travel (1455 N. Dutton Ave., Suite A, Santa Rosa, CA, 95401. 707/546-9888 or 800/225-5759. 707/636-0951); serving lesbian travelers.