Míriam Martinho facts for kids

Míriam Martinho (born in 1954) is a very important feminist and journalist from Brazil. She is known for being one of the first people to openly include issues affecting lesbian people within the feminist movement. She also helped start one of the first lesbian-feminist groups in Brazil. Míriam and Rosely Roth became famous for leading a protest in 1983, which is sometimes called the "Brazilian Stonewall." She has written for many journals that support LGBTQ+ people and women's rights.

Early Life and Activism

Míriam Martinho was born in 1954 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. She grew up in the city of São Paulo. She is a key figure in the history of feminism in Brazil and the movement for LGBTQ+ rights in Brazil.

The Feminist Movement in Brazil

The feminist movement in Brazil became very active around 1975. At that time, feminists focused on gender equality. This led to many new magazines and ideas about feminism. Míriam Martinho was a big part of this movement.

Starting Important Groups

In 1979, Míriam helped create the first lesbian-feminist group, called Grupo Lésbico-Feminista. This group later changed. In 1981, some members, including Míriam and Rosely Roth, formed a new group called Grupo Ação Lésbica-Feminista (GALF). This group was very active. Later, in 1989, GALF became an official organization (NGO) called Um Outro Olhar.

Journalism and Protest

In 1981, Míriam Martinho started an activist newspaper called "ChanacomChana". This newspaper was the voice of the GALF group. It came out a few times a year throughout the 1980s.

A Radical Idea

"ChanacomChana" was the first newspaper to openly talk about including lesbian people in the feminist movement. At the time, this was seen as a very bold idea. In 1989, when GALF became an NGO, the newspaper changed its name to "Um Outro Olhar." It then focused more on general LGBTQ+ issues, with feminism as a secondary topic.

The "Brazilian Stonewall" Protest

The "ChanacomChana" newspaper was directly involved in an important event called the "Brazilian Stonewall." On August 19, 1983, a protest happened at Ferro's Bar in São Paulo. This bar was popular with lesbian customers. The protest happened because the bar owners refused to let ChanacomChana be given out there.

Why the Protest Happened

Míriam Martinho and Rosely Roth organized the protest. They invited artists, thinkers, and lawyers to join them. Míriam said the problem started about a month earlier. The owners had kicked her and Rosely out for trying to share the paper in the bar. There was a disagreement, and they were told they couldn't distribute the paper.

A Peaceful Fight for Rights

Míriam and Rosely planned the protest to fight this ban. They got a lot of attention from the news. Their approach was active and peaceful. They were also open about fighting for their rights at a time when many lesbian people kept their identities hidden. After the protest, Ferro's Bar became even more popular with lesbian customers.

Later Work and Advocacy

Since the 1990s, Míriam Martinho has worked to improve healthcare for women, especially for lesbian individuals. She believes that many do not tell doctors about their identity, which can make them vulnerable.

Reporting on LGBTQ+ Rights

In 2003, she presented research about the situation of the LGBTQ+ community in Brazil. Her report was used by the US State Department and the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada in their evaluations.

Current Role

Míriam Martinho works as a journalist. She is the editor-in-chief of two important websites, Umoutroolhar and Contraocorodoscontentes. These websites are key sources for ideas and information for lesbian people in Brazil.

Honors and Recognition

Míriam Martinho has been recognized for her important work.

• Ninth International Conference of the Lesbian Information Service (ILIS) in Geneva, Switzerland (March 28-31, 1986).
• First Latin American and Caribbean Lesbian-Feminist Meeting in Taxco, Mexico (1987).
• Lesbian-Homosexual Reflection Meeting in Santiago, Chile (November 1992).

See also

In Spanish: Míriam Martinho para niños