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GAY PARADE IN RIO DE JANEIRO 2012

17 Gay Pride Parade in Rio de Janeiro will happen on 18 of November! 

Organizers of Pride Parade had to change the date from 14 of October to 18 of November. Main reasons of switching the date were municipal elections and difficulties with fundraising. So, if you are planning to visit the 2 largest Gay Parade in Brazil, book your trip on the middle of November!

THE WEEK OF DIVERSITY, FLORIANOPOLIS 2012

If you are planning to visit Florianopolis, hurry up to see the 3rd biggest Week of Diversity in Brazil!

From 4th of September to 9 in the city will be organized 7th edition of The Week of Diversity in Florianopolis - SC with different events to attract more attention to LGBT rights and culture.

The opening ceremony will take place on 4. 09 at UBRO Theatre. On Wednesday and Thursday you can participate in debates also at UBRO Theatre; the topics of debates are: Family, with presence of same-sex couple, which have adopted a child, and Gender, where Juliana and Mate Schnider (transsexuals) will share their experience.  On Friday at Portugal Square will be cultural fair from 14h to 21h, with cultural presentations, souvenirs' stands and music. Saturday as usually you can participate at Games of Diversity - sport competitions and on Sunday will be organized main event - Parade of Diversity on Beira-mar norte. On the website of Mix cafe you can find a special prices of tickets for parties and parade! Book your trip now!

For more information about events visit: www.diversidadefloripa.com.br 

THE WEEK OF DIVERSITY IN BALNEARIO CAMBUIU

From 8.08 to 12.08 in Balneario Camboriu - Brazilian "Las Vegas" was organized 1st time The Week of Diversity by Association of Parade of Diversity of Balneario Camboriu. During five days in the city were set different cultural and sport events, parties and, of course Parade of Diversity on Sunday afternoon. The opening ceremony took place in Sibara Flat Hotel around 19 h after this guests could know each other better on cocktail party and enjoy cultural presentation. On Thursday as a traditional part of Week of Diversity everyone could take part inn Games of Diversity - sport event for non-professional sportsmen. Friday was marked with educational seminar that started around 20 h about the harm of homophobia and in Slaviero Hotel was organized art exhibition with works of local artists. On Saturday everyone, who desired, spent a day in Beto Correro - the biggest amusement park in the south of Brazil. Besides cultural events the week was full of gay parties in D. Led, Infinity blue with Djs from Sao Paulo, Rio de Janeiro and Florianopolis. 

The principal event of the week, the Parade, took place on Sunday. Around 16 h people stated to get together in square Almirante Tamandare; beer and Dj made a perfect atmosphere for warm up party on the beach. Parade started around 17:30 from Barra norte to infinity blue resort, where all who wanted could continue celebration. 

Considering that this week was first in history of Balneario Camboriu, it was visited by approximately 1000 people, but it has all potential to grow. Well, let's see next year!  

Paul Mccartney in Florianopolis

Parada da Diversidade em Balneario Camburiu

Diverse Brazilian nature

CONDOMS' BRANDS IN BRAZIL

Brazil is a country famous with its gay parties: parties on a cruise, day pool parties, nightclubs and etc. Thousands of places, including saunas, where you can find a partner, for one night or for life - it's up to you, but no matter how high level passion is you shouldn't forget about protection.
Once you enter to the pharmacy, we sure the first question you will have is which brand to buy. In Brazil you won't find internationally famous condoms like Durex, Contex or Lifestyle. So, we are going to provide you with a list of most popular condoms (camisinha in Portuguese) in Brazil.

1. Jontex. A pioneer in Brazil, Jontex launched its first line of condoms in 1936! A lot of specialists and simply users called condoms of this brand more comfortable and reliable. The most popular types:
Comport plus with extra lubrificant, New Marathon, that prolongates sex and new XL collection (55 mm) that includes Lubrificado, Sensitive and Acqua (taste of mint).
2. Prudence. This brand conquered Brazil not only with its quality but with diverse flavors. Just imagine you can try with your partner such flavors as watermelon, coca-cola, grape, ice. Other popular condoms from Prudence are: Ulta Sensivel (super sensitive), Anatomico, Wave. Plus to all it launched line of gels with strawberry taste. Enjoy!

photo by:euinsone.blogspot.com.br

3. Olla. One more popular brand that took stable position on the market is Olla. It has all standard types of condoms plus new Canela hot!

photo by:corposaun.com

Besides all famous brands you might see Brazilians using condoms in purple package with yellow letters, these are condoms distributing for free in local hospital as a part of government program, it is also good and secure option.
Choose what you want and have
fun!

NEW TRENDS IN MEN'S UNDERWEAR

When new collection arrive to stores it's always complicated to choose a thing in all this range of goods. We want to give you some basic modern trends of men's underwear for you to look hot and stylish.

1. Blue color. This summer a lot of designers included this color in their collections from dark blue (Calvin Klein) to neon blue boxers (Adidas) and retro style from H&M

2. Neon colors. Fashion weeks in Rio and Sao Paulo summer 2013 marked one more trend and beach and underwear fashion  - neon colors: pink, blue, acid yellow and etc. Worldwide fashion brands already include this trend: Calvin Klein, Puma, Diesel and etc. Summer is a time to have fun!
3. Retro. A lot of brands recently have a least 1-2 retro items in their collections. We recommend you to have few retro underwear in your wardrobe if you want to impress your partner. Take a look in Oh boy, B men and Pikante.
4. White underwear. White color for underwear or swimming trunks is classic and never becomes old-fashioned. It's always useful to invest in few high quality white boxers. Plus to all it always looks great on bronze skin.

5. Lace underwear. This type of underwear is only salting to concur the market, and there are still a lot of discussions if it will become a trend or won't. Lace is really comfortable material they makes your body look hot; it's not a secret that for decades men have been buying lace women underwear for themselves, but it wasn't so comfortable because of sizes and differences in body structure. Now some brands as CandyMan, 3 Wishes, Good Devile are launching first samples in their new collections. Well, let's see.

photo by:underwear expert

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THE WEEK OF DIVERSITY

From 8 to 12 August in Balneario Camburiu, Santa Catarina will be organized important event for gay communities - The Week of diversity (Semana da diversidade).

The event was created in 1897 in Germany as a movement fighting for gay rights, after II World War this movement received more support and scale in USA and Europe.

The week of diversity 2012 is supported by Ministry of Tourism, ABGLT (Brazilian association of gays, lesbians and transsexuals), Secretary of Education and etc. 

Opening ceremony is going to happen on 8 of august at 19 h; during next 5 days you can participate in different cultural and sport events, like, exhibition of sculptures and photos during the day,  and in parties at night. The Parade of diversity will start on 12 of August, Sunday, at 17:30h.

For more detail check agenda on the website: www.vibemix.com.br

GAY HISTORY OF BRAZIL

photo by: multirio.rio.rj.gov.br

There are around 196 countries in the world, and each of them has its particular attitude to gay culture. Why one countries are liberal and gay-friendly, while other don't even have a small gay club in the city? What influence on government decision to ban gay parade or to allow gay marriages? There are few facts like type of government, mentality, religion or connecting all in one - history. To understand countries attitude to gay culture 1st thing is good to know is history. 

Gay history of Brazil started centuries before it was discovered; the evidence was found out in manuscripts, drawings, sculptures. 

The first words about sodomy among natives were mentioned in the begging of XVI century by Portuguese arrived to the continent.  The first tribe discovered by Europeans was Topinamba, settled mostly along the ocean coast; Portuguese mentioned in chronics acts of "anomalous love" among same-sex people. In 1576 Pedro M. Gandavo in "Tratado da Terra do Brasil" mentioned about men that communicate as husband and wife.

Tribe Guarani, mostly located around river Paraguay, surprised pioneers with communities of men dressed like women, having relationships with men, practicing female tasks like cooking, needlework, even simulating menstruation. 

Amazone forests are also famous with its lesbian tribes, at the begging pioneers were confused if it was a tribe of men or women. 

So, originally indians in Brazil had a positive attitude to homosexuals; in the beginning of colonization, some gays and lesbians migrated to feel free and not be afraid of showing their sexual orientation. 

Conflicts started to became more evident in the end of XVI contrary with the spread of Christianity. In 1591 Padre Frutuoso Alvares was the first homosexual sentenced for inquisition in Bahia. A lot of gay had to hide their homosexuality to survive. 

The situation in the country started to become better only in the XIX century, when in 1830 the Penal Code exclude sodomy as a crime.  1959 entered to Brazilian gay history as a year when was published first gay newspaper "Snobe" RJ. In 1977 lawyer Joao Antonio Mascarenhas, editor of "Gay sunshine" Winstone Leiland met in Brazil to initiate foundation of Brazilian Homosexual Movement. 2 years later 9 groups were created; till now the oldest one is consider Group Gay Bahia. Stating since the end of XX century Gay Parade in Sao Paulo attracts more more visitors (2001 - 250 000 people, 2003 - 1 million, 2012 - 4 millions). The most significant point in Brazilian gay history is considered decision made in 2004 by administrations of Rio Grande do Sul, Parana and other states to register homosexual marriages. Since May 2011 homosexual marriages are allowed on the territory of the whole country.

1st GAY SCHOOL IN BRAZIL

With support of Ministry of Culture and NGO E-Jovem in Campinas (SP) is opened 1st gay school in Brazil and 2nd in Latin America for teenagers. Program includes all basic subject plus dancing, theatre, music, cinema, drag queen performance and etc. School offers 100 positions and education is free, provided by volunteers from E-jovem NGO. The goal of the project is to create comfortable environment for homosexual teenagers without homophobia, giving them possibility to develop their endowments and skill. The registration starts in January for teenagers from 12 to 18 years old. During semesters students will create books, articles, CDs, DVDs with didactic material about gay culture and against bullying and  homophobia. 

THE BEST PLACE TO HAVE A PLASTIC SURGERY

Decided to change something in yourself? Are you looking for a place to have a plastic surgery or cosmetic procedure? There is a great place for you.

Brazil is famous gay-friendly destination with its not only wide range of tourists attractions, like, beaches, sightseeing, cuisine, but rare one  - medical tourism. 

In 2009 ISAPS (International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery) put Brazil on 3rd position in the list of countries with the most surgical and non surgical cosmetic procedures. Generally in Brazil around 630 thousand of plastic surgeries are performed per year! Starting since 1997 some members of ISAPS are coming to Brazil to know about new techniques and innovations. 
Reading this post you' re probably asking why travel to Brazil for it? We answer your question with 3 main points: different attitude to surgeries, new technologies, rehabilitation period on the ocean coast.

1). Different attitude to surgeries. 
It's amazing, but Brazilians in general have positive attitude to surgeries; add volume to lips, correct shape of nose or ears, make boobs bigger using implants, here it's as widespread and common as haircut or manicure. How it can be explained? With culture. It's not a secret that Brazilians are famous with their perfect hot bodies, during summer you don't need to buy a magazine, just look around and enjoy. Hot tropical weather push you to use less cloth possible, so to have something to show you need to keep fit. Probably this intention to look perfect influence on decision about surgeries. Big demand on this kind of service made it very common for doctors and created significant number of good quality specialists and clinics.   
Different attitude to surgeries here you can see among doctors also. Some American and European surges from ISASP admit that Brazilian specialist consider plastic surgery as an art, meanwhile Americans look to it from technical point of view. Discussing your choice and planning a procedure they pay more attention to esthetic  beauty and your image then numbers and stereotypes.

2)New technologies. 
Sophia Loren and Gina Lollobrigida came here to have cosmetic surgeries in 1960 in the hospital of Rio de Janeiro! In that time Brazil already had a suitable level of medicine to compete with USA and Europe. Increasing demand on plastic surgeries influenced on innovation sphere; to handle the competition clinics need to have some key factors to attract clients. Brazilian doctors are recognized worldwide and you can see some of them in any international innovation researches and projects. Here you can find various types of implants, cosmetic brands and methods. Brazil is one of few countries that started to use Lasik methods for vision correction. And the greatest thing is that you don't need to take a huge loan in a bank or save unreal sum of money, cause plastic surgeries in Brazil are considered as one of the most affordable in the world, due to currency exchange rates. 

3) Rehabilitation on the ocean coast.  
One of the problems why it's difficult to make a decision about plastic surgery is worries about rehabilitation period: where to stay, how long it will last, etc. Brazil has a wide range of resorts close to the beach, in remote area or close to the city center, whatever you want. Good climate, sound of ocean waves, fresh fruits - all you need for fast recovery. We recommend you to choose clinic in such cities as Rio de Janeiro, Florianopolis or Fortaleza. Florianopolis recently was called the city with the best quality of plastic surgeries, plus to all it has 42 beaches to choose where you will relax after. The best period to come is from April to November, cause temperature here is not so high (especially during winter season from June to September), consider that you'll have to avoid sunlights after surgery, plus to all there are not so many tourists, beaches are almost empty and prices are lower.

So, we hope these reasons are enough to answer you question. And in the end there are few more tips, if you decide to come to Brazil for medical tourism.

1)Once you choose a doctor and clinic, check if he/she is the member of Brazilian Society of Plastic Surgery - the best way to check qualification.
2)It's much more comfortable and safe to use services of tourist agencies specializing in medical tourism.
3)Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro, without doubts, have the biggest number of plastic surgeons, but don't ignore some other options as Florianopolis, Porto Alegre, Belo Horizonte, they also have good specialist and prices can be cheaper.  
  

What must be in your luggage?

After you finally chose a destination, bought tickets and booked a hotel, here comes next challenge - what should I take with me? How to fit my wardrobe in  23 kg limit?

We'll try to help you with a choice, giving tips about main things that must be in your luggage to feel comfortable in Brazil in all situations.

Range of things you'll take depends on a destination. On the one hand, Brazil is a tropical country, on the other hand, culture and lifestyle here are very diverse, depending on a region.

If you're traveling to the coast, first of all, put few bottles of sunscreen, cause sun here in summer is very strong. Of corse, you can buy it here; local shops have a lot of options, but international brands in Brazil are much more expensive (around 50% more expensive then in Europe and USA), and we have doubts that as soon a`s your plane lands first thing you'll do is to buy a sunscreen. 

Another thing you'll use here as often as sunscreen is flip flops. Brazilians who live on the coast during summer use it everywhere: to go shopping, in University and even at work! So, feel free using it whenever you want; give your feet an opportunity to have rest from shoes and sneakers. Locals usually have 3-4 pairs in their wardrobe; here you can see various shops specializing in decoration of flip flops. What I recommend you is to take 1 pair from home to survive on the beach during 1st days, and then buy Havaianas -one of the most popular flip flops producers. Havainas with Brazilian flag is a good souvenir to bring home. Besides Havaianas, another popular brand is Ipanema; most of Brazilians prefer 1st one, but both of them have a good quality and interesting design. 

After you put flip flops, next important thing is surf shorts; take few,  cause it's very useful. For example, in the city, like Rio de Janeiro, from one side there is an avenue with bars, shopping centers and business offices and from the other side there is a beach, and surf shorts, thanks to its specific fabric, dry fast and suitable to go shopping straight from the beach. Cities that have beaches in Brazil usually are famous with its beach fashion; people pay attention to new modern trends, so follow the news. This summer according fashion weeks in the list of trends you can find flower prints and bright colors.
Another important thing to know is that during summer it can rain a lot. It usually doesn't influence on temperature, which varies from 29-40 degrees, but it's barely possible to leave hotel without waterproof cloth, cause rain here is very strong, so a pair of crocs and umbrella might be useful!
Besides casual cloth, take something to go out. You will be surprised; noticing Havaianas and very simple cloth during the day, at night staying in queue to enter to the club, you'll see all modern trend from fashion week in one line. Brazilians pay a lot of  attention to a party look. Take sneakers or shoes, cause it's not allowed to use flip flops in a bar or night club, and some t-shirts made from light fabrics, like cotton, cause imagine, when its + 40  outdoor and a club is full of people; it's really hot, even with air-conditioned.

photo by:www.madeinbrazilblog.com

Talking about colors, we recommend you to choose cloth with lights colors, like white, beige, yellow, mint, etc, and don't forget about bright accessorizes. Avoid to use dark cloth, cause black attracts sunlights.
The last but not the least tip if you are traveling to Sao Paulo or other city, that doesn't have access to the ocean coast, in addition to all tips, given above, we would like to mention that people in cities like Sao Paulo are much more formal in their way of dressing; take a pair of jeans and some shirts!

GAY PARADE IN SAO PAULO 2012

photo by:dicasdiarias.com

  

First Gay Parade was organized in Sao Paulo in 1997 and got together around 2000 participants; this year according Police report approximately 4 mil. people visited this event!

Parade started on 10^th of June at 13:20 pm at MASP (Museum of  art) after national anthem and speeches of senator Marta Suplicy and organizer of event Fernando Quaresma.

As Fernando Quaresma said, politicians need to see GLS people first of all as citizens not as consumers, and this is the main idea of Parade 2012. A lot of attention on this Gay Parade was paid on legislation; movement is fighting for making of homophobia a crime, equal rights in marriage and didactic materials for teachers in schools to prevent bulling and homophobia.

Participants have all chances to achieve these goals, considering all previous victories: recognition of stable union, homosexual couple can share a health plan, pension in case of death of one of partners.

Generally organizer group was satisfied with results. As F. Quarezma told to Folha de Sao Paulo: “ This social movement grew a lot. We achieved different victories. Sao Paulo event is now considered the biggest in the world and the city – one the best gay destinations”. 

photo by: Joel Silva / Folhapress

St. VALENTINE'S DAY IN BRAZIL

12. 06 – Dia dos namorados no Brasil (Valentine’s day). 

  

 Don’t be surprised, it’s true; Brazilians celebrate day of love in June. It means that you have a chance to celebrate it twice, according to European and Brazilian traditions!

If you decided to do this, I bet, first question in your head is what gift to buy for your boyfriend/girlfriend being abroad.

I would love to share with you some ideas of top 10 best gifts in Brazil.

 

1) Jogo de paixao - different kits of sex games that you can find in Imaginarium store. This is romantic way to spend you night, learning Portuguese.

 

2) Caipirinha kit. After your travel you still can have a taste of Brazil at home.

3) Romantic dinner. Brazil has rich cuisine; I would recommend you to try sequencia de ostras,  around 5 different types of oysters. First of all, Brazil has its own oyster producers, so quality and price are very good, and, second, it’s a wide spread fact that oysters are aphrodisiac; what can be more suitable for Valentine's day?

4) Cosmetic kit. I know cosmetic sounds a little bit standard, but there are some national brands for example Boticaro and Natura, which are famous with its quality, and they don't export their products).

5) Havaianas. Maybe it sounds unusual, but havaianas are extremely popular in Brazil and they have already became a postcard symbol. This gift will be even more suitable, if you spend your vacations on the cost. Flip flops designed for Valentine’s day will always remind your partner about the trip).

6) Local trip. Brazil has a lot of romantic places. Depends on what you want and where you stay, there are a lot of resorts satisfying all preferences. I recommend you, besides world-famous locations, to google about Gramado, Ilha do mel, Foz do Iguacu, Fortaleza…cause tourist agencies usually are focused on Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro, so you might not find this places in a guide book.

7) Day in SPA - what can be more romantic then relaxing massage or chocolate jacuzy  together, considering that main touristic cities have a range of Gay-spa and saunas.

photo by:www.depositphotos.com

8)  Sport day.  Brazil is very popular destination among people who like active lifestyle and ecotourism due to its range of sport activity (tracks, sand boarding, surfing and etc.) Imagine how romantic it is to see Rio de Janeiro doing paragliding together, holding hands.

9)  Night out.  Usually in Brazil on this day a lot of bars, clubs and restaurants have special events, promotions and shows for couples, considering that majority of famous Brazilian bands sing about love.

10) Sweets. Brazil is famous producer of cacao that influenced on chocolate production. CACAU SHOW, BRASIL CACAU shops and others can offer you interesting options of good quality chocolate in a packagings designed specially for 12.06. 

photo by: cacau show

RIO FASHION WEEK summer 2013

 From 22 to 25 of May all attention in fashion industry was focused on Rio de Janeiro. Considering that still the biggest Brazilian fashion event takes place in Sao Paulo, RFW is becoming more and more popular, attracting new designers. 

Well, analyzing collections presented in Rio, I can describe summer 2013 in few words: NEON, AFRICA, DENIM; most of designer were creating their collection in this frameworks. 

Sacada and Alexander Herchcovitch were inspired with African culture. A. Herchcovitch became so impressed with lifestyle of African tribues that he created pens and blouses with world map print, marking location of tribues on this map. In general he used natural colors: blue, beige, red.

photo by:afonsogossipboy.wordpress.com

The designer of Sacada didn't resist infront of African beauty as well. The collection was created with desire to show the style of Morocco, trying to reveal all devirsity of this country, mixture of poverty and wealth. The image was created using fabrics with mosaic prints, combinations of white, golden, metallic colors.

photo by:modanapassarela.com.br

One more collection, where was used travelling expirience - freshmen of RFW "Oh, boy" brand, but this group of designer looked a little bit further then Morocco; Oh boy presented its vision of Japan. Dresses with panda prints, typical Japanese hairstyle, pink, black, white and flowers - smart combination of traditional Japan and innovations.

photo by:dominiodamodablog.com.br

Oestudio continued ethnic line on the catwalk with its safari style men shirts and jeans, but diversified it with black-yellow snikers and neon T-shirts

photo by:closetonline.com.br

Awesome casual looks were presented by Coca-cola brand; collection was made in light blue colors. Denim jumpsuits, red jackets, bright zigzag print shorts - "must-have" things next summer, according to Coca-cola.

And ofcours fashion week in Brazilian capital of beach fashion can't be without bikini collections.

photo by:blogtopmodels.blogspot.com.br

According to  Blue Man and Poko Pano you must find space in you wardrobe for white and neon bikini and swimming trunks. Next summer is going to be extremly bright; good time for experiments. :)

photo by:milkmelook.com

photo by:sortimentos.com

BRAZILIAN AIRLINES COMPANIES

If you being in Brazil decide to make a local trip, you probably will face with a problem of choice of the airline company, cause we know that local airline companies aren't really famous abroad. 

So GOL, TAM, WEB JET or AZUL, which one?

Of course first of all your decision depends on time of flights offered by a company. Dosen't metter which one is better - the flight schedule will dominate in making decisions. But what if all of them offer time and price comfortable for you?

First of all I want to inform you that almost all flights here go via Rio de Janeiro or, mostly, Sao Paulo, which has few airports for domestic flights. A lot of people face with problem of having connection flighs in different airports. For example, traveling from Florianopolis to Fortaleza, if you buy tickets on internet, pay attetion to airports names. You can arrive in Guarulhos SP and your connection flight is in Congonhas SP; it's gonna take at least one hour to switch airports, especially if you don't know the city.

  

TAM airlines

TAM is a member of STAR ALLIANCE and the most famous Brazilian company in South America, mostly, cause only this company has international flights to Europe, North America and Asia. TAM is also popular in Brazil due to high quality of service and promotions. As leading airlines in Brazil usually supports different events, for example, TAM is a one of the sponsors of Madonna's world tour. 

GOL

 2nd famous Brazilian airlines, but known only inside the continent. GOL is also considered international, but it doesn't flight further then Latin America (for example Chile, Peru, Venezuela, Dominican Republic, etc.). The company is growing very fast and has all chances to become a national lider, especially with its programe Smiles, where you can exchange collected points on tickets.

AZUL

This company is considered one the cheapest  and less popular, especilly because it doesn't work with Guarulhos - the biggest national & international airport in Sao Paulo. If you bought Azul tickets, consider - in Sao Paulo their airport is Congonhas. Personally I liked this company, without having a famous name, it has some advantages. Service is good, and if you like space it's deffinately must be your choice, cause Azul is famous with its big distances between seats in the plane. It also participated in some social project, for example, they painted plane in pink color to support "Pink October" in Brazil, event made by AMUCC, Brazilian cancer society.

WEB JET

  This company is a low-cost airlines, besed in Rio de Janeiro, cooperate with Galeão (RJ) and Santos Dumont (RJ) airports, and has around 20 destinations inside the country. 

Hope this tips will be helpful for you!

Enjoy your trip!