A tale of astounding bigotry and thuggish homophobia ended up being beamed around the world latest month whenever two young women —Yunka Mihura, 21, and Joana Palhares, 18, — had been manhandled, outdone, arrested, and thrown in a prison cell for kissing at a public gospel show in a park in Brazil.

The big event had been hosted by pastor and congressman Marco Feliciano. No stranger to conflict, their election to congress — along with his chair because the mind of Brazil’s individual liberties and Minorities Commission — raises eyebrows, considering his vociferous distaste for gays, individuals of shade and, ironically, peoples liberties overall.

Whenever Feliciano caught look of Mihura and Palhares kissing in the general public rally in Sep, he had spotlights and television cams taught regarding ladies, revealed, ridiculed, and insulted all of them, subsequently bought authorities to handcuff the happy couple and cart all of them away — all while keeping a microphone.

“Those two women must allow here handcuffed,” the guy said within the PA program when he watched the cut, shirtless ladies in an incorporate. “No make use of attempting to run! protections are headed here now. This isn’t a location where any such thing happens. This really is a residence of God!”

The young ladies happened to be dragged-out of the group, outdone by security officials, handcuffed and jailed. Their own lawyer, Daniel Galani, mentioned girls have there been to protest and did little illegal. “They have committed no crime, since if making out try a crime, half people who have been from the rally could have been arrested,” Galani said. “the entire world demands most threshold, worldwide requires a lot more compassion. Hate message and harassment is not the response.”

Today, the very first time into the English-speaking newspapers, among the many ladies active in the event try speaking down, sharing the lady section of the facts with all the recommend. Mihura, a 21-year-old bisexual activist, could have just located this lady calling through an easy kiss making use of lady she actually is dating.

The Advocate: Hey Yunka. Many thanks for chatting with me personally. Can I inquire Lesbian dating website where you had been born?Yunka Mihura: I happened to be born in Florianopolis in Brazil, and I has lived-in France and also Argentina. At this time I live in Ilhabela, Sao Paulo, Brazil.

Are you currently in fact gay? Some push research need advised you happen to be straight.Four years ago I kissed a lady the very first time – she got my companion and neither folks got kissed people of the identical gender before. A teenage prank? Maybe. But I appreciated it. I love kids, and that I dislike labels, but labeling exists, i guess, so I think We identify as bisexual because it’s the thing I believe — it’s not a variety. I select to not devour animal meat, We elect to recycle. I decide my hair shade and that I elect to have tattoos. We select clothing i will be dressed in, but I did not decide my orientation. I have found it can be straightforward: I’m able to love a person or a lady. Personally I think like I do not fall for a gender but with a person’s cardiovascular system.

Your went to an evangelical rally and pop show in Brazil with about 20 friends. Are you currently religious?i’d determine myself as creating a spiritual side. I appreciate all religions, although In my opinion religions should preach admiration, encourage us to simply help other people, are a great people — rather than exactly what many fanatics create, which will be problem risks and spreading prejudice.

Could you be very political?

I’d quite not have a go at government by itself, but as numerous have seen, really often difficult for my situation and my buddies to stay silent amidst a whole lot hypocrisy, injustice and corruption now.

When did you initially notice the infamous pastor and politician Marco Feliciano?I first turned into familiar with Feliciano in March 2013 when he was actually elected chairman the fee of Human legal rights and Minorities for the Chamber of Deputies of Brazil. Feliciano is known for their racist and homophobic position — he was also in charge of attempting to move laws that proposed Brazilian psychologists be allowed to address homosexuality as a disease to be “cured.” He or she is trying to rotate the clock as well as bring LGBTs treated as “disordered.” Of course the bill was actually thrown out, but Feliciano is determined to reintroduce it the moment he is able to. I do maybe not believe government and faith render a great blend, and you accountable for human being legal rights and minorities that such evident racist and antigay procedures really should not be in electricity. It’s absurd.

Why did you, Joana, plus company opt to sign up for the evangelical rally organized by Feliciano?Joana and I aren’t evangelical Christians, but there’s absolutely no reason why we must not choose a general public concert and occasion [that was actually understood to be a social celebration into the press], and Brazil try theoretically a secular country regardless. Additionally, we could perhaps not let go of the fact Marco Feliciano is actually individuals with harmful prejudices who’s brainwashing plenty upon hundreds of Brazilians. We felt we’d to peacefully showcase our very own discontent with your one way or another. We wished to demonstrate that many people don’t agree with his horizon and his abuse of his place inside the authorities.

The students lady just who kissed you — where and when in which do you meet? How long maybe you have recognized each other?Joana and that I met in January and since subsequently we’ve been big company. Its a colorful relationship. We lots of affection per other. The audience is matchmaking. It’s early days. First and foremost we have been buddies together with main thing for all of us will be combat for what we feel is right.