Axé Project

An Empirical Study of Afro-Brazilian LGBTQ+ Religious Leadership in Brazil

Afro-Brazilian religions emerged in Brazil during the colonial period, significantly influenced by African spiritual traditions transmitted by enslaved people as well as Christianity and Amerindian belief systems. Historically, these religions were forced to make their practices secret as a strategy to resist colonial oppression and forced Catholic conversion. To preserve their traditions, these religions developed a syncretic blend of African, Indigenous, and Catholic practices (Schmidt 2016).

Today, Afro-Brazilian religions, such as Candomblé and Umbanda are often seen as inclusive spaces for LGBTQ+ people. Scholars have begun to explore how Candomblé includes homosexuality in ritual roles (Santos 2008) and transgender members (Santos and Dallapicula 2020). The fluid nature of spiritual roles and the embodiment of Orixás have also created space for expressions of gender fluidity and queerness, which some scholars interpret as LGBTQ+ affirming (Sweet 1996).

Despite their reputation for inclusivity, tensions still exist. Not everyone embraces inclusive understandings of gender and sexuality, and secrecy within these religions has meant that stories are often passed down orally. This has contributed to a lack of documented understanding of LGBTQ+ experiences, leaving gaps in our understandings of these religions.

Why is this Research Important?

There is limited research on the intersection of Afro-Brazilian religions and LGBTQ+ identities, although interest in this intersection is growing. Existing studies tend to focus on larger cities in southern Brazil, particularly Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo, and neglect other regional contexts in this vast and culturally diverse country. Typically, research has also emphasised male homosexual experiences, overlooking other important identities (Rios 2012). Lastly, much of the current research is published in Portuguese, which leaves significant gaps in English-language scholarship.

This study addresses these gaps by centring the experiences of LGBTQ+ leaders in the north region of Brazil, therefore contributing a more nuanced perspective to academic and public conversations. We aim to publish our findings in both English and Portuguese.

Research Methodology

The study will focus on the findings of ten in-depth, semi-structured interviews with LGBTQ+ religious leaders, each lasting 1.5 to 2 hours. We will use thematic analysis to analyse data, identifying recurring patterns related to the intersection of gender, sexuality, and leadership.

To avoid extractive research practices, the project includes a co-author who shares similar religious and LGBTQ+ experiences, ensuring the research reflects participants’ lived realities.

How will we share the findings?

The findings will contribute to broader religious literacy about these traditions. The research team aims to publish a journal article from this research, which will be translated into English and Portuguese.

The research team will additionally share the results through blog posts, talks, and YouTube videos, aiming to make the insights accessible to both academic audiences and the wider community.

Axé Research Team

Manoela Carpenedo Rodrigues (Assistant Professor, University of Groningen) is the Principal Investigator supervising the study, bringing her expertise in culture, identity, and politics in the Global South.

Nathan Harrison-Clarke (Research Fellow, University of Groningen) is leading the project and conducting interviews, drawing on his expertise in lived religion, sexuality, and gender.

Babalaorixá Lucas Takashima (Spiritual Leader, Brazil) will translate the interviews and be a co-author on publications. In addition, he provides cultural knowledge of Afro-Brazilian religions and helps interpret spiritual practices alongside the research team.