By John Lewis and Stuart Gaffney—
In 1928, the famous Brazilian modernist writer and artist Oswald de Andrade observed: “Before the Portuguese discovered Brazil, Brazil had discovered happiness.” Today, Andrade’s statement is contested and controversial in terms of social, racial, political, and economic realities. It still, however, reflects a sense of joy and optimism that pervades much of Brazilian society and culture.
In a week in São Paulo, the megalopolis that hosts the largest annual LGBTQ+ pride parade in the world, we found ourselves immersed in a city with many very welcoming residents who embraced freedom and equality for LGBTQ+ people. Here are some images of queer life and art from museums, murals, and the streets of the city.
John Lewis and Stuart Gaffney, together for over three decades, were plaintiffs in the California case for equal marriage rights decided by the California Supreme Court in 2008. Their leadership in the grassroots organization Marriage Equality USA contributed to making same-sex marriage legal nationwide in 2015. Today, they continue to educate and advocate for marriage equality and LGBTIQ+ rights worldwide.
6/26 and Beyond
Published on July 31, 2026
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