On stage, on television, in cinema… there are many spaces that LGBTQIA+ artists are and stand out for their talent and contribution to the arts and to the community, giving a voice to so many people who fight for visibility and greater rights.
To celebrate the month of LGBTQIA+ Pride Month, a time of celebration and acceptance, we list 9 famous Brazilian LGBTQIA+ artists for you to know and enjoy with great pride.
Ney Matogrosso
Singer, composer, dancer and actor from Mato Grosso do Sul, Ney Matogrosso is one of the most complete artists in Brazil, being one of the precursors of androgyny as an art aesthetic. Former member of Secos Molhados, a group that marked the 1970s for music and performance, with musicians with paintings inspired by Japanese Kabuki theater, Ney followed a path of success in his solo career, having recorded 35 albums. It is considered by Rolling Stone magazine as the third greatest Brazilian voice of all time.
Cazuza
Singer and songwriter from Rio de Janeiro, Cazuza was a big name in the pop-rock generation of the 1980s, with great hits that are sung to this day such as “Exagerado” and “Faz Parte do Meu Show”. Between his solo career and his time with the band Barão Vermelho, Cazuza is considered one of the great MPB lyricists, marking the musical scene, especially Brazilian rock. Even with a brief career, which ended in 1990, at the age of 32, the openly gay artist left the legacy of 8 albums, released between 1982 and 1989.
Cassia Eller
Singer, composer and instrumentalist from Rio de Janeiro, Cássia Eller is considered one of the great names of national rock in the 1990s and an important female voice in the history of Brazilian music. With an expressive musical trajectory, he recorded around 10 albums and also moved between other styles, such as samba and blues. Bisexual and mother of one boy, Cassia Eller died in 2001, aged 39.
Jorge Lafond
Actor, comedian, dancer and drag queen from Rio de Janeiro, Jorge Lafond became nationally known for his character Vera Verão. Graduated in performing arts and in physical education, Lafond began his career as a dancer abroad at the age of 17. Later, he joined the corps of dancers at “Fantástico” and later participated in major television programs such as “Viva o Gordo”, “Os Trapalhões” and “A Praça é Nossa”. With an extensive career in TV and film, Lafond passed away at age 50, in 2003.
Centipede
Dancer and singer from Rio de Janeiro, transvestite Lacraia became nationally known alongside MC Serginho in the early 2000s. With the funk hits “Vai Lacraia!” and “Eguinha Pocotó”, the dancer performed on several TV channels at the time, achieving the long-awaited success. After the end of the partnership with Serginho, Lacraia decided to work as an electronic music DJ, another musical style that was his passion. In 2011, she died at the age of 33.
Paulo Gustavo
Actor, comedian and presenter from Nitero, Paulo Gustavo achieved national recognition with his remarkable character Dona Hermínia, a mother and housewife, who was the star of the trilogy “Minha Mãe é uma Peça”. The success of the film series started right from the first feature film, which was the most watched in 2013, the year of its release. Admittedly homosexual, married and father of twins, Paulo Gustavo died in 2021, aged 42.
Pablo Vittar
Drag queen singer from Maranhão, Pablo Vittar was highlighted in the media in 2015 with the clip for the song “Open Bar”, Portuguese version of “Lean On”, by Major Lazer. Since then, Pablo has become a big star in the music and advertising market, being a poster girl for several brands. With pop mixed with other musical styles, such as samba, arrocha, tecnomelody and even forró, Pablo is already considered a new artist of the last decade.
Gloria Groove
Singer, voice actress and drag queen from São Paulo, Gloria Groove began her artistic career in childhood by participating in one of the formations of Balão Mágico. In 2005, he had his talent recognized when he presented it on a large television program, which later enabled him to participate in the soap opera “Bicho do Mato”. Today, Gloria Groove is one of the best known voices and drag queens in the country, having been featured on the covers of renowned magazines, presented a reality show and became queen of the São Paulo carnival with the Gloriosa block.
Linn da Quebrada
Actress, singer and songwriter from São Paulo, Linn da Quebrada began her career as a performer and later joined the cast of successful works, standing out by starring in the drama series “Segunda Chama”. The multimedia artist is part of the current prominent names in the Brazilian music scene, mainly for addressing freedom of expression and sexuality in her songs.
After getting to know the life and work of so many personalities LGBTQIA+ from Brazil, learn more about the struggles and opinions that are the same or different within the movement:
