‘New Year’s Solidarity’: Activist holds campaign to donate food baskets to LGBTQIA+ community in Manaus

Priscilla Peixoto – From Cenarium Magazine

MANAUS – The activist and health educator, with a focus on the LGBTQIA+ population, Lucas Brito, 26, is promoting a campaign to collect food baskets and hygiene products aimed at members of homes that support the community in Manaus. Donations can be made through Pix (92) 98450-7199, with any value, or with kilos of food and items that make up the food basket.

According to Lucas, the estimate is that 300 kits and food baskets are collected until December 22. “In addition to the people who are already on our mapping, I am articulating for black, indigenous and riverine people, who are in vulnerable situations, to also be embraced by the campaign. This will depend on the reach of the campaign”, explains Brito.

Besides the activity of basket delivery, scheduled for the 22nd , the activist says that he intends to carry out a second part of the action, in January, a month focused on celebrating trans visibility. “If we can’t reach the established goal, at this first moment, we will, even so, make the deliveries with what we have, and a second stage will be made in January, on account of the trans visibility month. The Association of Transsexuals and Transgender Amazonas (Assotram) is helping in the dissemination of this initiative, as well as the Manas Institute. Both associations will benefit.”

Dedication

Former president of the Casa Miga shelter, institution that receives Brazilians and refugees expelled from home because of their sexual orientation or in situation of social vulnerability, was also responsible for organizing a similar action in May this year.

On that occasion, 50 hampers were given to Assotram, 28 to the Manas Institute and 37 hampers to Casa Miga. To those who want to know more about and contribute to the work developed by the support houses to the LGBTQIA+ community in Manaus, just contact the associations through the social networks Instagram of each institution.

“The vulnerability that we are placed, because of a Lgbtphobic society, means that, among so many basic rights denied, hunger is a reality in the lives of many of us. We cannot think of a strengthened community if many of us are without the minimum to keep fighting, which is our daily food”, emphasises the activist.