Florianópolis - Host City for the 2012 IGLTA Global Convention

GAY Floreepa

Florianopolis? Let’s make it easier: just call it “Floripa”, as the locals do. An all-time favorite holiday destination for Brazilian and South American LGBT, the Capital of the Southern Brazilian state of Santa Catarina is now started to be discovered by the ‘outside world’. In the past, most gay and lesbian visitors to Brazil would head straight to Rio, but as travel interests become more diverse people are now starting to explore other areas of this huge country and like what they find.

Florianopolis, in particular the Island of Santa Catarina, has now become the second destination in Brazil for gay & lesbian travelers, especially during summer, and is certainly a must visit destination if you are on your way to or from Buenos Aires or are visiting other parts of Brazil.

A few good reasons to visit: glorious beaches (some people say there are 100 of them!), lush green mountains, beautiful lagoons, laid-back and safe atmosphere AND gay-friendly.

History

With a history that resembles San Francisco, having even its own “golden gate”, Floripa has always been a magnet for alternative life-styles.

In the past it was a provincial capital that was known only for its gorgeous beaches, quaint fishing villages and excellent surf, but since the late 70´s it has had an influx of immigrants from all walks of life. In the 80´s a lot of artists and old time hippies started to move to Santa Catarina Island attracted by the beautiful nature and by its laid back atmosphere. Since then, people from all over the country (and many foreigners) were attracted by its many universities and quality of life and came to settle down here. This created a tolerant and open-minded community that is very welcoming of gay and lesbians.

Gay and Lesbian Events

For gay and lesbians tourists the initial attraction was Carnival with its famous street parties with the Bloco dos Sujos, groups of cross-dressing men, being one of the oldest traditions. In the midst of this all encompassing atmosphere, gays always felt at home.

In recent years G&L Carnival grew bigger and bigger, with the Pop Gay competition, a beauty contest for Drags Queens and Transgenders, establishing itself as the biggest event on the Carnival calendar. In 2008, in its 15th edition, 50 thousand people attended the event.

During the festival, there is also a variety of parties to cater for all tastes. In the last 3 years major Electronic music label parties and big G&L clubs from other parts of Brazil have made their headquarters on the Island, attracting thousands of young gay people, turning Florianopolis into a serious contender to be THE biggest G&L Carnival in Brazil.

Another major event is the Semana da Diversidade, the local Pride Festival. Now on its third edition it has been a success since the beginning. The Pride Festival lasts a week and offers besides the Parade, cultural events in the Casa da Diversidade, the GLBT headquarters for the week located by the main city square, and the Diversity Games, a unique sporting event in Brazil for gays, lesbians and allies to socialize through sport.

The Pride Parade itself happens at the weekend and is one of the most important in the South. The first edition attracted 30,000 people, representing almost 10% of the city’s population. In 2008 will happen on 3rd of May.

Check  www.diversidadefloripa.com.br for more information.

Main Attractions

Besides its parties and festivals, it is still the beaches that draw the crowds and as there are so many of them you won’t have any problem finding one that suits your taste or mood.

The Northern beaches (Jurere, Canasvieiras, Ingleses) are the favorite territory of families, as the sea is warm and calm. They may get busy in the peak season (Dec-Feb) but are still worthy a visit, although if you want some serenity with your sea and sand then you might be better of to visit at a quieter time of year.

The East Coast (Santinho, Moçambique, Mole, Joaquina) is a great place to `hang ten’ with the surf dudes and the young, trendy crowd. Praia Mole is the trendiest, with the left-side of the beach, near Bar do Deca, being the gayest stretch of sand South of Ipanema. Next door is the optional nudist beach of Galheta, also a very popular area with the gay crowd, accessible only by foot.

As you go south, the beaches get wilder and even more stunning. Campeche, Armação and Pantano do Sul are mainly used by the locals and still have a strong fishing community.

Campeche has a sizeable gay and lesbian resident community and the beach itself, one of the most fashionable nowadays, is also a good meeting point. Nature lovers will be in their element in the South too, as they will find two of the most remote beaches here: Lagoinha do Leste, probably the most beautiful in the island, and Naufragados. Both can only be accessed by trail or boat.

As well as the diving and the lying on the beach of course! Floripa is a major center for active adventures and radical sports. Surfing, obviously, is huge. International competitions come to town every year and surf schools are everyday more popular (and affordable).The wind and waves draw in the kite and windsurfers, and Para gliders as well. Rafting, abseiling, diving, trekking, cycling…In fact, most sporty activities can be done in this land of outdoors lovers.

The Scene

Praia Mole is the hub during the summer, but clubs and bars downtown are open all year around.  Although the scene is mainly frequented by gay men, the places are all mixed (as in most places in Brazil) and lesbians looking for nightlife will not be left out. As it happens all over the world bars open and close with an amazing speed. Check before you come for updated info on best bars and clubs.

Just one hour north of Florianopolis is Balneario Camboriu, a seaside resort that attracts the gay crowd looking for a busy nightlife. Together with nearby Itajai, it’s known as one of the best places for electronic music in the country bringing top Dj´s from all over the world for the delight of a mixed gay/straight crowd.

Other main towns like Blumenau and Criciuma have also an active G&L nightlife.

See www.aquirola.com.br for general information and listings and for lesbian-only parties see www.babalufestas.com.br

Outside Floreepa – The great outdoors

If you are the restless or even restful kind and have extra time on your hands then don’t miss the South Coast, which is about 2 hours away from Florianópolis. You will find even more beautiful beaches (Praia do Rosa being the most famous and a new member of the “Most Beautiful Bays of the World Club”), with the added bonus of being an area of outstanding natural beauty. If you want to visit the whale sanctuary to see Southern Right Whales nurturing their young then plan to visit between July and November.

Only three hours inland from Floripa, you will be in the heart of Santa Catarina’s Serra Geral Mountain Range. Peaks rise to over 1500m, and overlook high plateaus covered in Araucaria forest, pristine rivers and cascading waterfalls. You can easily spend a few days here. The activities are as varied as they are at sea level .You can trek through mountain landscapes rich in flora and fauna or horse ride through cattle ranches in true gaucho style. The rivers are perfect for fly fishing or, if you just want to get even further away from it all just relax in a cozy mountain lodge for a few days.

Source: Brazil EcoJourneys

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