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Brazil drag queen fights hate with children’s stories in ‘political act of resistance’
- Art teacher and actor Paulo Reis, 40, sought an innovative way to fight homophobia in Brazil, a country where anti-LGBTQ prejudice can run deep
- Reis has been performing LGBTQ themed stories for children and adults since 2017, taking his act to cultural centres and libraries across Brazil
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Wearing heavy make-up and a fuchsia wig, Brazilian drag queen Helena Black is acting out a story for a rapt group of children – but this is not your typical fairy tale.
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“The princess’ true love was not Prince Febo, nor any other man: it was the seamstress,” the performer tells the young listeners at a community centre in Sao Jose dos Campos, outside Sao Paulo.
“Helena Black” is the creation of art teacher and actor Paulo Reis, 40, a self-described marginalised, black, gay man who wanted an innovative way to fight homophobia in Brazil, a country where anti-LGBTQ prejudice can run deep.
Pacing the room, Reis uses dolls and voices to perform the story, adapted from a children’s book by Brazilian author Janaina Leslao.
It veers from the stereotypical princess tale – but keeps the happy ending.
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