Rosely Roth

Rosely Roth (August 21, 1959 in São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil – August 28, 1990 in São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil) was a Brazilian anthropologist and activist, considered one of the pioneers in the history of the LGBT movement of Brazil (known in Portuguese as the Movimento Homosexual Brasileiro). The daughter of secular Jewish parents, she attended both Jewish and non-Jewish schools while growing up in her native São Paulo. In 1981, she obtained a degree in Philosophy from the Pontifícia Universidade Católica de São Paulo; and in 1985-1986 she graduated again from the same university with a degree in Anthropology, having dedicated her studies on lesbian life and sexuality in São Paulo. Roth was involved in many organizations and activities demanding sexual freedom and equal rights for lesbians and all members of the LGBT community during most of her adult life. Roth started her direct participation in the women's movement at the beginning of 1981 by attending meetings at the Grupo Lésbico Feminista (1979–1990) and at the SOS Mulher (1980–1993). In addition, in 1981 Roth and Míriam Martinho, another pioneer of the Brazilian LGBT movement, founded the Grupo Ação Lésbica-Feminista - GALF (1981–1990) in São Paulo. In 1982, Roth and other members of GALF reproduced independent lesbian publication Chanacomchana (1981, 1982–1987), after an indefinite hiatus due to Brazil's conservative military dictatorship. In 1985, Roth became the first openly lesbian woman to appear on Brazilian television, appearing twice on popular talk show Hebe, where she brought visibility to the LGBT movement while it was still in its infancy in Brazil. Her appearance was met with widespread controversy, leading to the Brazilian military threatening to shut down Hebe and Roth losing her job. In 1981, the circulation of Chanacomchana became increasingly difficult, with lesbian women afraid to receive a publication which suggested their sexual identity.