Arts & Entertainment
Netflix comedy implying “Gay Jesus” stirs conservative wrath
A Netflix Christmas special which heavily suggests Jesus is gay has drawn the ire of religious conservatives in Brazil.
The Brazilian-produced show, titled “A primeira tentação de Cristo” (“The First Temptation of Christ”), is a 46-minute comedy in Portuguese, in which Jesus (Gregório Duvivier) brings home his new friend, the obviously gay Orlando (Fábio Porchat), for a 30th-birthday visit with his family – Mary, Joseph, and God (whom Jesus has been told is his uncle) – after the two have spent 40 days in the desert together. The show strongly implies that they are lovers, with Orlando trying to reveal their relationship while Jesus repeatedly changes the subject.
The short film is the product of Brazilian comedy troupe Porta dos Fundos (Backdoor), who began sharing their satirical videos through their You Tube channel in 2012. Their popularity led to a show on Fox Network Brazil in 2014 and a theatrical film, “Contrato Vitalício,” in 2016. The group’s 2018 special “The Last Hangover” – which was also streamed on Netflix – won an International Emmy for Best Comedy Web TV Special.
After the new Christmas special premiered on Netflix on December 3, it quickly become a target for religious conservatives in the heavily Catholic Brazil. An online petition was organized demanding that the show be removed from the streaming service’s catalogue, that its creators be “held responsible for the crime of vilification of the faith,” and that Netflix issue a “public retraction, for they have seriously offended Christians.” At the time of this writing, the petition had collected over 2 million signatures.
According to Vice, fundamentalist leaders and opponents of pro-LGBT agendas have taken further action, including calling for boycotts of Netflix, demanding a Parliamentary investigation of the comedy group, and suing the government to censor the episode.
Federal Congressman Eduardo Bolsonaro joined the fray by tweeting, “We are in favor of freedom of expression, but is it worth attacking the faith of 86% of the population?”
The congressman is the son of far-right President Jair Bolsonaro, whose government has taken an aggressive stance against LGBTQ equality, and who recently objected to a ruling by the country’s Supreme Court criminalizing homophobia and characterizing it as a form of racism by saying he is a “proud homophobe” and that he would prefer a “dead son to a gay son.”
As for the show’s creators, they have taken a characteristically humorous approach in their response to the backlash, with Porchat (who is one of the founders of Porta dos Fundos as well as appearing in the special) tweeting, “Guys, you can let me work it out with God, that’s fine, you don’t have to worry about it. Now you can get angry again with the inequality that destroys our country. But you have to be outraged with equal passion, okay?”
He also told Variety in an interview last week that protest against the special was “homophobic,” and that Netflix had been supportive. “They haven’t said anything to us like, ‘Maybe we should stop making the special available’,” he said. “They support freedom of speech.”
When asked for comment last Monday, Netflix declined. However, on Tuesday, it was reported that the comedy special had become the best performing Brazilian program in the streaming network’s history, and that Porta dos Fundos had been commissioned to create a third Christmas special in 2020.
The show remains available on Netflix. You can watch the trailer below:
Out & About
Love board games and looking for love?
Quirk Events will host “Board Game Speed Dating for Gay Men” on Thursday, Jan. 22 at 7 p.m. at KBird DC.
Searching for a partner can be challenging. But board games are always fun. So what if you combined board games and finding a partner?
Picture this: You sit down for a night of games. A gaming concierge walks you through several games over the course of the night. You play classics you love and discover brand new games you’ve never heard of, playing each with a different group of fun singles. All while in a great establishment.
At the end of the night, you give your gaming concierge a list of the folks you met that you’d like to date and a list of those you met that you’d like to just hang out with as friends. If any two people put down the same name as each other in either column, then your gaming concierge will make sure you get each other’s e-mail address and you can coordinate a time to hang out.
Tickets cost $31.80 and can be purchased on Eventbrite.
Friday, January 16
Friday Tea Time will be at 12 p.m. at the DC Center for the LGBT Community. This is a social hour for older LGBTQ+ adults. Bring your beverage of choice. For more information, contact Mac ([email protected]).
Trans and Genderqueer Game Night will be at 7 p.m. at the DC LGBTQ+ Community Center. This is a relaxing, laid-back evening of games and fun. For more details, visit the DC Center’s website.
Go Gay DC will host “LGBTQ+ Social in the City” at 7 p.m. at Hotel Zena. This event is ideal for making new connections and community building or just to unwind and enjoy extended happy hour. Attendance is free and more details are available on Eventbrite.
Saturday, January 17
Go Gay DC will host “LGBTQ+ Community Brunch” at 11 a.m. at Freddie’s Beach Bar & Restaurant. This fun weekly event brings the DMV area LGBTQ+ community, including allies, together for delicious food and conversation. Attendance is free and more details are available on Eventbrite.
The DC LGBTQ+ Community Center and SMYAL will host a free film screening of “Mama Bears” celebrating queer youth, resilience, and the power of living authentically. Whether you’re a movie lover, looking to make new friends, or simply want a safe, affirming space to relax, this event is for you. Click this link to RSVP.
LGBTQ People of Color will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This peer support group is an outlet for LGBTQ people of color to come together and talk about anything affecting them in a space that strives to be safe and judgement free. There will be all sorts of activities like watching movies, poetry events, storytelling, and just hanging out with others. For more details, visit thedccenter.org/poc or facebook.com/centerpoc.
Sunday, January 18
Go Gay DC will host “LGBTQ+ Community and Conversation” at noon at As You Are. This event is for those looking to make more friends and meaningful connections in the LGBTQ+ community. Look for the Go Gay DC sign on the long table near the front window. Attendance is free and more details are available on Eventbrite.
Monday, January 19
“Center Aging: Monday Coffee Klatch” will be at 10 a.m. on Zoom. This is a social hour for older LGBTQ adults. Guests are encouraged to bring a beverage of choice. For more information, contact Adam ([email protected]).
Tuesday, January 20
Center Bi+ Roundtable will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This is an opportunity for people to gather in order to discuss issues related to bisexuality or as Bi individuals in a private setting.Visit Facebook or Meetup for more information.
Tae Kwon Do Class with Avi Rome will be at 12:30 p.m. This inclusive and beginner-friendly class, led by Instructor Avi Rome, offers a light warm-up, stretching, and instruction in basic techniques, patterns, and striking padded targets. Each session is designed to be adaptable for all ability and mobility levels, creating a welcoming space for everyone to build strength, confidence, and community through martial arts. For more details, visit the DC Center’s website.
Wednesday, January 21
Job Club will be at 6 p.m. on Zoom upon request. This is a weekly job support program to help job entrants and seekers, including the long-term unemployed, improve self-confidence, motivation, resilience and productivity for effective job searches and networking — allowing participants to move away from being merely “applicants” toward being “candidates.” For more information, email [email protected] or visit thedccenter.org/careers.
Thursday, January 22
The DC Center’s Fresh Produce Program will be held all day at the DC Center for the LGBT Community. People will be informed on Wednesday at 5 p.m. if they are picked to receive a produce box. No proof of residency or income is required. For more information, email [email protected] or call 202-682-2245.
Virtual Yoga Class will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This free weekly class is a combination of yoga, breathwork and meditation that allows LGBTQ+ community members to continue their healing journey with somatic and mindfulness practices. For more details, visit the DC Center’s website.
The Washington Capitals will host Pride Night on Saturday, Jan. 17, when they host the Florida Panthers at Capital One Arena. A special ticket offer featuring a Pride-themed Capitals rainbow jersey is available at washcaps.com.
Fans are invited to a pre-game Block Party at District E beginning at 5 p.m. The event will feature a performance by the band NovaKane. Specialty happy hour food and beverages will be available, as well as giveaways. There will also be a presence by several local LGBTQ+ community organizations.
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