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:
Catfish Comedy will host “2026 Queer Kickoff Show” on Thursday, Feb. 5 at A League of Her Own (2319 18th Street, N.W.). This show features D.C.’s funniest LGBTQ and femme comedians. The lineup features performers who regularly take the stage at top clubs like DC Improv and Comedy Loft, with comics who tour nationally.
Tickets are $17.85 and can be purchased on Eventbrite.
Arts & Entertainment
Catherine O’Hara, ‘Schitt’s Creek’ star and celebrated queer ally, dies at 71
Actress remembered for memorable comedic roles in ‘Beetlejuice’ and ‘Home Alone’
Catherine O’Hara, the varied comedic actor known for memorable roles in “Beetlejuice,” “Schitt’s Creek,” and “Home Alone,” has died at 71 on Friday, according to multiple reports. No further details about her death were revealed.
O’Hara’s death comes as a shock to Hollywood, as the Emmy award-winning actor has been recently active, with roles in both “The Studio” and “The Last of Us.” For her work in those two shows, she received Emmy nominations for outstanding supporting actress in a comedy series and outstanding guest actress in a drama series.
In 2020, O’Hara won the Outstanding Lead Actress in a comedy series award for her work in the celebrated sixth and final season of “Schitt’s Creek.” She was also known as a queer ally and icon for her theatrical and often campy performances over multiple decades. In “Schitt’s Creek,” she played Moira Rose, the wig-loving mother of David Rose (played by series creator Dan Levy). David is pansexual, but the characters around him simply accept him for who he is; the show was embraced by the LGBTQ community with how naturally David’s sexuality was written and portrayed. That show ran from 2015 to 2020 and helped bring O’Hara and her co-stars into a new phase of their careers.
In a 2019 interview with the Gay Times, O’Hara explained why the show got LGBTQ representation right: “Daniel has created a world that he wants to live in, that I want to live in. It’s ridiculous that we live in a world where we don’t know how to respect each other and let each other be. It’s crazy. Other shows should follow suit and present the world and present humans as the best that we can be. It doesn’t mean you can’t laugh, that you can’t be funny in light ways and dark ways. It’s all still possible when you respect and love each other.”
Additional credits include “SCTV Network” (for which O’Hara won a writing Emmy), “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice,” “Curb Your Enthusiasm,” “Six Feet Under,” “Best in Show,” “Home Alone 2: Lost in New York,” and “Dick Tracy.” O’Hara also lent her voice to “The Nightmare Before Christmas,” “Chicken Little,” “Monster House,” and “Elemental.” O’Hara was expected to return for Season 2 of “The Studio,” which started filming earlier this month.
Friday, January 30
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]).
Spark Social will host “RuPaul’s Drag Race S18 Watch Party” at 8 p.m. This event will be hosted by local drag queens TrevHER and Grey, who will provide hilarious commentary and make live predictions on who’s staying and who’s going home. Stick around after the show for a live drag performance. This event is free and more details are available on Eventbrite.
Saturday, January 31
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.
Sunday, February 1
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, February 2
“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 (adamheller@thedccenter.org).
Tuesday, February 3
Universal Pride Meeting will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This group seeks to support, educate, empower, and create change for people with disabilities. For more information, email [email protected].
Wednesday, February 4
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.
Center Aging Women’s Social and Discussion Group will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This group is a place where older LGBTQ+ women can meet and socialize with one another. There will be discussion, activities, and a chance for guests to share what they want future events to include. For more details, visit the DC Center’s website.
Thursday, February 5
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 5:00 pm 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, breath work 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.
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