With Fernanda Torres on the way to the Oscar, remember her support for the LGBTQ+ cause

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Translated by Fefo Campos

With Fernanda Torres gaining prominence in the race for the 2025 Oscar, her journey and stances are coming to the forefront, including her support for the LGBTQ+ cause. The actress, known for her sharp remarks on politics and social rights, has publicly addressed issues such as the criminalization of homophobia and society’s reception of LGBTQ+ characters on television.

The kiss in “Babilônia” and Fernanda Torres’ reaction

In 2015, during the launch of the final season of the series “Tapas & Beijos”, Fernanda Torres was asked about the repercussions of the kiss scene between Fernanda Montenegro, her mother, and Nathalia Timberg in the soap opera “Babilônia”. The scene, aired in the first episode of the show, sparked controversy and ignited debates about LGBTQ+ representation on open television.

At the time, Fernanda Torres commented: “Mom is amazing, and I tell her: ‘Mom, you’re the man in this relationship’. I’m not sure if the issue was the kiss or the fact that it happened in the first episode. I think society is revealing itself to be conservative, but that also deserves to be heard and seen”.

The scene provoked intense reactions, leading the soap opera to face boycotts from conservative sectors. The backlash against the kiss resulted in changes to the plot and a reduction in the presence of the lesbian characters, highlighting the impact of resistance to LGBTQ+ content on Brazilian television at the time.

Support against homophobia

In addition to advocating for representation in the media, at the time, the actress spoke out about the lack of legal protection against homophobia in Brazil: “Babilônia came with a message where people see hope, a way out. It involves the issue of conservative society, the fact that homophobia is not considered a crime, which is also insane. Brazil is shocked by itself”.

At the time, Brazil still did not consider hate crimes against the LGBTQ+ community as offenses punishable by law. It was only in 2019 that the Supreme Federal Court equated homophobia with the crime of racism, expanding legal protections for the community.

The legacy and continuity of the debate

Almost a decade later, the discussion about LGBTQ+ representation in soap operas and cinema remains prominent. With Fernanda Torres being internationally recognized for her work, her critical stance and past statements emphasize how the debate on diversity and inclusion remains relevant today.

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