Most Brazilians are against adoption by gay couple

Originally published in the newspaper Folha de Sao Paulo (in Portuguese) 


Cláudia Collucci from Sao Paulo, Brazil
Almost two months after the STJ (Superior Court) to recognize that gay couples have the right to adopt, 51% of Brazilians say they are against this practice. Another 39% are in favor of adoption by gays.
This was revealed Datafolha survey conducted between 20 and 21 May with 2660 respondents across the country. The margin of error of two percentage points more or less.
Women are more tolerant of gay adoption than men: 44% vs. 33%. Just as young people in relation to older people: aged between 16 and 24 years, the practice is supported by 58%, while among those 60 years or more, only 19%.
"It's a breakthrough. In the Middle Ages, were burned. Then, taken as criminals and patients. The fact that almost 40% of the population support gay adoption is great news," said Toni Reis, president of ABGLT (Brazilian Association Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender).
He acknowledges, however, that prejudice is still great. "It will require many parades and marches to convince people that we are citizens who deserve the right of fatherhood and motherhood."
The rate of people in favor of gay adoption grows with income (49% among those receiving more than ten times the minimum wage from 35% among those earning up to two floors) and education (50% among those with higher education and 28% elementary education).
For lawyer Maria Berenice Dias, Chief Judge of the Court of RS, the trend is that the decision from the Supreme Court serves as a case for future actions and that it gradually motivate more people to approve the adoption by homosexuals.
"Most of the Brazilian population is still conservative, but it was worse."
Between religions, Catholics are the most "progressive": 41% declare themselves in favor of gay adoption and 47% opposed. Among Pentecostals, disapproval reaches the highest rate: 71%, versus only 22% favorable.
Father Luiz Antônio Bento, adviser to the commission for life and family CNBB (National Conference of Bishops of Brazil), states that adoption by homosexuals violates the right of the child to grow up in a family environment made up of father and mother, and this can bring "psychological problems for the child."
Psychologist Ana Bahia Bock, a professor at Catholic University of São Paulo, disagrees. "The issue is cultural. If a child lives with people who see a natural [the sexuality of parents], it gives a positive meaning to experience."