By Artur Vieira*
The experience of someone who was born a lesbian, lived in a heteronormative relationship for 10 years due to the dogmas of her evangelical upbringing, and grew up with the mentality that being LGBT+ was wrong. This is the life story of 31-year-old designer Ingrid Niara from São Paulo, but you’ve probably heard many others similar to this one out there.
In a country that has become increasingly evangelical with each passing day (according to a survey carried out by the Center for Metropolitan Studies – CEM at USP in July 2023, the growing wave of opening evangelical temples in Brazil) in this context the number of prejudices against the Queer Community also increases, since some of these denominations condemn sexual diversity.
And in the search for answers that would lift the burden that was oppressing her, and after being pulled out of the closet and exposed to her entire family in 2020 by her former relationship, Ingrid, in a sudden act and cry for help, sent a message to the Instagram of the “Evangelicxs” movement and was surprised by the welcome and support of the founder and pastor (also LGBTQIA+), Bob Luiz Botelho. In a two-hour call, he explained with biblical basis that she was not a sinner and could live her sexuality with peace of mind: this was the turning point she needed.
Today she is living her sexuality to the fullest and also in fullness in her personal life, since she feels completely fulfilled as the mother of little Maitê, 7 years old. She is also her greatest partner and supporter, since for her, her mother’s sexuality makes no difference whatsoever and does not cause any negative impact, since the emotional bond, the healthy environment and the well-established routine in the child’s life are the main things in the relationship between the two.
“As a lesbian woman who took a long time to come out of the closet, being able to celebrate who I am today is liberating”!
Today, it is easy to see through her wide smile, her humorous and focused speech, her always accurate positions. Ingrid brings such a clear and transparent lightness that it is contagious in a 45-minute interview over the phone. So confident and wanting more and more to bring representation to black and lesbian women, she tells me such delicate and emotional moments that sharpen the desire to hear more and more.
In our conversation, it is so clear that the pain of years is water under the bridge and has no impact on this mature, good-natured woman, who is up to date with her therapy, something she herself makes a point of emphasizing: the importance of resorting to this resource. Today, she is one of the many stories of successful black women, mothers, lesbians and evangelicals that we would like to read more often in reports like this.
To learn about the plural movement: @evangelicxs_
Ingrid’s Instagram: @ingridniara
*Artur Vieira is a Christian, gay and journalist who has worked with the LGBT+ public since 2013 on the internet with the profile @devoltaaoreino.
By Ezatamentchy
Source: Maxima
I am an experienced author and journalist with a passion for lifestyle journalism. I currently work for Buna Times, one of the leading news websites in the world. I specialize in writing stories about health, wellness, fashion, beauty, interior design, and more. My articles have been featured on major publications such as The Guardian and The Huffington Post.