Silva’s Christmas: A Series on Ordinary People, LGBT Prejudice, and Discomfort

Natal dos Silva’s Family Dynamics: Prejudice and Identity in a Brazilian Story

By Pedro Zambarda, Chief Editor Canal Brasil has created a digital booth for PlayersForLife, a series featuring Natal dos Silva, which was recorded in Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais. Produced by Filmes de Plastico, the story, directed by Gabriel Martins (Director of Mars One), focuses on a Brazilian family dynamic. It explores the complexities of family relationships, depicting both the love and the underlying tensions that can exist within them. Following the matriarch’s death, the poorest relatives inherit the house, and the mother becomes fixated on cooking. Carlos Francisco plays Geraldo, the well-behaved son engaged to a transgender woman, portrayed by Aisha Brunno. Although not explicitly stated at first, family feuds quickly surface. The arrival of an American brother and the family’s desire to sell the house to divide the inheritance bring familial transphobia to light, particularly through Geraldo’s silence about his relationship. As Natal dos Silva delves into themes of prejudice and identity, understanding LGBTQ history and culture becomes even more crucial. To aid in this exploration, the following is a breakdown of valuable resources, including archives and databases:

LGBT Publications Archive: A Worldwide Collection Explored

The Archives of Human Sexuality & Identity includes hundreds of U.S. and international newspapers. Regional history guides in the primary sources section offer coverage from mainstream newspapers and magazines. For additional PNW LGBT publications, see the Northwest GLBT Journals & other Serial Publications section at UW Libraries. The Advocate (1994–2006) is available via books.google.com. The Bay Area Reporter (1971–2005) is accessible via cdnc.ucr.edu. Body Politic (1971–1987) is accessible at uwo.capridelibbodypoliticbphome.htm. Center Voice (1985–1993) is available at dcmny.org. Come Out Magazine (1969–1972) is available via thecomeoutarchive.com. Dallas Voice (1984–2015) is accessible at texashistory.unt.eduexplorecollectionsDALVO. Empty Closet (1971–2015) can be accessed via digitalcollections.lib.rochester.eduislandoraobjectur3A5409. Focus Point (1994–2000) is accessible at reflections.mndigital.orgcdmsearchsearchtermfocus20pointfieldallmodeallconnandordertitleadasc. GLC Voice (1979–1992) is available at reflections.mndigital.orgcdmsearchsearchtermglc20voicefieldallmodeallconnandordertitleadasc. GPU News (1971–1981) is accessible at digicoll.library.wisc.educgibinGPUGPUidxtypebrowsescopeGPU.GPUNEWS. Just Out (1983–2013) is accessible via oregonnews.uoregon.edulccn2013202554. Ladder: A Lesbian Review (1956–1972) is available at alexanderstreet.com. Lampiao da Esquina (1978–1981) is accessible at www.grupodignidade.org.brprojetoslampiaodaesquina. Out (1999–2006) is accessible through books.google.com. Outweek Magazine (1989–1991) is accessible at outweek.netindex.html. The Queer Zine Archive Project (QZAP) is accessible at archive.qzap.orgindex.phpSplashIndex. Seattle Gay News (1976–1982, 1985–2018) is available via washingtondigitalnewspapers.org.

Accessible LGBTQ Archives and Primary Sources Worldwide Explored

The San Francisco Bay Area Gay and Lesbian Serial Collection is accessible at orbiscascadewashington.primo.exlibrisgroup.compermalink01ALLIANCEUW1jv7c00alma99117184070001452. The Heresies Archive (1977–1993) is available via heresiesfilmproject.orgarchive. Here are 25 primary sources on LGBTQ history that you might find interesting: 1. Deviants Archive: thedeviantsarchive.org 2. Edmonton Queer History Collection: archive.orgdetailsedmontonqueerhistory 3. FBI Documents on the Gay Activist Alliance: vault.fbi.govgayactivistalliancepart01of02 4. Gay History & Literature: rictornorton.co.ukindex.htm 5. Gay Peoples Union Collection: digital.library.wisc.edu1711.dlGPU 6. Seattle’s Gay Rights Movement during the 1970s: seattle.govcityarchivesexhibitsandeducationdigitaldocumentlibrariesgayrightsinthe1970s 7. Gay Activists Alliance documents: orbiscascadewashington.primo.exlibrisgroup.compermalink01ALLIANCEUW1jv7c00alma99148051740001452 8. Mattachine Society of New York, Inc.’s Gay Rights Movement: orbiscascadewashington.primo.exlibrisgroup.compermalink01ALLIANCEUW1jv7c00alma99148052290001452 9. GenderTalk (1997–2006): gendertalk.com 10. GLBTQ Archives: content.library.ccsu.edudmlandingpagecollectionGLBTQ 11. Invisible Histories: invisiblehistory.orgdigitalcollections 12. Lesbian Herstory Archives: herstories.prattinfoschool.nycomeka 13. LGBT materials in the New York Public Library: digitalcollections.nypl.orgcollectionslgbtmaterialsinthenewyorkpubliclibrary#tabnavigation 14. UW Digital Collections LGBTQ Collection: content.lib.washington.edulgbtqwebindex.html 15. The Seattle LGBTQ History Project: depts.washington.educivilrlgbtqintro.htm 16. FBI Documents on the Mattachine Society: vault.fbi.govmattachinesociety 17. Mazer Lesbian Archives: mazerlesbianarchives.orgdigitalcollections 18. ONE National Gay and Lesbian Archives: one.usc.edu 19. OutHistory.org: outhistory.org 20. Postcards of impersonators and crossdressing in Europe and the US (1900–1930): digital.library.cornell.educollectionsimpersonatorpostcards 21. Rainbow History Project: archives.rainbowhistory.org 22. Sex & Sexuality: offcampus.lib.washington.eduloginurlhttps:www.sexandsexuality.amdigital.co.uk 23. The Thai Rainbow Archives Project: eap.bl.ukprojectEAP128search 24. Transgender Usenet Archive: queerdigital.comtransusenetlanding.html 25. Wearing Gay History: wearinggayhistory.com.

Exploring LGBTQ History and Modern Family Dynamics through Natal dos Silva’s Rich Archive

These resources contain a variety of materials, including articles, reports, manuscripts, magazines such as CrossTalk and Transgender Tapestry, photos, posters, flyers, Congressional hearings, scholarly and law journal articles, and Supreme Court briefs. They also include movies, books, and primary source exhibits on topics like “The City Nightclub: A Queer Youth Community in Portland, Oregon (1977–1997)” and “AIDS Knows No Borders: Protesting the US Ban on HIV-Positive Migrants (1990–1993).” Initially, Lin, Geraldo’s partner, feels comfortable amidst the family conflicts. However, after Lin realizes the prejudice that emerges during the awkward secret gift exchange before Christmas dinner, Martins’ work reflects contemporary families and reproduces familiar experiences. Natal dos Silva offers the comfort of a home Christmas, alongside the discomfort of prejudices, rebellions, and regrets that involve most families. It’s an excellent series for demolishing ideals, full of mineiro flair. The opinions expressed in this text do not necessarily reflect those of Portal Uai. With its exploration of complex family dynamics and cultural themes, Natal dos Silva provides a compelling and thought-provoking viewing experience.