Paper short abstract:

The purpose of this paper is to reflect on my etnographic experience following the so called “workshops of awareness on sexual diversity” that took place in youth detention facilities in Sao Paulo, Brazil.

Paper long abstract:

The purpose of this paper is to reflect on my etnographic experience following the so called "workshops of awareness on sexual diversity" (oficinas de sensibilização à diversidade sexual) that took place in male youth detention facilities in Sao Paulo, Brazil. These workshops were organized by the State Public Defender's Office (Defensoria Pública do Estado) in units of Fundação CASA (as it is called the juvenile detention system in the state of Sao Paulo) where cases of homophobia had been registered. Two different workshops were held in each institution, one only with staff and the other directly with the internal (always under the supervision of the staff). As an anthropologist, I took part in these meetings in two ways: first as a researcher interested in the issue of sexual diversity in these institutions. Second, as an expert able to contribute to the improvement of these activities.