São Paulo’s D-EDGE Criticized for Hosting Speaker Urging Abuse Survivors to Forgive
- São Paulo's renowned club, D-EDGE, is at the center of a controversy after hosting a service on March 10th featuring Baby do brasil, whose sermon included calls for...
- D-EDGE owner Renato Ratier has attempted to distance himself from the controversial statements.
- Ratier initially stated that Baby do Brasil was "invited to speak at the last minute without my consent" during the service.However, a video, since removed, showed Ratier and...
D-EDGE Faces Criticism Over Hosting Sermon Urging Forgiveness for Abuse Survivors
Table of Contents
- D-EDGE Faces Criticism Over Hosting Sermon Urging Forgiveness for Abuse Survivors
- D-EDGE Controversy: Q&A on the Club’s Hosting of a Controversial Sermon
- What happened at D-EDGE in São Paulo?
- What was Renato Ratier’s role in the D-EDGE controversy?
- How has the LGBTQ+ community reacted to the D-EDGE sermon?
- What is “cura gay” ideology and what is Renato Ratier’s stance?
- Why did Renato Ratier host the religious service at D-EDGE?
- What was Baby do Brasil’s controversial statement?
- Has Renato Ratier apologized for the incident?
- What are the broader concerns highlighted by this incident in Brazil?
- Key Figures in the D-EDGE Controversy
São Paulo’s renowned club, D-EDGE, is at the center of a controversy after hosting a service on March 10th featuring Baby do brasil, whose sermon included calls for sexual abuse survivors to “forgive” their abusers. This event has sparked widespread criticism and ignited discussions about the club’s values and its role within the community.
Renato Ratier’s Response
D-EDGE owner Renato Ratier has attempted to distance himself from the controversial statements. He shared on Instagram: “Unfortunately, isolated statements made by guests contradict my beliefs. I want to make it clear that I am firmly against any form of abuse or discrimination and every crime must be reported and investigated.”
Ratier initially stated that Baby do Brasil was “invited to speak at the last minute without my consent” during the service.However, a video, since removed, showed Ratier and Baby do Brasil jointly inviting people to the service, discussing a previous ”lovely” ceremony at ratier’s Surreal Park venue in Santa Catarina.
Community Backlash
The incident has triggered a strong reaction, particularly within Brazil’s LGBTQ community. One Brazilian artist, who preferred to remain anonymous, highlighted the resurgence of neo-Pentecostal movements aligning wiht far-right and anti-LGBTQ ideologies, noting the community’s shock: “This scene was built on acceptance and inclusivity by the LGBTQ community, so people are now asking: ‘How is this even happening?'”
Ratier has stated that he doesn’t support the ‘cura gay’ ideology, sharing: “The idea doesn’t exist and has never been part of my values.”
Glau, a queer Brazilian DJ who has performed at D-EDGE, expressed feeling betrayed. He stated it was “shocking” to see the space being used to “legitimise abuse” against women and queer people. He further elaborated: “Even though D-Edge now caters to a more white, heterosexual audience, it remains one of the most significant clubs in Latin America. So when we heard about this service, our community felt a deep sense of betrayal… Its outrageous that it’s become a platform for misogynistic and hateful rhetoric against the very community that helped establish it.”
Ratier’s Clarification and Apology
Ratier emphasized that he’s “not part of any ideological or extremist group, nor do I like or accept religious bias.” He shared that he converted to the evangelical Pura Fé Church three years ago after his wife’s health scare: “Since then, I’ve immersed myself in my faith, which has sustained me through all of this.”
While Ratier intends to continue practicing his faith, he confirmed he will no longer host ceremonies at D-EDGE. “Holding the service inside the club was a mistake and I won’t do it again. If any statements hurt anyone, I apologise—you all have my support.”
Broader Concerns in Brazil
Another Brazilian-english activist and artist, speaking anonymously, told that Baby do brasil’s statements at D-EDGE highlights a broader issue: the continuous attack on women’s rights in Brazil and the social stigma generated by widespread evangelicalism.
She further emphasized the severity of the situation: “The number of women and girls raped in this country is horrific, so having a high-profile figure urge victims to forgive their abusers is unthinkable.”
The situation remains fluid, and further updates are expected as the story develops.
D-EDGE Controversy: Q&A on the Club’s Hosting of a Controversial Sermon
D-EDGE, a well-known club in São Paulo, is currently facing criticism after hosting a religious service where calls were made for sexual abuse survivors to “forgive” their abusers. This has ignited a significant controversy, prompting discussions about the club’s values and its place in the community. Here’s a breakdown of the situation in a Q&A format.
What happened at D-EDGE in São Paulo?
On March 10th, D-EDGE hosted a religious service featuring Baby do Brasil. During the service, Baby do Brasil made statements urging sexual abuse survivors to forgive their abusers. These remarks sparked widespread criticism.
What was Renato Ratier’s role in the D-EDGE controversy?
Renato Ratier is the owner of D-EDGE. He initially stated that Baby do Brasil was invited to speak without his consent at the last minute. However, a now-deleted video showed Ratier and Baby do Brasil jointly inviting people to the service, discussing a previous event at Ratier’s Surreal Park venue. Ratier has as apologized for hosting the service and stated it was a mistake.
How has the LGBTQ+ community reacted to the D-EDGE sermon?
The LGBTQ+ community in Brazil has reacted strongly,with many expressing feelings of shock and betrayal. They feel the event contradicts the club’s history of acceptance and inclusivity. One queer Brazilian DJ, Glau, who has performed at D-EDGE, described the incident as “shocking” and said it felt like the space was being used to ”legitimize abuse” against women and queer people.
What is “cura gay” ideology and what is Renato Ratier’s stance?
“Cura gay” (gay cure) ideology refers to the discredited and harmful belief that a person’s sexual orientation or gender identity can be changed through therapy or religious intervention. Renato Ratier has stated that he dose not support this ideology and that it has never been part of his values.
Why did Renato Ratier host the religious service at D-EDGE?
Ratier shared that he converted to the evangelical Pura Fé Church three years ago following a health scare with his wife. He stated that he has as “immersed himself in my faith.” While he intends to continue practicing his faith, he has confirmed he will no longer host ceremonies at D-EDGE.
What was Baby do Brasil’s controversial statement?
Baby do Brasil’s controversial statement during the sermon was its urging for sexual abuse survivors to “forgive” their abusers. This statement, made at D-Edge, sparked immediate community backlash due to its insensitivity towards victims of sexual abuse and the potential harm in promoting forgiveness without accountability.
Has Renato Ratier apologized for the incident?
Yes, Renato Ratier has apologized. He stated, “Holding the service inside the club was a mistake and I won’t do it again. If any statements hurt anyone, I apologise—you all have my support.”
What are the broader concerns highlighted by this incident in Brazil?
The incident highlights several broader concerns in Brazil:
Attacks on Women’s Rights: The statements made at D-EDGE are seen as part of a broader trend of attacks on women’s rights in Brazil
Social Stigma of Evangelicalism: Widespread evangelicalism and its potential impact on social issues, including women’s rights and LGBTQ+ rights.
* High Rates of Sexual Violence: The statement urging forgiveness of abusers is particularly sensitive given the high rates of rape in Brazil.
Key Figures in the D-EDGE Controversy
| Person | Role | Stance/Action |
| —————– | ———————————————- | ———————————————————————————————————————— |
| Renato Ratier | Owner of D-EDGE | Apologized for hosting the service, stated he doesn’t support “cura gay” ideology, will no longer host ceremonies. |
| Baby do Brasil | Featured speaker at the service | Made controversial statements urging forgiveness for abuse survivors. |
| Glau | Queer Brazilian DJ | Expressed feeling betrayed, stating the event legitimized abuse.|
| anonymous Artist | Brazilian artist/activist | Highlighted resurgence of neo-Pentecostal movements aligning with far-right ideologies. |
| anonymous activist and artist | English activist | Emphasized the severity of the situation, highlighting the continuous attack on women’s rights in Brazil and the social stigma. |