This chapter analyzes the emergence of the gay-lesbian-bisexual-transsexual (glbt) movement in Portugal.

In the 1990s, Portuguese society witnessed a public debate on questions related to homosexuality, while simultaneously seeing the emergence of several glbt organizations whose active work has been taking place primarily in Lisbon.

The emergence of a national glbt movement, although still in an embryonic phase and in effect circumscribed to urban space, was caused by a set of socio-political factors, among which we can highlight the following: a) bills put forth by parties of the democratic Left, following EU anti-discrimination recommendations; b) discontent of the Portuguese civil society vis-a-vis the Vatican's dicta on sexual morality; c) emergence of groups for the defense of the rights of women, ethnic minorities and disabled people; d) increasing media coverage and academic focus on issues related to the body, gender, and sex/gender identities in general; e) impact of the glbt movement in other countries.

During the 1990s, the Portuguese glbt movement achieved some power and visibility in the socio-political field, as is shown in the strategies and initiatives of the major Portuguese gay organization, ILGA-Portugal. Two examples: having been created in 1995, ILGA-Portugal inaugurated its headquarters in 1997, in a location given it by the mayor of Lisbon. 1997 was also the year of the first Gay Pride Festival (Arraial), as well as the first edition of the Gay Lesbian Cinema Festival, sponsored by the Lisbon City Council and the Ministry of Culture.

It was this movement that was responsible for bringing to the political agenda the discussion of such questions as common-law partnerships or the insertion of sexual orientation as a factor in non-discrimination in article 13 of the Constitution. After a decade in which glbt rights seemed condemned to oblivion on the part of Portuguese legislation, on March 15, 2001 Parliament made history when it passed a law on common-law partnerships for all citizens, independent of their sexual orientation.

This chapter studies the construction of the Portuguese glbt movement, identifying actors, alliances, impasses, and possibilities for sexual emancipation in a dominantly and proudly Catholic and heterosexual society.