The Sex-drive Factor (Press, 17 August 1983)

In a unique cultural twist, Brazil has redefined the concept of drive-ins, where rather than serving as venues for banking or cinema, they are primarily spaces for sexual encounters. According to the article by Martin Walker published on 17 August 1983 in the "Guardian," these drive-ins consist of large, walled car parks featuring small cubicles for car parking and privacy curtains. With no beds or lounging areas, customers can hire a car space by the hour, utilising a bell system to order drinks, thus creating a distinct romantic ambiance. Despite predictions that drive-ins would become obsolete as societal morals relaxed, they remain popular in Brazil. Even those unable to afford their own vehicles can experience these spaces, as one owner has repurposed old, non-functioning cars to accommodate patrons. This persistence of drive-ins exists alongside a rapidly increasing market for pornography, with news kiosks displaying a range of explicit magazines that would be controversial in many countries. The emergence of the Brazilian porn industry can be traced back to state funding, which stimulated local film companies and led to a surge in soft porn comedies capturing public interest. Interestingly, the rise of pornography in Brazil has not sparked significant public backlash. Religious institutions and the feminist movement have largely overlooked the issue, focusing instead on more pressing matters such as abortion rights and political freedom. Feminist Maria Fuentes explains that pornography is considered a marginal concern amid Brazil's broader socio-political struggles, although some suggest the ruling generals might find it beneficial for maintaining troop morale. The discourse around sexual liberation in Brazil has been recently highlighted by Herbert Daniel, a former urban guerrilla and one of the last Brazilian exiles. Now a best-selling author, he has stirred conversation with his provocative book titled "Alligators and Werewolves." The title is derived from a perplexing Brazilian proverb and is interpreted as critique of traditional machismo. Daniel asserts that true machismo lies in promiscuous homosexuality, as it embodies a commitment to maximum sexual conquests. In the media frenzy surrounding his book, many are curious about the sexual lives of guerrillas in the revolutionary period Daniel belonged to. Contrary to expectations of wild sexual escapades, Daniel disclosed that for seven years, he suppressed his sexual desires in favour of the revolutionary cause, stating that the guerrillas maintained a rather puritanical lifestyle. However, he admits that they would occasionally seek the privacy offered by drive-ins. Overall, the article reveals a complex interplay of sexual freedom, societal norms, and political contexts within Brazilian culture.

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