Subject: Samba Queen, 7, Sparks Uproar by Conservative Morons Tue Feb 09, 2010 6:23 pm
Rio de Janiero's famous carnival has been hit by controversy over plans to give a role usually reserved for a sex symbol to a 7-year-old girl. Julia Lira has been chosen to head the drum corps from the samba school her father owns, but the move has drawn protests from children's rights groups, and a judge may block her from being a samba queen, the Guardian reports.
"We are not against kids participating in carnival; it's part of Brazilian culture," said the head of the state children's protection council. "What we can't allow is putting a 7-year-old girl in a role that traditionally has a very sexual focus." Julia's parents reject accusations that their child's appearance in the parade will be inappropriate and stress that she won't be wearing a provocative costume.
Location : Wasted Space Job/hobbies : Cayman Islands Actuary
Subject: Girl, 7, gets OK to be samba queen in Rio Carnival Thu Feb 11, 2010 2:36 am
A family court judge has ruled that a seven-year-old girl should be allowed to samba before a crowd of thousands as a Carnival drum corps queen, a coveted role normally reserved for sultry models.
Little Julia Lira is scheduled to perform for the packed Sambadrome stadium - and for millions more around the country via live television - early on Monday morning when the Viradouro samba group parades.
"We received the news this morning that the judge will let Julia parade," Viradouro spokeswoman Joice Hurtado said on Wednesday. "The group is ecstatic that she will be able to samba."