In Brazil, the number 24 is considered very “gay.” That’s why men replace it with 23+1.

On social media became A viral photo of a set of holiday candles from Brazil: instead of a single “24,” the package contains “23” and “1.” To an outside observer, this might seem like a strange manufacturing error, but to Brazilians, it’s a clear cultural code. For decades, the number 24 has been considered “gay” in this country, and many men avoid it at all costs so as not to call their masculinity into question.

Let's explore how this prejudice arose and why the number 24 is now becoming a symbol of resistance.

What does the zoo have to do with this?

The roots of this taboo date back to the early 20th century. The founder of the National Zoo in Rio de Janeiro, Baron João Batista Viana Drummond, came up with the idea of a lottery to raise funds— "Jogo do Bicho" (Animal Game). Visitors were given cards featuring images of 25 different animals, and a winner was chosen at the end of the day.

The game became incredibly popular, and although it was later banned as a form of gambling, it turned into a national pastime controlled by the mafia. In this system Number 24 is a deer (veado). In Portuguese, the word veado equivalent to a homophobic slur that is comparable in its level of aggression to the English faggot. As a result, the number 24 has become inextricably linked to the queer community in a negative context.

A Linguistic Pitfall

There is another reason related to phonetics. In Portuguese, “twenty-four” sounds like "vinte e quatro". Internet users and linguists note that, when heard, this can easily be confused with the phrase "vim de quatro", which literally translates as "I came on all fours". In Brazilian slang, this expression has an unambiguous sexual connotation.

Everyday Homophobia: From Movie Theaters to Soccer

The fear of giving the “wrong” number permeates every aspect of life. According to Bernardo González, a player on a trans futsal team in São Paulo, some men deliberately:

• do not buy tickets for the 24th seats in movie theaters;
• refuse to rent apartment number 24;
• They are celebrating their 24th anniversary with "23+1" candles.

The problem is particularly acute in soccer — the country’s most popular sport. Players are refusing en masse to wear jerseys with the number 24, fearing ridicule and doubts about their masculinity. In 2020, this led to a scandal: when Colombian midfielder Víctor Cantillo transferred to Corinthians and wanted to keep his usual No. 24 jersey, the club’s director publicly stated: "There's no 24 here".

How 24 Became a Symbol of Protest

A crude comment by the Corinthians management sparked a backlash. In protest against homophobia, several Brazilian soccer stars, including a Flamengo forward, Gabriela Barbosa (Gabigola), they pointedly put on T-shirts with the number 24 on them.

For Brazil’s LGBTQ+ community, this number is gradually ceasing to be seen as offensive. In gay leagues, the number 24 is one of the most popular. As activist Bernardo González, who plays under that number himself, says: "Now it is a symbol of resistance and enlightenment".