Renato Russo, born Renato Manfredini, Jr., was a renowned Brazilian singer-songwriter, best known as the lead vocalist of the influential alternative rock band Legião Urbana. His remarkable life and career were immortalized in the 2013 Brazilian film "Somos Tão Jovens" (We Are So Young).
Renato's academic journey began at a young age, when he enrolled at Colégio Olavo Billac. During this period, he showcased his literary skills by penning an essay titled "Old house, in ruins". His father, an executive at Banco do Brasil, was assigned a job in New York City, prompting the family to relocate to Forest Hills, Queens, in 1967. The experience had a profound impact on Renato's life, and he would later draw inspiration from his time in the United States.
The family eventually returned to Rio de Janeiro, where they settled with Renato's uncle, Sávio. At the tender age of 18, Renato made the courageous decision to come out to his mother as bisexual. This pivotal moment marked the beginning of his journey towards self-acceptance.
In 1988, Renato publicly declared his sexuality through the song "Meninos e Meninas" ("Boys n' Girls"),which featured a chorus that proudly proclaimed, in English, "I like St. Paul, I like St. John, I like St. Francis and St. Sebastian, and I like boys and girls." This groundbreaking song served as a powerful statement of self-acceptance and paved the way for future generations of LGBTQ+ individuals to express themselves authentically.
