Rosely Roth

Born of Jewish parents, she attended both Jewish and non-Jewish schools while growing up in her native São Paulo. In 1981 she obtained a degree in Philosophy from the Pontifícia Universidade Católica de São Paulo; and in 1985-1986 she graduated again from the same university with a degree in Anthropology, having dedicated her studies on lesbian life and sexuality in São Paulo.

Roth started her direct participation in the women's movement at the start of 1981 by attending meetings at the Grupo Lésbico Feminista (1979–1990) and at the SOS Mulher (1980–1993). Still in 1981, Roth and Míriam Martinho, another pioneer of the Brazilian LGBT movement, founded the Grupo Ação Lésbica-Feminista - GALF (1981–1990) in São Paulo.

Roth was involved in many organizations and activities demanding sexual freedom and equal rights for lesbians and all members of the LGBT community during most of her adult life. She was particularly active in bringing visibility to related issues in the local and national media when the LGBT movement was still in its infancy in Brazil.

In the last phase of Roth's life, she started to suffer from what has been described as deep emotional problems. As a consequence, it is believed that her health condition led her to commit suicide.

The Dia Nacional do Orgulho Lésbico, a national day of lesbian pride, celebrated annually throughout Brazil on August 19, since 2003, has been established in her honor.