The Brazilian Association of Lesbians, Gays, Bisexuals, Transvestites and Transsexuals (ABGLT) sent a letter this week to the city of Salvador, Bahia, asking for the law naming a street after José Augusto Berbert de Castro to be revoked, an admitted homophobic journalist who passed away on the 22nd of last month.
The Gay Group of Bahia (GGB) also spoke out against the tribute to the journalist and threatened to spray paint the swastika symbol on the sign that will bear his name if the measure is not canceled by the next Gay Parade in Salvador, which takes place on the 12th as usual.
José Augusto Berbert de Castro was responsible for the Bahian newspaper "A Tarde". According to Luiz Mott, founder of GGB, the publication daily contained phrases such as "killing deer is not homicide, it's hunting" and "keep Salvador clean: kill a queer every day".
According to the Folha de São Paulo newspaper, Berbert's granddaughter, Paula, even apologized to Mott due to her grandfather's homophobic statements, who wore a cap with the words "Berbert: Deer Exterminator" to run. However, the granddaughter believes that Jose Augusto should not be discriminated against for his “reverse activism”.
Pedro Godinho, councilor for the PMDB and author of the bill that names the street after the journalist, also stated that the tribute only refers to Berbert's professional career and, therefore, he sees no reason for the law to be revoked.
