It took a mass program, like Band's "CQC", for Jair Bolsonaro to become public as one of the most prejudiced figures in our current political scenario.
Elected federal deputy of Rio de Janeiro by the Progessista Party, which presents a contradiction as it is one of the most reactionary parties, Jair Bolsonaro is a military man by training, defender of the dictatorship, in favor of torture in cases of drug trafficking and a declared homophobe.
Long before the controversy involving the singer Preta Gil, the deputy was already well known among the gay public for boasting barbarities against the rights of homosexuals. Last year, during the program "Participação Popular", on TV Câmara, in which the "Spanking Law" was discussed - a project that prohibits any corporal punishment of children - Jair Bolsonaro gave a message to parents who wish to change their child's behavior gay, that is, make him straight: go for physical aggression.
The deputy compared, in the same line of reasoning, drug addicts with homosexual children. "If a boy hangs out with a stoner, he'll end up snorting, and if he hangs out with a gay guy, he'll definitely turn into a pothead. At that moment, a few slaps on him puts the kid on the right track," he told "Folha de São Paulo."
The main organizer of the "anti-gay" front in Congress, Jair Bolsonaro went so far as to state that the so-called "gay kit" – material developed by the MEC (Ministry of Education) for primary education to combat homophobia – "encourages promiscuity and homosexuality" .
Not satisfied, he declared that "in the name of family and good customs" he will do everything to prevent any bill that benefits the LGBT class. Among other pearls, he considered that children of present parents do not become homosexuals. Adding all this to the racist statement against the singer Preta Gil, a strong movement was created against the deputy. Within a day, the topic became the most talked about topic on Twitter. With the hash tag #forabolsonaro, personalities from the media and the LGBT community spoke out in repudiation of the congressman's prejudiced statements.
Senator Marta Suplicy (PT-SP), rapporteur of the bill that criminalizes homophobia, PLC 122, lamented Bolsonaro's stance, considering it a "scandal that there are still deputies like this". Lesbian writer Vange Leonel stated that she felt humiliated by Bolsonaro's interview with "CQC". "Can 'Bostonaro' be punished based on the Afonso Arinos Law (racism)? Yes. That's why we LGBTs need to approve PLC-122. Do you understand?", she shouted on her Twitter page.
Singer Zélia Duncan also reacted to the parliamentarian's provocations. "Bolsonaro admits to being homophobic, but denies being racist, because racism in Brazil is a crime, homophobia is not. Whoever is disgusted like me, raise your hand!" Carlos Tufvesson, from the Sexual Diversity Coordination of Rio de Janeiro City Hall, stated that any form of prejudice, be it racism or homophobia, cannot be accepted.
Federal deputy Jean Wyllys (PSOL-RJ), the main target in Congress for defending LGBT rights, declared to "Estadão" that the parliamentarian "knows that he was betrayed by the language and that he could be impeached for racism. So he is trying to say that he is 'just' homophobic."
Carlos Bolsonaro (PP-RJ), councilor in Rio de Janeiro, also lives up to his surname. In an interview with "Alfa" magazine, he asked: "What father is proud of a gay son?" The statement, however, is not surprising. Such a stance was to be expected from someone raised in a repressive and extremist environment.
With so many absurdities uttered by Jair Bolsonaro, it is surprising that only now can his mandate be revoked. While highlighting his repudiation of homosexuals, the deputy was immune to criticism. Now, with the racist statement to Preta Gil, there is even belief in punishment.
If there is any positive fact in this sad episode involving a parliamentarian and the LGBT community, it is the clear importance of making homophobia a national crime. In these times of Bolsonaros and attacks on young gays in São Paulo, the approval of PLC 122 has never been more necessary.
