João Dória does not show support for same-sex unions, but supports and says he “respects” the MBL

In a recent interview with the newspaper O Estado de S. Paulo, the mayor of São Paulo, João Dória, showed his claws and his thoughts linked to the extreme right when he quibbled over a question about same-sex unions. “This is a topic that needs to be studied and evaluated. The subject of a deeper debate”, said the mayor. Same-sex unions have been guaranteed in Brazil since 2013, by determination of the Federal Supreme Court. Candidate for the presidency of the Republic, Dória was laconic in saying that he “respects” the ideology of the Movimento Brasil Livre (MBL), an ultra-conservative movement, contrary to progressive agendas, especially the rights of lesbians, gays, bisexuals and transgender people. “MBL has grown a lot. Today they have some fronts and aspects (when asked about the movement's support for Jair Bolsonaro), but I really respect the value, the trajectory and what they defend (that is, conservatism), said the mayor. At the beginning of the month, João Dória, through a video released on his social networks, criticized the Queermuseu exhibition, which was on display in Porto Alegre, but was canceled after a strong movement against the MBL on social networks, calling for the cancellation of the exhibition about sexual diversity.