Mayor Thiago Flores and seven councilors from Ariquemes, Rondônia, were denounced by the Federal (MPF) and State (MP/RO) Public Ministry for inciting homophobia. The reason for the indictment was the recall of textbooks provided by the Ministry of Education (MEC), an act read by the entities as a form of censorship of family and gender diversity. According to the MP, the defendants committed administrative improbity, an act of illegal censorship and encouraged homophobia, violating the constitutional principles of building a free, fair and supportive society, without prejudice and discrimination. In January of this year, the new mayor of Ariquemes received a parliamentary request to collect the books. For the Public Ministry, seven councilors used untrue arguments to avoid the use of teaching material in the classroom, which was promptly accepted by the mayor, as a way of promoting themselves to society, taking into account the political moment that tends towards conservatism, through from an internet poll. According to the Public Ministry, the poll “turned into a superficial, aggressive, discriminatory and insulting debate against the LGBTT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transvestite and Transgender) community stimulated by the public authorities themselves”. With the results of the survey, the mayor ordered the collection of the books. The Public Prosecutor's Office analyzed the books and found that “at no time do the books present biased or inciting material about precocious sexuality, homosexuality or even support for homosexuality, they only present family diversity, demonstrating the different forms of constitution of families and highlighting their importance for the formation of individuals”. All will be tried and may be sentenced to the penalties of the Administrative Improbity Law, which includes loss of office. They may also be ordered to pay compensation for moral damages suffered by the Municipality of Ariquemes, the Union and society itself. The minimum amount requested for compensation is R$2 million for causing harm to students and the LGBTT community. The authors of the action are prosecutors Joice Gushy Mota Azevedo and Priscila Matzenbacher Tibes and public prosecutors Reginaldo Trindade and Raphael Bevilaqua. Procedural consultation at the Federal Court can be made by calling 1513-61.2017.4.01.4100. With information from Inforondônia
