Deputies and activists ask MP to investigate Bolsonaro for homophobic statement
The president called Maranhão a 'boiola' because of the pink guarana. PSOL deputies and LGBTI + activists were represented at the Citizens' Rights Office.
A group of PSOL deputies and human rights and LGBTI + activists joined this Friday (30) with a representation against President Jair Bolsonaro in the Federal Attorney for Citizens’ Rights due to the homophobic statement he made in eve in Maranhão.
The homophobic comment was made on Thursday (30) during the president’s visit to São Luís. Taking the guaraná Jesus, a pink drink, traditional from the state and a local symbol, Bolsonaro said:
“Now I’m going to be a bullock, just like Maranhão, is that it? [Laughs] The pink guaraná from Maranhão, whoever drinks that guaraná becomes Maranhão [laughs].
The statement generated reactions from Governor Flávio Dino (PCdoB), from the bench of deputies from Maranhão and from political parties.
In the representation, the group asks the prosecutor Carlos Alberto Vilhena, of the Federal Public Ministry, to investigate the case and to take action for an alleged crime of responsibility.
According to the representation, Bolsonaro’s attitude “hurts the limits of freedom of expression and encourages hatred, prejudice and discrimination against homosexuals and the entire LGBTI + community”.
“In terms of the extent of the damage, remember that the Represented is the President of the Republic, having thus used his position and his voice to propagate true inferiorizing (racist) discourse, in this case, against homosexuals and against the people of the state of Maranhão “, argued the parliamentarians and activists.
Excuses
On Thursday night, in a live broadcast on a social network, Bolsonaro apologized.
“Guys, I made a joke. If someone was offended, I’m sorry, right, from Guaraná Jesus, considering his color, pink, right? […] I have Sampaio’s shirt Corrêa, in honor of the state of Maranhão, where I was treated very lovingly, I am very happy, I am moved, I send a hug to all Maranhão people “, he declared.
