Social media users around the world were outraged as Brazil elected as president a man who said he’d rather see his son dead than gay and would punch men if he saw them kissing on the street.
Far-right Congressman Jair Bolsonaro won a majority of the vote in a runoff Sunday over Fernando Haddad, a liberal who is currently the mayor of Sao Paulo, CNN reports. The two had been the top finishers in an earlier round of voting a few weeks ago but were forced into a runoff because neither received 50 percent of the vote. The incumbent, Michel Temer, did not seek reelection.
Among Bolsonaro's homophobic statements, he has said he would rather a son of his die in an accident than be gay, and he once told actress Ellen Page she was "escaping normality" because she is a lesbian. He has also made many misogynistic and racist comments and has roused the ire of environmentalists with his plans to open Brazil's rainforest to industrial development.
His election, in a nation beset by corruption scandals, brought strong and swift reaction from the likes of former United Nations Ambassador Samantha Power, transgender actress Jen Richards, and more. Donald Trump, however, called to congratulate him, as did many other world leaders.
The man who said “I wouldn’t rape you because you don’t deserve it” to a congresswoman, who said “I would prefer that my son die in an accident” rather than be gay, who said that “the dictatorship's mistake was to torture but not kill” – is now Brazil’s president-elect. https://t.co/j7pZKWJtQV
— Samantha Power (@SamanthaJPower) October 29, 2018
I’m praying for my sisters in Brazil. It’s alreasy the most dangerous place in the world for trans women, and now an extreme right wing president has been elected, one who has said he’d prefer a dead child to a gay one. These are dark times. We must shine brighter.
— Jen Richards (@SmartAssJen) October 29, 2018
Brazil's New President Jair Bolsonaro
• "I would not be able to love a gay son. I would rather he die in an accident."
• To a woman: "I would never rape you because you do not deserve it."
• Afro-Brazilians are "not even good for breeding."
• Dictatorship was "very good." https://t.co/l067QlvQOe— Keith Boykin (@keithboykin) October 29, 2018
Brazil has elected a far-right leader with fascist tendencies as its new president. The United States, and the world, must be vigilant to ensure that human rights and the rights of political opponents are respected under this new president. #JairBolsonaro https://t.co/Fv8sjoGNuX
— Joaquin Castro (@JoaquinCastrotx) October 29, 2018
Brazil's New President Jair Bolsonaro
• "I would not be able to love a gay son. I would rather he die in an accident."
• To a woman: "I would never rape you because you do not deserve it."
• Afro-Brazilians are "not even good for breeding."
• Dictatorship was "very good." https://t.co/l067QlvQOe— Keith Boykin (@keithboykin) October 29, 2018
Brazil has elected a far-right leader with fascist tendencies as its new president. The United States, and the world, must be vigilant to ensure that human rights and the rights of political opponents are respected under this new president. #JairBolsonaro https://t.co/Fv8sjoGNuX
— Joaquin Castro (@JoaquinCastrotx) October 29, 2018
Terrifying moment for Brazil.
88% of votes counted Bolsonaro has 55.7% & is elected Brazil’s president
Bolsonaro is far right, pro gun, pro torture and has threatened a purge of his opponents.
Solidarity to those who will continue to defend human rights & oppose the far right pic.twitter.com/QrvqGbPNdp— Jeremy Corbyn for PM (@JeremyCorbyn4PM) October 28, 2018
It’s devastating that Brazil elected Jair Bolsonaro, a far-right hatemonger, as its new President. Sad moment for humankind and part of a disturbing pattern across the globe. We must keep fighting and believe that love will ultimately win out.
— Adam Best (@adamcbest) October 29, 2018
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The new elected president in Brazil is a far-right candidate who has made xenophobic, racist, sexist and homophobic remarks. Brazil and its people are amazing and deserve better. pic.twitter.com/HauMxOxLwZ
— Lady Gaga Facts (@LGMonsterFacts) October 29, 2018
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