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Brazil’s Anti-Gay Leader Says Reporter Has “Homosexual Face”

Jair Bolsonaro later sent "a kiss" to the journalist.

What a slap in the gay face.

Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro recently mocked a journalist for having a face "like a homosexual's," reports Gay City News, translating from Portuguese-language Brazilian news outlet Globo.

The proudly homophobic far-right leader made the controversial comments last week at a press conference, responding to questions about a corruption scandal involving one of his sons, Sen. Flávio Bolsonaro.

"Your face looks an awful lot like a homosexual’s, but that’s no reason to accuse you of being a homosexual," Bolsonaro told the reporter. "Though it's not a crime to be homosexual."

Evaristo Sa/AFP via Getty Images

The silhouette of Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro is seen as he arrives for the Armed Forces General Officers promotion ceremony at Planalto Palace in Brasilia on December 9, 2019. (Photo by EVARISTO SA / AFP) (Photo by EVARISTO SA/AFP via Getty Images)

Later, during another press conference, Bolsonaro expressed regret about his offensive remarks.

"To whom did I say was terribly homosexual... is he not here today?" Bolsonaro asked. "Send him a kiss from me! It’s just like football: Up front, from time to time, you send your colleague to the [torture chamber], and then go out for a drink with him afterwards. Yes, I make a mistake. I should not have spoken."

Other reporters have translated Bolsonaro's initial insult as "You have the terrible face of a homosexual" or "You have a terrible homosexual face."

The Brazilian Association of Investigative Journalism (Abraji) said Bolsonaro, who claims local journalists are biased against him and his family, has similarly harassed reporters on more than 10 occasions this year: "Attacking journalists as a way of avoiding public interest information and cheering from supporters is incompatible with respecting the work of the press, which is fundamental to democracy."

Some queer Brazilians have turned Bolsonaro's comments into a meme on social media, posting photos of themselves or queer celebrities with the caption "Cara de homossexual terrível," or "An awfully homosexual face." Brazilian gay lecturer Jean Wyllys, a former lawmaker who sparred with Bolsonaro when they served together in Congress, posted his own photo, tweeting, "'An awfully homosexual face.' With pride!"

Bolsonaro, relatively new leader of the largest and most populous nation in Latin America, has a long history of making violently homophobic and misogynist remarks. He once said he would rather have a dead son than a gay son.

BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP/Getty Images

TOPSHOT - Brazil's President Jair Bolsonaro (R) meets with US President Donald Trump during a bilateral meeting on the sidelines of the G20 Summit in Osaka on June 28, 2019. (Photo by Brendan Smialowski / AFP) (Photo credit should read BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP/Getty Images)

Bolsonaro used his first day in office to sign executive orders limiting the rights of LGBTQ people, as well as indigenous people and descendants of slaves. In April he openly discouraged gay tourists from traveling to Brazil: "We have families."

President Donald Trump welcomed Bolsonaro to the White House in March. They held a joint press conference where Bolsonaro told reporters that Brazil and the U.S. were closely aligned on their "efforts to ensure liberties in respect to traditional family lifestyles, respect to God our creator, against the gender ideology or the politically correct attitudes and against fake news."

Bolsonaro canceled a trip to New York City in May amid successful protests and criticism from LGBTQ activists and local politicians; the Brazilian-American Chamber of Commerce had planned to honor him during its 2019 Person of the Year Awards Gala Dinner. Mayor Bill de Blasio called Bolsonaro "a dangerous man" whose "overt racism, homophobia and destructive decisions will have a devastating impact on the future of our planet."

In August Bolsonaro cut government funding for movies with LGBTQ themes and characters.

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