The president of Brazil, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, was named “Gays’ Santa Claus” by the country’s Lesbians, Gays, Bisexuals, Travesties and Transsexuals (ABGLT) organization during a meeting of social groupings at the Planalto Palace (Government House) in Brazilian capital Brasília.
“You’re a hero, you’re a good guy. You have a white beard, you are gays’ Santa Claus,” said Antonio Luiz Martins dos Reis ABGLT president, who recalled that this month the Brazilian government decreed that homosexual couples can present an only income tax statement.
Dos Reis took advantage of the meeting to invite Lula to participate next year at the second march against homophobia and gave the president a flag with the traditional rainbow colors.
In his speech Lula thanked the social movements and organizations for their “support and solidarity during difficult moments” and anticipated that now as a “simple citizen” they can count on him to fight for their rights.
“But,” underlined the outgoing leader, “never ask me to talk against the president, because I won’t nor am I going to speak out against any of the ministers who are my friends,” said Lula.
This week also the Brazilian government created a National council to combat homophobia.
Show Comments (2)
Rafael
Charles Johnson,
“Phobia” is just as often used to mean “hatred.” For example, anglophobia and sinophobia both indicate hatred, not fear, of things English or Chinese. As for the view that homosexuality is morally perverse, I myself would consider it homophobic. Weird, repulsive: I would agree with those. But morally perverse? Homosexual activity doesn’t hurt any one, or at least doesn’t mean to do that. So that escapes most people’s notion of what immorality means. Your analogy with murder and rape is far off.
Charles Johnson
homophobia?
Why do the gays insist on calling everyone who disagrees on their sexual behavior homophobic? I think the word phobia is defined as “fear of”. Most people who disagree with the homosexual lifestyle are not afraid of it, but see it as morally perverse.
So, if one doesn’t agree with a murderous lifestyle, they would be defined as murderphobic? Or if they can’t stand rapists, they would be rapophobic? Or, if the don’t like the lifestyle of thieves, they would be larcephobic?
Just another label people try to apply to other people to suit their own agenda. Not very credible.