US Natural History Museum will not host anti-LGBT leader Jair Bolsonaro
Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro (EVARISTO SA/AFP/Getty)
The American Museum of Natural History has cancelled plans to host Brazil’s anti-LGBT President Jair Bolsonaro.
The museum had faced pressure to scrap plans to host the far-right Brazilian leader, who is set to be named Person of the Year at the Brazilian-American Chamber of Commerce gala.
Bolsonaro has said that he would rather his son die than be gay, insisting: “I would be incapable of loving a gay son. I prefer that he die in an accident.”
During his presidential campaign, Bolsonaro also stood by a claim that he would punch gay people if he saw them kissing in public.
Bolsonaro gala dropped after protests from LGBT+ groups
After protests from LGBT+ campaigners, the museum confirmed on Monday (April 15) that it would not host the event, explaining that the organisations “jointly agreed that the Museum is not the optimal location” for the gala.
The event will go ahead elsewhere, though its location is yet to be revealed.
Sarah Kate Ellis, President and CEO of GLAAD, said: “The American Museum of Natural History has done the right thing by declining to host an event that features the anti-LGBTQ President Jair Bolsonaro of Brazil.
“His extremist voice has no place at one of New York City’s most beloved institutions.
Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro is known for his anti-LGBT remarks and beliefs. (SERGIO LIMA/AFP/Getty)
“At GLAAD, we hope the Brazilian-American Chamber of Commerce will follow suit and withdraw their award for an elected leader who is targeting LGBTQ Brazilians for unequal treatment under the law.”
Brazil President Jair Bolsonaro: Hit gay sons to change their behaviour
Bolsonaro has a lengthy anti-LGBT record.
He has previously claimed that gay people want to turn children gay “to satisfy their sexuality in the future.”
Bolsonaro said: “I make a connection between homosexuality and paedophilia because many of the children who will be adopted by ‘gay’ couples will be abused by these homosexual couples.”
Speaking in 2010, he advised parents: “If your son begins to act like this, sort of gay, he deserves a smack and he’ll change his behaviour.”
He also complained: “If a gay couple came to live in my building, my property will lose value. If they walk around holding hands, kissing, it will lose value!
“No one says that out of fear of being pinned as homophobe.”
