Antigay President Jair Bolsonaro of Brazil forced to Cancel U.S Trip Over Protests and Boycotts

NEW YORK, NY — (05-06-19) — Brazil’s new anti gay president Jair Bolsonaro, has cancelled his planned trip to the United States over protests and boycotts.

The man who said he would use the military to enforce no anti-gay literature from schools, was scheduled to receive the “Person of the Year” award from the Brazilian-American Chamber of Commerce in New York on May 14.

But thanks to his record of homophobia, the news generated outcry and boycotts from sponsors of the event.

GLAAD and New York state Senator Brad Hoylman launched an anti-Bolsonaro campaign on the American Museum of Natural History which was the original host of the event. They also targeted the event’s sponsors which included Delta Airlines who immediately pulled their sponsorship over the event.

Following the pressure from pro-LGBT groups and politicians, the American Museum of Natural History cancelled the event at their location.

Instead the event was then moved to the New York Marriott Marquis however, that didn’t last long as GLAAD released a statement announcing that president Jair Bolsonaro was cancelling the American trip.

Homophobic Brazilian President Cancels U.S. Trip in Disgrace Over Outcry and Boycotts

“President Jair Bolsonaro’s cancelled trip to the United States is a victory for LGBTQ Brazilians,” said Sarah Kate Ellis, President and CEO of GLAAD. “Despite our own President’s anti-LGBTQ record and actions, this news proves advocacy organizations, businesses, and local officials can still affect real change. As LGBTQ Americans and allies prepare to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall riots, this successful campaign is an important reminder that in order to gain acceptance, LGBTQ people across the globe must continue to be visible, stand together, and do everything possible to protect the hard-fought progress we’ve earned.” said Ellis.

One wonders how the Brazilian-American Chamber of Commerce in New York took the news as they have yet to release comment on the cancellation of Bolsonaro’s cancellation.

Article by: Paul Goldberg. Staff Writer