GLAAD: “The Brazilian-American Chamber’s choice to remove this webpage is an indication that they understand they are on the wrong side of this situation”

ICYMI: Delta, Bain and the Financial Times pull out of ceremony honoring Brazil’s far-right president

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NEW YORK – GLAAD, the world’s largest LGBTQ media advocacy organization, today called attention to the Brazilian-American Chamber of Commerce for removing its “2019 Person of the Year” webpage in the midst of the ongoing, international controversy of the Chamber recognizing anti-LGBTQ Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro as its 2019 “Person of the Year.”

Prior to this development, Delta Airlines, Bain & Company, and The Financial Times pulled their sponsorships for this event, and the American Museum of Natural History canceled the original location of the Chamber’s event following massive outcry from State Senator Brad Hoylman and LGBTQ Americans and allies – including actor Debra Messing. Both GLAAD and State Senator Hoylman have urged the Chamber and New York Marriott Marquis, the event’s new location, to cancel the event that’s scheduled for May 14. And as of this release, about 55,000 individuals have signed a petition call for the cancelation of the Chamber’s “Person of the Year” event.

“The Brazilian-American Chamber’s choice to remove this webpage is an indication that they understand they are on the wrong side of this situation,” said Zeke Stokes, Chief Programs Officer for GLAAD. “The Chamber cannot hide its connection to the dangerous anti-LGBTQ rhetoric and record of President Jair Bolsonaro at this point, and it must make its views clear and condemn his virulent anti-LGBTQ views that put Brazilians in danger.”  

Brazilian President has a horrific and barbaric anti-LGBTQ record, and since his election last year, President Bolsonaro – like the Trump Administration – has systematically tried to erase LGBTQ families from the fabric of Brazil. Just recently, President Bolsonaro even praised the anti-LGBTQ efforts made by President Trump and his administration since taking office in 2017 – a total of 105 attacks on LGBTQ Americans overall.