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The Twitterverse had strong and swift reactions to the presidential victory of Jair Bolsonaro, who's said he'd rather have a dead son than a gay one.
Social media users around the world were outraged as Brazil elected as president a man who said he’d rather see his son dead than gay and would punch men if he saw them kissing on the street.
Far-right Congressman Jair Bolsonaro won a majority of the vote in a runoff Sunday over Fernando Haddad, a liberal who is currently the mayor of Sao Paulo, CNN reports. The two had been the top finishers in an earlier round of voting a few weeks ago but were forced into a runoff because neither received 50 percent of the vote. The incumbent, Michel Temer, did not seek reelection.
Among Bolsonaro's homophobic statements, he has said he would rather a son of his die in an accident than be gay, and he once told actress Ellen Page she was "escaping normality" because she is a lesbian. He has also made many misogynistic and racist comments and has roused the ire of environmentalists with his plans to open Brazil's rainforest to industrial development.
His election, in a nation beset by corruption scandals, brought strong and swift reaction from the likes of former United Nations Ambassador Samantha Powers, transgender actress Jen Richards, and more. Donald Trump, however, called to congratulate him, as did many other world leaders.
\u201cThe man who said \u201cI wouldn\u2019t rape you because you don\u2019t deserve it\u201d to a congresswoman, who said \u201cI would prefer that my son die in an accident\u201d rather than be gay, who said that \u201cthe dictatorship's mistake was to torture but not kill\u201d \u2013 is now Brazil\u2019s president-elect.\u201d— Samantha Power (@Samantha Power) 1540787847
\u201cI\u2019m praying for my sisters in Brazil. It\u2019s alreasy the most dangerous place in the world for trans women, and now an extreme right wing president has been elected, one who has said he\u2019d prefer a dead child to a gay one. These are dark times. We must shine brighter.\u201d— Jen Richards (@Jen Richards) 1540787516
\u201cBrazil's New President Jair Bolsonaro\n\n\u2022 "I would not be able to love a gay son. I would rather he die in an accident."\n\n\u2022 To a woman: "I would never rape you because you do not deserve it."\n\n\u2022 Afro-Brazilians are "not even good for breeding."\n\n\u2022 Dictatorship was "very good."\u201d— Keith Boykin (@Keith Boykin) 1540828960
\u201cBrazil has elected a far-right leader with fascist tendencies as its new president. The United States, and the world, must be vigilant to ensure that human rights and the rights of political opponents are respected under this new president. #JairBolsonaro\u201d— Joaquin Castro (@Joaquin Castro) 1540781301
\u201cBrazil's New President Jair Bolsonaro\n\n\u2022 "I would not be able to love a gay son. I would rather he die in an accident."\n\n\u2022 To a woman: "I would never rape you because you do not deserve it."\n\n\u2022 Afro-Brazilians are "not even good for breeding."\n\n\u2022 Dictatorship was "very good."\u201d— Keith Boykin (@Keith Boykin) 1540828960
\u201cBrazil has elected a far-right leader with fascist tendencies as its new president. The United States, and the world, must be vigilant to ensure that human rights and the rights of political opponents are respected under this new president. #JairBolsonaro\u201d— Joaquin Castro (@Joaquin Castro) 1540781301
\u201cTerrifying moment for Brazil. \n\n88% of votes counted Bolsonaro has 55.7% & is elected Brazil\u2019s president\n\nBolsonaro is far right, pro gun, pro torture and has threatened a purge of his opponents.\n\nSolidarity to those who will continue to defend human rights & oppose the far right\u201d— For The Many (@For The Many) 1540766860
\u201cIt\u2019s devastating that Brazil elected Jair Bolsonaro, a far-right hatemonger, as its new President. Sad moment for humankind and part of a disturbing pattern across the globe. We must keep fighting and believe that love will ultimately win out.\u201d— Adam Best (@Adam Best) 1540772843
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\u201cThe new elected president in Brazil is a far-right candidate who has made xenophobic, racist, sexist and homophobic remarks. Brazil and its people are amazing and deserve better.\u201d— Lady Gaga Facts (@Lady Gaga Facts) 1540773396
