Player denounces homophobia in volleyball match and receives support from across the country

Another regrettable case of homophobia in Brazilian sport. The new incident happened to the beach volleyball player Anderson Melo (RJ), which was the target of homophobic insults and threats during the Brazilian Beach Volleyball Circuit in Recife (PE)last Thursday the 14th.

Aggressive and violent speeches such as “saca na bicha!”, “do you wear panties or don’t you wear them?”, and “in the face of the fag” were directed at the Rio athlete during the match against the duo formed by Luiz and Fabiano; the images can be seen in the athlete’s posts.

Anderson, in addition to sharing the evidence of what happened, comments that he suffered psychologically because he felt “completely cornered, and without understanding why people were doing that”.

In a telephone conversation with Gay Blog BR, the athlete says he received numerous messages from people who were also victims of the same crime, but who preferred not to pursue the complaints, either because they did not believe in justice or because they feared retaliation. However, Anderson reiterates that even though he was discouraged, he knew that “he needed to report offenses and not allow criminals to hide behind impunity and fear.” In recent days, several personalities such as Anitta, Sasha Meneghel, Fernanda Gentil and Leila do Vôleiexpressed their support for the player on social media.

The athlete remembers that “homophobia is a crime, yes” and wants to encourage LGBTQIA+ people to increasingly denounce these facts. Acts of homophobia and aggression involving athletes and fans, in official volleyball matches, are not new. A Brazilian Volleyball Confederation (CBV)the highest sporting entity in the country and responsible for the championship, in an official statement, strongly condemned the episode, contacted the local authorities in Recife and promised to curb any discriminatory demonstrations at its events.

LGBTphobia crime

In June 2019, the STF decided in favor of the criminalization of LGBTphobia, recognizing it as a crime of racism until the National Congress drafts specific legislation on the topic. Following this decision, anyone who offends or discriminates against gays, lesbians, bisexuals or transgender people is subject to punishment of one to three years in prison, as provided for in Law No. 7,716/89. LGBTphobia is a non-bailable and imprescriptible crime.

It’s official: STF decided by 8 votes to 3 that homophobia is a crime

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