Brazil: "One hundred days of attacks on the rights of LGBT+ people"
"These have been one hundred days of fierce attacks on the rights of women, the black population, the indigenous people and LGBT+ people."
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By Wool from Holland
This past week marked the completion of Bolsonaro's first 100 days in office in Brazil. 100 days in which he began to implement his policies of oppression, exclusion, and self-promotion through social media, while also glorifying the 1964 military coup.
These past few days have been very difficult for all of us: left-wing activists, human rights defenders, and LGBT people. But it wasn't all smooth sailing for the president either, whose popularity plummeted.
Beyond the right-wing and left-wing debates, what the population really wants is for their rights to be respected: food on the table, housing, access to healthcare, and individual freedoms.
[READ ALSO: Lana from Holland: “Being trans in Brazil means living in danger every day”]
It has been one hundred days of fierce attacks on the rights of women, the black population, the indigenous people and LGBT+ people.
As a trans woman, as a transvestite, I feel directly threatened by this government. During the campaign last year, the streets became much more hostile for us. Our few existing rights are now under threat. Meanwhile, the government is publishing false information, spreading prejudice, and inciting hatred against the LGBT+ community.
We are living through a very sad and, at the same time, extremely challenging time. We have no option but to be discouraged. We must continue to fight with pride for who we are.
Bolsonaro is facing pressure from a record drop in his approval rating compared to other Brazilian presidents elected since the return of democracy. Data from the Datafolha institute shows that 30% consider his government bad or terrible. For this same period, Collor de Melo had a 19% disapproval rating; Fernando Henrique Cardoso (1995-2002) 16%; Lula (2003-2010) 10%; and Dilma Rousseff (2010-2016) 7%. The survey did not include Michel Temer, as he was elected president illegitimately.
[READ ALSO: “Bolsonaro is very similar to the people who voted for him”]
This poll served to fuel hope. It shows that things are difficult for us, as we know, but also for Bolsonaro and his government.
The survey showed that hate as a political tool can be powerful, but it's ephemeral. It doesn't last. Therefore, it's up to us to continue building bridges of dialogue, so that as Bolsonaro weakens, we, who defend a radical democracy, will grow stronger.
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