"Anti-Homophobic" Sex-Ed Videos Banned for Gay Content
The Brazilian President has banned the distribution and production of "Anti-Homophobia Kits" containing sex education films with gay and lesbian video scenes.
The films were part of an education pack, which contained homosexual content, and were originally designed to help combat homophobia. However, the material has outraged evangelical churches in the country, and their supporters in Congress warned they would block any upcoming legislation if President Dilma Rousseff did not ban the films.
Evangelical members of Brazil’s chamber of deputies said that the videos would encourage homosexual behavior.
However, gay and lesbian rights supporters have told of their deep concerns at the developments. One such supporter is Congressman Jean Wyllys, who said, “I voted for her in the last elections because I thought she would defend the rights of lesbian, gay and bisexual citizens.”
Wyllys warned: "If she doesn't do a U-turn and change her mind, I will urge all gay people not to vote for her again.”
A Brazilian government spokesman explained that President Rousseff had personally viewed the content and “she didn’t like what she saw”. The president believed that the videos did not provide an objective viewpoint of homosexuality.
The packs, which are commonly known as “anti-homophobia kits” in Brazil, were being prepared to be distributed throughout the country.
The distribution of the “educational” material has now been suspended.
