Analysis: Brazilian governor makes “historic” gesture by coming out, should be rewarded in coming elections

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – Founder and director of the consulting firm Atlas, which specializes in electoral research, political scientist Andrei Roman says that the governor of Rio Grande do Sul, Eduardo Leite (PSDB), was the protagonist of a “historic moment” in Brazil, declaring that he is gay. The gesture represents “a maturation of society” and could even bring electoral benefits for the politician.

Leite said he was gay in an interview granted by TV Globo journalist Pedro Bial. He also commented on the issue in a report published this month by the magazine “Piaui.”

“I am gay. And I’m a governor who is gay, not a gay governor. Just as [Barack] Obama was not a black president in the United States, he was a president who is black. And I’m proud of that,” Leite told Bial.

Read also: Governor of Brazilian Rio Grande do Sul state comes out: “I am a governor who is gay.”

For Andrei Roman, it’s important to recognize the historical significance of the gesture, because prejudice in political circles about the issue is still strong. Leite, who is being touted as a candidate for the presidency in 2022, is governor of a large state.

“He was the first governor in history to say he was gay. So it’s a historic moment for Brazil. It’s positive. He was able to come out that he’s gay, it was celebrated, and he’s getting backing in general public opinion. Many countries in the world haven’t reached that point yet,” he said.

Roman estimates that Leite could still reap electoral benefits from this. “First of all, it disarms the political underworld, those who attack by spreading rumors and making insinuations based on prejudice,” he said. Since the governor has already openly admitted that he is gay, the issue fizzles out, and this “low road” strategy loses effectiveness,” he says.

Read also: Bolsonaro says governor came out as gay to promote his candidacy for president

“Another aspect is that the gesture could actually turn into an advantage for him. It’s not the fact of being gay per se, but the personality trait he’s showing by displaying it publicly. It conveys to a segment of the electorate that he’s a real guy with nothing to hide. Then he’s able to translate that into other contexts.”

Source: Valor