Photo via catholicnewsagency.com

Gay Brazilian gets asylum in US after claiming 'persecution'

A homosexual man from the city of São Paulo has been granted asylum in the U.S. after claiming he suffered "persecution" in Brazil for his homosexuality, reports Matthew Cullinan Hoffman, Latin America Correspondent, LifeSiteNews.com.

As a consequence of the ruling, Augusto Pereira de Souza, 28, will enjoy the right to work and receive social security benefits in the United States, and will soon be able to apply for permanent residency, according to the Terra news service.

The verdict was rendered despite the fact that Brazil has one of the most homosexualist governments in the world.

The Brazilian government funds the world's largest "gay parade" in Pereira's home town of São Paulo every year, and operates a massive national campaign called "Brazil Without Homophobia."

The government has also announced that it will censor all programming, including religious programming, in which negative opinions of homosexuality are expressed.

Homosexuals are also allowed to adopt children.

Pereira de Souza was awarded asylum after submitting testimony that he had suffered verbal harassment from a policeman on one occasion, and was chased by "skinheads" in a park armed with baseball bats on another occasion, although he admits that he was not actually hit by any of them.

SALE! 40% OFF! How to Be Happier 7 Days a Week

TAGS: USA Brazil Augusto Pereira de Souza asylum in the U.S. persecution gay parade

[04/04/2010]

Print Version