Openly gay Brazil congressman leaves job amid death threats

An openly gay congressman who frequently clashed with Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro has said he was leaving his job and the country because of mounting death threats.

In an interview published by daily Folha de S. Paulo, Congressman Jean Wyllys said Thursday he was currently outside of Brazil and had no plans to return. Instead, he said he would work in academia but did not say where.

Wyllys, who was re-elected in October and set to begin a third term in February, said death threats against him had increased significantly since Rio de Janeiro councilwoman Marielle Franco was shot and killed along with her driver in March. Franco was a friend and ally of Wyllys.

Many in Latin America's largest nation saw Franco, who was black, lesbian and hailed from one of Rio de Janeiro's most violent slums, as a symbol of hope for her strong advocacy for LGBT rights and outspoken criticism of police brutality in poor neighbourhoods. Her death led to large protests in Brazil and in several countries. Ten months later, no one has been arrested for her murder.

Since then, Wyllys, who represents Rio de Janeiro, has used a security detail. "How is it that I'm going to live four years of my life inside an armoured car and with bodyguards?" he said. "Four years of my life not being able to go to the places I usually go to?"
Wyllys said former Uruguayan President Jose Mujica, learning of the death threats, told him: "Be careful, man. Martyrs are not heroes."
"It's exactly that," said Wyllys. "I don't want to sacrifice myself."