Bocaiuva do Sul, Brazil
The mayor of Bocaiuva do Sul, Brazil, has signed a decree barring homosexuals from moving to his town. “We are very worried about the children,” Mayor Elcio Berti said. The decree cites the need to boost birth rates and preserve the town’s “family atmosphere.” A local gay-rights organization called the measure “a step backwards for human rights.” Berti earlier banned condoms in his tiny town of 9,000, and distributed free anti-impotence drugs. State prosecutor Joel Carneiro da Silva said he was considering charging Berti with breaking Brazil’s discrimination laws. “In any case,” he said, “the decree is unconstitutional, null and void.”
The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
-
Political cartoons for December 14Cartoons Sunday's political cartoons include a new White House flag, Venezuela negotiations, and more
-
Heavenly spectacle in the wilds of CanadaThe Week Recommends ‘Mind-bending’ outpost for spotting animals – and the northern lights
-
Facial recognition: a revolution in policingTalking Point All 43 police forces in England and Wales are set to be granted access, with those against calling for increasing safeguards on the technology
