Court Orders Brazilian Film Agency to Resume LGBT Series Bid Invitation

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – A Federal Court overthrew, on Monday, October 7th, the ordinance of Citizenship Minister Osmar Terra, which suspended a bid invitation for productions being broadcast on public TV, if they feature LGBT content.

With the decision, in response to the civil action filed by the Federal Prosecutor’s Office, the National Film Agency (ANCINE) will be required to resume the bid process as planned and complete the process of selecting the works.

The cancellation had occurred after President Jair Bolsonaro attacked the inclusion of LGBT-themed series among the productions that disputed the public notice under the categories “gender diversity” and “sexuality”.

According to the Federal Prosecutor’s Office, in addition to the act of discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation and gender identity, there was also administrative impropriety and damage to the public treasury.

In the decision, judge Laura Bastos Carvalho stressed that “the fundamental rights to freedom of expression, equality, and non-discrimination deserve the protection of the Judiciary, including preliminary measures”.

Among the projects that are included in the bid notice, opened in March, are “Afronte”, “Transverse”, “Religare Queer” and “O sexo reverso”, which would be financed by the Audiovisual Sector Fund (FSA), managed by ANCINE.

Source: Catraca Livre