Determined – and undeniably handsome – Eduardo Leite is a leading politician in Brazil that is currently challenging the country’s homophoic leader Jair Bolsonaro.

In an interview with TV Gloo, Leite lived his truth:

“I have never spoken about a subject related to my private life,” Leite said. “But during this moment of low integrity in Brazil, I have nothing to hide. I’m gay – and I’m a governor who is gay rather than a gay governor.

“Just as Obama in the United States wasn’t a black president, but a president who was black. And I’m proud of this.”

Naturally, his decision to come out was celebrated by LGBT+ advocates and liberal Brazilians. Leite later tweeted: “The countless messages of affection and support that I’m receiving leave me absolutely convinced: love will defeat hatred!”

However… while this may seem like a progressive step for the country, it’s been pointed out that Leite was in support of Bolsonaro up until recently.

Leite responded to the support accusations by saying: “Support is asking for votes, campaigning together, I didn’t do that”. He added that he simply declared his vote “with a scathing criticism”.

Bolsonaro has previously said he would be “incapable” of loving a gay son, saying he would rather they die in a car crash because they would be dead to him anyway. This interview was in 2011 with Playboy.

His views haven’t changed. In 2013, he said, “Yes, I’m homophobic – and very proud of it.”

During the pandemic, he said people wearing face masks were sissies/fairies.

While Bolsonaro reacted to Leite’s coming out, saying, “I have nothing against his private life, but he cannot impose his lifestyle on others.”

To which Leite called him an “imbecile”. Adding that, “It is obvious that Bolsonaro’s election was a mistake. We make mistakes to learn and learn not to make mistakes again.”