Rio state governor fires human rights secretary over homophobic statements
Governor Luiz Fernando Pezão - 
Rio de Janeiro's Governor Luiz Fernando Pezão fired the State Secretary of Social Assistance and Human Rights, Ezequiel Teixeira. At a news conference after a ceremony at Guanabara palace, Pezão denounced statements made by the secretary in an interview and said he would “have a word” with Teixeira.
Explaining the reasons for dismantling Rio Without Homophobia, a program run by his secretariat responsible for LGBT support centers, during an interview to O Globo newspaper, Teixeira cited the state's finance, but eventually made remarks supporting “gay cure” and opposed to homosexual marriage.
The closure of the Centers for LGBT Citizenship and the LGBT Citizenship Hotline and staff dismissals were condemned by the State Public Defender's Office. The Rio de Janeiro branch of the Brazilian Bar Association called for Teixeira's resignation because of his statements.
An Evangelical pastor, Ezequiel Teixeira was elected Federal Deputy in 2014, but gave up his post to accept Governor Pezão's invitation to head the State Secretariat of Social Assistance and Human Rights.
Translated by Mayra Borges
Fonte: Rio state governor fires human rights secretary over homophobic statements
