Jean Wyllys: From Brazil to Beyond
Jean Wyllys, Brazil’s trailblazing openly gay congressman, has announced that he’ll skip the new legislative term – even though he just won re‑election. He’s choosing to stay abroad because the relentless death threats have made life in Rio harder than a marathon in the desert.
Why the Big Move?
- Persistent death threats – even to his family.
- Constant harassment on social media.
- A sense that the security situation has escalated under former President Jair Bolsonaro.
He shared his decision in a letter to PSOL (Socialism and Liberty Party), where he writes that threats have made his daily routine almost impossible and that his personal safety is at stake.
Who Stepping In?
Wyllys’s seat will be filled by David Miranda, a fellow gay lawmaker and Rio councillor famed for his outspoken solidarity. He’s also the husband of Pulitzer‑winning journalist Glenn Greenwald, making him a fitting successor in tone and experience.
The Bigger Picture
Brazil’s violence spike—one of the highest murder rates in the world—has only worsened since Bolsonaro’s 2018 election. Many, like Wyllys, point to the regime’s hostile rhetoric toward LGBTQ+ communities and minorities as a catalyst for this brutality.
Remembering Marielle Franco
Wyllys laments the oppressive climate that forced him to live under bodyguards. The 2018 murder of fellow PSOL member Marielle Franco was a turning point, a grim reminder of the stakes.
He told the newspaper Folha de S. Paulo:
“I’m tired of being escorted everywhere,” he said. “I just want to stay alive and not sacrifice myself.”
Political Shifts Under Bolsonaro
The political environment has shifted dramatically. The revelation that Bolsonaro’s son, Flavio, hired relatives of a suspected hitman for a Rio state assembly job has intensified worries about the security mess.
Legacy of Advocacy
Wyllys, 44, has championed LGBTQ+ rights and fought religious discrimination and violence against women during his two terms. He sees his resignation as a strategy to protect his life while still pushing for a safer future.
For now, he’ll keep monitoring events from Europe but won’t return to Brazil’s capital.
