Tiago Bandeira defends itself from homophobic attacks: “They are screams of anger”

Tiago Bandeira resorted to social networks to protest against the attacks he has received after giving an interview to Julia Pinheiro where he spoke openly about his sexual orientation. In the same interview, Rui Bandeira's son also mentioned the fact that he was very supported by his family, especially by his father, who was always there for him. 

The artist shared dozens of hate comments, where it is called, for example, “aberration”, “mental illness”, among other more aggressive words. 

“It’s not from now on that I use my voice to talk about matters that I consider important and, today, even if the target was me, I’m not going to bring the theme in a different way. Because these attacks are directed not only at me (unfortunately, because I even deal well with them) but at what I and thousands of others represent”, he started by saying. 

“ Hatred comments, whether homophobia, racism, xenophobia, etc., have a little-spoken danger: they are like screams of anger. They reach thousands and at the same time are ignored, underestimated, almost as if, by transcending the ridiculous, they eventually become invisible. Some people argue that the only way to shut them up is to show indifference, pretend they don't exist. But isn't that a way too privileged to see things? In my case, it might not affect me that much. I have my circle, my family, my friends, my home, my job, my independence. I have a structure that allows me to handle this. But, as I said, this is not just about me”, he added.

“Being silent is creating the perfect environment for normalization. Not showing indignation in these speeches helps create the image that a whole society thinks so. It helps that a comment such as ‘should be carried in the mouth’ does not shock. And what started out as a phrase written behind a screen gains space in the offline world. I don't want this to be about me, the fact that I talked about my sexuality or anything else that involves my name. Hate is not being directed at me, James. It is being directed at all those who do not comply with the standards they have decided to set themselves. And that is precisely why I do not want to be silent”, he said.

James Flag reveals how the family reacted to their homosexuality

In covnersa with Júlia Pinheiro, the singer revealed that when he decided to tell the family – to his father, sister Barbara Bandeira and stepmother Siara Holland – his sexual orientation was very well received and welcomed. 

“ I will always be unconditionally loved by my family and the people around me. 

My father was amazing. My father was one of the people I was most afraid to say because he represents the manhood of a family. And it was incredible, it was a non-matter, he said “Tiago, I just want to see you well, from day one”. My sister was amazing, Seara was amazing. [...] It was always amazing”, he explained.