A Brazilian journalist has been found guilty of “transphobia” after addressing a trans-identified male influencer convicted of causing “moral damage” to a trans-identified male influencer using the word “cara,” which can mean “guy.” Madeleine Lacsko was told to delete her tweets and pay three thousand reais (over $500) to the influencer, who goes by the name “Rebecca Gaia.” Apparently, the word “cara” can also mean “dear,” which is what Lacsko claims she meant. 4W reports:
“The social media interaction between Lacsko and Gaia that led to the charging of the journalist occurred on Twitter in July 2021 during a ‘pile-on’ on Lacsko after she’d endured months of online abuse. The influencer asked Ms. Lacsko if she was going to answer a question posed by another man. According to the journalist, the influencer’s profile picture indicated to her that this person was a woman, so Lacsko replied with “Olá, cara (hello, dear)! I’ve already answered it.”
Lacsko explains that of course Gaia “turned out to be a transgender woman” who then accused the journalist of racism and transphobia. To appeal the decision, the journalist must take the case to the Supreme Court. She tells 4W:
“This sets a dangerous precedent for criminal proceedings. Under Brazilian law, the crime of transphobia has been equated with racism and can result in a sentence of up to five years of imprisonment.”