In 2020, Isadora Borges was on Twitter (now X) where she stated that transgender women were "obviously born male." Borges also wrote that a person identifying as transgender still retains their DNA from birth. As a result, Borges is not of the opinion that medications and surgeries can change that for a person.
Those tweets (now known as posts) eventually came to the attention of Erika Hilton, a politician who is a man that identifies as a woman.
According to a press release from Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF) International, the politician reached out to police and had Borges investigated for transphobia and homophobia.
ADF International attorney Julio Pohli said that, in Brazil, no laws have been passed in Brazil's Congress regarding homophobia or transphobia.
“But the Supreme Court (Brazil) in 2019, one year before these comments were made, created an interpretation of the law banning racism and saying that homophobia and transphobia were a form of ‘social racism’,” says Borges. “Because of that, they should receive the same criminal penalty of racism, which carries a penalty of imprisonment from 2 years up to 5 years."
Borges was brought up on two charges because she posted two tweets. As a result, Borges faces penalties of 4 years up to 10 years.
"The investigation has concluded, and she's facing trial," explains Pohl. "A hearing was on February 10th, the first hearing, and now the judge has received all the information. That's the stage that we are at now."
When asked whether Brazil has free speech, Pohl said yes. However, this case shows that there are some restrictions. He added that "this is a regular trend in Brazil, in which politicians, people of power, people that have some public office are using these laws to silence opponents and create a chilling effect."
Pohl asked for prayer for Borges.
