Man Faces Brutal Attack from Family After Coming Out as Gay
Ronaldo de Paula, a 50-year-old singer and dancer from São Paulo, recently faced a harrowing ordeal after bravely coming out as gay to his family. Known artistically as Ronaldo LATIF, he had long kept his sexual orientation private, largely due to fear of rejection and judgment from his deeply conservative relatives. His decision to reveal his true self, made after the passing of his parents, was met not with understanding but violence.
The incident unfolded in December 2023 at Ronaldo’s residence in Sapopemba, on São Paulo’s east side, where he shares a divided property with his family. A disagreement over water flooding into their shared space escalated into a horrific assault. According to Ronaldo, seven relatives, including cousins, uncles, and aunts, violently attacked him using broomsticks and subjected him to punches and kicks. The singer tried to flee but was pursued and beaten inside his own home, eventually losing consciousness.
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Ronaldo attributes the attack to a mix of homophobia and religious intolerance. His family members are affiliated with a church that reportedly condemns LGBTQ+ individuals and dismisses Afro-Brazilian religions such as his own, Umbanda. This intolerance, combined with their unwillingness to accept his sexual orientation, triggered the assault, he said.
What followed added to his suffering. Ronaldo sought help from local authorities but was met with indifference. At the police station, his injuries and pleas for assistance were dismissed. Officers mocked his distress, further victimizing him. Despite filing a report and undergoing a medical examination, Ronaldo felt abandoned by the system. His case was later sent to a forum in Ipiranga, where one of his attackers reportedly works, raising concerns about impartiality.
Ronaldo, undeterred, continues to fight for justice. He hopes his story sheds light on the struggles faced by LGBTQ+ individuals in intolerant environments and inspires society to confront bigotry and violence. “I just want peace and the chance to pursue my passion for singing and dancing,” he said. Ronaldo’s courage in the face of adversity underscores the urgent need for societal change and greater protections for marginalized communities.
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