- Brazilian police are investigating social media commentator Nine Borges over an Instagram video criticizing government funding for pro-LGBT organizations and an LGBT official.
- The investigation began after Brazilian LGBT National Secretary Symmy Larrat filed a complaint alleging “transphobia” and defamation.
- Police say they would recommend the case proceed to formal prosecution under Brazil’s laws criminalizing “homophobia” and “transphobia,” which can carry prison sentences.
- Borges and Alliance Defending Freedom International argue the situation represents an ongoing threat in Brazil to free expression.
Brazilian police have opened an investigation into a social media influencer who posted a video critiquing Brazil’s funding of pro-LGBT organizations and criticizing the country’s LGBT National Secretary, who is a man identifying as a woman.
According to Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF) International, which is providing legal support to UK-based scientific consultant and social media commentator Nine Borges, Brazil’s police are investigating her for alleged “transphobia” and “defamation.” ADF International explained in a news release that the situation began in September 2024, when Borges posted an Instagram video that criticized “public officials for using government money to fund pro-LGBT NGOs in Brazil” and drew public attention to her concerns. Brazil’s LGBT National Secretary Symmy Larrat filed a complaint over the video, prompting authorities to open a criminal investigation into Borges.
She appeared before police for the investigation in October 2025, and in November, the police said they would recommend taking the investigation to formal prosecution “for ‘transphobia’ and ‘misgendering’ the LGBT secretary — an official who self-describes as a ‘transvestite’ and ‘prostitute,’” according to ADF International.
The legal organization stated that the country’s Supreme Federal Tribunal ruled in 2019 that “transphobia” and “homophobia” are crimes. According to ADF International, Borges’ case is one of many in a “chilling trend of government efforts in Brazil to censor peaceful online expression.”
Julio Pohl, legal counsel at ADF International, stated in the release, “No one should face criminal investigation simply for expressing their views about government policy.”
“The attempt to classify peaceful criticism as ‘transphobia’ represents a serious threat to freedom of speech, which is already so imperiled in Brazil,” he continued. “The authorities must ensure that fundamental rights are protected, not punished.”
Borges said that she created the video because people have the right to know what is occurring in their countries.
“I will not be intimidated for sharing my views online,” she stated in the release. “I have the right to question powerful officials. Brazilians everywhere should have the same freedom without fear of investigation or arrest.”
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