Mayor of Cuiabá accused of political violence against teacher

Organizations that work to defend the rights of women, black people and health expressed their repudiation of the attitude of the mayor of Cuiabá, Abilio Brunini , which culminated in the departure of professor and doctor in public health Maria Inês da Silva Barbosa from the 15th Municipal Health Conference this Wednesday 30th.

The organizations criticize the mayor for acting in an “antidemocratic,” “authoritarian,” “racist,” “misogynistic” manner and for committing “political gender-based violence” against the teacher for using gender-neutral pronouns .

Maria Inês has a master's degree in Social Work, a PhD in Public Health from the Faculty of Public Health at the University of São Paulo (USP), is a retired professor at the Institute of Public Health (ISC) at the Federal University of Mato Grosso (UFMT), and is a reference in the debate on racism and health .

The professor and the mayor argued during the conference's opening after the professor used gender-neutral pronouns during her talk. The conference is organized by the Municipal Health Council, an independent body of the Cuiabá City Hall.

At the time, the mayor was angered by the use of pronouns, which he described as "ideological indoctrination." The teacher subsequently countered, stating that using the pronoun was a way to treat patients equally.

The Brazilian Association of Public Health (Abrasco) expressed solidarity with the teacher and classified the mayor's actions as “racist acts and gender-based violence.”

“The public agent's attitude indicates, in addition to incompetence in management, the different forms of prejudice, discrimination, violence, racism and aggression instituted in Brazilian society, in the face of freedom of expression and also the mechanisms of oppression experienced daily by Black and Indigenous intellectuals, as well as by the LGBTQIAPN+ population ,” said the association.

The Northeast Black Women's Network, a coalition of 35 organizations, expressed support for the teacher and called the mayor's attitude authoritarian.

"We will not accept the attempt to censor and erase identities, and, above all, the silencing of a Black woman, especially our comrade Maria Inês, who played a strategic role in formulating the National Policy for Comprehensive Health for the Black Population," the statement reads.

The text argues that neutral language is a tool for welcoming and recognizing the multiple human existences that make up Brazilian society. "Those who have an authoritarian, antidemocratic, and violent stance do not deserve to occupy positions of power," the text continues.

The Brazilian Mental Health Association (Abrasme) also expressed support for the teacher and condemned Bunini's actions.

"It is unacceptable that public officials, elected by popular vote to meet the needs of the population, consider themselves above federal laws and the regulations of the Unified Health System (SUS) , guided by the Ministry of Health. These representatives do not own the municipalities, and they should not impose their own rules to the detriment of the rights guaranteed to the population," the statement reads.

The entity highlighted that when highlighting the importance of using neutral pronouns, stating that 'the SUS belongs to everyone', the teacher was intimidated by the mayor, who threatened to expel her from the event and, faced with the threat, the teacher left.

Another organization that expressed support for Professor Maria Inês was Odara – Instituto da Mulher Negra, an organization created in Bahia by and for black women, which has been working for more than a decade to defend the rights of black women and social justice.

"This episode is a racist, misogynistic and authoritarian action, which adds to other dangerous and misleading positions taken by the mayor of Cuiabá," said the institute, which referred to a 2020 statement by Bunini, affirming the ineffectiveness of the Covid-19 vaccine .

The institute also highlights that in 2023, Abílio was accused of making a gesture associated with white supremacy during a session of the CPMI (Inquiry Commission of Inquiry into Coup Acts). "These facts reveal a pattern of action based on misinformation, scientific denialism, and violence, incompatible with any true commitment to public health and democracy," the statement continues.

The Mato Grosso Institute of Black Women (IMUNE/MT) said the mayor's attitude was unacceptable and “demonstrates intolerance and disrespect for diversity and freedom of expression.”

"We believe that the use of gender-neutral pronouns is a way to promote inclusion and equality, and that discussions on topics relevant to the health of the population should be conducted openly and democratically," the institute said.

The Mato Grosso State Student Union said the incident constituted political gender-based violence and expressed solidarity with the teacher.

"This episode exposes the machismo and authoritarianism that still characterize spaces of popular participation. This is how fascism operates: trying to silence critical voices, especially those of women committed to the Unified Health System (SUS), democracy, and the people. Our full solidarity with Professor Maria Inês. We are resistance! We will not remain silent in the face of violence, hatred, and intolerance," the organization said.

Other side.

In a statement, the Cuiabá city government said that, under direct guidance from Mayor Abilio Brunini, the use of neutral language will not be permitted in events and institutional spaces sponsored by the municipal executive branch. The justification given was "a commitment to preserving the standard Portuguese language and the ideological neutrality of public actions."

According to the note, even before the lecture began, the mayor requested that the presentation be adjusted in accordance with the city's official communication standards.

Also according to the note, on that occasion, the mayor reinforced that all people have a guaranteed place in municipal management, regardless of race, sexual orientation, religion or political position.

"However, he emphasized that ideological manifestations, of any nature, should not interfere with the technical conduct of public policies nor with the language adopted in the Executive's official actions," the text states, concluding by stating that the city is committed to respect, inclusion, and transparency, ensuring that democratic debate remains open, "but always within the principles that govern public administration."