Brazilian Danger: Murder Via Gay HookUp Apps

Brazilian Danger: Murder Via Gay HookUp Apps

As if we didn't have more to worry about, there's been a string of gay-related crime in Brazil all through hookup apps. Over the recent months, there have been five reported murders and even more cases of robbery, all coordinated through gay dating apps. While arrests have been made, the police are not confirming if this is just one big gay attack and if there are more related cases.

One of the most popular gay hookup apps in Brazil is Hornet. Recently, a 24-year old made plans to meet someone via the app in an alley. He was standing there waiting to meet his date when two men raced by on a motorcycle, stealing his phone and killing him by gunshot. The police have a suspect but are just racking it up as a homicide with no hate crime attached to it. On that same street, another gay man was robbed at gunpoint after making arrangements to meet up via Horney. His phone was taken and his bank information stolen. The man reported the profile to the dating platform, but it stayed active for weeks. Hornet told Reuters that they were beefing up their response team and prioritizing dangerous activity like what has happened in Brazil.

 

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Brazil continues to have one of the highest murder rates among the LGBTQ community in the world, and the highest for trans-related murders. The country continues to have extremely conservative views, with political leaders often making anti-LGBTQ comments. It was only last year that the nation's courts determined that the queer community also fell under hate crimes. Now, homophobic slurs are punishable by prison, with a term from two to five years.

 

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While the LGBTQ community is making some lead way in terms of equality and protection, the fact that their police won't look at these hookup app attacks as a hate crime directed at gay men is an issue. Also, the fact that Hornet seems incapable or slow to action is concerning. We all have used the hookup apps to some degree, and yes, sometimes the situation seems sketchy but murder should never be part of that culture. It truly brings another meaning to "stranger danger." So gays, be mindful of who are meeting up with, be mindful of your surroundings, and take care out there.

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