Streamer Jean Almeida is accused of homophobia and responds with an allegation of racism against actor João Victor

GH was identified as Jean Almeida Hilário, 19 years old, resident of Duque de Caxias, in Baixada Fluminense, and is awaiting a hearing at the Racial Crimes and Intolerance Offenses Police Station (Decradi). In videos and through his defense, he apologized for the approach and denied that there had been discrimination (read more at the end of the report).

João Victor, 24 years old, will also be called to provide clarification on the episode. g1 found that the Civil Police will investigate whether there was a crime of homophobia in demonstrations attributed to Jean.

Investigators can also investigate an accusation of racism made in a video posted, after the repercussion of the case, by the streamer against João Victor – interpreter of Mau Mau in the soap opera “Quem Ama Cuida”.

The actor's lawyers dispute this version and claim that he only appears as a victim (understand below in this report).

The Civil Police informed that the facts will be analyzed individually and that the statements should help to clarify the context of the approach and statements made later by the two.

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Approach was broadcast live

Moment of GH and friends’ approach to actor João Victor Gonçalves — Photo: Reproduction/Kick

The episode took place in front of Parque dos Atletas, on the outskirts of Cidade do Rock, in Barra Olímpica, Southwest Zone of Rio, and was broadcast live on the Kick platform, a competitor to Twitch. Hours later, GH was banned from the platform.

In the broadcast, GH appears accompanied by at least two friends as he approaches João Victor. At one point, members of the group make comments about the actor's appearance and clothing.

"W..., what is this! Horrible guy. Dude put a tomato in", says one of them, referring to the red pants worn by the actor.

The group still appears following the actor for a few seconds. João Victor, visibly cornered, quickens his pace to move forward. The excerpt from the transmission was later cut and published on social media, where it began to circulate accompanied by criticism of the approach.

During the live, it is not clear whether the streamer and his friends knew that the man approached was João Victor Gonçalves.

Actor spoke about homophobia; streamer accused him of racism

After the repercussion of the video, João Victor spoke out on social media, classifying the episode as homophobia and stating that, during the approach, he was afraid of being robbed.

"We are stronger than anything... We will not go unpunished, homophobia is a crime. This is a portrait. My fear of being robbed was greater. Homophobia is not entertainment", he stated.

GH initially apologized "in case he got it wrong." Later, he spoke again about the episode, denied having been homophobic and accused João Victor of racism.

The streamer questioned the actor's statement about the fear of being robbed and associated the speech with his color.

"How am I going to rob you, brother, at an event where there was a lot of security? [...] You said you were afraid of being robbed. Why were you afraid of being robbed? Because of my color? Is it because I'm black?", said GH.

In the same video, the streamer stated that it had not commented on João Victor's sexual orientation and maintained its criticism of the clothes worn by the actor.

João Victor will also be called to testify

In addition to Jean Almeida, João Victor will be called by the Tourist Service Department to provide clarifications.

According to g1, the investigation will separately analyze the statements of those involved. The police will investigate whether there was a crime of homophobia in the speeches attributed to the streamer and, depending on the statements, they may also analyze the accusation of racism made by GH against the actor.

Actor's lawyers counter GH

João Victor posted a note written by lawyers Gustavo Polido and Andressa Knapp. The text refutes GH's accusation that the actor was racist.

"Regarding the statement by João Victor Gonçalves, offended, in which he reported fear of being robbed, it is clarified that such manifestation does not have any discriminatory connotation. It is a legitimate self-protection reaction, fully justifiable given the factual context: lack of security at the location, numerical superiority of the attackers (four against one) and the intimidating nature of the approach. There is no link between the fear expressed and any element of a racial nature", says the note.

The lawyers state that GH’s allegation “does not find any support in the facts or in the statements actually made by João Victor”.

“Possible demonstrations by third parties, including those of a racist nature, made by followers of the offended party against the perpetrator of the harassment, cannot be attributed to him [João], nor do they divert the analysis of the conduct originally practiced against the victim.”

The text also highlights that “public debauchery motivated by non-conformity of clothing with normative gender standards, exposed and amplified through live transmission, constitutes a serious discriminatory act” and that “the discriminatory act was deliberately practiced as a strategy of engagement and content generation, for one's own benefit and at the expense of the victim's non-consensual public exposure”.

“It is reaffirmed that João Victor Gonçalves appears, in these facts, exclusively as a victim.”

Jean's defense denies homophobia and does not cite racism

In a statement, Jean Almeida Hilário's defense stated that the streamer recognizes that the tone used during the broadcast was inappropriate and reiterated the apology made to João Victor. According to lawyers, GH is remorseful and admits that the approach “was not appropriate”.

The defense, however, denied that there was homophobia. According to the note, GH's comments were directed exclusively at the actor's clothing and, at no point, made reference to his sexual orientation.

The lawyers also stated that the streamer is available to the authorities and is confident that the investigation will demonstrate “the absence of any discriminatory act”.

The note also does not repeat the accusations, made on video by Jean, that the actor was racist.

This Sunday (6), the actor returned to Cidade do Rock and recorded a video having fun and singing "Pro Dia Naser Feliz" during the Barão Vermelho show.

"Another day of @rockinrio - Let's live!", wrote the actor when showing off the look chosen to enjoy this Sunday's program.

João Victor Gonçalves returned to the festival this Sunday (6). — Photo: Disclosure

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