Luiz Henrique de Lima Cardoso, a 21-year-old, was stabbed and died during the 16th edition of the Niterói LGBTQIA+ Pride Parade. The event, which took place yesterday (7) on the edge of Praia de Icaraí, expected an audience of 50,000 people.
For Grupo Diversidade Niteroi (GDN), responsible for the LGBTQIA+ Pride Parade in the city, the police contingent was small and insufficient. Today (8), the entity released a public note giving information about the episode and showing solidarity with the young man’s family and friends. “We will continue to demand answers and strengthen our community”, says the text.
According to the GDN, the crime took place after an argument. “Immediately after becoming aware of the case, we stopped the sound, interrupted the stop and mobilized support for the victim so that he was removed to the health service”, the note records.
The entity claims to be in mourning and emphasizes that the situation, unprecedented in the 16 years of the event, leaves the community involved dismayed, sad and worried. “There has never been such a serious case in our demonstration since its first edition. Unfortunately, in such a large event, we see the presence of people who are not part of our struggle, who come to the parade with the intention of tarnishing all the efforts that dedicated to putting our bodies on the streets,” the text adds.
The GDN reiterates, however, that despite the troubling case, the LGBTQIA+ Pride Parade is a safe space and that the LGBTQIA+ community is recognized as peaceful and appeasing. According to the entity, videos will be gathered to collaborate with investigations and identify the perpetrator of the crime.
According to information from the Municipal Health Department of Niterói, the service was provided by the Mobile Emergency Care Service (Samu) and the young man was referred to the Azevedo Lima State Hospital, but he did not survive. Sought by Agência Brasil, the Military Police of Rio de Janeiro did not respond.
The Municipal Secretary of Human Rights of Niterói also released an official note offering solidarity to the young man’s family. According to the folder, psychological, legal and social assistance is being provided to the victim’s relatives.
“From the first moment we received the information about what had happened, we contacted Luiz Henrique’s family to accompany them to the 78th Police Station, in Fonseca, where members of the Homicide Police Station, responsible for the case, were located”, adds the text.
