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🇧🇷 Brazil /Culture & Society

Minas Gerais Public Prosecutor’s Office withdraws honor for businessman known for sexist remark

From Folha de S.Paulo · () Portuguese

Translated from Portuguese and summarized by DistantNews. Read the original for the full story.

At a glance

News Official statement Outcome reported
  • The Minas Gerais Public Prosecutor’s Office canceled a planned honor for businessman Tallis Gomes after protests by a group of women.
  • Gomes became known for the remark, “God forbid a woman be a CEO,” and said he accepted the cancellation while describing the protest as legitimate.
  • The prosecutor’s office cited recent demonstrations and events involving Gomes, while reaffirming its commitment to dignity and institutional values.

The Minas Gerais Public Prosecutor’s Office backed away from honoring businessman Tallis Gomes after protests over his remark, “God forbid a woman be a CEO.” The ceremony to present him with the Joaquim Cabral Netto Justice Prosecutor’s Commendation had been scheduled for Friday, Sept. 11.

God forbid a woman be a CEO.

· Tallis GomesThe remark that brought widespread attention to the businessman and prompted controversy over the planned honor.

Gomes said a spokesperson for the prosecutor’s office told him it would be better to cancel the tribute following the protests. “There was a protest by a group of women, which is legitimate. I am very grateful, but I have no problem with canceling the award. On the contrary, in theory, we live in a democratic country,” he said. “The protest by anyone who felt uncomfortable is entirely valid,” Gomes added.

There was a protest by a group of women, which is legitimate. I am very grateful, but I have no problem with canceling the award. On the contrary, in theory, we live in a democratic country.

· Tallis GomesGomes responded to the cancellation of the planned commendation.

In a statement to Painel, the prosecutor’s office said it had decided not to grant the commendation “considering demonstrations and recent facts related to the honoree.” The institution also reaffirmed “its commitment to the institutional values that guide its work and to respect for the dignity of all people.”

The protest by anyone who felt uncomfortable is entirely valid.

· Tallis GomesGomes said he accepted the protest against his remark.

The commendation is presented each year to individuals or organizations that have provided relevant services to the office in their field. Gomes, who was born in Carangola, Minas Gerais, founded Easy Taxi and co-founded G4 Educação. He says he became the target of “lies” and “harmful narratives” after a social media post in which he responded to a question about whether he would remain engaged if his partner were the CEO of a major company.

Considering demonstrations and recent facts related to the honoree.

· Minas Gerais Public Prosecutor’s OfficeThe office’s stated reason for deciding not to grant the commendation.
About this summary

Originally published by Folha de S.Paulo in Portuguese. Translated, summarized, and contextualized automatically by DistantNews, with a note on how the source frames the story. Not individually reviewed before publishing. How this works.

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