Nikolas Ferreira

{{Short description|Member of the Chamber of Deputies of Brazil}}

{{Infobox officeholder

| name = Nikolas Ferreira

| image = Nikolas Ferreira (cropped).jpg

| office = Member of the Chamber of Deputies

| term_start = 1 February 2023

| constituency = Minas Gerais

| office1 = Member of the Municipal Chamber of Belo Horizonte

| term_start1 = 1 January 2021

| term_end1 = 1 February 2023

| constituency1 = At-large

| birth_name = Nikolas Ferreira de Oliveira

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1996|05|30|df=y}}

| birth_place = Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil

| party = PL (2022–present)

| otherparty = {{Plainlist|

PSL (2018–2020)
PRTB (2020–2022)

}}

| alma_mater = Pontifical Catholic University of Minas Gerais (LL.B.)

| spouse = {{Marriage|Lívia Orletti|30 April 2023}}

}}

Nikolas Ferreira de Oliveira (born Belo Horizonte, Brazil in 1996) is a Brazilian politician affiliated to the Liberal Party (PL). Currently serving as Member of the Chamber of Deputies, he was elected for a 4-year term in 2022, being the most voted Member of the Chamber of Deputies in the 2022 Brazilian general election, with almost 1,5 million votes, and the most voted in Minas Gerais history for that office.{{Cite web|title=Quem é Nikolas Ferreira, deputado que criticou o feminismo em discurso na Câmara no Dia das Mulheres|url=https://www.estadao.com.br/politica/quem-e-nikolas-ferreira-deputado-que-ironizou-o-feminismo-em-discurso-na-camara-no-dia-das-mulheres/|access-date=2023-03-10|website=Estadão|language=pt}}{{Cite web|last=Minas|first=Estado de|date=2022-10-02|title=Nikolas Ferreira o deputado federal mais votado da história de Minas|url=https://www.em.com.br/app/noticia/politica/2022/10/02/interna_politica,1401773/nikolas-ferreira-e-o-deputado-federal-mais-votado-da-historia-de-minas.shtml|access-date=2023-03-10|website=Estado de Minas|language=pt}} Formerly, he was elected Councillor of Belo Horizonte, in 2020, the second most voted candidate after Duda Salabert.{{Cite web|last=Minas|first=Estado de|date=2020-11-15|title=segundo vereador mais votado de BH, Nikolas Ferreira chama Duda Salabert de homem: 'é isso que está na certidão'|url=https://www.em.com.br/app/noticia/politica/2020/11/15/interna_politica,1205365/2-vereador-mais-votado-de-bh-nikolas-ferreira-duda-salabert-homem.shtml|access-date=2023-03-10|website=Estado de Minas|language=pt}}

He describes himself as a "right-wing Christian, gun enthusiast, and family defender", and is considered one of the most influential politicians on social media in Brazil.{{cite web|url=https://www.unicamp.br/unicamp/noticias/2022/09/08/extrema-direita-domina-o-campo-conservador-aponta-cientista-politica|title=Extrema direita domina o campo conservador, aponta cientista política|date=8 September 2022|accessdate=21 February 2023|publisher=Unicamp|author=Liana Coll}}{{cite web|url=https://istoe.com.br/a-estrela-do-conservadorismo/|title=Quem é Nikolas Ferreira, jovem mineiro bolsonarista, conservador e negacionista na pandemia|date=7 October 2022|accessdate=22 February 2023|publisher=ISTOÉ Independente|author=Gabriela Rölke|archive-date=30 March 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230330020320/https://istoe.com.br/a-estrela-do-conservadorismo/|url-status=dead}} Ferreira has gained national notoriety due to the controversies he has been involved in, including defending negationist ideas,{{Cite web|url=https://istoe.com.br/a-estrela-do-conservadorismo/|title=Quem é Nikolas Ferreira, jovem mineiro bolsonarista, conservador e negacionista na pandemia|date=7 October 2022|accessdate=8 October 2022|website=ISTOÉ Independente|language=pt|archive-date=7 October 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221007142311/https://istoe.com.br/a-estrela-do-conservadorismo/|url-status=dead}} and discriminatory, spreading fake news, and supporting and encouraging coup demonstrations{{Cite web|url=https://www.metropoles.com/colunas/guilherme-amado/zambelli-nikolas-e-silveira-incitam-golpe-de-estado-contra-eleicao|title=Zambelli, Nikolas e Silveira incitam golpe de Estado|date=1 November 2022|accessdate=14 March 2023|website=Metrópoles|language=pt}} as well as the attacks on the headquarters of the Three Powers in 2023.{{Cite web|last=Pilar|first=Ana Flávia|url=https://oglobo.globo.com/politica/noticia/2023/03/relembre-oito-polemicas-do-deputado-nikolas-ferreira-alem-do-discurso-transfobico-no-dia-das-mulheres.ghtml|title=Relembre oito polêmicas do deputado Nikolas Ferreira, além do discurso transfóbico no Dia da Mulher|accessdate=14 March 2023|website=O Globo|date=9 March 2023 |language=pt}}

Personal Life

Nikolas was born on 30 May 1996 in the favela of Cabana Pai Tomaz, in the western region of Belo Horizonte, the son of Maria Ruth Ferreira de Oliveira and evangelical pastor Edésio de Oliveira.{{cite web|title=Pai de Nikolas mobiliza evangélicos em evento de Michelle|url=https://oantagonista.com.br/brasil/pai-de-nikolas-mobiliza-evangelicos-em-evento-de-michelle/|publisher=O Antagonista|date=22 October 2022|accessdate=15 April 2025|language=pt}}{{cite web|title=Quem é Nikolas Ferreira, deputado mais votado do Brasil aos 26 anos?|url=https://www.dn.pt/internacional/quem-e-nikolas-ferreira-deputado-mais-votado-do-brasil-aos-26-anos-15232639.html|author=João Almeida Moreira|publisher=Diário de Notícias|date=7 October 2022|accessdate=15 April 2025|language=pt}} In January 2023, he announced his engagement to Espírito Santo model Lívia Bergamim Orletti, and invited former President Jair Bolsonaro to the wedding ceremony.{{cite web|title=Nikolas Ferreira anuncia casamento e manda recado a Alexandre de Moraes|url=https://veja.abril.com.br/coluna/veja-gente/nikolas-ferreira-anuncia-casamento-e-manda-recado-a-alexandre-de-moraes/|author=Valmir Moratelli|publisher=Veja|date=17 January 2023|accessdate=15 April 2025|language=pt}}{{cite web|title=Bolsonaro vai comparecer ao casamento de Nikolas Ferreira, diz deputado|url=https://www.diariodepernambuco.com.br/noticia/politica/2023/03/bolsonaro-vai-comparecer-ao-casamento-de-nikolas-ferreira-diz-deputad.html|publisher=Diário de Pernambuco|date=30 March 2023|accessdate=15 April 2025|language=pt}}{{cite web|title=Bolsonaro vai comparecer ao casamento de Nikolas Ferreira, diz deputado|url=https://www.correiobraziliense.com.br/politica/2023/03/5084034-bolsonaro-vai-comparecer-ao-casamento-de-nikolas-ferreira-diz-deputado.html|publisher=Correio Braziliense|date=30 March 2023|accessdate=15 April 2025|language=pt}} They married in April 2023, in Espírito Santo.{{cite web|title=Nikolas Ferreira se casa com modelo capixaba em cerimônia no ES|url=https://www.otempo.com.br/politica/nikolas-ferreira-se-casa-com-modelo-capixaba-em-cerimonia-no-es-1.2860361|author=Hermano Chiodi|publisher=O Tempo|date=1 May 2023|accessdate=15 April 2025|language=pt}}

He holds a bachelor's degree in Law,{{cite web|title=Qual o número de Nikolas Ferreira para deputado federal nas eleições 2022?|url=https://www.em.com.br/app/noticia/politica/2022/09/29/interna_politica,1399847/qual-o-numero-de-nikolas-ferreira-para-deputado-federal-nas-eleicoes-2022.shtml|publisher=Estado de Minas|date=29 September 2022|accessdate=15 April 2025|language=pt}} graduated from the Pontifical Catholic University of Minas Gerais (PUC-MG). He is an evangelical Christian from the Grace and Peace Community denomination, stating that he suffered at the university when trying to assert himself as a conservative Christian.{{cite web|title=2° vereador mais votado de BH, Nikolas Ferreira chama Duda Salabert de homem: 'É isso que está na certidão'|url=https://www.em.com.br/app/noticia/politica/2020/11/15/interna_politica,1205365/2-vereador-mais-votado-de-bh-nikolas-ferreira-duda-salabert-homem.shtml|author=Cecília Emiliana|publisher=Estado de Minas|date=15 November 2020|accessdate=15 April 2025|language=pt}}

Transphobic statements and conviction

File:Nikole Ferreira.jpg

Following his election as a councilor, Nikolas intentionally misgendered Duda Salabert, a transgender councilor in Belo Horizonte.{{cite web|access-date=5 February 2023|author=Cecília Emiliana|date=15 November 2020|publisher=Estado de Minas|title=2º vereador mais votado de BH, Nikolas Ferreira chama Duda Salabert de homem: 'É isso que está na certidão'|url=https://www.em.com.br/app/noticia/politica/2020/11/15/interna_politica,1205365/2-vereador-mais-votado-de-bh-nikolas-ferreira-duda-salabert-homem.shtml}}{{cite web|access-date=22 February 2023|author=Marco Faleiro|date=20 November 2020|publisher=Estado de Minas|title=Duda Salabert diz que parabenizou Nikolas Ferreira: 'Brigas serão entre ideias, não entre pessoas'|url=https://www.em.com.br/app/noticia/politica/2020/11/20/interna_politica,1208202/duda-salabert-parabenizou-nikolas-ferreira-brigas-serao-entre-ideias.shtml}} Following this, Salabert filed a criminal complaint against him.{{Cite web |last=Minas |first=Estado de |date=2021-12-22 |title=Queixa-crime de Duda Salabert impede porte de armas de Nikolas Ferreira |url=https://www.em.com.br/app/noticia/politica/2021/12/22/interna_politica,1333209/queixa-crime-de-duda-salabert-impede-porte-de-armas-de-nikolas-ferreira.shtml |access-date=2023-05-25 |website=Estado de Minas |language=pt-BR}}{{Cite web |date=2023-02-08 |title=Nikolas Ferreira responderá por injúria racial após desrespeitar pronome de Duda Salabert |url=https://www.cartacapital.com.br/justica/nikolas-ferreira-respondera-por-injuria-racial-apos-desrespeitar-pronome-de-duda-salabert/ |access-date=2023-05-25 |website=CartaCapital |language=pt-BR}} There is no explicit criminal classification for transphobia and homophobia in Brazil, but the Supreme Federal Court decided in 2019 that they are crimes under the Law of Racism.{{Cite web |last=Pinotti |first=Fernanda |title=Transfobia é crime? |url=https://www.cnnbrasil.com.br/nacional/transfobia-e-crime/ |access-date=2023-05-25 |website=CNN Brasil |language=pt-BR}} In April 2023, Nikolas Ferreira was convicted, in first and second instance, and made to pay a compensation of R$ 80,000 for moral damages against Duda Salabert.{{Cite web |last=Minas |first=Estado de |date=2023-04-30 |title=Justiça nega recurso de Nikolas Ferreira em processo contra Duda Salabert |url=https://www.em.com.br/app/noticia/politica/2023/04/30/interna_politica,1487907/justica-nega-recurso-de-nikolas-ferreira-em-processo-contra-duda-salabert.shtml |access-date=2023-05-25 |website=Estado de Minas |language=pt-BR}}{{Cite web |date=2023-04-19 |title=Nikolas Ferreira é condenado por transfobia contra Duda Salabert e terá que pagar indenização de R$ 80 mil |url=https://oglobo.globo.com/politica/noticia/2023/04/nikolas-ferreira-e-condenado-por-transfobia-contra-duda-salabert-e-tera-que-pagar-indenizacao-de-r-80-mil.ghtml |access-date=2023-05-25 |website=O Globo |language=pt-br}}

On March 8, 2023, International Women's Day, while serving as a federal congressman, Nikolas delivered a speech at the Chamber of Deputies podium with transphobic and anti-feminist statements. In addition to mocking trans women by wearing a blonde wig and asking to be called by the name "Nikole",{{cite web|date=9 March 2023|publisher=Terra|title=Nikolas Ferreira põe peruca, diz que é deputada 'Nikole' e prega contra feminismo no Dia da Mulher|url=https://www.terra.com.br/nos/videos/nikolas-ferreira-poe-peruca-diz-que-e-deputada-nikole-e-prega-contra-feminismo-no-dia-da-mulher,5eb47f46766277e2cc57375ee488a64ecy23n5uc.html}} he stated that "women are losing their space to men who feel like women". The President of the Chamber of Deputies, Arthur Lira, wrote a public reprimand on social media after the statements, stating that the Chamber of Deputies is not a space for discriminatory speeches.{{cite web|author=Ramiro Brites|date=8 March 2023|publisher=VEJA|title=Lira repreende deputado que atacou mulheres trans na tribuna|url=https://veja.abril.com.br/coluna/radar/lira-repreende-deputado-que-atacou-mulheres-trans-na-tribuna/}}{{cite web|date=8 March 2023|publisher=G1|title=Lira diz que Câmara não é palco para preconceito e faz reprimenda após fala transfóbica de Nikolas Ferreira|url=https://g1.globo.com/politica/noticia/2023/03/08/lira-diz-que-camara-nao-e-palco-para-preconceito-e-faz-reprimenda-apos-fala-transfobica-de-nikolas-ferreira.ghtml}}{{cite web|author=Levy Teles|date=8 March 2023|publisher=Estadão|title=Arthur Lira repreende discurso de Nikolas Ferreira: 'Plenário não é palco para exibicionismo'|url=https://www.estadao.com.br/politica/arthur-lira-repreende-discurso-de-nikolas-ferreira-plenario-nao-e-palco-para-exibicionismo/}} Federal congresswoman Erika Hilton, who is a trans woman, presented a petition in favor of revoking Nikolas' mandate, which collected 150,000 signatures within 24 hours.{{cite web|access-date=10 March 2023|date=9 March 2023|first=O.|language=pt|last=Tempo|title=Abaixo-assinado pede cassação do mandato do deputado Nikolas Ferreira {{!}} O TEMPO|url=https://www.otempo.com.br/politica/abaixo-assinado-pede-cassacao-do-mandato-do-deputado-nikolas-ferreira-1.2826818|website=www.otempo.com.br}}{{cite web|access-date=10 March 2023|date=10 March 2023|language=pt|title=Petição por cassação de Nikolas supera 150 mil assinaturas em 24h {{!}} Metrópoles|url=https://www.metropoles.com/brasil/peticao-por-cassacao-de-nikolas-supera-150-mil-assinaturas-em-24h|website=www.metropoles.com}} Three criminal complaints were filed by civil society organizations and a group of federal congressmen to the Supreme Federal Court after the statements.{{cite web|access-date=10 March 2023|date=10 March 2023|language=pt|title=André Mendonça será relator de ações contra Nikolas Ferreira no STF {{!}} Metrópoles|url=https://www.metropoles.com/brasil/andre-mendonca-sera-relator-de-acoes-contra-nikolas-ferreira-no-stf|website=www.metropoles.com}} On the other hand, Nikolas received support from other far-right politicians, such as Eduardo Bolsonaro, who classified his behavior as excellent, as well as Valdemar Costa Neto, the president of Nikolas' party, who publicly defended him on social media.{{cite web|access-date=2023-03-10|date=10 March 2023|language=pt|title=Nikolas Ferreira tem 'qualidades' e conta com nosso apoio, diz presidente do PL|url=https://www.cartacapital.com.br/cartaexpressa/nikolas-ferreira-tem-qualidades-e-conta-com-nosso-apoio-diz-presidente-do-pl/|website=CartaCapital}}{{cite web|access-date=10 March 2023|date=9 March 2023|language=pt|last=PODER360|title=Excelente, diz Eduardo Bolsonaro sobre fala de Nikolas Ferreira|url=https://www.poder360.com.br/congresso/excelente-diz-eduardo-bolsonaro-sobre-fala-de-nikolas-ferreira/|website=Poder360}} Nikolas' stance was associated with the growth of transphobic proposals in the federal, state, and municipal legislative bodies.{{cite web|access-date=21 March 2023|date=20 March 2023|language=pt|title=Brasil tem um novo projeto de lei antitrans por dia, e 'efeito Nikolas' preocupa|url=https://www1.folha.uol.com.br/poder/2023/03/brasil-tem-um-novo-projeto-de-lei-antitrans-por-dia-e-efeito-nikolas-preocupa.shtml|website=Folha de S.Paulo}}