The Brazilian star has promised to spread ‘love’ in response (Picture: Instagram)
Brazilian actor Amaury Lorenzo has revealed that he received homophobic abuse and death threats after acting out a same-sex kiss on TV.
Lorenzo, 39, who came out last month, saying ‘I consider myself an LGBTQIA+ man,’ has starred in Brazilian soap Terra e Paixão since earlier this year.
In a recent storyline, Lorenzo’s character, a cowboy named Ramiro, enters into a same-sex relationship with Kelvin, an activist played by Diego Martins.
The work produced by the two actors, who are both openly queer, have helped the storyline become a fan-favourite among viewers in Brazil.
However, the ‘Kelmiro’ relationship (a name given by fans) has also been hit with significant backlash, with Lorenzo now exposing the abuse he’s been sent.
‘I’ve received death threats over the course of the night, besides offenses regarding who I am and what my job is,’ he wrote on Instagram.
The statement continued: ‘Last night, this morning, and this afternoon were all difficult. Hellish. That’s why I’ve been absent from social media.’
He then went on to say that he would continue to play the character and defiantly oppose hatred, and continue to surround himself with positivity.
‘As an artist, I emanate love. And people who follow me also emanate love. Not death,’ he remarked, adding that he has faced similar negativity throughout his life.
The storyline involving Lorenzo and Martins has become so popular that the ratings for the episode broke records for Globo, the TV station in Brazil that broadcasts the series.
The two actors have been working on the scene for months (Picture: Instagram)
Amaury first appeared on the soap earlier this year (Picture: Instagram)
‘Let’s focus on the love and the reception of this scene that we’ve all been waiting for. That’s what matters. The love. Nothing else matters besides love.’
Lorenzo then revealed that he and Martins had been working ‘restlessly’ on the kiss scene for months.
He concluded his statement by saying: ‘when someone wishes death upon you, wish back even more love to that person. Love can save lives.’
‘Thank you for saving me with so much love. Now, let me go cry a little bit over here. Love you all.’
Watch Terra e Paixão on GloboPlay.
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The actor has promised to respond with ‘love’.