George Santos, a Bolsonaro supporter who adopts a moralistic discourse, has competed in a drag queen contest.
A 58-year-old Brazilian artist, who uses the drag name Eula Rochard, said she befriended the now-congressman when he was cross-dressing in 2005.
Reuters - U.S. Congressman George Santos competed as a drag queen in Brazilian beauty pageants 15 years ago, two acquaintances told Reuters on Wednesday, adding to the contrasts that have drawn criticism of the openly gay Republican congressman's conservative views.
The controversial congressman also faced calls from fellow Republicans in New York to resign due to fabrications about his career and history.
A 58-year-old Brazilian artist, who uses the drag name Eula Rochard, said she befriended the now-congressman when he was cross-dressing in 2005 at the first gay pride parade in Niterói, a suburb of Rio de Janeiro. Three years later, Santos competed in a drag beauty pageant in Rio, Rochard said.
Emails sent to the congressman's press office and to a newly hired communications director on Wednesday night were not returned.
Santos is the first openly gay Republican to win a seat in the House of Representatives as a non-incumbent, but he has positioned himself as a staunch conservative on many social issues.
He supported Florida's "don't say gay" bill, which prohibits classroom discussions about sexual orientation and gender identity.
Republicans are increasingly denouncing drag shows and performers, claiming they are harmful to children.
Santos, responding in October to criticism of his support for the "don't say gay" bill, told USA Today: "I am openly gay, I have never had any issues with my sexual identity in the last decade, and I can say and assure you, I will always be a defender of LGBTQ people."
Rochard said the congressman was a "poor" drag queen in 2005, wearing a simple black dress, but in 2008 "returned to Niterói with a lot of money" and an extravagant pink dress to show off. Santos competed in a drag beauty pageant that year, but lost, Rochard said.
"He changed a lot, but he was always a liar. He was always a dreamer," said Rochard.
Subscribe to 247, Support via Pix, Subscribe to TV 247, in the channel Cuts 247 and watch: