MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Bolsonaro claims WHO encourages homosexuality and masturbation among children

The far-right leader made the claim in a Facebook post, “This is the World Health Organization whose advice on coronavirus some people want me to follow”

Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro said the World Health Organisation encourages homosexuality and masturbation among young children, his latest clash with an organization whose advice on social distancing and other anti-coronavirus measures he has repeatedly questioned.

The far-right leader made the claim, without citing a source, in a Facebook post he later deleted. “This is the World Health Organization whose advice on coronavirus some people want me to follow,” he wrote.

“Should we follow their education policy guidelines, too? For children zero to four years old: satisfaction and pleasure when touching their bodies, masturbation... For children four to six years old: a positive gender identity... masturbation in early childhood, same-sex relations... 9 to 12 years old: first sexual experience.”

The allegations appeared to stem from social media posts suggesting WHO encourages such practices among young children.

A Bolsonaro adviser, Arthur Weintraub, had earlier tweeted, “The WHO has guidelines recommending children zero to four years old be taught about 'masturbation,' 'pleasure and enjoyment,' 'touching one's body' and 'gender ideology.' Is that right?”

The origin of the information appeared to be a 2010 guide called Standards For Sexuality Education In Europe, published by Germany's Federal Centre for Health Education and the WHO's European office.

Though not its main focus, the guide briefly explains that young children are typically discovering their bodies, and tells parents and educators that behavior such as touching oneself and curiosity about sexuality are normal in kids.

Bolsonaro has regularly been at odds with the WHO since the coronavirus pandemic began.