Brazilian Student VINDICATED: Court Throws Out Criminal Charges for Saying Men Are Born Male

Brazilian Court Dismisses All Charges Against Veterinary Student Who Said Biological Sex Cannot Be Changed

A Brazilian Federal Regional Court has unanimously ruled in favor of veterinary student Isadora Borges, dismissing all criminal charges against her for stating that transgender women "were obviously born male" on social media.

The landmark ruling, handed down on March 13, 2026, by the Federal Regional Court of the 5th Circuit, marks the first time a federal court in Brazil has ruled on the merits of a criminal "transphobia" accusation related to speech.

Borges made two posts on X (formerly Twitter) in November 2020, writing that transgender women "were obviously born male" and stating:

"A person who identifies as transgender retains their birth DNA. No surgery, synthetic hormone, or clothing change will change this fact."

Her posts drew the attention of Erika Hilton, a Brazilian transgender politician, who reported Borges to the federal police for alleged "transphobia." In September 2025, Borges was formally notified of criminal charges that carried a potential prison sentence of four to ten years.

The Court stated that Borges' comments "did not contain any attack, threat, or hostility" toward individuals who identify as transgender, nor did they incite violence. The judges found that her statements lacked "the intentional element required in criminal law to sustain a conviction."

Alliance Defending Freedom International (ADF International) provided legal support to Borges throughout the case. Julio Pohl, legal counsel for ADF International, said the decision offers "hope that free speech will be protected in Brazil," while emphasizing that such cases "should never occur in the first place."

The ruling is considered a significant legal precedent for free speech rights in Brazil, where a 2019 Supreme Federal Tribunal ruling classified transphobia as equivalent to racism, carrying potential five year sentences.

Brazilian Federal Court Sets Landmark Free Speech Precedent in Gender Identity Case

ADF International noted that similar censorship cases continue emerging across Brazil, making this ruling a critical precedent for protecting the rights of citizens to express views grounded in biological science without facing criminal prosecution.

The Crusader's Opinion

Let this sink in: a young woman stated a biological fact that every doctor, every biologist, and every person with eyes can verify, and she was dragged through six years of legal terror for it. A politician with power used the machinery of the state to silence a student with truth. That is not justice. That is persecution dressed in progressive clothing.

Thank God the court saw reason. But the fact that it took six years and international legal intervention to defend the right to say "DNA does not change" tells you everything about where the world is heading. Christians must stand firm. Truth is not hate speech. Biology is not bigotry. And we must never apologize for saying so.

Take Action

• Support ADF International's work defending free speech worldwide at adfinternational.org
• Share this story on social media to raise awareness about free speech threats in Brazil and globally
• Pray for Isadora Borges and others facing prosecution for stating biological facts
• Contact your elected representatives and urge them to protect free speech rights from being criminalized under hate speech laws
• Support The Shepherd's Shield in defending persecuted Christians at www.TheShepherdsShield.org