JOÃO'S MURDERER SAYS THEY HAD SEX BUT HE DESPISES GAYS

A debate about the definition of the words "homosexual" and "homophobia" has erupted in Brazil after the confessed murderer of a gay teenager told police he has sex with males ... but hates gays.

The suspect, Andrie Maycon Ferreira Da Silva (above), a 20-year-old fruit picker, reportedly said during police interrogation that he he did not intend to kill 18-year-old JOÃO ANTÔNIO DONATI. 

But after having consensual sex with him, he was overcome with revulsion and disgust and wanted to teach his sex partner a lesson in manhood.

In a tearful confession, he said he got carried away. Before he knew it, João was dead.

His severely beaten body was found in the city of Inhumas in the state of Goiás with his neck fractured and both legs broken and with his mouth and trachea stuffed with a plastic bag and a paper note, on which had been scrawled an anti-gay hate message saying that this is what should happen to all queers.

Reports say bruises, lacerations and contusions showed that he had put up a desperate struggle against his attacker.

Brazil has the largest Antinous faith community in the non-English speaking world, and adherents of Antinous have taken the unprecedented move of proclaiming João the first SAINT OF ANTINOUS in Brazil.

Authorities have attempted to play down the "homophobia" aspect of the case, saying the admitted killer was also "gay" ... thus, it was a crime of passion between lovers ... a "lovers' quarrel" of sorts.

But at candlelight VIGILS AND RALLIES for João, LGBTIU supporters have insisted that it is nonetheless a "hate crime" no different from heterosexual men who brutalize women after having sex with them because they hate the feminine side of their own personalities.

The issue, they insist, is homophobia regardless of sexual proclivity. Activists have called for legislation to criminalize discrimination and violence on the basis of homophobia.

On the same day that João was killed, two other gays were beaten and a transvestite was murdered in the same state. But the images of João's smiling Facebook selfies instantly touched the hearts of millions.

Outrage has swept the nation, with protest marches and vigils held over the weekend in numerous cities this weekend and with a memorial service being planned for September 17.

Since João's death, his FACEBOOK page has filled with messages of condolence. 

A month before his murder, he updated his profile image with the accompanying message: "Determination, courage and self-confidence are decisive factors for success.

"No matter what obstacles and difficulties. If we are possessed of an unwavering determination, we will be able to overcome them."