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Country Overview

Brazil

At a glance

Same-sex Relations for Men Legal Throughout the Country?

Yes

Same-sex Relations for Women Legal Throughout the Country?

Yes

Legal Gender Recognition Possible?

Yes

LGBTI Orgs Able to Register?

Yes

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In Brazil, the human rights of LGBTIQ people have seen significant advances, but the situation remains complex and, in some cases, troubling. Marriage equality has been legal since 2013, when the right was recognized by the Supreme Court. However, there are efforts in Congress to repeal it, driven by lawmakers linked to anti-gender and anti-democratic groups. 

Despite laws prohibiting discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity, Brazil continues to have one of the highest rates of violence against LGBTIQ people, particularly against transgender individuals. Although there have been legal advances, the enforcement of these protections remains inadequate, and LGBTIQ people face significant challenges in ensuring their safety and rights on a daily basis. 

LGBTIQ persons actively participate in politics, with over 300 openly LGBTQ candidates running for office in the 2024 municipal elections. Trans people can legally change their gender markers based on self-determination. In addition, trans voters have been allowed to register with their gender identity and lived name, even when their official identification documents have not been updated. Although there are no specific laws protecting intersex people, on the International Day of Intersex Solidarity and Remembrance in November 2023, the Ministry of Human Rights and Citizenship issued an ordinance to formally establish the Working Group for the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights of Intersex Persons—a historic milestone for intersex political participation in Brazil.

*Outright research indicates that the bodily autonomy of intersex people is not respected and protected in this country.  

 

Global Impact

Sub-Saharan Africa

Outright supports LGBTIQ organizations in Sub-Saharan Africa and works with mainstream human rights organizations to respect human rights and influence positive changes in laws, policies, attitudes and beliefs that cause discrimination against LGBTIQ people.

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United Nations

Our work at the United Nations centers around advocating for the advancement of the rights of LGBTIQ people.

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Asia

Our work in Asia promotes acceptance of sexual and gender diversity at all levels of society.

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Southwest Asia and North Africa

In the Southwest Asia and North Africa, we partner with local groups in various countries as part of our international solidarity work. We also work with our local partners on different topics through capacity building, advocacy, research and holistic security.



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Europe and Central Asia

Outright International partners with activists to fight for an end to human rights violations based on sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression in Europe and Central Asia, where most of our work involves emergency responses to harassment, discrimination, violence, and most recently, Russia’s brutal and expanded invasion of Ukraine.

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Americas

Our work in the Americas continues to build on the fundamental and positive transformation of human rights protections in recent years. We partner with groups in the Caribbean that focus on ending gender-based violence and eradicating discrimination against trans people.

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Pacific

Our work in the Pacific aims to increase the visibility of activists, respond to human rights emergencies, and actively bridge local, regional, and international activism to achieve equality and justice.

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Human Rights Research

Since 1990, we have partnered with activists from all over the world to produce hundreds of groundbreaking reports.

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