Country Overview
Brazil
At a glance
Same-sex Relations for Men Legal Throughout the Country?
Same-sex Relations for Women Legal Throughout the Country?
Legal Gender Recognition Possible?
LGBTI Orgs Able to Register?
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LGBTIQ people enjoy thorough legal protections in Brazil; however, there are barriers to full LGBTIQ equality. Same-sex marriage has been legal in Brazil since 2013, same-sex couple adoption has been legal since 2010 and there has been a process for legal gender recognition in place since 2009. In 2019, Brazil’s Supreme Federal Court criminalized discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity. A 1999 law prohibits psychologists from carrying out conversion therapy. A judge overturned the law in 2017, but the Supreme Court reversed the decision in 2020, allowing the ban to remain in effect, despite these legal protections. Brazil has one of the highest murder rates of LGBTIQ people in the world. Brazilian society includes a vocal anti-LGBTIQ minority, both in politics and in the general populace. The election of President Bolsonaro in 2018 raised concerns among the Brazilian LGBTIQ community due to his homophobic rhetoric. LGBTIQ groups have reported increased harassment, discrimination and stigmatization since the election of President Bolsonaro.
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.
United Nations
Our work at the United Nations centers around advocating for the advancement of the rights of LGBTIQ people.
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Our work in Asia promotes acceptance of sexual and gender diversity at all levels of society.
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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.
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.
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.
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
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