The Brazilian government has relaunched its 4th National Conference on the Rights of LGBTQIA+ People in Brasilia — the first such gathering in nearly a decade. Organised by the Ministry of Human Rights and Citizenship, the conference brings together thousands of delegates from civil society, state governments, and academia to chart a new path for LGBTQIA+ rights in Latin America’s largest democracy.
Over five days of debate and workshops, participants are drafting a National Plan for Equality to address violence, healthcare, education, and employment. Brazil’s previous plan, adopted in 2011, expired without full implementation after political upheavals and policy reversals under successive administrations. For many, this year’s relaunch symbolises a return to dialogue and accountability.
Political and social significance
President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, who reinstated the Ministry of Human Rights in 2023, has placed equality at the centre of his third term. “Democracy is meaningless if it does not protect everyone,” Lula said in a recorded message to delegates. “We are rebuilding a Brazil where hate has no home.”
The conference focuses on intersectionality — recognising how gender, race, class, and geography shape discrimination. Among its priorities are expanding federal protections for trans and intersex people, addressing violence against Black LGBTQIA+ Brazilians, and ensuring equitable access to employment and healthcare.
According to the advocacy group Grupo Gay da Bahia, Brazil continues to record some of the world’s highest rates of anti-LGBTQ+ violence. Over 250 homicides linked to sexual orientation or gender identity were documented in 2024 alone. Activists argue that without federal coordination, progress will remain fragmented.
Grassroots energy and challenges ahead
Delegates from across the country have emphasised the importance of community participation. Regional workshops are being held in favelas, Indigenous communities, and universities to ensure that policies reflect lived experience rather than top-down agendas. “We are not just attendees — we are co-authors of the policy that will shape our future,” said Erica Malunguinho, a trans legislator from São Paulo.
However, campaigners remain cautious. Funding shortfalls and political resistance in conservative states could undermine implementation. “We’ve seen beautiful plans before,” said activist Lucas Menezes, “but what we need is enforcement — police training, healthcare access, and respect in the workplace.”
Despite those concerns, organisers describe the atmosphere as one of optimism and renewal. International observers, including representatives from the UN and the Organisation of American States, praised Brazil’s inclusive approach and called it “a model for democratic participation.”
A regional signal
Brazil’s return to equality leadership may inspire renewed collaboration across Latin America, where attitudes toward LGBTQIA+ rights remain mixed. Argentina and Uruguay continue to set progressive examples, while neighbouring nations such as Paraguay and Peru lag behind. Brazil’s emphasis on federal coordination and intersectionality could serve as a blueprint for others in the region.
“The conversation has restarted,” said Minister of Human Rights Silvio Almeida in his closing remarks. “And this time, it must not stop.”