Openly gay politician in Brazil announces intention to run for president

Eduardo Leite, governor of the Brazilian state of Rio Grande do Sul, has officially announced his intention to run for the PSD (Social Democrats) party in the 2026 presidential election. Leite, who became the first openly gay governor in Brazil's history by announcing that he was openly gay in a television interview in 2021, could become the country's first openly gay president if he wins these elections.

In his "Brazil Manifesto," Leite identified institutional reforms, eliminating political polarization, and fighting corruption and organized crime as key priorities. He emphasized that the country needs a "new era of development," not ideological confrontation.

The significance of this event for the LGBTQI+ community is not only symbolic. The entry of an openly gay politician into the official race for the highest public office is an important sign of the entry of LGBTQI+ visibility into the legitimate political space, especially in the context of a political climate that has become increasingly homophobic under Bolsonaro.

While Brazil is one of the countries with legislative achievements in the field of LGBTQI+ rights, the political environment remains contradictory. The Bolsonaro era has seen increased rhetoric against the community, and law enforcement practices have deteriorated in some states. The PSD is expected to decide on its candidate in April. Leite is competing within the party against Paraná Governor Ratinho Junior and Goiás Governor Ronaldo Cayado.

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