Brazilian elections: Trans politicians

Meet the trans lawmakers who broke brave new ground in Brazil, the world’s deadliest country for trans people.

Brazil held its local elections 15 November, 2020 and thousands of city councillors were elected throughout the country.

In the midst of a pandemic and with an openly anti-LGBT+ far-right federal government, the results indicated a growing presence of LGBT+ activists from the most diverse political parties and spectres.

While candidates supported by president Jair Bolsonaro suffered devastating defeats and the number of elected officials who used religious titles – such as a pastor, missionary and the like – and who are commonly at the forefront of homophobic preaching, tumbled.

This year, the LGBT+ community elected 48 city councillors and received more than 450,000 votes – and transgender candidates deserve special mention in the country that kills the most trans people in the world.

Twenty-five trans people were elected, an increase of 212 per cent compared to previous local elections in 2016. The number is undoubtedly small if we consider that more than 56,000 councillors were elected, but it cannot be simply dismissed.

Trans candidates have managed to increase their presence nationally and still rank among the most voted in some state capitals.