Is Brazil a safe country for LGBT foreigners to live in or visit?

Some stereotypes about Brazil range from thinking that the country is basically São Paulo, Rio, a few beaches and the Amazon rainforest, along with samba, Carnival, football and crime.

As with any stereotype, there is a great deal of misconception behind this. Brazil is an enormous country, with 5,570 cities, as well as villages and smaller settlements.

When it comes to safety for LGBT people, my own experience as a bisexual woman travelling throughout the country has been one of feeling safe. My sexuality has not affected this.

Public displays of affection are generally accepted, unless, perhaps, they go beyond affection into very sexual behaviour in public.

There are people in Brazil who dislike LGBT people, and even less so public displays of affection between LGBT couples, just as there are in every part of the world. However, this does not necessarily mean that it will result in aggression towards LGBT people.

Brazil has LGBT Pride parades, and they are normally held peacefully.

In large cities and state capitals, it is common to find places that are particularly popular with the LGBT community, as well as neighbourhoods where LGBT people are more prevalent. So, when planning your itinerary in Brazil, including some of these places can make you feel more “at home”.

On the other hand, in small towns, villages, smaller settlements and low-income peripheral neighbourhoods in large cities, an LGBT couple may receive less friendly reactions. This is also something to consider when planning your trip, choosing accommodation, etc.

Looking at the data, in 2024 there were more than 10,000 reported notifications of violence against homosexual and bisexual people in Brazil. During the same period, there were more than 290,000 reported cases of violence against women. These figures reinforce the fact that Brazil still has a deeply sexist culture, but it is important to consider the contexts in which this violence occurs, while also bearing in mind that both types of violence are underreported.

So, generally speaking, if you are an LGBT person curious about visiting Brazil, you can pack your bags with peace of mind. There are risks, but by planning your itinerary carefully, you can stay in and travel through areas where those risks are very low.

I recommend taking the usual precautions regarding general safety to avoid muggings and theft. The fact that someone is LGBT or travelling around Brazil with their partner, including showing affection in public, is not, in itself, a particularly significant risk.

Nycka Nunes