A moment of warmth between Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and Erika Hilton, Brazil’s most-voted trans MP, offered a striking image of recognition after a tense election. For LGBTQ+ people facing violence and political hostility, Lula’s return brings relief, but not certainty. The scale of the challenges, and the growing number of queer representatives, show why the next chapter matters.

Essential Takeaways

  • A close-fought result: Brazil’s electoral authority confirmed Lula’s re-election after the 2026 run-off.
  • Violence remains a grave concern: Grupo Gay da Bahia recorded 257 violent deaths of LGBTQ+ people in 2025.
  • Representation is growing: A study by VoteLGBT and Instituto Plena Cidadania reported 35 LGBTQ+ people elected in 2026, compared with 18 in 2022.
  • Religion is part of the picture: Brazil’s 2022 census found that 56.7% of people identified as Catholic and 26.9% as evangelical.
  • Reporting matters: Brazil’s Disque 100 service received 2,774 reports of religious intolerance between January 2025 and January 2026.

A moment of relief, not a finish line

For trans activist Aretha Felipa Carvalho, Lula’s return to office brought relief after a campaign in which the possibility of a far-right victory left some people fearing for their safety. The brief public embrace between Lula and Erika Hilton made that relief visible, offering a rare image of a president-elect standing close to a prominent trans politician.

But symbolism can only do so much. Brazil’s electoral authority confirmed Lula’s re-election after a fiercely contested second round, while the country’s LGBTQ+ community still faces the everyday work of securing safety, healthcare, education and employment.

The safety crisis still demands attention

The starkest measure of the challenge is violence. Grupo Gay da Bahia documented 257 violent deaths of LGBTQ+ people in 2025, including 237 homicides and 20 suicides. The figures underline why activists put survival first, even as they press for broader rights.

Brazil’s Supreme Federal Court has treated homophobic and transphobic discrimination as criminal conduct since 2019. Yet legal recognition doesn’t automatically make people safe; protection depends on whether institutions prevent harm, respond to reports and ensure people can access support.

More queer voices are entering politics

There’s a reason representation matters beyond the photo opportunity. A study by VoteLGBT and Instituto Plena Cidadania reported that 35 LGBTQ+ people were elected in 2026, nearly twice the 18 recorded in 2022. Among those elected, 27 were women, 20 were Black and seven were trans women, according to the figures reported in the coverage.

That wider presence could help keep issues such as anti-violence measures and workplace discrimination on the political agenda. It won’t guarantee easy passage through Congress, though. Activists still face opposition from conservative lawmakers, so progress may depend on coalitions as much as electoral wins.

Faith and rights needn’t be rivals

Religion is woven into public life in Brazil, but the country’s beliefs are not uniform. The 2022 census found that Catholics made up 56.7% of the population, while 26.9% identified as evangelical. That diversity makes sweeping claims about faith and LGBTQ+ rights especially misleading.

Religious intolerance also has practical consequences. Brazil’s human rights reporting service received 2,774 complaints between January 2025 and January 2026, with religions of African origin accounting for the largest number of reports. For anyone experiencing discrimination, documenting incidents and contacting official support services can help make a pattern visible, even when speaking up feels daunting.

What to watch next

Lula’s re-election offers continuity for LGBTQ+ policy, but Carvalho’s caution is worth holding on to: a change at the top doesn’t dissolve resistance in Congress or local government. The next test will be whether public commitments lead to safer lives and reliable access to services.

And there’s a human point beneath the statistics. People shouldn’t have to choose between being safe, being themselves and keeping their faith. Brazil’s growing representation offers a reason for hope, while the violence figures make clear that hope still needs practical backing.

Progress will mean more than a hopeful image: it will mean people can live safely and openly.

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