Autocratization and Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, and Intersex Rights in Brazil: Contextualizing Attacks and Resistances under Bolsonaro’s Government

Abstract This work describes a case study of Brazil that aims to comprehend, first, how the autocratic leader, Jair Bolsonaro, acted to undermine lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and intersex (LGBTQI) rights during his government (2019–2022); and, second, how resistance was drawn by civil society organizations, lawmakers, and Federal Supreme Court Justices. Bolsonaro’s strategy was not to combat LGBTQI rights obviously and directly. In four years, he was able to undermine previous policies through budgeting and closing spaces for civil society participation and emphasize “gender ideology” and religious freedom to promote the Christian heteronormative model of family and “traditional values.” Resistance was offered by a powerful triad targeted during Bolsonaro’s government: civil society organizations, lawmakers, and Supreme Court Justices. This article shows how LGBTQI resistance needs to happen collectively and involve strong players to achieve non-retrogression during periods of autocratization. The role of feminist and LGBTQI movements in these processes needs to be rethought.