LGBTQ rights in Mato Grosso
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ) people in the Brazilian state of Mato Grosso enjoy many of the same legal protections available to non-LGBTQ people. Homosexuality is legal in the state.
LGBTQ rights in Mato Grosso | |
|---|---|
| |
| Legal status | Legal since 1830,[1] age of consent equalised |
| Gender identity | Gender change allowed,[2] official standard for altering legal sex doesn't require surgery since 2018 |
| Military | Allowed to serve openly[3] |
| Discrimination protections | Yes, since 1989 for sexual orientation;[4] since 2019 for gender identity[5] |
| Family rights | |
| Recognition of relationships | Same-sex marriage since 2012[6] |
| Adoption | Legal since 2010[7] |
Legality of same-sex sexual activity
Same-sex sexual activity has been legal in Brazil since 1830.[8]
Recognition of same-sex unions
Same-sex marriage has been legal in Mato Grosso since 2013 via a decision by the National Council of Justice, in compliance with a previous decision of the Supreme Federal Court in 2011.[9]
Adoption and parenting
Since 2010, same-sex adoption has been officially permitted in the state through a decision by the Supreme Federal Court.[6]
Hate crimes and discrimination law
The 1989 Constitution of Mato Grosso prohibits discrimination based on sexual orientation.[10] Article 10, item III establishes that the state must guarantee:[10]
The implementation of measures to ensure that no one will be harmed or privileged on account of birth, race, color, sex, marital status, nature of their work, age, religion, sexual orientation, political or philosophical beliefs, physical or mental disability, and any other particularity or condition.[a]
In 2019, discrimination based on gender identity was banned through a decision by the Supreme Federal Court.[5]
Gender identity and expression
The Supreme Federal Court of Brazil ruled on 1 March 2018, that a transgender person has the right to change their official name and sex without the need of surgery or professional evaluation, just by self-declaration of their psychosocial identity.[11]
Censorship
SUS Conference case
On July 30, 2025, Professor Maria Inês da Silva, from the Federal University of Mato Grosso, left the Municipal Conference of the Unified Health System in Cuiabá after being interrupted by the city's mayor, Abilio Brunini, for using gender-neutral language.[12][13] Health organizations, women's rights groups, and Black rights organizations condemned the mayor's action.[14]
Education
On August 20, 2018, the Água Boa City Council approved a bill to institute the Escola sem Partido program in the city's schools.[15][16] The city's mayor, Mauro Rosa da Silva, signed the bill into law on September 21.[17]
