LGBTQ rights in Santa Catarina

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LGBTQ rights in Santa Catarina
Legal statusLegal since 1830,[1] age of consent equalised
Gender identityGender change allowed,[2] official standard for altering legal sex doesn't require surgery since 2018
MilitaryAllowed to serve openly[3]
Family rights
Recognition of relationshipsSame-sex marriage since 2013[4]

Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ) people in the Brazilian state of Santa Catarina enjoy many of the same legal protections available to non-LGBTQ people. Same-sex marriage has been legally performed in the state since April 2013, as in Brazil as a whole. Despite this, according to research by Agência Diadorim, as of 2025, 19 anti-LGBTQ bills had been introduced in the state's Legislative Assembly, with 11 of them being authored by the Liberal Party (PL).[5]

Legality of same-sex sexual activity

Same-sex sexual activity has been legal in Brazil since 1830.[6]

Recognition of same-sex unions

In May 2011, the Supreme Federal Court (STF) recognized same-sex unions as family units throughout Brazil, ensuring the same rights and responsibilities as those of heterosexual couples.[7][4]

On April 29, 2013, the General Inspectorate of Justice of Santa Catarina published a resolution allowing same-sex marriage statewide.[8]

Hate crimes and discrimination law

On April 4, 2003, the Legislative Assembly of Santa Catarina enacted State Law No. 12,534, which prohibits discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity in the state.[9] On October 8, 2015, the law was repealed by Complementary Law No. 656.[10]

In 2019, discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity was banned through a decision by the Supreme Federal Court.[11]

Gender identity and expression

The Supreme Federal Court of Brazil (STF) 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.[12]

A 2026 report showed that there were 271 unconstitutional laws processed in the legislative houses of Santa Catarina against women's rights or LGBTQ rights since 2015. About 70% involve the trans and travesti community.[13] The data were gathered by the office of the councilor of Florianópolis Leonel Camasão (PSOL), it reported proposals from the Legislative Assembly of the State of Santa Catarina (Alesc) and municipal councils. 41% of the topics were ruled as unconstitutional by STF.[14]

Non-binary people

In 2021, Idris Kawabe became the second non-binary person in Brazil and the first in the state to legally change their documents to reflect a neutral gender.[15][16]

Bathroom ban

Governor of Santa Catarina Jorginho Mello (PL) has signed State Law No. 19,686/2026 into law. All educational institutions (preschool, elementary, middle, high school, vocational, and higher education), whether public or private, are required to maintain strictly separate restrooms and changing rooms for males and females.[17]

Sports' ban

In December 2023, the Legislative Assembly of Santa Catarina approved a bill prohibiting transgender women from participating in women's sports.[18][19]

Education

On June 15, 2021, Governor Carlos Moisés (PSL) signed a decree banning the use of gender-neutral language in state schools.[20][21] According to O Globo newspaper, the Advocacy General of the Union and the Ministry of Education expressed their support for the decree.[22] In July of the same year, the Workers' Party (PT) filed a lawsuit in the Supreme Federal Court against the decree.[23][24]

On May 6, 2025, the Supreme Federal Court overturned the decree.[25][26]

On April 1, 2026, Governor Jorginho Mello (PL) signed a law allowing parents to prohibit their children from participating in classes on LGBTQ topics.[27][28] The law was published in the Official Gazette on the 6th.[27]

Summary table

Same-sex sexual activity legal Yes (Since 1830)
Equal age of consent Yes (Since 1830)
Anti-discrimination laws in employment only Yes (From 2003 to 2015,[10] again in 2019 via a Supreme Court order)[11]
Anti-discrimination laws in the provision of goods and services Yes (From 2003 to 2015,[10] again in 2019 via a Supreme Court order)[11]
Anti-discrimination laws in all other areas (Incl. indirect discrimination, hate speech) Yes (From 2003 to 2015,[10] again in 2019 via court order)[11]
LGBTQ subjects free from censorship in education Yes/No (Parents will be able to opt out of allowing their children to participate in classes on LGBTQ topics since 2026)[28]
Same-sex marriages Yes (Since 2013)[8]
Recognition of same-sex couples Yes (Since 2011)
Stepchild adoption by same-sex couples Yes (Officially permitted since 2010)
Joint adoption by same-sex couples Yes (Officially permitted since 2010)
LGBTQ people allowed to serve openly in the military Yes
Right to change legal gender Yes (Since 2008; gender self-identification since 2018)
Third gender option Yes/No (Allowed in some cases, without specific legislation)[16]
Conversion therapy by medical professionals banned Yes (Since 1999 for homosexuals and since 2018 for transgender people)[29][30]
Access to IVF for lesbians Yes (Since 2013)[31]
Commercial surrogacy for gay male couples No (Banned for any couple regardless of sexual orientation)
MSMs allowed to donate blood Yes (Since 2020)[32]

References

  1. "LEI DE 16 DE DEZEMBRO DE 1830". www.planalto.gov.br (in Brazilian Portuguese). Archived from the original on 2019-05-10. Retrieved 2025-12-07.
  2. "STJ autoriza transexual a mudar nome e sexo na certidão de nascimento". G1 (in Brazilian Portuguese). Archived from the original on 2025-08-16. Retrieved 2025-12-09.
  3. "Final feliz na caserna". blogdofavre.ig.com.br (in Brazilian Portuguese). Archived from the original on 2011-10-05. Retrieved 2025-12-09.
  4. "Decisão do STF que reconheceu união homoafetiva completa 15 anos". STF. Retrieved June 6, 2026.
  5. "Projetos anti-LGBTQIA+: ES e SC lideram disparidade no Brasil". Agência Diadorim (in Brazilian Portuguese). September 22, 2025. Archived from the original on May 19, 2026. Retrieved June 6, 2026.
  6. "Brazil - BRAZZIL - Gays in the early 1900s in Brazil - Homosexualism in Brazil - March 2000". www.brazzil.com. Archived from the original on 28 June 2025. Retrieved 28 June 2025.
  7. "Mês da Mulher: há 12 anos, STF reconheceu uniões estáveis homoafetivas". STF. March 30, 2023. Archived from the original on June 27, 2025. Retrieved June 5, 2026.
  8. "CGJ autoriza casamento entre pessoas do mesmo sexo em SC". G1 (in Brazilian Portuguese). April 29, 2013. Retrieved June 6, 2026.
  9. "LEI PROMULGADA Nº 12.574, de 04 de abril de 2003". Leis Estaduais (in Brazilian Portuguese). Retrieved June 6, 2026.
  10. "LEI COMPLEMENTAR Nº 656, DE 8 DE OUTUBRO DE 2015". Leis Estaduais (in Brazilian Portuguese). Retrieved June 6, 2026.
  11. "Brazil Supreme Court rules homophobia a crime". Reuters. Archived from the original on 7 December 2022. Retrieved 13 December 2025.
  12. "Dia da Visibilidade Trans: decisões do STF garantem direitos de travestis e transexuais". Supreme Federal Court (in Brazilian Portuguese). January 29, 2025. Archived from the original on 25 July 2025. Retrieved 11 October 2025.
  13. "Relatório inédito aponta 271 leis e projetos inconstitucionais em SC". Leonel Camasão (in Brazilian Portuguese). 2026-02-19. Archived from the original on 2026-05-09.
  14. "Relatório aponta 271 normas em SC contra direitos de mulheres e população LGBTIA+" (in Brazilian Portuguese). 2026-05-20. Archived from the original on 2026-05-21.
  15. Bottamedi, Felipe (April 12, 2021). "Conheça Idris Kawabe, 1ª pessoa de SC e 2ª do Brasil a conseguir identidade não-binária". ndmais.com.br (in Brazilian Portuguese). Archived from the original on February 5, 2026. Retrieved June 6, 2026.
  16. "Idris, 2ª pessoa não-binária reconhecida no Brasil: 'Agora eu existo'". Universo Online (in Brazilian Portuguese). Archived from the original on May 17, 2025. Retrieved June 6, 2026.
  17. Peixoto, Raphaela (January 23, 2026). "Governo de SC sanciona proibição de banheiros de 'gênero neutro' em escolas". Correio Braziliense (in Brazilian Portuguese). Retrieved June 6, 2026.
  18. Coccetrone, Gabriel (October 9, 2023). "SC aprova projeto que veta mulheres trans em modalidades femininas". Universo Online (in Brazilian Portuguese). Archived from the original on June 16, 2024. Retrieved June 6, 2026.
  19. Fernandes, Flávia Carolina (October 9, 2023). "Assembleia de SC aprova PL que proíbe mulheres trans de competir em esportes na categoria feminina". Revista Fórum (in Brazilian Portuguese). Retrieved June 6, 2026.
  20. de Arruda Castro, Gabriel (June 16, 2021). "Governo de Santa Catarina proíbe linguagem neutra nas escolas". Gazeta do Povo (in Brazilian Portuguese). Archived from the original on May 19, 2022. Retrieved June 6, 2026.
  21. "Governo de SC proíbe linguagem neutra em escolas públicas e privadas". G1 (in Brazilian Portuguese). June 18, 2021. Archived from the original on August 3, 2025. Retrieved June 6, 2026.
  22. de Souza, André (December 7, 2021). "AGU e Ministério da Educação se manifestam a favor de proibição da 'linguagem neutra'". O Globo (in Brazilian Portuguese). Archived from the original on June 11, 2025. Retrieved June 6, 2026.
  23. "IBDFAM: Ação no STF questiona decreto de Santa Catarina que proíbe linguagem neutra em escolas e órgãos públicos". Brazilian Institute of Family Law (in Brazilian Portuguese). July 8, 2021. Retrieved June 6, 2026.
  24. Carneiro, Luiz Orlando (July 6, 2021). "Gênero neutro: PT aciona STF contra decreto catarinense que proibiu uso". JOTA Jornalismo (in Brazilian Portuguese). Retrieved June 6, 2026.
  25. Caldas, Joana (May 14, 2025). "STF invalida decreto de SC que proibia linguagem neutra". G1 (in Brazilian Portuguese). Archived from the original on August 3, 2025. Retrieved June 6, 2026.
  26. "Por unanimidade, STF invalida lei de SC que proibia linguagem neutra". CartaCapital (in Brazilian Portuguese). May 7, 2025. Archived from the original on November 21, 2025. Retrieved June 6, 2026.
  27. "Pais poderão proibir filhos de ter atividades sobre igualdade de gênero em escolas em Santa Catarina". O Globo (in Brazilian Portuguese). April 29, 2026. Retrieved June 6, 2026.
  28. Carmo, Wendal (April 29, 2026). "Pais poderão proibir filhos de ter 'atividades sobre igualdade de gênero' em escolas de SC". CartaCapital (in Brazilian Portuguese). Retrieved June 6, 2026.
  29. "RESOLUÇÃO CFP N° 001/99 DE 22 DE MARÇO DE 1999" (PDF). site.cfp.org.br (in Brazilian Portuguese). Retrieved May 19, 2026.
  30. "RESOLUÇÃO Nº 1, DE 29 DE JANEIRO DE 2018" (PDF). site.cfp.org.br (in Brazilian Portuguese). Retrieved May 19, 2026.
  31. "Casais gays ganham direito ao uso de fertilização in vitro". O Globo (in Brazilian Portuguese). 8 May 2013. Retrieved May 19, 2026.
  32. "Após decisão do Supremo, Hemocentro de Brasília muda protocolos e aceita doação de sangue de homens LGBT". G1 (in Brazilian Portuguese). 19 June 2020. Retrieved May 19, 2026.