In 2023, Brazil witnessed 257 violent deaths in the LGBTQIA+ community, averaging one every 34 hours.
The Grupo Gay da Bahia (GGB) released these figures on January 20, 2024. This alarming statistic maintains Brazil’s position as the country with the highest rate of LGBTQIA+ violence globally.
For 44 years, GGB has gathered data from various sources, including news and family reports.
The reported number could rise to 277 as 20 deaths are still under investigation. Luiz Mott, GGB’s founder, criticizes the government’s lack of response to this violence.
The breakdown of the deaths includes 127 transgender and transvestite individuals, 118 gay men, 9 lesbians, and 3 bisexuals.
Notably, transgender deaths surpassed those of gay men for the second time in four decades.
Most victims, 67%, were between 19 and 45 years old. The youngest was a 13-year-old from Sinop, Mato Grosso, murdered post-rape attempt.
The deaths consist of 204 homicides, 17 robberies leading to death, and 20 suicides, showing an increase from 2022.
A significant number of victims died in their homes, while others were killed in streets or public spaces.
A pattern emerged: transgender individuals often face gun violence in public areas, while gay men and lesbians are more likely to be killed in their homes.
Southeast recorded the highest number of deaths
Regionally, the Southeast recorded the highest number of deaths for the first time in 44 years, with 100 cases.
This marks a 59% increase from 2022. São Paulo, Minas Gerais, Rio de Janeiro, Bahia, and Ceará had the highest numbers of LGBT deaths.
The NGO emphasizes the urgency of public policies to address this violence. They stress the need for official death documentation and improved data collection.
Only 77 cases of violent deaths have been solved, highlighting the government’s failure to monitor LGBTQIA+ violence effectively.
The report concludes that this lack of action results in underreporting, hiding the broader issue of pervasive hate and violence.
Read More from The Rio Times