Brazilian feminist group lists 150 candidates as backing restrictions affecting trans people

On 29 September, Brazilian outlet Agência Diadorim reported that the feminist organisation Matria had listed 150 candidates from 20 parties as signatories to its sex-based-rights pledge ahead of Brazil’s elections. The document proposes restrictions affecting transgender people; ten candidates later asked for their names to be removed.

Matria—Mulheres Associadas, Mães e Trabalhadoras do Brasil (Associated Women, Mothers and Workers of Brazil)—asks candidates to make eight commitments. They include keeping women’s spaces, services, public policies, sports categories and data collection based on sex, as well as adopting a particular approach to children and adolescents experiencing distress related to their bodies or identities. The pledge also invokes academic freedom, freedom of expression and the legitimacy of differing views in debates about sex and gender. Diadorim assessed five of the eight commitments as seeking to restrict trans people’s presence in certain areas.

As of 26 September, Diadorim counted 59 signatories from the Workers’ Cause Party (PCO), 22 from Novo, 13 from Missão, and eight each from the Workers’ Party (PT) and Liberal Party (PL). The list therefore spans both the left and the right. Brazil’s first-round vote will take place on 4 October, according to the official calendar of the Superior Electoral Court .

Matria says it is independent and non-partisan and selects candidates to contact on recommendations from its supporters. Its members approach campaigns through social media and campaign offices. The organisation describes its aim as protecting the sex-based rights, safety and dignity of women and children. It has previously rejected the description “anti-trans lobby” as false and defamatory.

Matria nevertheless kept ten candidates who withdrew their signatures on the list, removing only their ballot numbers and links. It said an initial signature demonstrated agreement with the pledge and that the subsequent withdrawals followed political pressure. São Paulo state legislative candidate Esther Moraes (Green Party) told Diadorim that she signed without a full technical review and that parts of the document conflicted with her platform. Paraná federal candidate Ana Julia (PT) called the signature a staff error, while Espírito Santo state candidate Prof Jocelino Júnior (PT) said he had not authorised it.

On Matria’s pledge page , the group publishes the names, photographs, parties and ballot numbers of candidates it says have endorsed the document. Inclusion on that page does not necessarily show support for every point: the withdrawal statements demonstrate that some entries are disputed.

Urania previously reported that the current Brazilian Congress has seen an increase in proposals restricting LGBT rights, including measures concerning schools, chosen names, healthcare for trans people and women’s sport.