Record Number of LGBT+ Candidates File in Brazil as Campaigning for General Election Begins

The campaign season for Brazil’s 2026 General Elections officially began this month with a record 407 candidates declaring themselves members of the LGBTQIA+ community, signaling an unprecedented push for diverse representation in Brazilian politics. Out of 20,511 total candidacies filed with the Superior Electoral Court (TSE), 2% identified as LGBTQIA+, a historic first for a general election where the official candidate registration includes data on sexual orientation. Candidates are now campaigning on the internet and in the streets ahead of the first round of voting on October 4, 2026.

The Superior Electoral Court, which is Brazil’s top electoral body responsible for organizing and administering the vote, registered 107 candidates identifying as transgender, representing 0.52% of the total field. The TSE data shows the majority of these transgender candidacies are concentrated in left-leaning parties, with the Socialism and Liberty Party (PSOL) fielding the largest number. However, the proportion still indicates a significant under-representation; a 2022 study estimated that 12% of the Brazilian adult population identifies as LGBT+, a figure six times higher than the percentage of candidates in the current election.

Alongside the growing visibility of LGBT+ politicians, the TSE is also implementing measures to improve political inclusion for Indigenous populations. The Court has introduced new rules and systems to ensure that political parties reserve dedicated airtime for Indigenous candidates during the mandatory free electoral broadcasting period. This free airtime, known as the Horário Eleitoral Gratuito, is distributed across radio and television and is a central mechanism for campaign outreach in Brazil, especially to voters in remote regions. The new rules reflect an increasing political awareness and concerted effort by the TSE to address the historical lack of representation for non-white and Indigenous groups.

The current political moment, marked by campaigning that began on August 16, shifts focus to the practical impact of these diversity initiatives. The next major milestone for the campaign will be the start of the Horário Eleitoral Gratuito on August 28th. This broadcast will be the first opportunity for voters to see how the new rules translate into actual on-air representation and how the diverse field of candidates will utilize the crucial airtime to compete for a seat in the next Congress.