Information on Diversity and Minority Protections

Overview

Minorities are constitutionally protected in Brasil. Similar to the situation in some other countries (and different from others), even free speech is weighed against discrimination. Hate speech against minorities is constitutionally prohibited, and a conviction in court does result in penalties. Additionally, while still Brasil has far to go with regard to ensuring its laws regarding equality are fully implemented, as in most liberal democracies around the world today, the fact remains with respect to the law as written, Brasil is far ahead of many countries. The death penalty is not currently utilized at all, only remaining in place a technicality in times of war. 

However, just as minorities' rights are definitively protected by law, the Brasilian constitution strives to balance protections and rights on the whole, and does so as well as is humanly possible - incorporating various legal concepts that are foreign to some older documents (as the constitution dates from 1988).

Being Black in Brasil

Black people in Brasil make up a majority of the population, when counting both "pessoas negras" and "pardos;" so, anyone who would identify as a member of the African Diaspora will surely fit in. There are plenty of Black comedians, actors, models, politicians, news anchors, engineers, and more — both famous and members of the general population. However, it is very important to note that, as in pretty much every country in which black people reside outside of Africa, so too does racism and race-based persecution continue to exist. 

At this time, much effort is being expended to correct both historical and present-day wrongs done on the basis of race. Among some of the black women serving in the current government, one is even Minister of Racial Equality (though this position is a recently added one).  While progress is being made, though, work remains to be done. Too many of the disfavored social metrics and rates (i.e., unemployment, poverty, child mortality, and incarceration) continue to be overwhelmingingly high amongst non-white members of Brasilian society, and not by little, sadly. But while the situation might seem grim, there are many bright spots. 

Black Brasilians, as is often the case for the African Diaspora around the globe, continue to build vibrant communities and to live joyfully despite everything. Whether it is rejuvenating and preserving traditions brought from Africa and incorporating them into entirely new creations, such as new religions, new cuisine, new music, or whether it is persisting in spaces previously barred to them in increasingly successful numbers such as in the greatly successful Federal University system, Black Brasilians are making great strides every day toward the equality they deserve.

Being a Woman in Brasil

As is being Black in Brasil, being a woman represents a conflicted reality. On one hand, women have equal rights, and there are many women in places of power and influence througout the country. Brasil has had woman presidents, governors, lawyers, actresses, engineers, and more. On the other hand, women continue to exercise less controll over their bodies with the restrictions on abortion that are in place. 

However, women will certainly know that being "complicated" oftentimes comes with the territory, fair or not. Brasil in some ways remains a very patriarchal society, especially in the rural countryside (or "interior" as it is called). Yet women are also revered as part of this, in many ways, and cosmopolitan areas, many women find they can and do live lives that are by and large successful and free. Paradoxes are certainly no stranger to Brasil.

With the inaugaration of the new government in 2023, there came a renewed focus on Women's Issues. The current government reinstuted this focus on with the reinauguration of the Ministry of Women in that year, creating the Home of the Brasilian Woman  (Casa da Mulher Brasileira) as well, to further that mission. 

Being LGBTQIA+ in Brasil

Another paradox in Brasil is life for the LGBTQIA+ community. With the current government there is a renewed focus on equality for all types of Brasilians, and this community is no exception. In some cities, like Belo Horizonte, there are even transwomen who serve as deputadas (deputies, equivalent to congresspeople). Yet in the same state you will find some of the most conservative and traditional enclaves and villages, be they catholic or evangelical.

Religion in Brasil

Perhaps the strangest situation in Brasil is that of religion. Freedom of religion is guaranteed as a right, as is separation of church and state part of the law, and beyond that, Brasil is a very diverse society when it comes to religion. However, as is the case around the world, this is not always followed as closely as the law would seem to dicate. Not infrequently, one will indeed find elements of relgion, usually catholic or evangelical, in what apparently ought to be secular public spaces or places, such as a crucifix above the podium in a city municipal building, for example. However, usually such infrigements on government secularism are more minor, and for the most part people are able to practice their religion — or non-religion — as they see fit. Brasil also is home to some religions that uncommon or absent anywhere else, such as ones that largely faded away in other countries like Kardecist spiritism, or Candomblé, an African diasporic religion that is essentially native to the country. This diversity of practiced religions creates a situation where these days, for the most part, no one religion holds overwhelming sway around the country.