2025-10-13

Brazil strengthens LGBTQIA+ policies through international mission to the European Union

A delegation from the National Secretariat for the Rights of LGBTQIA+ People (SLGBTQIA+/MDHC) took part last week in a series of meetings and events in Belgium, the Netherlands and Denmark. Led by Symmy Larrat, the mission focused on exchanging experiences and best practices in policies promoting diversity, inclusion and the fight against discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity.

 

The mission took place at the invitation of the Delegation of the European Union to Brazil, within the framework of the EU-BR Dialogues project. The group included Alessandro Santos Mariano, Chief of Staff, Walmir Siqueira, representative of the National Council for the Rights of LGBTQIA+ People, as well as members of the Technical Assistance Team of the EU-BR Dialogues and Brazil’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Itamaraty).

 

The agenda included meetings with ambassadors, representatives of EU institutions and national governments, Members of the European Parliament, international experts and visits to civil society organisations working to advance LGBTQIA+ rights.

 

Interinstitutional Dialogue

The mission began on Monday (8 September) in Brussels, where the delegation was welcomed by the Embassy of Brazil in Belgium and Brazil’s Mission to the European Union. Meetings were held with members of the European Parliament’s LGBTI+ and Children’s Rights Intergroups, the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) and high-level officials of the European External Action Service (EEAS) — including Kajsa Ollongren, EU Special Representative for Human Rights, and Aude Maio-Coliche, EU Ambassador for Equality.

 

The group also visited LGBTQIA+ support and empowerment centres, such as Grands Carmes and the Horizon TransIdentity Centre, and met with representatives of the Belgian Federal Public Service for Foreign Affairs, Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation.

 

“We began our journey at the heart of the European Union, discussing successful policies that promote LGBTQIA+ rights and identifying the challenges posed by anti-gender movements,” said Secretary Symmy Larrat.

 

Innovative experiences and policies

On Wednesday (10) and Thursday (11 September), the delegation visited The Hague and Amsterdam, where they met with representatives of the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs to discuss human rights, migration and asylum, and learned about initiatives such as Pink in Blue, a police programme dedicated to protecting LGBTQIA+ communities.

 

They also met with Amsterdam’s Deputy Mayor, Touria Meliani, and with civil society organisations including COC Nederland and Transgender Netwerk Nederland. According to the Secretary, the mission was “intense and fruitful”, enabling the delegation to “build bridges with European governments and organisations and explore ways to bring more countries into open support for LGBTQIA+ rights.”

 

Confronting the anti-gender backlash

In Copenhagen, Denmark, on Friday (12 September), the group held meetings with the Danish Institute for Human Rights, the Ministry of Environment and Gender Equality, and organisations such as LGBT+ Denmark, Aids-Fondet, and LGBT Asylum, which work to promote equality and protect LGBTQIA+ refugees and asylum seekers.

 

Symmy Larrat highlighted that anti-gender backlash is not unique to Latin America: “The attacks against LGBTQIA+ rights and public policies are also threatening European countries,” she said.

 

Strengthening international cooperation

Throughout the mission, discussions also explored opportunities for cooperation to support federal-level programmes in Brazil and to strengthen the country’s role in international forums.

 

“We identified several opportunities to expand Brazil’s engagement, increasing partnerships with European institutes, funds and investors — not only through government channels but also to strengthen the efforts of Brazilian civil society in tackling violence against LGBTQIA+ people,” concluded the Secretary.

 

Source: Ministry of Human Rights and Citizenship (MDHC), Brazil

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