LGBTQ rights in Rio de Janeiro (state)

LGBTQ rights in Rio de Janeiro
Legal status	Legal since 1830, [1] age of consent equalised
Gender identity	Gender change allowed, [2] official standard for altering legal sex doesn't require surgery since 2018
Military	Allowed to serve openly [3]
Discrimination protections	Explicit legal protection nationwide
Family rights
Recognition of relationships	Same-sex marriage since 2013 [4] [5]
Adoption	Legal since 2010 [6]

Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgenderand queer (LGBTQ) rights are liberal in Rio de Janeiro. Same-sex marriage is legal in the state.

Recognition of same-sex unions

On 17 April 2013, The General Magistrate of Justice of Rio de Janeiro, Judge Valmir de Oliveira Silva, published a legal ruling authorizing same-sex marriage in the state if local judges agree. Same sex weddings are poised to begin in the coming days. ^[7] According to the ruling (25/2013), a couples' request must be registered by civil registry officers, who have to give 15 days for the district to decide if they agree. If they don't agree, the marriage cannot proceed. ^[8]

LGBTQ adoption

• August 24, 2007 - the Justice of the city of Rio de Janeiro authorized the adoption of a child by a lesbian couple. ^[9]
• May 21, 2009 - the Justice of the city of Rio de Janeiro authorized the adoption of two children by a lesbian couple. ^[10]
• February 22, 2010 - the Justice of the city of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro authorized the adoption of a child by a lesbian couple. ^{[11] [ clarification needed ]}

Gender identity and expression

Bathroom ban in Petrópolis

On June 11, 2025, the Petrópolis City Council passed a law banning transgender people from using restrooms in the city. The bill's author, Councilman Octavio Sampaio, said the law's objective is to "protect the physical and psychological integrity of women, children, and adolescents, ensuring safety and privacy in public restrooms." ^[12]

References

1. 16 December 1830 Law (in Portuguese)
2. Changing legal gender assignment in Brazil (in Portuguese)
3. Gays and Lesbians allowed to serve openly in the Brazilian Military Archived October 5, 2011, at the Wayback Machine (in Portuguese)
4. "Portal CNJ - CNJ determina que cartórios terão de reconhecer união de pessoas do mesmo sexo". Archived from the original on June 15, 2013. Retrieved May 14, 2013.
5. "Brazilian judicial council orders notaries to recognize same-sex marriage". CNN. May 15, 2013.
6. Adoption of same-sex unions in Brazil (in Portuguese)
7. "Rio de Janeiro state legalizes gay marriage". 17 April 2013. Archived from the original on 27 April 2013. Retrieved 22 April 2013..
8. "Rio de Janeiro facilita casamento gay em todo estado; uniões ainda passam por aval de juiz". Acapa. 19 April 2013. Archived from the original on 12 January 2016. Retrieved 23 April 2013. O pedido então será encaminhado ao juiz da comarca responsável, que decidirá sobre cada caso
9. Adoption by same-sex couple in Rio de Janeiro (in Portuguese) ^{[ permanent dead link ]}
10. Adoption by same-sex couple in Rio de Janeiro (in Portuguese) ^{[ permanent dead link ]}
11. Adoption by same-sex couple in Rio de Janeiro (in Portuguese) ^{[ permanent dead link ]}
12. "Projeto de lei define regras para uso de banheiros públicos no município". Câmara Municipal de Petrópolis (in Brazilian Portuguese). Retrieved 2025-09-22.