BRAZIL – The results of Brazil’s 2010 national census recognized 60,000 same-sex couples. For the first time, the census contained a question asking if those interviewed formed a same-sex couple.
The results were published by the governments official Institute of Geography and Statistics (IBGE). Toni Reis, president of the national LGBT association ABGLT, was surprised by the number.
“We expected the figure to be lower than this. In a heteronormative society many gay and lesbian people prefer not to reveal this sort of information for fear of discrimination,” he said.
During the census, ABGLT ran an internet campaign encouraging gay and lesbian couples to declare their status. The campaign slogan was: “IBGE … Se você for LGBT diga que é!” (If you’re LGBT, say you are!)
According to the census, Brazil’s population is now 190.7 million.
A 2009 survey conducted by University of São Paulo revealed 10.4 percent of the male population identified as gay or bisexual, and lesbian and bisexual women comprised 6.3 percent of the female population. In perspective, same-sex couples represent less than 1 percent of the population.
“This is just the tip of the iceberg,” Reis said. “Without a doubt, the number will be much higher in the next census in ten years time, as LGBT people become more open.”
Brazil’s Supreme Court voted to recognize same-sex unions last month, with a 10-0 unanimous vote. Nontraditional relationships are “emerging among us, beside the traditional patriarchal family,” Justice Ricardo Lewandowski said.
The Brazilian city of Rio de Janeiro was elected the best LGBT destination in the world, according to Logo. Rio de Janeiro was also elected the sexiest city of the world to LGBT travelers, according to Logo and TripOutGayTravel.
