Considerations on sexual and gender diversity and political behavior: theoretical framework and exploratory analysis of the Brazilian case

Abstract

This study discusses the relationship between sexual and gender diversity and political behavior in Brazil, seeking to understand the perceptions and attitudes of these groups within the current democratic and conservative context, while emphasizing the scarcity of in-depth scientific investigations on the subject. The main objective is to analyze how LGBT+ individuals relate to democracy, their values, and their positions regarding relevant political issues. The theoretical framework presented acknowledges the increasing presence of political debates regarding LGBT+ rights and identities—particularly within a context of advancing far-right conservatism that threatens the civil and social rights of this population—and further highlights that, despite existing research often focusing on attitudes of prejudice and tolerance, there is an emerging need to understand LGBT+ individuals as political subjects, considering their perceptions of democracy, values, and attitudes. The empirical analysis is based on the quantitative survey “Visions of Democracy” (Visões da democracia), produced within the scope of the INCT “Democratic Representation and Legitimacy” (ReDem/CNPq), from which descriptive, bivariate, and multivariate analyses were conducted. On the one hand, the results reveal that, while differences in adherence to democratic practices between heterosexuals and non-heterosexuals are limited regarding abstract aspects, there are more relevant distinctions related to perceptions of the regime’s functioning and conservatism. On the other hand, the results indicate that a rigorous classification of views of democracy into minimalist, maximalist, and intermediate categories reveals sharper distinctions, largely related to the status quo permeating heterocisnormativity. Furthermore, the study underscores the importance of expanding quantitative studies addressing the experiences and political positions of LGBT+ groups in Brazil, contributing to a more inclusive democracy. It also emphasizes that scientific production must avoid generalizations and account for distinct identities and lived experiences, promoting a more precise understanding of the relationships between sexual diversity, gender identity, and political behavior.