- Erika Hilton (PSOL), trans woman, becomes the most voted deputy in the history of Brazil, with about 1.6 million votes.
- Brazil goes from 18 to 35 elected LGTBI+ positions, according to the Plena Cidadania Institute.
- In the Chamber of Deputies, LGTBI+ representation goes from 4 to 13 seats.
Erika Hilton has made history in the general elections of Brazil on October 4. The trans deputy from PSOL for São Paulo achieved about 1.6 million votes, more than any other deputy in the history of the country. And she is not alone: the number of elected LGTBI+ individuals nearly doubles.
How many LGTBI+ individuals have been elected in Brazil?
According to the Plena Cidadania Institute (IPC), in the 2026 elections, 35 LGTBI+ individuals have been elected, compared to 18 in 2022. Together, they totaled 10.7 million votes in various legislative candidacies, as reported by Terra.
The biggest leap is in the Chamber of Deputies, where LGTBI+ representation goes from 4 to 13 seats: more than triple. Additionally, 21 LGTBI+ individuals have secured seats in the legislative assemblies of the states and the Federal District, and the Senate maintains one representative.
Who is Erika Hilton and why is her result historic?
Erika Hilton is a federal deputy of PSOL for São Paulo and, with about 1.6 million votes, is the most voted deputy in the history of Brazil. It is a record figure for any candidate, and it carries even more weight as she is a trans woman in one of the countries with the most violence against trans individuals in the world.
Alongside her, the organization Caribe Afirmativo highlights other names that arrive at the Chamber of Deputies, such as Duda Salabert, Daiana Santos, Anielle Franco, Thabatta Pimenta, Dandara, and Rick Azevedo, among others. In the Senate, Samanda de Lula has been elected senator for Rio Grande do Norte.
What is the profile of the elected individuals?
Of the 35 elected LGTBI+ individuals, 27 are women (77.1%), 22 are black (62.9%), and seven are trans or non-binary women, according to IPC data reported by Terra. All belong to leftist parties: PT and PSOL account for 31 of the 35 seats.
For Caribe Afirmativo, this representation “transcends LGBTIQ+ agendas,” because it also incorporates demands regarding education, health, employment, and social rights.
The other side: political violence
94% of LGTBI+ candidacies report having suffered some episode of political violence during the campaign, according to the IPC. Additionally, 81.8% report serious incidents.
Caribe Afirmativo agrees with the diagnosis: these leaders face “hate speech, discrimination, and political violence” while expanding democratic spaces and “contesting who can represent society.”
Frequently asked questions
Who is the most voted deputy in the history of Brazil?
Erika Hilton (PSOL-São Paulo), trans woman, with about 1.6 million votes in 2026.
How many LGTBI+ individuals have been elected in Brazil in 2026?
35, according to the Plena Cidadania Institute, compared to 18 in 2022.
How many trans or non-binary individuals have been elected?
Seven trans or non-binary women, according to the same count.
Which parties concentrate the elected individuals?
PT and PSOL, which account for 31 of the 35 seats.
