Including the Excluded LGBT + Minority in Rio de Janeiro: How Long Is It Going to Last?

Abstract

The present work, which is a qualitative research, aims to present a case study on what has been done by the municipal public power through the Special Coordination for Sexual Diversity (CEDS) in terms of guaranteeing human rights and the inclusion of the LGBT+ population of the city of Rio de Janeiro, capital of the State of Rio de Janeiro, in the South-eastern region of Brazil, from 2011 to 2016. The objective is to identify the public policies and actions adopted and the impact perceived in the improvement of working conditions and quality of life for this population. Among the possible methodological variations, this article develops a case study on programs implemented by the Coordination for Sexual Diversity (CEDS) of the City Hall of the city of Rio de Janeiro. Seeking to meet the requirement of having multiple sources of evidence required by the case studies, data were collected from documentary evidence obtained at electronic websites of the city of Rio and printed articles pertinent to published achievements, as well as an in-depth interview with the coordinator responsible for the implementation and management of the programs. Steps were taken towards valuing and including LGBT+ minorities through the creation of CEDS/ Rio, which became responsible for the defense of LGBT+ Civil Rights through the care, reception and referral of complaints made by citizens in vulnerable conditions, which contributed to the per- ception of belongingness and solidarity of the State towards its citizens. Including the excluded LGBT+ minority is an example that should be followed in order inequalities are reduced in developed and underdeveloped countries.

 

Keywords: Reducing Discrimination, Human Rights, and Inclusion of Minority, LGBT+, Gay Friendly City, and Rio de Janeiro