Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatística

On April 25, 2022, the IBGE will release indicators related to self-declared sexual orientation. These indicators were raised in the Sexual Activity module of the National Survey of Health (PNS), carried out in 2019 in partnership with the Ministry of Health.

The PNS brings subjects related to the health of the population and its impact on health services in Brazil. The first edition of the survey was accomplished in 2013 and the second one, in 2019. The most recent edition introduced new subjects, like the question on sexual orientation of people aged 18 years and over.

The collection of this information in the PNS meets axis 2 of the National Policy of Total Health of Lesbians, Gays, Bisexuals, Transvestites and Transgenders (National Policy of Total Health LGBT), established by Ordinance no. 2,836, of December 1, 2011. The Ordinance refers to the promotion and surveillance in health for the LGBT population, which deal with the improvement of surveillance tools in health, with the inclusion of issues of sexual orientation and gender identity, as well as the qualification of the health information, from data collection until their analysis.

The investigation is required both for the development of public policies towards this population and for monitoring potential inequalities of health and social aspects, according to different sexual orientations and, finally, for the construction of scientific knowledge related to this subject. By releasing this edition, the IBGE aims at providing a first contribution with estimates of the LGB (Lesbians, Gays and Bisexuals) population, as well as at assessing potential improvements in future investigations.

It is worth mentioning that the decennial Population Census is not the suitable survey to investigate gender identity and sexual orientation. The methodology of data collection of the Census allows that a resident answers it for him and for the other residents in the household. Due to the sensitive and private nature of this information, the questions on sexual orientation of a certain resident can only be answered by themselves.

It should also be clarified that the Federal Public Defenders, by means of the Public Civil Action no. 5019543-02.2018.4.02.5101, also requested the counting of the transsexual population through the 2020 Census (postponed to 2021 and later for 2022 due to the Covid-19 pandemic and lack of budget, respectively). Such request was considered “unfounded” in the two levels of the jurisdiction, leading to res judicata. The Justice completely accepted the IBGE´s allegations.

The IBGE understands the importance of this subject and, therefore, developed a specific question on sexual orientation in the PNS, to be released on May 25 this year.

IBGE´s Coordination of Social Communication
March 23, 2022