BETWEEN FEAR AND RESISTANCE: VIOLENCE AGAINST LGBTQ+ PEOPLE IN SÃO PAULO AND THE URGENCY OF INCLUSIVE PUBLIC POLICIES

Abstract

This article analyzes the increasing scenario of violence against homosexual individuals in the city of São Paulo, with emphasis on the República and Avenida Paulista areas, historically occupied by LGBTQIA+ populations. The study is based on a sample of 822 respondents 631 men and 191 women all self-identified as homosexual, with additional stratification by race and income. The data reveal not only the recurrence of physical and symbolic aggression but also the psychosocial impacts, such as constant fear, social withdrawal, and signs of mental health deterioration. Violence is intensified in contexts of greater vulnerability, including peripheral zones and among Black and low-income individuals, highlighting an intersectionality between LGBTphobia and structural racism. The methodology combined field research with a literature review, grounded in authors such as Miskolci, Benevides, and Louro, as well as data from organizations like Grupo Gay da Bahia and ANTRA. The results demonstrate the insufficiency of current public policies in providing comprehensive protection for this population. It is concluded that the development of inclusive, intersectional, and territorially oriented policies is urgently needed to ensure the rights, safety, and mental health of the homosexual population in São Paulo.