Trabalho, Educação e Saúde - TES (Work, Education and Health) is an open access scientific journal, edited by the Joaquim Venâncio Polytechnic School of Health, from Oswaldo Cruz Foundation.
This article addresses the health needs of LGBTI+ individuals living in rural areas and the main barriers they face in accessing different services within the public healthcare network. It begins by acknowledging the invisibility and vulnerabilities experienced by these individuals, shaped by intersecting factors such as rural identity, race, and gender identity, and aligns with the National Policy for Comprehensive LGBTI+ Health. A diagnostic questionnaire was administered through an online form, including questions on access to social rights, experiences of LGBT-phobic violence, and involvement in the Landless Rural Workers’ Movement. A total of 171 participants took part, predominantly young and Black (77%), with diverse sexual orientations (37% gay, 34% bisexual, 21% lesbian) and gender identities (including trans and non-binary individuals), covering 159 agrarian reform territories across 21 states. Findings reveal significant barriers to healthcare access, such as heteronormativity in services, institutional violence, and the impact of conservative policies. The study highlights the need for anti-LGBT-phobic professional training, effective implementation of the National LGBTI+ Policy, and stronger articulation with social movements. The LGBTI+/MST Collective undertakes actions against LGBT-phobia and fosters partnerships with public institutions, reinforcing the struggle for a universal and equitable Unified Health System. Overcoming these challenges requires collective mobilization and an intersectional approach in public policies.
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https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4089-0891