Growing Inclusion of Trans and Non-Binary Individuals in Brazilian Festivals Highlights Progress and Challenges in 2025

A new report titled "Listas Trans – Um Panorama dos Festivais Brasileiros de 2025," produced by researchers Iná Odara Cholodoski and Macaia Ferro, outlines significant developments and ongoing obstacles regarding the inclusion of transgender and non-binary (T&NB) people in Brazilian entertainment festivals.

Originating from a grassroots initiative started by four transgender friends in Recife in 2015, the T&NB lists emerged as a self-managed cultural practice aimed at combating the economic and social barriers faced by these communities. These lists provide tickets at reduced or no cost to trans and non-binary individuals, facilitating their access to cultural events, particularly within the underground electronic music scene and broader festival circuits.

Data from the 2025 festival season reveal that 36 festivals adopted T&NB lists, doubling from the previous year but still representing less than 10% of Brazil's total 366 festivals. Over 6,800 tickets were distributed to trans individuals, with the Psica festival leading at 760 tickets. Despite this progress, the average ticket price stood at R$338.34, a substantial amount relative to Brazil’s minimum wage, indicating that financial barriers remain a significant hurdle.

Moreover, while the overall number of artists at festivals increased by 25% from 2024, representation of trans artists within line-ups remained low at just 1.9%, highlighting a gap between access and visibility. Cholodoski emphasizes that improving ticket access is crucial but insufficient alone; creating welcoming environments and boosting trans artists’ inclusion are essential for meaningful progress.

The report underscores the importance of continuing to expand T&NB lists and fostering systemic changes to ensure cultural spaces become genuinely inclusive and safe for transgender and non-binary people, addressing both economic access and cultural representation.

This initiative exemplifies a critical movement toward equity in Brazil’s entertainment industry, spotlighting both advancements and areas needing further action to overcome entrenched challenges faced by T&NB communities.