To counter the backlash Brazil's LGBT+ politicians are forming new alliances with unions and other social movements, including those defending the rights of women, black and indigenous people. They spoke at an event in Colombia, hosted by the Victory Institute, a nonprofit which seeks to elect LGBT+ candidates.

They are also reaching out to Brazil's powerful evangelical movement and the growing religious right to find common ground on issues, including the government's planned cuts to spending on higher education.

The proposed cuts prompted tens of thousands of Brazilians to take to the streets in protest earlier this week.

Most evangelical groups are critical of gay rights, saying marriage should only be between a man and a woman.

"Despite President Bolsonaro, we have people trying to organise and fight back," Felix told the Thomson Reuters Foundation.

"We are trying to talk to all the people we can, even with people (with whom) we have no ideological alliance. And we are trying to isolate the radical right in Brazil ... that's our strategy right now," he said.

Luis Abolafia, head of international programs at the Victory Institute, said exploiting differences among conservative religious groups is one way to fight back.

"The conservative religious group is presenting themselves as a solid block," Abolafia said.

"But in reality it's a coalition of different people with different agendas, and there are always going to be cracks in the wall that you can take advantage of." Read more via Reuters