LGBT rights in the Americas

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The Americas

Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) rights are complex in the Americas. The British, French, Spanish and Portuguese colonists, who settled most of the Americas, brought Christianity from Europe. In particular, the Roman Catholic Church and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, both of which oppose legal recognition of homosexual relationships followed by Eastern Orthodox church,[1] the Methodist Church,[2][3] and some other Mainline (Protestant) denominations, such as the Reformed Church in America[4] and the American Baptist Church,[5] as well as Conservative Evangelical organizations and churches, such as the Evangelical Alliance. The Southern Baptist Convention.[6][7][8] Pentecostal churches such as the Assemblies of God,[9] as well as Restorationist churches, like Jehovah's Witnesses and Mormons, also take the position that homosexual sexual activity is sinful.[10][11].

Acceptance of LGBT persons in the Americas varies widely. Same-sex marriages have been recognized in Canada nationwide since 2005 and in Argentina since 2010. Same-sex marriage in Mexico City is recognized nationwide, while in the United States, same-sex marriages are recognized by several states, but not the federal government. Same-sex marriage in Brazil is recognized in one state and in many cities of the country. Same-sex marriages performed in the Netherlands are recognized in Aruba and the Netherlands Antilles. Furthermore, some other nations have laws recognizing other types of same-sex unions, as well as LGBT adoption and military service by LGBT people. However, many other nations, particularly in the former British West Indies, still have criminal punishment for buggery on their statute books. These countries include Jamaica, Barbados, Guyana, and Trinidad and Tobago.

Contents


Legislation by country or territory

Main article: LGBT rights by country or territory
Tables:

Legislation in North America

LGBT rights in: Same-sex sexual activity Recognition of same-sex unions Same-sex marriage Same-sex adoption Allows gays to serve openly in military? Anti-discrimination Laws (sexual orientation) Anti-discrimination Laws concerning gender identity/expression
Bermuda Bermuda (Overseas territory of the United Kingdom) Yes Legal since 1994 (Age of consent discrepancy) No No Unknown Yes No No
Canada Canada Yes Legal since 1969 (Age of consent discrepancy[12]) + UN decl. sign. Yes Yes Legal since 2003, nationwide since 2005 Yes[13][14] Yes Since 1992[15] YesBans all anti-gay discrimination, including hate speech YesSex changes legally recognised, but only after sex reassignment surgery; Explicit anti-discrimination protections only in NWT, implicit elsewhere;[16]
Mexico Mexico Yes Legal since 1872[17]
+ UN decl. sign.		 Yes PACS in Coahuila since 2007.
All states are obliged to honour same-sex marriages performed in Mexico City.[18]		 No/Yes Legal in Mexico City since 2010.[19]
All states are obliged to honour same-sex marriages performed in Mexico City.[18]		 No/Yes Joint adoption legal in Mexico City (2010)[19] and Coahuila.[20]
Nationwide, single gay persons may adopt.[21]		 Yes/No No explicit ban. However, LGB persons have been reportedly discharged on the grounds of "immorality."[22] Yes Nationwide since 2003.[23] No/Yes Transgender persons can change their legal gender and name in Mexico City since 2008.[24]
Flag of Saint-Pierre and Miquelon.svg Saint Pierre et Miquelon (overseas collectivity of France) Yes Legal since 1791
+ UN decl. sign.		 Yes Pacte civil de solidarité since 1999 No No Single gay persons may adopt Yes Yes Bans some anti-gay discrimination No
United States United States Yes Legal nationwide since 2003.
+ UN decl. sign.
See Lawrence v. Texas		 No / Yes Varies by state, but not recognized by federal gov't. Civil unions legal in states of Rhode Island, New Jersey, Illinois, Wisconsin, Maine, Maryland, Delaware, Colorado, Hawaii, Oregon, Nevada, and California. No / Yes Varies by state, but not recognized by federal gov't. Same-sex marriage legal in the states of Iowa, Washington, New York, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut, and the U.S. capital, Washington, DC. No / Yes Single gay persons may adopt, laws on couples vary by state Yes Since 2011 No / Yes No federal protections. Banned in 20 states. Included in the federal hate crimes law since 2009. See Matthew Shepard Act No / Yes No federal protections. Banned in 13 states. Included in the federal hate crimes law since 2009. See Matthew Shepard Act

Legislation in Central America

LGBT rights in: Same-sex sexual activity Recognition of same-sex unions Same-sex marriage Same-sex adoption Allows gays to serve openly in military? Anti-discrimination Laws (sexual orientation) Anti- discrimination Laws concerning gender identity/expression
Belize Belize No Male: Illegal since 2003 (Penalty: 10 year prison sentence) Yes
Female: Legal; Foreign gay males and females barred from country by immigration law		 No No No No No No
Costa Rica Costa Rica Yes Legal since 1971
+ UN decl. sign.		 No No No N/A Yes Bans some anti-gay discrimination
El Salvador El Salvador Yes Legal + UN decl. sign. No No No Yes Yes Yes Bans some anti-gay discrimination No
Guatemala Guatemala Yes Legal+ UN decl. sign. No No No Unknown Yes Bans some anti-gay discrimination No
Honduras Honduras Yes Legal since 1899[17] + UN decl. sign. No No Constitutional ban No Constitutional ban No No
Nicaragua Nicaragua Yes Legal since 2008
+ UN decl. sign.		 No No No Unknown Yes Bans some anti-gay discrimination[17]
Panama Panama Yes Legal since 2008
+ UN decl. sign.		 No No No No No

Legislation in the Caribbean islands

LGBT rights in: Same-sex sexual activity Recognition of same-sex unions Same-sex marriage Same-sex adoption Allows gays to serve openly in military? Anti-discrimination Laws (sexual orientation) Anti-discrimination Laws concerning gender identity/expression
Anguilla Anguilla (Overseas territory of the United Kingdom) Yes Legal since 2000 No No No Yes No No
Antigua and Barbuda Antigua and Barbuda No Illegal (Penalty: 15 year prison sentence) No No No No No No
Aruba Aruba (Autonomous country in the Kingdom of the Netherlands) Yes Legal No Only unions made in The Netherlands recognised No Only same-sex marriages made in The Netherlands recognised No Yes No No
The Bahamas Bahamas Yes Legal since 1991 (Age of consent discrepancy) No No No Yes No No
Barbados Barbados No Illegal (Penalty: life sentence) No No No No No No
British Virgin Islands British Virgin Islands Yes Legal since 2000 No No No Yes Yes Bans some anti-gay discrimination No
Cayman Islands Cayman Islands Yes Legal since 2000 No No Unknown Yes Unknown No
Cuba Cuba Yes Legal since 1979
+ UN decl. sign.		 No (but proposed) No No No No Yes
Dominica Dominica No Illegal (Penalty: 10 year prison sentence)
+ UN decl. sign.		 No No No No No No
Dominican Republic Dominican Republic Yes + UN decl. sign. No No No No No No
Grenada Grenada No Male illegal (Penalty: 10 year prison sentence)
Yes Female legal		 No No No No No No
Guadeloupe Guadeloupe (Overseas department of France) Yes Legal since 1791
+ UN decl. sign.		 Yes Pacte civil de solidarité
since 1999		 No No Single gay persons may adopt Yes Yes Bans some anti-gay discrimination
Haiti Haiti Yes Legal since 1986 No No No No No No
Jamaica Jamaica No Illegal (Penalty: 10 years hard labor)
Yes Female legal.		 No No No No No No
Martinique Martinique (Overseas department of France) Yes Legal since 1791
+ UN decl. sign.		 Yes Pacte civil de solidarité
since 1999		 No No Single gay persons may adopt Yes Yes Bans some anti-gay discrimination
Montserrat Montserrat Yes Legal since 2000 No No No Yes No
Puerto Rico Puerto Rico (Commonwealth of the United States) Yes Legal since 2003 No No No Yes since 2011 Yes The US hate crime laws also apply to all US external territories as well Yes The US hate crime laws also apply to all US external territories as well
Saint Kitts and Nevis Saint Kitts and Nevis No Male illegal (Penalty: 10 years)
Yes Female legal		 No No No No No No
Saint Lucia Saint Lucia No Male illegal (Penalty: fine and/or 10 year prison sentence)
Yes Female legal		 No No No No No No
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Saint Vincent and the Grenadines No Illegal (Penalty: fine and/or 10 year prison sentence) No No No No No No
Trinidad and Tobago Trinidad and Tobago No Illegal (Penalty: 25 year prison sentence) No No No No No No
Turks and Caicos Islands Turks and Caicos Islands Yes Legal since 2000 No No No Yes No
United States Virgin Islands United States Virgin Islands (Insular area of the United States) Yes Legal since 1984 No No No Yes since 2011 Yes The US hate crime laws also apply to all US external territories as well Yes The US hate crime laws also apply to all US external territories as well

Legislation in South America

LGBT rights in: Same-sex sexual activity Recognition of same-sex relationships Same-sex marriage Same-sex adoption Allows gays to serve openly in military? Anti-discrimination Laws (sexual orientation) Anti- discrimination Laws concerning gender identity/expression
Argentina Argentina Yes Legal since 1887[17]
+ UN decl. sign.		 Yes Unregistered cohabitation throughout the country. Yes Legal since 2010.[25] Yes Legal since 2010. Yes Since 2009.[26] No Legal protection on sexual orientation nationwide proposed, still awaiting Senate approval. No Legal protection on gender identity nationwide proposed, still awaiting Senate approval.
Bolivia Bolivia Yes Legal
+ UN decl. sign.		 No (Proposed) No Constitutional ban No Constitutional ban Unknown Yes Bans some anti-gay discrimination Yes Bans all discrimination based on gender identity[27]
Brazil Brazil Yes Legal since 1830[17]
+ UN decl. sign.		 Yes Unregistered cohabitation since 2004. Civil unions since 2004, and recognized nationwide in 2011. Yes / No Same-sex marriage legal in Alagoas and already performed in many cities, but not mandatory for the notaries (pending before the Supreme Federal Court, the decision will be in 2012)[28] [29] Yes Legal since 2010. Yes Gays and lesbians to serve openly in military. Yes The Constitution of Brazil prohibits all forms of discrimination, though sexual orientation is not explicited.[30] Yes The Constitution of Brazil prohibits all forms of discrimination, though gender identity is not explicited.[31][32]
Chile Chile Yes Legal since 1999[17] (Age of consent discrepancy)
+ UN decl. sign.		 No (pending) No (pending) No Yes No laws related to the sexual orientation of members of the armed forces.[33] Yes [34][35] Yes[34][35]
Colombia Colombia Yes Legal since 1981
+ UN decl. sign.		 Yes Legal since 2007 No/Yes from 20 July, 2013 under a Court ruling if Congress does not act. No single person, no matter her/his sexual orientation may adopt. First case of step-child adoption, Court ordered.[36] Yes since 1999. Since 2009: the military special social security system can be used by same sex couples in the army Yes Bans all anti-gay discrimination, including hate speech [37] Yes[38] Since 1993. The name's gender can be changed easily in the National ID Card, to change the sex field a surgery is required.
Ecuador Ecuador Yes Legal since 1997
+ UN decl. sign.		 Yes[39] Civil unions recognized since 2009 No Constitutional ban No Constitutional ban Yes Yes Bans some anti-gay discrimination Yes Bans all discrimination based on gender identity
Falkland Islands Falkland Islands (overseas territory of the UK) Yes Legal Yes Legal since 2005 No Yes Yes Yes Bans some anti-gay discrimination Unknown
French Guiana French Guiana Yes Legal since 1791
+ UN decl. sign.		 Yes Pacte civil de solidarité since 1999 No No Single gay persons may adopt Yes Yes Bans some anti-gay discrimination Unknown
Guyana Guyana No Male illegal (Penalty: life imprisonment)
Yes Female legal.		 No No No Unknown No Added to constitution in 2004, but withdrawn afterwards by the government. Unknown
Paraguay Paraguay Yes Legal since 1880[17]
+ UN decl. sign.		 No Constitutional ban since 1992[40] No Constitutional ban since 1992[40] No Unknown No Unknown
Peru Peru Yes Legal since 1836-37[17] No No No Yes since 2009[41] Yes Bans all anti-gay discrimination. Penalized with 2-4 years in jail. Yes Possible via Civil Code and Legal Process, but no specific law.
South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands Yes Legal Yes Legal since 2005 No Yes Yes Yes Bans some anti-gay discrimination Unknown
Suriname Suriname Yes Legal since 1869[17] No No No Unknown No Unknown
Uruguay Uruguay Yes Legal since 1934
+ UN decl. sign.		 Yes Civil unions since 2008.[42] No But proposed.[43] Yes Since 2009.[44] Yes Since 2009.[45] Yes Legal protection since 2004.[46] Yes Legal protection since 2004.[46]

Transgender persons can change their legal gender and name since 2009.[47]
Venezuela Venezuela Yes Legal
+ UN decl. sign.		 Yes/No Civil unions in Mérida [48], Civil union bill passed first reading in National Assembly, becomes law if passes second No No Yes (since 1999) Yes Bans some anti-gay discrimination[17] No Under consideration (passed first reading)


[edit] See also

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[edit] References

  1. ^ On Marriage, Family, Sexuality, and the Sanctity of Life
  2. ^ "The Christian Life - Christian Conduct". Free Methodist Church. http://www.freemethodistchurch.org/Sections/About%20Us/Beliefs/Christian%20Life/Christian%20Conduct/Christian%20Conduct%203.htm. Retrieved 2008-05-16. 
  3. ^ "British Methodists reject blessing of same-sex relationships". The United Methodist Church. http://www.umc.org/site/c.gjJTJbMUIuE/b.1827285/k.B985/British_Methodists_reject_blessing_of_samesex_relationships.htm. Retrieved 2007-05-16. 
  4. ^ "Summaries of General Synod Discussions and Actions on Homosexuality and the Rights of Homosexuals". Reformed Church in America. http://www.rca.org/Page.aspx?pid=501. Retrieved 2009-11-21. 
  5. ^ "We Are American Baptists". American Baptist Churches USA. http://www.abc-usa.org/WhoWeAre/Identity/IdentityStatement/tabid/78/Default.aspx. Retrieved 2009-11-21. 
  6. ^ Position Statements/Sexuality
  7. ^ Statement on Homosexuality
  8. ^ Position Paper on Homosexuality
  9. ^ Homosexuality
  10. ^ Homosexuality —How Can I Avoid It?
  11. ^ Same-Gender Attraction - LDS Newsroom
  12. ^ "Criminal Code (R.S., 1985, c. C-46), Section 159, Subsection (1)". Department of Justice Canada. 21 May 2010.
  13. ^ Sexual Orientation and Legal Rights (92-1E)
  14. ^ Same Sex Couple Adoption: The Situation in Canada and Australia (Research Note 29 1999-2000)
  15. ^ "Canadian Armed Forces". The Canadian Lesbian & Gay Archives. http://www.clga.ca/Material/Records/docs/details/caf.htm. Retrieved 30 September 2010. 
  16. ^ Northwest Territories Human Rights Act, S.N.W.T. 2002, c.18. Section 5.
  17. ^ a b c d e f g h i j State-sponsored Homophobia A world survey of laws prohibiting same sex activity between consenting adults
  18. ^ a b David Agren (10 August 2010). "Mexican States Ordered to Honor Gay Marriages". New York Times. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/08/11/world/americas/11mexico.html?_r=1. Retrieved 11 August 2010. 
  19. ^ a b Associated Press (4 March 2010). "Mexico City's gay marriage law takes effect". MSNBC. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/35714490/ns/world_news-americas/#storyContinued. Retrieved 6 March 2010. 
  20. ^ (Spanish) José Reyes (28 November 2011). "Adopción gay será posible en Coahuila". Vanguardia. http://www.vanguardia.com.mx/adopciongayseraposibleencoahuila-1158988.html. Retrieved 14 February 2012. 
  21. ^ "Intercountry Adoption: Mexico". Office of Children Issues, U.S. Dept. of State. November 2009. http://adoption.state.gov/country/mexico.html. 
  22. ^ (Spanish) Milenio Semanal (17 October 2010). "Homosexualidad y Ejército". http://www.msemanal.com/node/3117. Retrieved 31 October 2010. 
  23. ^ International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission (IGLHRC) (23 April 2003). "Mexico protects its gay and lesbian citizens with new law". http://www.thefreelibrary.com/Mexico+protects+its+gay+and+lesbian+citizens+with+new+law.-a0108149079. Retrieved 27 November 2009. 
  24. ^ International Lesbian and Gay Association (ILGA) Trans (29 August 2008). "Mexico City extends official rights to transgender individuals". http://trans.ilga.org/trans/welcome_to_the_ilga_trans_secretariat/news/mexico_mexico_city_extends_official_rights_to_transgender_individuals. Retrieved 27 November 2009. 
  25. ^ Argentina Passes Gay Marriage Bill
  26. ^ AG magazine (2 March 2009). "A New Argentina Overturns Gay Military Ban". Queerty. http://www.queerty.com/a-new-argentina-overturns-gay-military-ban-20090302/. Retrieved 1 January 2010. 
  27. ^ Constitución Política del Estado VIGENTE Bolivia
  28. ^ (Portuguese) Juiz barra casamento de gays que vivem juntos há 16 anos
  29. ^ (Portuguese) Casamento gay em Alagoas
  30. ^ (Portuguese) Iara Bernardi (Dezember 2010). "Projeto de Lei 122/2006". http://www.senado.gov.br/atividade/materia/Consulta.asp?STR_TIPO=PLC&TXT_NUM=122&TXT_ANO=2006&Tipo_Cons=6&IND_COMPL=&FlagTot=1. Retrieved 31 Dezember 2010. 
  31. ^ (Portuguese) Expresso da Notícia (13 January 2006). "Justiça autoriza alteração no registro de transexual que trocou de sexo". Jus Brasil. http://www.jusbrasil.com.br/noticias/135663/justica-autoriza-alteracao-no-registro-de-transexual-que-trocou-de-sexo. Retrieved 1 January 2010. 
  32. ^ (Portuguese) Expresso da Notícia (25 December 2005). "Justica autoriza mudança de sexo em documentos". Jus Brasil. http://www.jusbrasil.com.br/noticias/135675/justica-autoriza-mudanca-de-sexo-em-documentos. Retrieved 1 January 2010. 
  33. ^ Reflexiones en torno a la homosexualidad y fuerzas armadas, Claudio Ortiz Lazo, Ministry of Defense of Chile.
  34. ^ a b (Spanish) Discriminación por orientación sexual y por identidad de género será sancionada por ley
  35. ^ a b Chilean Senate approves extensive anti-discrimination law
  36. ^ "Ordenan al ICBF iniciar trámite para que lesbiana adopte hija de su pareja". CaracolTV.com. 23 January 2010. http://www.caracoltv.com/noticias/justicia/articulo165973-ordenan-al-icbf-iniciar-tramite-lesbiana-adopte-hija-de-su-pareja. Retrieved 30 September 2010. (Spanish)
  37. ^ "Este miércoles el presidente Santos sanciona ley antidiscriminación". ElTiempo.com. 29 November 2011. http://www.eltiempo.com/politica/ARTICULO-WEB-NEW_NOTA_INTERIOR-10855506.html. Retrieved 29 November 2011. (Spanish)
  38. ^ Mora, Manuel Velandia. "Cambio de nombre es posible en Colombia". Manuel Antonio Velandia Mora Autobiografía y artículos. http://manuelvelandiaautobiografiayarticulos.blogspot.com/2007/12/el-cambio-de-nombre-es-posible-en.html. Retrieved 30 September 2010. (Spanish)
  39. ^ Rodríguez, Yesyd. "Ecuador celebró la primera unión de hecho entre personas del mismo sexo, desatando la indignación de la iglesia católica". Dos Manzanas. http://www.dosmanzanas.com/2009/10/ecuador-celebro-la-primera-union-de-hecho-entre-personas-del-mismo-sexo-desatando-la-indignacion-de-la-iglesia-catolica.html. Retrieved 30 September 2010. (Spanish)
  40. ^ a b "Paraguay - Constitution". International Contitutional Law. http://www.servat.unibe.ch/icl/pa00000_.html. Retrieved 30 September 2010. 
  41. ^ "El Tribunal Constitucional de Perú considera que no se puede excluir de la Polícia o el Ejército a las personas homosexuales". Dos Manzanas. 13 December 2009. http://www.dosmanzanas.com/2009/12/el-tribunal-constitucional-de-peru-considera-que-no-se-puede-excluir-de-la-policia-o-el-ejercito-a-las-personas-homosexuales.html. Retrieved 30 September 2010. 
  42. ^ Hilary Burke (18 December 2007). "Uruguay OKs gay unions in Latin American first". Reuters. http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSN1854039020071219. Retrieved 1 January 2010. 
  43. ^ (Spanish) AG magazine (28 May 2009). "Ahora Uruguay va por el matrimonio gay". http://www.agmagazine.info/2009/05/26/ahora-uruguay-va-por-el-matrimonio-gay/. Retrieved 1 January 2010. 
  44. ^ Reuters (9 September 2009). "Lawmakers in Uruguay Vote to Allow Gay Couples to Adopt". New York Times. http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/10/world/americas/10uruguay.html. Retrieved 1 January 2010. 
  45. ^ Rachel Weiner (15 May 2009). "Uruguay Lifts Ban On Gays In The Military". Huffington Post. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/05/15/uruguay-lifts-ban-on-gays_n_203996.html. Retrieved 1 January 2010. 
  46. ^ a b (Spanish) Congress of Uruguay (18 August 2004). "Ley N° 17.817". http://www0.parlamento.gub.uy/leyes/AccesoTextoLey.asp?Ley=17817&Anchor=. Retrieved 1 January 2010. 
  47. ^ Free Speech Radio News (11 December 2009). "Uruguay passes bill to allow citizens to choose gender identity". http://www.fsrn.org/audio/uruguay-passes-bill-allow-citizens-choose-gender-identity/5887. Retrieved 1 January 2010. 
  48. ^ http://venezuelanalysis.com/analysis/1673
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