LGBT rights in the Americas

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Jump to: navigation, search
The Americas

Laws governing Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) rights are complex in the Americas, and acceptance of LGBT persons varies widely. Same-sex marriages have been legal in Canada nationwide since 2005, in Argentina since 2010, and in Brazil nationwide since 2013. In Uruguay will become legal on August 1, 2013. Same-sex marriages in Mexico City are recognized nationwide, while in the United States, same-sex marriages are recognized by several states, but not the federal government. Same-sex marriages are legal in the Caribbean Netherlands, while marriages performed in the Netherlands are recognized in Aruba, Curaçao and Sint Maarten.

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, eleven other nations, all of them in the former British West Indies, still have criminal punishment for buggery on their statute books. These eleven countries include Jamaica, Dominica, Barbados, Guyana, Trinidad and Tobago, Saint Lucia, Antigua & Barbuda, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Grenada Saint Kitts and Nevis & Belize.

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 Emblem-question.svg Yes No No
Canada Canada Yes Legal since 1969
(Age of consent discrepancy, prohibition of anal intercourse in some cases[1])
+ UN decl. sign.		 Yes Yes Legal since 2003, nationwide since 2005 Yes[2][3] Yes Since 1992[4] 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 and Ontario, implicit elsewhere;[5][6]
Mexico Mexico Yes Legal since 1872[7]
+ UN decl. sign.		 Yes PACS in Coahuila since 2007.
All states are obliged to honour same-sex marriages performed in Mexico City.[8]		 No/Yes Legal in Mexico City since 2010 and in Quintana Roo since 2012.[9][10]
All states are obliged to honour same-sex marriages performed in Mexico City.[8]		 No/Yes Joint adoption legal in Mexico City (2010)[9] and Coahuila.[11]
Nationwide, single gay persons may adopt.[12]		 Yes/No No explicit ban. However, LGB persons have been reportedly discharged on the grounds of "immorality."[13] Yes Nationwide since 2003.[14] No/Yes Transgender persons can change their legal gender and name in Mexico City since 2008.[15]
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 Yes Since 2013 Yes Since 2013 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.

(Legal in CA, CO, HI, IL, NJ, NV, OR, and WI)

 No / Yes Varies by state, but not recognized by federal gov't.

(Legal in CT, DE, IA, ME, MD, MA, MN, NH, NY, RI, VT, WA and in the DC)

 No / Yes Single gay persons may adopt, laws on couples vary by state Yes Since 2011 No / Yes No federal protections. Varying protections in 20 states. Included in the federal hate crimes law since 2009. See Matthew Shepard Act No / Yes Anti-transgender discrimination in healthcare insurance banned. No other federal protections. Varying protections 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 Illegal since September 19, 2003
(Penalty: 10 year prison sentence) (Foreign gay males and females are barred from the 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 Emblem-question.svg
El Salvador El Salvador Yes Legal since 1800's[7]
+ UN decl. sign.		 No No No Yes Yes Bans some anti-gay discrimination No
Guatemala Guatemala Yes Legal since 1871[7]
+ UN decl. sign.		 No No No Emblem-question.svg Yes Bans some anti-gay discrimination No
Honduras Honduras Yes Legal since 1899[7]
+ UN decl. sign.		 No No Constitutional ban No Constitutional ban No No Emblem-question.svg
Nicaragua Nicaragua Yes Legal since 2008
+ UN decl. sign.		 No No No Emblem-question.svg Yes Bans some anti-gay discrimination[7] Emblem-question.svg
Panama Panama Yes Legal since 2008
+ UN decl. sign.		 No No No No No Emblem-question.svg

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 The Netherlands responsible for defence 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, Not enforced)		 No No No No No No
British Virgin Islands British Virgin Islands
(Overseas territory of the United Kingdom)		 Yes Legal since 2000 No No No Yes Yes Bans some anti-gay discrimination No
Caribbean Netherlands Caribbean Netherlands
(part of the Netherlands)		 Yes Legal No unions performed elsewhere are recognized[16] Yes Since 10 October 2012 Yes[16] Yes The Netherlands responsible for defence
Cayman Islands Cayman Islands
(Overseas territory of the United Kingdom)		 Yes Legal since 2000 No No Emblem-question.svg Yes Emblem-question.svg No
Cuba Cuba Yes Legal since 1979
+ UN decl. sign.		 No (but proposed) No No No Yes[17] Yes
Curaçao Curaçao
(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 The Netherlands responsible for defence No No
Dominica Dominica No Illegal
(Penalty: 10 year prison sentence or incarceration in a psychiatric institution )
+ UN decl. sign.		 No No No No No No
Dominican Republic Dominican Republic Yes Legal since 1822[7]
+ UN decl. sign.		 No No Constitutional ban 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		 Yes Since 2013 Yes Since 2013 Yes Yes Bans some anti-gay discrimination Emblem-question.svg
Haiti Haiti Yes Legal since 1986 No No No No No No
Jamaica Jamaica No Male 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		 Yes Since 2013 Yes Since 2013 Yes Yes Bans some anti-gay discrimination Emblem-question.svg
Montserrat Montserrat
(Overseas territory of the United Kingdom)		 Yes Legal since 2000 No No No Yes No Emblem-question.svg
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
Flag of Saint Barthelemy (local).svg Saint Barthélemy
(overseas collectivity of France since 2007)		 Yes Legal since 1791
+ UN decl. sign.		 Yes Pacte civil de solidarité since 1999 Yes Since 2013 Yes Since 2013 Yes Yes Bans some anti-gay discrimination No
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
Flag of Saint-Martin (local).svg Saint Martin
(overseas collectivity of France since 2007)		 Yes Legal since 1791
+ UN decl. sign.		 Yes Pacte civil de solidarité since 1999 Yes Since 2013 Yes Since 2013 Yes Yes Bans some anti-gay discrimination 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
Sint Maarten Sint Maarten
(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 The Netherlands responsible for defence No No
Trinidad and Tobago Trinidad and Tobago No Illegal
(Penalty: 25 year prison sentence, Not enforced)		 No No No No No No
Turks and Caicos Islands Turks and Caicos Islands
(Overseas territory of the United Kingdom)		 Yes Legal since 2000 No No No Yes No Emblem-question.svg
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[7]
+ UN decl. sign.		 Yes Unregistered cohabitation throughout the country. Yes Legal since 2010.[18] Yes Legal since 2010. Yes Since 2009.[19] Yes/No The Constitution of Argentina prohibits all forms of discrimination, though sexual orientation is not explicited Yes Transgender persons can change their legal gender and name without surgeries or judicial permission[20]
Bolivia Bolivia Yes Legal
+ UN decl. sign.		 No (Proposed) No Constitutional ban No Constitutional ban Emblem-question.svg Yes Bans some anti-gay discrimination Yes Bans all discrimination based on gender identity[21]
Brazil Brazil Yes Legal since 1830[7]
+ UN decl. sign.		 Yes Civil unions legal since 2004. Yes Legal since 2011, nationwide since 2013.
 Yes Legal since 2010. Yes Gays and lesbians to serve openly in military. Yes/No Legal protection in some states, but the criminalization of homophobia in the national sphere is being discussed in the Senate.[22] Yes Transgender people can change their legal gender and name since 2009, though surgery is required.[23][24]
Chile Chile Yes Legal since 1998[7]
(Age of consent discrepancy)
+ UN decl. sign.		 No (Pending) No (Pending) No Yes [25][26] Yes[27] Yes since 2007
Colombia Colombia Yes Legal since 1981
+ UN decl. sign.		 Yes Legal since 2007 No/Yes from 20 July, 2013 under a Constitutional 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.[28] 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 [29] Yes[30] 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[31] 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 United Kingdom)		 Yes Legal No No Yes Yes Yes Bans some anti-gay discrimination Emblem-question.svg
French Guiana French Guiana
(Overseas department of France)		 Yes Legal since 1791
+ UN decl. sign.		 Yes Pacte civil de solidarité since 1999 Yes Since 2013 Yes Since 2013 Yes Yes Bans some anti-gay discrimination Emblem-question.svg
Guyana Guyana No Male illegal
(Penalty: Up to life imprisonment)		 No No No Yes [32] No Added to constitution in 2004, but withdrawn afterwards by the government. Emblem-question.svg
Paraguay Paraguay Yes Legal since 1880[7]
+ UN decl. sign.		 No Constitutional ban since 1992[33] No Constitutional ban since 1992[33] No Emblem-question.svg No Emblem-question.svg
Peru Peru Yes Legal since 1836-37[7] No No No Yes since 2009[34] 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
(Overseas territory of the United Kingdom)		 Yes Legal No No Yes Yes Yes Bans some anti-gay discrimination Emblem-question.svg
Suriname Suriname Yes Legal since 1869[7] No No No Emblem-question.svg No Emblem-question.svg
Uruguay Uruguay Yes Legal since 1934
+ UN decl. sign.		 Yes Civil unions since 2008.[35] Yes Since 2013.[36] Yes Since 2009.[37] Yes Since 2009.[38] Yes Legal protection since 2004.[39] Yes Legal protection since 2004.[39]

Transgender persons can change their legal gender and name since 2009.[40]
Venezuela Venezuela Yes Legal since 1997[41][42].
+ UN decl. sign.		 No No Constitutional ban No Constitutional ban Yes since 1999 Yes Bans some anti-gay discrimination[7] No


Religion and LGBT acceptance [edit]

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,[43] the Methodist Church,[44][45] and some other Mainline (Protestant) denominations, such as the Reformed Church in America[46] and the American Baptist Church,[47] as well as Conservative Evangelical organizations and churches, such as the Evangelical Alliance. The Southern Baptist Convention.[48][49][50] Pentecostal churches such as the Assemblies of God,[51] as well as Restorationist churches, like Jehovah's Witnesses and Mormons, also take the position that homosexual sexual activity is sinful.[52][53]

However, other denominations have become more accepting of LGBT people in recent decades, including the Episcopal Church in the United States, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada, the Anglican Church of Canada, the United Church of Canada, the United Church of Christ, the Unitarian Universalist Association, and the Society of Friends (Quakers), and some congregations of the Presbyterian Church (U. S. A.). Most of these denominations now perform same-sex weddings or blessings. In addition, in the United States Conservative Judaism, Reform Judaism, and Reconstructionist Judaism now welcome LGBT worshippers and perform same-sex weddings.

See also [edit]

Portal icon LGBT portal
Portal icon Human rights portal

References [edit]

  1. ^ "Criminal Code (R.S., 1985, c. C-46), Section 159, Subsection (1)". Department of Justice Canada. 21 May 2010.
  2. ^ Sexual Orientation and Legal Rights (92-1E)
  3. ^ Same Sex Couple Adoption: The Situation in Canada and Australia (Research Note 29 1999-2000)
  4. ^ "Canadian Armed Forces". The Canadian Lesbian & Gay Archives. Retrieved 30 September 2010. 
  5. ^ Northwest Territories Human Rights Act, S.N.W.T. 2002, c.18. Section 5.
  6. ^ "Ontario passes law to protect transgender people". CBC News. June 13, 2012. Retrieved June 13, 2012. 
  7. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m State-sponsored Homophobia A world survey of laws prohibiting same sex activity between consenting adults
  8. ^ a b David Agren (10 August 2010). "Mexican States Ordered to Honor Gay Marriages". New York Times. Retrieved 11 August 2010. 
  9. ^ a b Associated Press (4 March 2010). "Mexico City's gay marriage law takes effect". MSNBC. Retrieved 6 March 2010. 
  10. ^ Varillas, Adriana (3 May 2012). "Revocan anulación de bodas gay en QRoo" (in Spanish). El Universal. Retrieved 13 June 2012. 
  11. ^ (Spanish) José Reyes (28 November 2011). "Adopción gay será posible en Coahuila". Vanguardia. Retrieved 14 February 2012. 
  12. ^ "Intercountry Adoption: Mexico". Office of Children Issues, U.S. Dept. of State. November 2009. 
  13. ^ (Spanish) Milenio Semanal (17 October 2010). "Homosexualidad y Ejército". Retrieved 31 October 2010. 
  14. ^ International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission (IGLHRC) (23 April 2003). "Mexico protects its gay and lesbian citizens with new law". Retrieved 27 November 2009. 
  15. ^ International Lesbian and Gay Association (ILGA) Trans (29 August 2008). "Mexico City extends official rights to transgender individuals". Retrieved 27 November 2009. 
  16. ^ a b "Burgerlijk Wetboek, Boek 1 (Civil Code, Book 1)". Government of the Netherlands. Retrieved 19 April 2013. 
  17. ^ "Cuba: For macho island, a shift on civil unions". GlobalPost.com. 28 July 2011. Retrieved 29 June 2012. 
  18. ^ Argentina Passes Gay Marriage Bill
  19. ^ AG magazine (2 March 2009). "A New Argentina Overturns Gay Military Ban". Queerty. Retrieved 1 January 2010. 
  20. ^ Página12, 10 May 2012
  21. ^ Constitución Política del Estado VIGENTE Bolivia
  22. ^ (Portuguese) Iara Bernardi (Dezember 2010). "Projeto de Lei 122/2006". Retrieved 31 Dezember 2010. 
  23. ^ (Portuguese) Expresso da Notícia (13 January 2006). "Justiça autoriza alteração no registro de transexual que trocou de sexo". Jus Brasil. Retrieved 1 January 2010. 
  24. ^ (Portuguese) Expresso da Notícia (25 December 2005). "Justica autoriza mudança de sexo em documentos". Jus Brasil. Retrieved 1 January 2010. 
  25. ^ (Spanish) Claudio Ortiz Lazo. "Reflexiones en torno a la homosexualidady fuerzas armadas". Revista Fuerzas Armadas y Sociedad. Retrieved 21 April 2012. 
  26. ^ (Spanish) Movilh (February 2011). "IX Informe Anual de Derechos Humanos de la Diversidad Sexual en Chile". Retrieved 21 April 2012. 
  27. ^ "Chile Congress passes anti-discrimination law". Jurist.org. 5 April 2012. Retrieved 29 June 2012. 
  28. ^ "Ordenan al ICBF iniciar trámite para que lesbiana adopte hija de su pareja". CaracolTV.com. 23 January 2010. Retrieved 30 September 2010. (Spanish)
  29. ^ "Este miércoles el presidente Santos sanciona ley antidiscriminación". ElTiempo.com. 29 November 2011. Retrieved 29 November 2011. (Spanish)
  30. ^ Mora, Manuel Velandia. "Cambio de nombre es posible en Colombia". Manuel Antonio Velandia Mora Autobiografía y artículos. Retrieved 30 September 2010. (Spanish)
  31. ^ Rodríguez, Yesyd. "Ecuador celebró la primera unión de hecho entre personas del mismo sexo, desatando la indignación de la iglesia católica". Dos Manzanas. Retrieved 30 September 2010. (Spanish)
  32. ^ http://www.thedailyherald.com/regional/2-news/33563-army-wont-discriminate-against-its-gay-soldiers-.html
  33. ^ a b "Paraguay - Constitution". International Contitutional Law. Retrieved 30 September 2010. 
  34. ^ "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. Retrieved 30 September 2010. 
  35. ^ Hilary Burke (18 December 2007). "Uruguay OKs gay unions in Latin American first". Reuters. Retrieved 1 January 2010. 
  36. ^ http://archivo.presidencia.gub.uy/sci/leyes/2013/05/mec_913.pdf
  37. ^ Reuters (9 September 2009). "Lawmakers in Uruguay Vote to Allow Gay Couples to Adopt". New York Times. Retrieved 1 January 2010. 
  38. ^ Rachel Weiner (15 May 2009). "Uruguay Lifts Ban On Gays In The Military". Huffington Post. Retrieved 1 January 2010. 
  39. ^ a b (Spanish) Congress of Uruguay (18 August 2004). "Ley N° 17.817". Retrieved 1 January 2010. 
  40. ^ Free Speech Radio News (11 December 2009). "Uruguay passes bill to allow citizens to choose gender identity". Retrieved 1 January 2010. 
  41. ^ http://www.juridicas.unam.mx/publica/librev/rev/indercom/cont/27/leg/leg8.pdf
  42. ^ http://www.zur2.com/objetivos/senvenez/vagos.html
  43. ^ On Marriage, Family, Sexuality, and the Sanctity of Life
  44. ^ "The Christian Life - Christian Conduct". Free Methodist Church. Retrieved 2008-05-16. 
  45. ^ "British Methodists reject blessing of same-sex relationships". The United Methodist Church. Retrieved 2007-05-16. 
  46. ^ "Summaries of General Synod Discussions and Actions on Homosexuality and the Rights of Homosexuals". Reformed Church in America. Retrieved 2009-11-21. 
  47. ^ "We Are American Baptists". American Baptist Churches USA. Retrieved 2009-11-21. 
  48. ^ Position Statements/Sexuality
  49. ^ Statement on Homosexuality
  50. ^ Position Paper on Homosexuality
  51. ^ Homosexuality
  52. ^ Homosexuality —How Can I Avoid It?
  53. ^ Same-Gender Attraction - LDS Newsroom
Sovereign states
Dependencies and
other territories
Sovereign states
Dependencies and
other territories
Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=LGBT_rights_in_the_Americas&oldid=555658959"