LGBT rights in Bolivia

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LGBT rights in Bolivia
Bolivia (orthographic projection).svg
Bolivia
StatusLegal since 1832
Gender identityRight to change legal gender since 2016
Discrimination protectionsSexual orientation and gender identity protections
Family rights
Recognition of relationshipsNone
RestrictionsSame-sex marriage and free unions banned by Constitution

Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people in Bolivia may face legal challenges not experienced by non-LGBT residents. Both male and female same-sex sexual activity are legal in Bolivia. The Bolivian Constitution bans discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity, making Bolivia one of the only few countries in the world to have such constitutional protections for LGBT people. In 2016, Bolivia passed a comprehensive gender identity law, seen as one of the most progressive laws relating to transgender people in the world. Following a decision from the Inter-American Court of Human Rights in January 2018, recognising same-sex marriage as a right under the American Convention on Human Rights and which set binding precedent for Bolivian courts, and pending a decision from the Plurinational Constitutional Court, the Civil Registry Service announced its intention on 9 December 2020 to issue civil union ("free union") certificates offering all of the legal rights, benefits and responsibilities of marriage to same-sex couples. However, in May 2021, a SERECI office in La Paz refused to register the relationship of a lesbian couple.[1]

Nevertheless, reports of discrimination against LGBT people are not uncommon. In 2017, the Bolivian Ombudsman reported that 64 LGBT people had been murdered in the country that year, of which only 14 cases had been investigated and none which resulted in a sentence.[2]

History[]

Prior to Spanish colonisation, various indigenous peoples inhabited modern-day Bolivia. Among these were the Quechua people (including the Incas), the Aymara people, the Guaraní people, the Chiquitano, and the Moxo, among others. Homosexuality and same-sex relationships has been documented among these people groups, with varying levels of acceptance.

The Moxo, Chiquitano, Guaraní and Chiriguanos peoples tended to view homosexuality with indifference.[3] The Aymara people regarded homosexuals as supernatural beings and shamans, capable of magic.[4] However, this past acceptance and openness are not so present in modern times. The conversion to Christianity, which traditionally has regarded homosexuality as sinful, has resulted in a climate of homophobia and persecution for LGBT people. This is notably true among the Aymara, whose popular culture now regards homosexuality as a synonym to infidelity or bad luck. The traditional perception of homosexuality, especially male homosexuality, by the Incas is still unclear and is the subject of ongoing debates. Nonetheless, it seems as though homosexuality was a tolerated "act of worship" in religious rituals, and traditions of cross-dressing priests (known as quariwarmi) who would perform religious rituals also existed. Lesbians (known as holjoshta) seem to have been highly regarded by the Incas. Following the Spanish conquest, sodomy, whether conducted by heterosexual or homosexual partners, became punishable with burning at the stake.[5][6]

Legality of same-sex sexual activity[]

Same-sex sexual activity has been legal since 1832.[7]

The age of consent in Bolivia is set at 14 per article 308bis (known as "Rape of Infants, Girls, Boys and Adolescents" (Violación Infantes, Niña, Niño y Adolescentes)) of the Criminal Code, which punishes rape (violación) of children under 14, "even without the use of force or intimidation and when consent is alleged" (así no haya uso de la fuerza o intimidación y se alegue consentimiento). There is a close in age exemption of three years.[8]

Recognition of same-sex relationships[]

Main article: Recognition of same-sex unions in Bolivia

Article 63 of the Constitution of Bolivia limits marriage to opposite-sex couples.[9] In July 2010, following the legalisation of same-sex marriage in Argentina, Vice President Álvaro García Linera said that the government had no plans to legalize same-sex marriage.[10]

In April 2012, a member of the opposition coalition, the National Convergence, introduced a bill in the Plurinational Legislative Assembly to legalize same-sex civil unions.[11][12] However, the bill stalled and was not approved.[13] Multiple similar proposals were introduced in the following years, but all stalled due to opposition from the Catholic Church and several members of the governing Movement for Socialism party.

On January 9, 2018, the Inter-American Court of Human Rights (IACHR) ruled that countries signatory to the American Convention on Human Rights, of which Bolivia is a signatory, are required to allow same-sex couples to marry.[14][15] Following the decision, a same-sex couple, David Aruquipa Pérez and Guido Montaño Durán, went to a Civil Registry Service (SERECI) office in La Paz in October 2018 seeking to formalise their 9-year-old relationship as a free union, which are offered the same rights as marriages. The Registry refused, but on 9 December 2020, following a court ruling in favour of the couple by the Second Constitutional Chamber of the La Paz Departmental Court of Justice on 3 July 2020, it reversed its position. It issued "Resolution 003/2020", ordering the registration of the free union of Aruquipa Pérez and Montaño Durán.[16][17][18] The couple finally registered their union on 18 December 2020.[19] This decision sets a precedent for other same-sex couples to access this recognition in Bolivia.[20] LGBT groups described the decision as "historic".[21]

In May 2021, however, a SERECI office in La Paz refused to register the relationship of a lesbian couple. A lawyer representing the couple argued that this denial is contradictory to the Registry's own resolution issued in December 2020.[1]

Adoption and parenting[]

It is unknown if same-sex couples are permitted to adopt in Bolivia.[22] Couples may not adopt jointly unless the couple is legally married or in a free union. As free unions between same-sex couples have been possible since December 2020, it is likely that same-sex couples in such unions are also permitted to adopt; however, there are currently no documentated cases of this happening or any confirmation of this right being extended to same-sex couples.

Single people, regardless of their sexual orientation, may adopt children, according to Article 84 of the Child and Adolescent Code.[23]

Discrimination protections[]

Article 14(II) of the Constitution of Bolivia, implemented in February 2009, prohibits and punishes discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity.[a]

Anti-discrimination law[]

The Law Against Racism and All Forms of Discrimination (Spanish: Ley Contra el Racismo y Toda Forma de Discriminación) defines discrimination as "any form of distinction, exclusion, restriction or preference based on sex, colour, age, sexual orientation and gender identity, origin, culture, nationality, citizenship, language, religion, ideology, political or philosophical affiliation, marital status, economic, social or health status, profession, occupation, level of education, disabilities and/or physical disabilities, intellectual or sensory impairment, pregnancy, origin, physical appearance, clothing, surname or other that have the purpose or effect of nullifying or impairing the recognition, enjoyment or exercise, on an equal footing, of human rights and fundamental freedoms recognized by the Constitution and international law." It also provides definitions for homophobia and transphobia.[25]

The law amended article 281 of the Penal Code to criminalize discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity. It also bans "dissemination and incitement to racism and discrimination", stating that anyone who "through any means broadcasts ideas based on racial superiority or hatred, or that promote or justify racism or any kind of discrimination on the grounds described above, or that incite to violence or persecution of people, based on racist or discriminatory motives will be imprisoned from one to five years."[b]

Despite these protections, reports of societal discrimination against LGBT people are not uncommon.[27]

Hate crime law[]

Since 2010, article 40bis of the Penal Code aggravates the penalties of crimes motivated by any of the discriminatory grounds included in article 281ter, including sexual orientation and gender identity.[28] In May 2016, the LGBT rights group Colectivo de Lesbianas, Gays, Bisexuales y personas Transgénero presented to the Plurinational Legislative Assembly a draft law against hate crimes based on sexual orientation or gender identity, which includes a penalty of 30 years imprisonment.[29]

Transgender rights[]

On 25 November 2015, a law was proposed that would allow transgender people to change their legal name and sex.[30] On 19 May 2016, the Chamber of Deputies passed the Gender Identity Law (Spanish: Ley de Identidad de Género). One day later, the Chamber of Senators passed the measure by simple majority votes.[31] On 21 May 2016, the legislation was signed into law by Vice President Álvaro García Linera, and it took effect on 1 August 2016.[32] In October 2016, the Bolivian Congress debated whether to repeal it.[33]

The law allows individuals over 18 to legally change their name, sex and photography on legal documents. A psychological test proving that the person knows and voluntarily assumes the change of identity is required, but sex reassignment surgery is not. The process is confidential and must be carried out before the Civil Registry Service. The processing of the new documentation will take 15 days. The change of name and sex will be reversible once, after which they cannot modify these data again.

The newly assigned sex is not, however, recognized for the purpose of marriage. In June 2017, the Supreme Electoral Tribunal instructed the Civil Registry Service to recognize the newly assigned sex of transgender people in their requests to marry.[34] In November 2017, the Supreme Court of Bolivia invalidated this instruction, ruling it unconstitutional, and declaring that a sex changed under the law may not be recognized for the purpose of marriage.[35] LGBT groups filed an appeal with the Inter-American Court of Human Rights in May 2018.[36]

Military service[]

The Armed Forces of Bolivia announced in 2013 that LGBT citizens would be allowed to serve beginning in 2015.[37] Bolivia also allows transgender people to serve openly in the military.[38][39][40] Despite this, homosexuality in the military is still viewed as taboo, and LGBT individuals may want to remain discreet about their sexual orientation or gender identity.[41][42]

Blood donation[]

Since 10 July 2019, the Supreme Decree 24547 of 1997 (Spanish: Decreto Supremo Nº 24547) has permitted men who have sex with men to donate blood.[43]

Previously, the decree banned homosexual and bisexual men from donating blood, labelling them "a high-risk group".[44] In June 2016, the Ombudsman asked the government to amend the decree, stating that the Law Against Racism and All Forms of Discrimination forbids discrimination based on sexual orientation.[45]

Public opinion[]

A 2013 Pew Research Center opinion survey showed that 43% of Bolivians believed that homosexuality should be accepted by society, while 49% believed it should not.[46] Younger people were more accepting: 53% of people between 18 and 29 believed it should be accepted, 43% of people between 30 and 49 and 27% of people over 50.

In May 2015, PlanetRomeo, an LGBT social network, published its first Gay Happiness Index (GHI). Gay men from over 120 countries were asked about how they feel about society’s view on homosexuality, how do they experience the way they are treated by other people and how satisfied are they with their lives. Bolivia was ranked 48th with a GHI score of 47.[47]

According to a 2017 poll carried out by ILGA, 60% of Bolivians agreed that gay, lesbian and bisexual people should enjoy the same rights as straight people, while 17% disagreed. Additionally, 64% agreed that they should be protected from workplace discrimination. 26% of Bolivians, however, said that people who are in same-sex relationships should be charged as criminals, while a plurality of 45% disagreed. As for transgender people, 64% agreed that they should have the same rights, 63% believed they should be protected from employment discrimination and 53% believed they should be allowed to change their legal gender.[48]

The 2017 AmericasBarometer showed that 35% of Bolivians supported same-sex marriage.[49]

Summary table[]

Same-sex sexual activity legal Yes (Since 1832)[50]
Equal age of consent Yes (Since 1832)
Anti-discrimination laws in employment Yes (Since 2009)
Anti-discrimination laws in the provision of goods and services Yes (Since 2009)
Anti-discrimination laws in all other areas (incl. indirect discrimination, hate speech) Yes (Since 2009)
Hate crime laws covering both sexual orientation and gender identity Yes (Since 2010)
Same-sex marriage No (Constitutional ban on same-sex marriage since 2009)
Recognition of same-sex couples (e.g. civil unions) No (one same-sex civil union recognised on 9 December 2020, couples since then have been refused)
Stepchild adoption by same-sex couples Emblem-question.svg
Joint adoption by same-sex couples Emblem-question.svg
LGBT people allowed to serve in the military Yes (Since 2015)
Right to change legal gender Yes (Since 2016)
Access to IVF for lesbian couples No
Conversion therapy banned on minors No
Commercial surrogacy for gay male couples Emblem-question.svg
MSMs allowed to donate blood Yes (Since 2019)

See also[]

Bibliography[]

  • Hurtado, Edson (2014). Indígenas homosexuals – Un acercamiento a la cosmovisión sobre diversidades sexuales de siete pueblos originarios del Estado Plurinacional de Bolivia (Moxeños, Afrobolivianos, Quechuas, Ayoreos, Guaraníes, Tacanas y Aymaras) (PDF) (in Spanish). Conexión Fondo de Emancipación. Archived from the original (PDF) on 7 February 2016. Retrieved 25 October 2015.

Notes[]

  1. ^ The official text of Article 14(II) in Spanish:[24]

    El Estado prohíbe y sanciona toda forma de discriminación fundada en razón de sexo, color, edad, orientación sexual, identidad de género, origen, cultura, nacionalidad, ciudadanía, idioma, credo religioso, ideología, filiación política o filosófica, estado civil, condición económica o social, tipo de ocupación, grado de instrucción, discapacidad, embarazo, u otras que tengan por objetivo o resultado anular o menoscabar el reconocimiento, goce o ejercicio, en condiciones de igualdad, de los derechos de toda persona.
  2. ^ The official text of Article 281ter. in Spanish:[26]

    La persona que arbitrariamente e ilegalmente obstruya, restrinja, menoscabe, impida o anule el ejercicio de los derechos individuales y colectivos, por motivos de sexo, edad, género, orientación sexual e identidad de género, identidad cultural, filiación familiar, nacionalidad, ciudadanía, idioma, credo religioso, ideología, opinión política o filosófica, estado civil, condición económica o social, enfermedad, tipo de ocupación, grado de instrucción, capacidades diferentes o discapacidad física, intelectual o sensorial, estado de embarazo, procedencia regional, apariencia física y vestimenta, será sancionado con pena privativa de libertad de uno a cinco años.

References[]

  1. ^ a b "HRW denuncia que en Bolivia negaron unión de pareja lesbiana". Página Siete (in Spanish). 8 July 2021.
  2. ^ Diario, El Nuevo. "El Nuevo Diario". El Nuevo Diario.
  3. ^ Bazán, Osvaldo (2004). Historia de la homosexualidad en la Argentina. Buenos Aires: Marea Editorial. p. 478.
  4. ^ Crompton, Louis (2003). Homosexuality and Civilisation. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press. ISBN 0-674-02233-5.
  5. ^ Castro, Luz. "La homosexualidad en las culturas antiguas | Sin Etiquetas".
  6. ^ Horswell, Michael J. (2006). Transculturating Tropes of Sexuality, Tinkuy, and Third Gender in the Andes, introduction to "Decolonizing the Sodomite: Queer Tropes of Sexuality in Colonial Andean Culture". ISBN 0-292-71267-7. Article online.
  7. ^ STATE-SPONSORED HOMOPHOBIA A WORLD SURVEY OF SEXUAL ORIENTATION LAWS OF CRIMINALISATION, PROTECTION AND RECOGNITION
  8. ^ "Bolivia Age of Consent & Statutory Rape Laws". www.ageofconsent.net. Retrieved 26 March 2019.
  9. ^ "CONSTITUCIÓN POLÍTICA DEL ESTADO PLURINACIONAL DE BOLIVIA" (PDF). presidencia.gob.bo. Archived from the original (PDF) on 24 October 2017. Retrieved 26 March 2019.
  10. ^ "Gobierno boliviano no tiene en sus planes aprobar el matrimonio gay". 17 July 2010.
  11. ^ ""El Parlamento boliviano estudia ley para reconocer concubinatos homosexuales", ABC.es, 11 April 2012".
  12. ^ Com, Punto. "Proyecto para aprobar matrimonios gay entra al Legislativo". www.hoybolivia.com.
  13. ^ (in Spanish) Séptimo Día. Matrimonio homosexual, aún no hay debate en Bolivia. Retrieved 13 January 2014.
  14. ^ Pretel, Enrique Andres (10 January 2018). "Latin American human rights court urges same-sex marriage legalization". Reuters. Archived from the original on 2 June 2020. Retrieved 12 January 2018.
  15. ^ Chinchilla, Sofía; Cambronero, Natasha (9 January 2018). "Corte Interamericana ordena abrir la puerta al matrimonio gay en Costa Rica" (in Spanish). La Nación. Archived from the original on 2 June 2020. Retrieved 2 June 2020.
  16. ^ "Bolivia approves first same-sex union following legal battle". Reuters. Retrieved 13 December 2020.
  17. ^ "Bolivia registrará por primera vez la unión libre de una pareja homosexual". La Vanguardia (in Spanish). 11 December 2020.
  18. ^ "Bolivia autoriza por primera vez registrar la unión civil de una pareja del mismo sexo". France 24 (in Spanish). 12 December 2020.
  19. ^ "Bolivia reconoce por primera vez la unión entre dos personas del mismo sexo". El País (in Spanish). 19 December 2020.
  20. ^ "Bolivia: reconocen unión «libre» de pareja del mismo sexo". Caretas (in Spanish). 11 December 2020.
  21. ^ "Histórico, TSE resuelve el registro de unión libre entre dos personas del mismo sexo en Bolivia". El País (in Spanish). 10 December 2020.
  22. ^ Malta, Monica; Cardoso, Reynaldo; Montenegro, Luiz; de Jesus, Jaqueline Gomes; Seixas, Michele; Benevides, Bruna; das Dores Silva, Maria; LeGrand, Sara; Whetten, Kathryn (6 November 2019). "Sexual and gender minorities rights in Latin America and the Caribbean: a multi-country evaluation". BMC International Health and Human Rights. 19 (1): 31. doi:10.1186/s12914-019-0217-3. ISSN 1472-698X. PMC 6836409. PMID 31694637.
  23. ^ "CÓDIGO NIÑA, NIÑO Y ADOLESCENTE LEY Nº 548" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 6 January 2017. Retrieved 6 March 2017.
  24. ^ "Constitución Política del Estado". bolivia.infoleyes.com (in Spanish).
  25. ^ "Ley Contra el Racismo y Toda Forma de Discriminación" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 4 October 2012.
  26. ^ "Ley Contra el Racismo y Toda Forma de Discriminación" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 4 October 2012.
  27. ^ "2011 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices: Bolivia, Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor, U.S. Department of State, p. 18" (PDF). state.gov. Retrieved 26 March 2019.
  28. ^ "Ley contra el racismo y toda forma de discriminación" (PDF) (in Spanish). 4 October 2012. Archived from the original (PDF) on 4 October 2012. Retrieved 18 December 2018.
  29. ^ Opinion, Diario. "Plantean 30 años de cárcel para crímenes por homofobia". Diario Opinión (in Spanish).
  30. ^ "Bolivia proposes law allowing transgender people to officially change names, genders | Shanghai Daily". archive.shine.cn.
  31. ^ "Senado sanciona Ley de Identidad de Género en medio de cuestionamientos de la Iglesia - La Razón". www.la-razon.com. Archived from the original on 1 May 2017. Retrieved 26 March 2019.
  32. ^ "En un mes 50 transgénero y transexuales cambiaron su identidad en Bolivia" (in Spanish). Retrieved 2 September 2016.
  33. ^ "Letra Ese Aprueban matrimonio igualitario en Alemania y para personas trans en Bolivia". www.letraese.org.mx.
  34. ^ "Confirman validez de matrimonios de transexuales y transgénero en Bolivia". eju.tv.
  35. ^ Sipse, Redacción (10 November 2017). "En Bolivia es ilegal las bodas entre personas del mismo sexo". sipse.com.
  36. ^ "Colectivo LGBTI de Bolivia destaca Ley de Identidad de Género y Evo garantiza el libre ejercicio de sus derechos". eju.tv.
  37. ^ Villar de Onis, Jimena (27 September 2017). Aldo Campana (ed.). "GFMER Sexual and Reproductive Rights Country Information - Bolivia". GFMER Sexual and Reproductive Rights Country Information. Geneva Foundation for Medical Education and Research. Retrieved 23 November 2017. In 2013, the Armed Forces of Bolivia announced a change in policy, allowing LGBT citizens to serve in its ranks starting 2015.
  38. ^ Elders, M. Joycelyn; Brown, George R.; Coleman, Eli; Kolditz, Thomas A.; Steinman, Alan M. (1 April 2015) [Article first published online 2014]. "Medical Aspects of Transgender Military Service". Armed Forces & Society. 41 (2): 199–220. doi:10.1177/0095327X14545625. scholars at the have published a comprehensive study of rules governing gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender service in 103 countries ... we are grateful to its authors, who provided us with their data indicating that 18 nations allow transgender military service ... The 18 confirmed cases are Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bolivia, Canada, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Israel, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Spain, Sweden, and United Kingdom. {{cite journal}}: External link in |quote= (help)
  39. ^ O'Connor, Tim (26 July 2017). "Trump's Transgender Military Ban Leaves Only 18 Countries With Full LGBT Rights in Armed Forces". Newsweek. Retrieved 26 July 2017.
  40. ^ "DC court bars Trump from reversing transgender troops policy". Washington: Associated Press. 30 October 2017. Retrieved 30 October 2017.
  41. ^ "Militares y homosexualidad: los avance y tabus en los otros paises de Latinoamerica". Archived from the original on 4 March 2016.
  42. ^ "Militares gay, entre la discriminación y la clandestinidad en FFAA de Bolivia" (in Spanish). Retrieved 15 September 2016.
  43. ^ "Aprueban DS que elimina restricción a la población LGBTI como donante". El País (in Spanish). 13 July 2019.
  44. ^ "DECRETO SUPREMO Nº 24547". Archived from the original on 6 October 2018. Retrieved 6 March 2017.
  45. ^ "Defensor exige al Gobierno modificar decreto que prohíbe a transexuales y transgénero donar sangre".
  46. ^ "The Global Divide on Homosexuality". Pew Research Center. 4 June 2013. Retrieved 26 March 2019.
  47. ^ The Gay Happiness Index. The very first worldwide country ranking, based on the input of 115,000 gay men Planet Romeo
  48. ^ ILGA-RIWI Global Attitudes Survey ILGA, October 2017
  49. ^ (in Spanish) CULTURA POLÍTICA DE LA DEMOCRACIA EN LA REPÚBLICA DOMINICANA Y EN LAS AMÉRICAS, 2016/17
  50. ^ "Age of Consent in Latin America", QMaxine, 19 November 2013
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