Homosexuality in Bolivia

Geographical location of Bolivia

Homosexuality is not prosecuted in Bolivia . In the course of increasing social recognition, protection against discrimination has emerged, same-sex partnerships are in preparation.

legality

Homosexual acts are legal in Bolivia . The protection of sexual orientation was included in the new constitution of February 2009 . In 2010 the Bolivian parliament passed a law against racism and all forms of discrimination, which also covers the protection of sexual orientation: Ley 045 Contra el Racismo y Toda Forma de Discriminación .

The age of consent in Bolivia is 14 years, regardless of gender and sexual orientation. Sexual acts with anyone aged 12 and over are legal if the age difference is less than three years and no threats or violence are used. Persons under 16 years of age are not punished for lack of criminal responsibility, regardless of the age of the sexual partner.

Recognition of same-sex couples

Same-sex couples are currently not recognized in Bolivia through a registered partnership or same-sex marriage . Since 2011 there has been a bill for the approval of a registered partnership in Bolivia, but it has not yet been put to the vote. The Human Rights Commission of the Bolivian House of Representatives ( Comisión de Derechos Humanos de la Cámara de Diputados Boliviana ) was presented with a draft law on April 17, 2012, with the stipulation that the consultations should be concluded within 25 days. The bishops of Bolivia took a stand against the bill because it represented "a serious threat to the family" . Despite opposition from the Catholic Church, two legal projects with the aim of legalizing homosexual civil partnerships have been developed, which were presented to the National Congress ( Asamblea Legislativa Plurinacional ) on June 28, 2012 as projects for a law. A first reading vote took place at the end of the legislative period in October 2014.

Social situation

Polls for gay marriage in 2012 show that 61% of 417 respondents oppose it, compared with 32% who support it and 7% who did not. 29% said that they consider gay marriage to be “immoral”.

There is mainly a homosexual scene in La Paz . The social life of homosexual people cannot be compared with the neighboring countries Brazil or Argentina , which can fall back on a much larger community.

Between 2009 and 2011, seven homosexual murders were committed in Bolivia, all of which took place in the prostitute environment. There were further murders of transvestites in 2011 and 2012 which, like all others, remained unsolved. In March 2012, a man dressed like a Cholita was lynched by a mob of around 400 people, according to the homicide squad chief only because he was a transvestite or transgender .