Homosexuality in Paraguay

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Geographical location of Paraguay

In Paraguay, homosexuality is socially and constitutionally taboo. The close connection between politics and the Catholic Church in Paraguay prevents recognition of homosexuality and an opening up for reforms. In contrast to the neighboring countries Argentina and Brazil , the country is still very far from liberal legislation regarding equality for gays and lesbians.

Legal situation

Same-sex marriage and partnership laws in South America
  • Same-sex marriage
  • Registered partnership
  • No recognition
  • Constitutional prohibition of same-sex marriages
  • Homosexual acts illegal

    • Homosexual acts have been legal in Paraguay since 1880. The age of consent is not uniform. It is 17 years for homosexual acts and 14 years for conjugal heterosexual acts and 16 years for extramarital acts § 137.

    Same-sex couples are not recognized by the state. Same-sex marriage and registered partnership are not legal in Paraguay . The 1992 Constitution, in Articles 50 and 51, enshrines the right to form a family, whether in a marriage or partnership, as the sole right for heterosexuals.

    There is no anti-discrimination law to protect sexual orientation .

    Paraguay has allowed homosexual people to do military service since 2009.

    After marriage was opened in neighboring Argentina, the LGBT organization SOMOSGAY announced in July 2010 its intention to submit a bill on same-sex marriage to parliament. The Roman Catholic Church , to which over 80% of the population belong, immediately announced its opposition to such a law.

    Social situation

    Paraguay is the second poorest country in South America after Bolivia . The human rights situation is bad. There have been reports of unidentified killings by police and government officials and ill-treatment in the overcrowded prisons. Political influence through corruption in government and authorities and inefficiency in the judiciary are the order of the day. Violence against women, human trafficking , child labor exploitation and violations of workers' rights continue. Discrimination against women, people with disabilities, indigenous people, and homosexuals and transgender people remains a serious problem.

    A small LGBT community can be found in the capital Asunción .

    See also

    Web links

    Individual evidence

    1. ↑ AVERT: Worldwide Ages of Consent , accessed April 24, 2012.
    2. ^ Paraguay - Constitution , accessed April 25, 2012.
    3. ↑ Gay Ranking the World Cup Countries ( Memento of the original from June 6, 2011 in the Internet Archive ) Info: The archive link was automatically inserted and not yet checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. , accessed April 24, 2012  @1@ 2Template: Webachiv / IABot / news.change.org
    4. ↑ ON TOP magazine: Paraguay Next To Consider Gay Marriage , accessed April 25, 2012.
    5. ↑ Diplomacy in Action : 2010 Human Rights Report: Paraguay , accessed April 25, 2012