Piñera says “time has come” for equal marriage in Chile

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – Chile’s conservative President Sebastián Piñera said Tuesday that “the time has come” to approve equal marriage in the country and that he will grant “urgency” to a bill that has been under discussion since 2017 in Parliament.

“Today I think we must deepen the freedom to love and make a family with the loved one. I think the time has come for equal marriage in our country,” the president said during his last speech to Congress.

Gay and lesbian couples can join together in Chile since 2015 as civil union, similar to domestic partnership.

LGBT rights in Chile

Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) civil rights in Chile have seen remarkable advances in recent years, though LGBT people still face some legal and social obstacles not experienced by non-LGBT Chileans.

Both male and female same-sex sexual activity is legal in Chile. Since 2012, the law bans all discrimination and hate crimes based on sexual orientation and gender identity. Since then, the Chilean Armed Forces allow to openly serve gays, lesbians, bisexuals, and transgender people. LGBT people are allowed to donate blood without restrictions since 2013.

Since 22 October 2015, same-sex couples and households headed by same-sex couples have the same legal protections available to opposite-sex married couples, within a civil union – except for adoption rights and the title of marriage.

Since 1974, the change of gender has been possible in the country through a judicial process. The Gender Identity Law, in effect since 2019, recognizes the right to self-perceived gender identity, allowing people over 14 years to change their name and gender in documents without prohibitive requirements.

According to several surveys, Chilean society’s majority supports the recognition of the rights of LGBTI people.