Eight South American countries recognize trans rights; 5 allow marriage

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – LGBT citizenship in South America is made up of contrasts: there are countries recognizing trans identity but not accepting same-sex marriage. The reverse does not exist. Moreover, gender identity is better regarded by legislators than same-sex marriage.

In Bolivia, Peru, and Chile, trans people have their gender and name respected, yet activists are still fighting for homosexual relationships to have the same legal status as heterosexual marriages.

For now, the Chilean state only allows civil unions for same-sex couples. This week, marriage was approved in the Senate, the OK from the lower house is still pending.

Brazil, Argentina, Colombia, Ecuador and Uruguay are positive examples. In all five, both types of citizenship are recognized.

The subcontinent still suffers a legislative void for LGBT in Paraguay, Venezuela, Suriname and Guyana when it comes to marriage and gender identity.

The worst case is Guyana, which condemns homosexuality and transgenderism. Both are considered criminal offenses.

Director of the Venezuelan entity Movimento Somos, Jau Ramírez, speaks about the struggle for citizenship in the country.

“In 2016, a petition was submitted to the Supreme Court of Justice to recognize gender identity, but to this day no hearing has ever been held,” he told Gay Guide.

The NGO calls on the Presidency of the Republic to take action to recognize homosexual unions.

Uruguay and Argentina were the only countries in which both norms came out of the Legislature.

Brazil and Colombia began to recognize both rights by rulings of their supreme courts of justice.

The comparison shows that legislators are more inclined to vote in favor of gender identity than marriage.

In 5 countries, the pro-trans law came from the Legislative. Marriage only came from the same source in two nations.

Source: Guia Gay Brasilia