Gay rights venezuela

Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people in Venezuela face legal challenges not experienced by non- LGBTQ residents. LGBT Rights in Venezuela: homosexuality, gay marriage, gay adoption, serving in the military, sexual orientation discrimination protection, changing legal gender, donating blood, age of consent, and more. Interested in LGBT rights in Venezuela? Whether you're planning a trip or simply curious, our comprehensive guide covers laws, acceptance, and more.

This guide aims to empower human rights activists, offer guidance for policymakers, and generally support LGBTQ rights in Venezuela, fostering a more inclusive society where LGBTQ individuals are fully recognized and enjoy equal protection under the law. Venezuela’s LGBTQ community is in an extremely vulnerable situation due to the increasing repression and systematic human rights violations that Nicolás Maduro’s regime has perpetrated.

Music was playing, drinks were flowing and guests were enjoying the accommodations, which included a restaurant, smoking room and massage parlour. But that evening, on July 23, police would burst into the club, propelling the venue and its patrons into the national spotlight — and sparking questions about LGBTQ discrimination in Venezuela.

But then the officers took Luis and the other men to police headquarters in Los Guayos, a municipality adjacent to Valencia. The men were not told what crime they were being charged with, Luis said. Witnesses to what? Only after he was forced to give up his mobile phone and have his picture taken did Luis realise he was under arrest.

Being gay is not a crime in Venezuela.

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The police offered images of condoms and lubricant as evidence for the supposed crimes. Some of the men, like Luis, had not previously gone public with their sexuality. But the backlash to the mass arrest was swift. The other three — the owner of the Avalon Club and two massage specialists — were let go 10 days after their arrest.

The Public Ministry of Venezuela and the Valencia Police did not respond to multiple requests for comment. Evangelicals make up at least 17 percent of the country.

She believes Maduro is courting evangelicals to bolster his flagging approval ratings. Four of the cases included acts of extortion, torture and violence including physical, verbal or psychological abuse. It is one of the few countries in the region — along with Peru, Paraguay, Guyana and Suriname — that offer no legal recognition for same-sex couples. And transgender individuals still cannot legally change their gender on official documents.

Though Venezuela has some laws to prevent discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation, critics say they are rarely enforced in practice. By Jacob Kessler. Published On 10 Aug 10 Aug