LGBT rights in the Americas

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LGBT rights in the Americas
Status of same-sex marriage and other types of same-sex partnerships in the Americas.
  Same-sex marriage1
  Other type of registered partnership1
  Limited domestic recognition1
  Foreign marriages recognized for residency only
  Unrecognized
  Constitution restricts marriage to opposite-sex couples
  Unenforced ban on same-sex sexual activity
1May include recent laws or court decisions which have created legal recognition of same-sex relationships, but which have not entered into effect yet.
StatusLegal in 29 out of 35 states; equal age of consent in 26 out of 35 states
Legal in all 21 territories; equal age of consent in 16 out of 21 territories
Gender identityLegal in 13 out of 35 states
Legal in 8 out of 21 territories
MilitaryAllowed to serve openly in 14 out of 29 states that have an army
Allowed in all 21 territories
Discrimination protectionsProtected in 22 out of 35 states
Protected in 14 out of 21 territories
Family rights
Recognition of relationshipsRecognized in 11 out of 35 states
Recognized in 18 out of 21 territories
RestrictionsSame-sex marriage constitutionally banned in 7 out of 35 states
AdoptionLegal in 7 out of 35 states
Legal in 13 out of 21 territories

Laws governing lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) rights are complex and diverse in the Americas, and acceptance of LGBT persons varies widely.

Same-sex marriages are currently legal in Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Ecuador, Mexico, United States and Uruguay. Free unions that are equivalent to marriage have begun to be recognized in Bolivia. Among non-independent states, same-sex marriage is also legal in Greenland, the British Overseas Territories of the Falkland Islands and South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands, all French territories (Guadeloupe, Martinique, Saint Barthélemy, French Guiana, Saint Martin, and Saint Pierre and Miquelon), and in the Caribbean Netherlands, while marriages performed in the Netherlands are recognised in Aruba, Curaçao and Sint Maarten. More than 800 million people live in nations or sub-national entities in the Americas where same-sex marriages are available.

In January 2018, the Inter-American Court of Human Rights ruled that the American Convention on Human Rights recognizes same-sex marriage as a human right.[1] This has theoretically made the legalisation of such unions "mandatory" in Barbados, Bolivia, Chile, Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru and Suriname. The Supreme Courts of Honduras,[2] Panama,[3] Peru[4] and Suriname[5] have rejected the IACHR ruling, while the Supreme Courts of Costa Rica and Ecuador adhered to it. Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, and Uruguay are also under the court's jurisdiction, but already had same-sex marriage before the ruling was handed down.

However, six other nations still have unenforced criminal penalties for "buggery" on their statute books.[6] These are Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, Saint Lucia, and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, of which Guyana is on mainland South America, while the rest are Caribbean islands. They are all former parts of the British West Indies. In addition, in Anguilla, the Bahamas, the Cayman Islands, Paraguay, Montserrat, Suriname and the Turks and Caicos Islands, the age of consent is higher for same-sex sexual relations than for opposite-sex ones, and in Bermuda, the age of consent for anal sex is higher than that for other types of sexual activities.

Religion and LGBT acceptance[edit]

The British, French, Spanish and Portuguese colonists, who settled most of the Americas, brought Christianity from Europe. In particular, the Roman Catholic Church and the Protestants, both of which oppose legal recognition of homosexual relationships. These were followed by the Eastern Orthodox church,[7] the Methodist Church,[8][9] and some other Mainline (Protestant) denominations, such as the Reformed Church in America[10] and the American Baptist Church,[11] as well as conservative evangelical organizations and churches, such as the Evangelical Alliance and the Southern Baptist Convention.[12][13][14] Pentecostal churches, such as the Assemblies of God,[15] as well as restorationist churches (like Jehovah's Witnesses and Mormons), also take the position that homosexual sexual activity is ‘sinful’.[16][17]

However, other denominations have become more accepting of LGBT people in recent decades, including the Episcopalian church in the United States, the Evangelical Lutheran Church (also in America), the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Canada, the Anglican Church of Canada, the United Church of Canada, the United Church of Christ, the Unitarian Universalist Association, and the Society of Friends (Quakers), as well as some congregations of the Presbyterian Church in America. Most of these denominations now perform same-sex weddings or blessings. Furthermore, many churches in the United Methodist Church (in the US) are choosing to officiate and bless same-sex marriage despite denomination-wide restrictions.[18] In addition, in the United States, conservative Judaism, reform Judaism, and reconstructionist Judaism now welcome LGBT worshippers and perform same-sex weddings.

  Indicates the country/territory has legalized same-sex adoption nationwide
  Indicates that same-sex adoption is legal in certain parts of the country
  Indicates that the country has step-child adoption or partner-guardianship
Opinion polls for same-sex adoption in Americas
Country Pollster Year For Against Don't Know/Neutral/No answer/Other
 Argentina Ipsos 2023 71%[19] 24% 6%
 Brazil Ipsos 2023 69%[19] 22% 9%
 Canada Ipsos 2023 74%[19] 17% 9%
 Chile CADEM 2022 70%[20] 28% 2%
 Colombia Ipsos 2023 53%[19] 40% 7%
 Mexico Ipsos 2023 60%[19] 34% 6%
 Peru Ipsos 2023 51%[19] 42% 7%
 United States Ipsos 2023 64%[19] 26% 10%
 Uruguay Equipos Consultores 2013 52%[21] 39% 9%
 Venezuela Equilibrium Cende 2023 48%[22]
(55%) 		39%
(45%) 		13%
Recognition of same-sex unions in South America
  Marriage
  Other type of partnership
  Country subject to IACHR ruling
  Unrecognized
  Constitution limits marriage to opposite-sex couples
  Same-sex sexual activity illegal, though penalties not enforced
Homosexuality laws in Central America and the Caribbean Islands.
  Same-sex marriage
  Other type of partnership
  Unregistered cohabitation
  Country subject to IACHR ruling
  No recognition of same-sex couples
  Constitution limits marriage to opposite-sex couples
  Same-sex sexual activity illegal but law not enforced
Recognition of same-sex unions in the Lesser Antilles and Puerto Rico
  Same-sex marriage
  Binding domestic court ruling establishing same-sex marriage, but marriage is not yet provided for
  Other type of partnership
  Unregistered cohabitation
  No recognition of same-sex couples
  Constitutional ban on same-sex marriage
  Same-sex sexual activity illegal but penalties not enforced
  Island subject to IACHR ruling

Legislation by country or territory

Main article: LGBT rights by country or territory
Tables:

North America[edit]

LGBT rights in: Same-sex sexual activity Recognition of same-sex unions Same-sex marriage Adoption by same-sex couples LGB people allowed to serve openly in military Anti-discrimination laws concerning sexual orientation Laws concerning gender identity/expression Lack of a Presence of Anti-LGBT laws
Bermuda Bermuda
(Overseas Territory of the United Kingdom) 		Yes Legal since 1994; equal age of consent since 2019
+ UN decl. sign.[6] 		Yes Domestic partnerships since 2018[23] No Was legal between November 2018 and March 2022 and between May 2017 and June 2018 Yes Legal since 2015[24] Yes UK responsible for defence No Bans all anti-gay discrimination[25] No
Canada Canada Yes Legal since 1969; equal age of consent since 1987
+ UN decl. sign.[6][26] 		Yes Domestic partnerships in Nova Scotia (2001);[27]
Civil unions in Quebec (2002);[28]
Adult interdependent relationships in Alberta (2003);[29]
Common-law relationships in Manitoba (2004)[30] 		Yes Legal in some provinces and territories since 2003, nationwide since 2005[31] Yes Legal in some provinces and territories since 1996, nationwide since 2011[32] Yes Since 1992[33]; Includes transgender people[34] Yes Bans all anti-gay discrimination. Ban on conversion therapy since 2022 nationwide Yes Transgender people can change their gender and name without completion of medical intervention and human rights protections explicitly include gender identity or expression within all of Canada since 2017[35][36][37][38] Yes[39][40]
Greenland Greenland
(Autonomous Territory within the Kingdom of Denmark) 		Yes Legal since 1933; equal age of consent since 1977
+ UN decl. sign.[6] 		Yes Registered partnerships between 1996 and 2016 (Existing partnerships are still recognised.)[41] Yes Legal since 2016 Yes Stepchild adoption since 2009;[42]
joint adoption since 2016[43] 		Yes The Kingdom of Denmark responsible for defence Yes Bans some anti-gay discrimination[6] Yes Legal gender change and recognition possible without surgery or hormone therapy[44][45] Yes
Mexico Mexico Yes Legal since 1871
+ UN decl. sign.[6] 		Yes/No Civil unions in Mexico City (2007), Coahuila (2007),[46] Colima (between 2013 and 2016),[47] Campeche (2013),[48] Jalisco (between 2014 and 2018),[49] Michoacán (2015), Tlaxcala (2017), and Veracruz (2020) Yes Starting in 2010; nationwide since 2022 Yes/No Legal in Mexico City (2010),[50] Coahuila (2014), Chihuahua (2015), Jalisco (2016), Michoacán (2016), Colima (2016), Morelos (2016), Campeche (2016), Veracruz (2016), Baja California (2017), Querétaro (2017), Chiapas (2017), Puebla (2017), Aguascalientes (2018), San Luis Potosi (2019), Hidalgo (2019), Yucatán (2021), Nayarit (2022), Quintana Roo (2022), Baja California Sur (2022), Durango, Tamaulipas, and Nuevo León (the latter three never had adoption bans)[51][52] (ambiguous) Yes Bans all anti-gay discrimination[53] Pathologization or attempted treatment of sexual orientation by mental health professionals illegal in Mexico City (2020), México (2020), Baja California Sur (2020), Colima (2021), Tlaxcala (2021), Oaxaca (2021), Yucatán (2021), Zacatecas (2021), Baja California (2022), Hidalgo (2022), Jalisco (2022), Puebla (2022), Sonora (2022), Nuevo León (2022), Querétaro (2023), Sinaloa (2023), Quintana Roo (2023), and Morelos (2023) Yes/No Transgender persons can change their legal gender and name in Mexico City (2008),[54] Michoacán (2017), Nayarit (2017), Coahuila (2018), Hidalgo (2019), San Luis Potosí (2019), Colima (2019), Baja California (2019), Oaxaca (2019), Tlaxcala (2019), Chihuahua (2019), Sonora (2020), Jalisco (2020), Quintana Roo (2020), Puebla (2021), Baja California Sur (2021), México (2021), Morelos (2021), Sinaloa (2022), Zacatecas (2022), Durango (2023), and Yucatán (2024) [55] Yes
Saint Pierre and Miquelon
(Overseas collectivity of France) 		Yes Legal since 1791
+ UN decl. sign.[6] 		Yes Civil solidarity pact since 1999[56] Yes Legal since 2013[57] Yes Legal since 2013[58] Yes Yes Bans all anti-gay discrimination[59] Yes Under French law[60] Yes
United States United States Yes Legal in some states since 1962, nationwide since 2003
+ UN decl. sign.[6] 		Yes Domestic partnerships in California (1999), the District of Columbia (2002), Maine (2004), Washington (2007), Maryland (2008), Oregon (2008), Nevada (2009) and Wisconsin (2009).
Civil unions in Vermont (2000), Connecticut (2005), New Jersey (2007), New Hampshire (2008), Illinois (2011), Rhode Island (2011), Delaware (2012), Hawaii (2012) and Colorado (2013). 		Yes Legal in some states since 2004, nationwide since 2015 Yes Legal in some states since 1993, nationwide since 2016 Yes/No Lesbians, gays, and bisexuals have been allowed to serve openly in the U.S. military since 2011, following the repeal of the Don't Ask, Don't Tell policy.
Transgender people have been allowed to serve openly since 2021.[61]
"Transvestites" are currently banned from the military since 2012.[62]
Most openly Intersex people may be banned from the military under the Armed Forces ban of "hermaphrodites".[62] 		Yes/No Employment discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation is prohibited nationwide since 2020.
More extensive protections exist in 23 states, DC, and some municipalities.
Conversion therapy for minors is banned in 22 states, DC, and some municipalities.
Sexual orientation is covered by the federal hate crime law since 2009. 		Yes/No Since April 11, 2022 by legal self determination - gender X became available and recognized formally on US passports.[63] Gender change is legal on birth certificates (under varying conditions by state), in 48 states + DC.
Nonbinary gender markers are available, under varying circumstances, in 25 states + DC.
Employment discrimination on the basis of gender identity is prohibited nationwide since 2020.
More extensive protections exist in 22 states, DC, and some municipalities.
Gender identity is covered by the federal hate crime law since 2009. 		Yes Federally
Yes/No Status varies state to state

Central America[edit]

LGBT rights in: Same-sex sexual activity Recognition of same-sex unions Same-sex marriage Adoption by same-sex couples LGB people allowed to serve openly in military Anti-discrimination laws concerning sexual orientation Laws concerning gender identity/expression Lack of a Presence of Anti-LGBT laws
Belize Belize Yes Legal since 2016[64] No No No No Yes Bans all anti-gay discrimination[65][66][67] No[68] No
Costa Rica Costa Rica Yes Legal since 1971
+ UN decl. sign.[6] 		Yes Unregistered cohabitation since 2014[69][70] Yes Legal since May 2020 Yes Legal since May 2020[71] Has no military Yes Bans all anti-gay discrimination[6] Yes/No Transgender persons can change their legal name without surgeries or judicial permission since 2018. Legal gender cannot be changed. Sex indicator removed from all ID cards issued since May 2018[72][73][74] One-time sex change allowed for passports. [75] Yes[76][77]
El Salvador El Salvador Yes Legal since 1822
+ UN decl. sign.[6] 		No No No Yes[78][79] Yes Bans all anti-gay discrimination[78] No[80] Bans discrimination based on gender identity. Yes
Guatemala Guatemala Yes Legal since 1871
+ UN decl. sign.[6] 		No Pending No No Yes Bans some anti-gay discrimination No[81]
Honduras Honduras Yes Legal since 1899
+ UN decl. sign.[6] 		No Constitutional ban on de facto unions since 2005 No Constitutional ban since 2005;[82][83] court decision pending No Constitutional ban since 2005 No Yes Bans all anti-gay discrimination[84] No No
Nicaragua Nicaragua Yes Legal since 2008
+ UN decl. sign.[6] 		No No No Yes Bans some anti-gay discrimination[6] No No
Panama Panama Yes Legal since 2008
+ UN decl. sign.[6] 		No Court decision pending No Court decision pending No Court decision pending Has no military Yes Bans some anti-gay discrimination[85][86] Yes Transgender persons can change their legal gender and name after completion of medical intervention since 2006[87][88] Yes/No

Caribbean[edit]

Main article: LGBT rights in the Caribbean
LGBT rights in: Same-sex sexual activity Recognition of same-sex unions Same-sex marriage Adoption by same-sex couples LGB people allowed to serve openly in military Anti-discrimination laws concerning sexual orientation Laws concerning gender identity/expression Lack of a Presence of Anti-LGBT laws
Anguilla Anguilla
(Overseas Territory of the United Kingdom) 		Yes Legal since 2001
Age of consent discrepancy
+ UN decl. sign.[6] 		No No No Yes UK responsible for defence No
Antigua and Barbuda Antigua and Barbuda Yes Legal since 2022 No No No No No No
Aruba Aruba
(Constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands) 		Yes Legal (No laws against same-sex sexual activity have ever existed in the country)
+ UN decl. sign.[6] 		Yes Registered partnerships since 2021[89] No/Yes Same-sex marriages performed in the Netherlands recognized[90] No Yes The Netherlands responsible for defence Yes Bans all anti-gay discrimination[91] No
The Bahamas Bahamas Yes Legal since 1991;
Age of consent discrepancy
+ UN decl. sign.[6] 		No No No Yes[6] No No No
Barbados Barbados Yes Legal since 2022. No/Yes Foreign Domestic Partnerships recognized for immigration purposes "Welcome Stamp"[92]

Civil Unions proposed.[93]

No No No Yes Bans some anti-gay discrimination[94] No
Bonaire Bonaire
(a special municipality of the Netherlands) 		Yes Legal (No laws against same-sex sexual activity have ever existed in the municipalities)
+ UN decl. sign.[6] 		Yes Registered partnerships since 2012[95] Yes Legal since 2012[96] Yes[97] Yes The Netherlands responsible for defence Yes Bans all anti-gay discrimination[98] Yes Yes
British Virgin Islands British Virgin Islands
(Overseas Territory of the United Kingdom) 		Yes Legal since 2001
+ UN decl. sign.[6] 		No No No Yes UK responsible for defence Yes Bans all anti-gay discrimination[99] No No
Cayman Islands Cayman Islands
(Overseas Territory of the United Kingdom) 		Yes Legal since 2001;
Age of consent discrepancy[6]
+ UN decl. sign. 		Yes Civil partnerships since 2020[100] No Yes Legal since 2020 Yes UK responsible for defence No No
Cuba Cuba Yes Legal since 1979
+ UN decl. sign.[6] 		Legal since 2022 Legal since 2022 Legal since 2022 Yes[6][101] Yes Bans all anti-gay discrimination [102][103][104] Yes Transgender people allowed to change gender after sex change operations[105] Yes[106][107]
Curaçao Curaçao
(Constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands) 		Yes Legal (No laws against same-sex sexual activity have ever existed in the country)
+ UN decl. sign.[6] 		Yes No (Pending court ruling)/Yes Mariages performed in Netherlands recognized No Yes The Netherlands responsible for defence Yes Bans all anti-gay discrimination[108] No
Dominica Dominica Yes Legal since 2024[109]
+ UN decl. sign.[6] 		No No No No No No No
Dominican Republic Dominican Republic Yes Legal since 1822
+ UN decl. sign.[6] 		No No Constitutional ban since 2010[citation needed] No No[110] No No No
Grenada Grenada No Male illegal
Penalty: 10-year prison sentence (not enforced). [111] Legalization proposed[112]
Yes Female always legal[6] 		No No No Has no military No No No
Guadeloupe Guadeloupe
(Overseas department of France) 		Yes Legal since 1791
+ UN decl. sign.[6] 		Yes Civil solidarity pact since 1999[56] Yes Legal since 2013[57] Yes Legal since 2013[58] Yes France responsible for defence Yes Bans all anti-gay discrimination[59] Yes Under French law[60] Yes
Haiti Haiti Yes Legal since 1791 (as Saint-Domingue)[6] No No No Has no military No No No
Jamaica Jamaica No Male illegal
Penalty: 10 years and/or hard labor (Not enforced). Legalization proposed[113]
Yes Female always legal.[6] 		No No Constitutional ban since 1962 No No No No No
Martinique Martinique
(Overseas department of France) 		Yes Legal since 1791
+ UN decl. sign.[6] 		Yes Civil solidarity pact since 1999[56] Yes Legal since 2013[57] Yes Legal since 2013[58] Yes France responsible for defence Yes Bans all anti-gay discrimination[59] Yes Under French law[60] Yes
Montserrat Montserrat
(Overseas Territory of the United Kingdom) 		Yes Legal since 2001
+ UN decl. sign.[6] 		No No No Yes UK responsible for defence Yes Bans all anti-gay discrimination[114] Yes
Puerto Rico Puerto Rico
(Commonwealth of the United States) 		Yes Legal since 2003 Yes Legal since 2015 Yes Legal since 2015[115] Yes Legal since 2015 Yes United States responsible for defense[116][117] Yes Bans some anti-gay discrimination Yes Gender change legal since 2018; does not require surgery Yes
Saba (island) Saba
(a special municipality of the Netherlands) 		Yes Legal (No laws against same-sex sexual activity have ever existed in the municipalities)
+ UN decl. sign.[6] 		Yes Registered partnerships since 2012[95] Yes Legal since 2012[96] Yes[97] Yes The Netherlands responsible for defence Yes Bans all anti-gay discrimination[98] Yes[118] Yes
Saint Barthélemy
(Overseas collectivity of France) 		Yes Legal since 1791
+ UN decl. sign.[6] 		Yes Civil solidarity pact since 1999[56] Yes Legal since 2013[57] Yes Legal since 2013[58] Yes France responsible for defence Yes Bans all anti-gay discrimination[59] Yes Under French law[60] Yes
Saint Kitts and Nevis Saint Kitts and Nevis Yes Legal since 2022 No No No No No
Saint Lucia Saint Lucia No Male illegal
Penalty: Fine and/or 10-year prison sentence (Not enforced). Legalization proposed[119]
Yes Female always legal[6] 		No No No Has no military Yes Bans some anti-gay discrimination No
Saint Martin
(Overseas collectivity of France) 		Yes Legal since 1791
+ UN decl. sign.[6] 		Yes Civil solidarity pact since 1999[56] Yes Legal since 2013[57] Yes Legal since 2013[58] Yes France responsible for defence Yes Bans all anti-gay discrimination[59] Yes Under French law[60] Yes
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Saint Vincent and the Grenadines No Illegal
Penalty: Fine and/or 10-year prison sentence (Not enforced).[6] Legalization proposed[120] 		No No No Has no military No
Sint Eustatius Sint Eustatius
(a special municipality of the Netherlands) 		Yes Legal (No laws against same-sex sexual activity have ever existed in the municipalities)
+ UN decl. sign.[6] 		Yes Registered partnerships since 2012[95] Yes Legal since 2012[96] Yes[97] Yes The Netherlands responsible for defence Yes Bans all anti-gay discrimination[98] Yes Yes
Sint Maarten Sint Maarten
(Constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands) 		Yes Legal (No laws against same-sex sexual activity have ever existed in the country)
+ UN decl. sign.[6] 		No No/Yes Same-sex marriages performed in the Netherlands recognized[90] No Yes The Netherlands responsible for defence Yes Bans all anti-gay discrimination[121] Yes
Trinidad and Tobago Trinidad and Tobago Yes Legal since 2018[122] No No No No No No
Turks and Caicos Islands Turks and Caicos Islands
(Overseas Territory of the United Kingdom) 		Yes Legal since 2001
Age of consent discrepancy
+ UN decl. sign.[6] 		No No No Yes UK responsible for defence Yes Bans all anti-gay discrimination[6] No
United States Virgin Islands United States Virgin Islands
(Territory of the United States) 		Yes Legal since 1985 Yes Legal since 2015[123] Yes Legal since 2015[123] Yes Legal since 2015[123] Yes United States responsible for defense[116][117] Yes Bans all anti-gay discrimination[124] Yes Legislation enacted in 2022, also explicitly includes gender identity.[125] Yes

South America[edit]

LGBT rights in: Same-sex sexual activity Recognition of same-sex unions Same-sex marriage Adoption by same-sex couples LGB people allowed to serve openly in military Anti-discrimination laws concerning sexual orientation Laws concerning gender identity/expression Lack of a Presence of Anti-LGBT laws
Argentina Argentina Yes Legal since 1887
+ UN decl. sign.[6] 		Yes Civil unions in Buenos Aires (2003),[126] Río Negro Province (2003),[127] Villa Carlos Paz (2007) and Río Cuarto (2009)
Cohabitation unions nationwide since 2015[128] 		Yes Legal since 2010[129] Yes Legal since 2010 Yes Since 2009[130] Yes/No Legal protection in some cities;[131]
pending nationwide.
Pathologization or attempted treatment of sexual orientation by mental health professionals illegal since 2010 		Yes Transgender persons can change their legal gender and name without surgeries or judicial order since 2012[132]

Transgender persons have a law reserving 1% of Argentina's public sector jobs. Economic incentives included in the new law aim to help trans people find work in all sectors. [133]

Yes[134][135]
Bolivia Bolivia Yes Legal since 1832
+ UN decl. sign.[6] 		YesFree unions officially recognised starting in 2020; nationwide since 2023.[136] No Constitutional ban since 2009[137] Yes Same-sex couples in a free union are permitted to adopt[138] Yes Since 2015[139][140][141]; Includes transgender people[34] Yes Bans all anti-gay discrimination[6] Yes Transgender persons can change their legal gender and name without surgeries or judicial order since 2016[142][143][144] Yes
Brazil Brazil Yes Legal since 1830
+ UN decl. sign.[6] 		Yes "Stable unions" legal and all rights as recognized family entities available nationwide since 2011[145][146] Yes Starting in 2011; nationwide since 2013[147][148] Yes Legal since 2010[149] YesSince 1969[150] Yes Bans all anti-gay discrimination.[151]
Pathologization or attempted treatment of sexual orientation by mental health professionals illegal since 1999[152][153] 		Yes Transgender people can change their legal gender and name before a notary without the need of surgeries or judicial order since 2018. The sex reassignment surgery, hormonal and psychological treatment are offered free of charge by the Brazilian Unified Health System (UHS) [154][155][156] Yes
Chile Chile Yes Legal since 1999; equal age of consent since 2022
+ UN decl. sign.[6] 		Yes Civil unions since 2015[157] Yes Legal since 2022[158] Yes Legal since 2022[158] Yes Since 2012[159]; Includes transgender people[160] Yes Bans all anti-gay discrimination[161]
Pathologization or attempted treatment of sexual orientation by mental health professionals illegal since 2021 		Yes Transsexual persons can change their registral sex and name since 1974.
Transgender persons can change their registral sex and name, no surgeries or judicial order for adults above 18 years old since 2019.[162] 		Yes
Colombia Colombia Yes Legal since 1981
+ UN decl. sign.[6] 		Yes De facto marital union since 2007[163] Yes Legal since 2016[164] Yes Stepchild adoption since 2014;[165] joint adoption since 2015[166] Yes Since 1999[6] Yes Bans all anti-gay discrimination[167] Yes Since 2015, transgender persons can change their legal gender and name manifesting their solemn will before a notary, no surgeries or judicial order required[168] Yes
Ecuador Ecuador Yes Legal since 1997
+ UN decl. sign.[6] 		Yes De facto unions since 2009[169][170] Yes Legal since 2019[171] No LGBT individuals may adopt, but not same-sex couples[172] [173] Yes Bans all anti-gay discrimination.[174]
Pathologization or attempted treatment of sexual orientation by mental health professionals illegal since 2014 		Yes Since 2016, transgender persons are allowed to change their birth name and gender identity; no surgeries or judicial order required[175][176] Yes
Falkland Islands Falkland Islands
(Overseas Territory of the United Kingdom) 		Yes Legal since 1989; equal age of consent since 2006
+ UN decl. sign.[6] 		Yes Civil partnerships since 2017[177] Yes Legal since 2017[177] Yes Legal since 2017 Yes UK responsible for defence Yes Bans all anti-gay discrimination[178] No Yes
French Guiana French Guiana
(Overseas department of France) 		Yes Legal since 1791
+ UN decl. sign.[6] 		Yes Civil solidarity pact since 1999[56] Yes Legal since 2013[57] Yes Legal since 2013[58] Yes France responsible for defence Yes Bans all anti-gay discrimination[59] Yes Under French law[60] Yes
Guyana Guyana No Illegal
Penalty: Up to life imprisonment (Not enforced).[6] Legalization proposed[179] 		No No [180] Yes[181] No No No
Paraguay Paraguay Yes Legal since 1880; Age of consent discrepancy
+ UN decl. sign.[6] 		No Constitutional ban on de facto unions since 1992[182] No Constitutional ban since 1992[183] No Yes[184] Yes Bans some anti-gay discrimination.
Pathologization or attempted treatment of sexual orientation by mental health professionals illegal since 2022 		No No
Peru Peru Yes Legal since 1924; equal age of consent since 2012
+ UN decl. sign.[6] 		No/Yes Limited recognition for same-sex partners of health-care workers since 2020. No No Yes Since 2009[185] Yes Bans all anti-gay discrimination[186][187][188][189][190] Yes Transgender persons can change their legal gender and name without the need for the completion of medical intervention since 2016. Judicial order required.[191][192] No
South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands
(Overseas Territory of the United Kingdom) 		Yes Legal since 2001
+ UN decl. sign. 		Yes Legal since 2014[193] Yes Legal since 2014[193] Yes UK responsible for defence No Yes
Suriname Suriname Yes Legal since 1869 (as Dutch Guiana);
Age of consent discrepancy 		No No No Yes Bans all anti-gay discrimination[194] Yes Transgender persons can change their legal gender since 2022. Court order required.[195][196][197] Yes
Uruguay Uruguay Yes Legal since 1934
+ UN decl. sign.[6] 		Yes Concubinage union since 2008[198] Yes Legal since 2013[199] Yes Legal since 2009[200] Yes Since 2009[201] Yes Bans all anti-gay discrimination.[202] Pathologization or attempted treatment of sexual orientation by mental health professionals illegal since 2017 Yes Transgender persons can change their legal gender and name without surgeries or judicial order required since 2009.[203] Self-determination since 2018. Yes
Venezuela Venezuela Yes Legal since 1997
+ UN decl. sign.[6] 		No Constitutional ban on de facto stable unions since 1999 No Constitutional ban since 1999 No Yes Since 2023[204] Yes Bans some anti-gay discrimination[6] No

Public opinion[edit]

Same-sex marriage[edit]

  Indicates the country/territory has legalized same-sex marriage nationwide
  Indicates that same-sex marriage is legal in certain parts of the country
  Indicates that the country has civil unions or registered partnerships
  Indicates that same-sex sexual activity is illegal
Opinion polls for same-sex marriage by country
Country Pollster Year For Against Neutral[a] Margin
of error 		Source
Antigua and Barbuda Antigua and Barbuda AmericasBarometer 2017 12% - - [205]
Argentina Argentina Ipsos 2023 70%
 16% [8% support some rights]
 14% not sure ±3.5% [206]
Aruba Aruba 2021 46% [207]
The Bahamas Bahamas AmericasBarometer 2014 11% - - [208]
Belize Belize AmericasBarometer 2014 8% - - [208]
Bolivia Bolivia AmericasBarometer 2017 35% - - [205]
Brazil Brazil Ipsos 2023 51%
 29% [15% support some rights]
 20% not sure ±3.5% [b] [206]
Canada Canada Ipsos 2023 69%
 17% [7% support some rights]
 15% not sure ±3.5% [206]
Chile Chile Ipsos 2023 65%
 24% [18% support some rights]
 12% ±3.5% [206]
Colombia Colombia Ipsos 2023 49% 33% [21% support some rights]
 18% [206]
Costa Rica Costa Rica CIEP 2018 35% 64% 1% [209]
Cuba Cuba Gallup 2019 63.1% 36.9% [210]
Dominica Dominica AmericasBarometer 2017 10% - - [205]
Dominican Republic Dominican Republic CDN 37 2018 45% 55% - [211]
Ecuador Ecuador AmericasBarometer 2019 22.9% 51.3% 25.8% [212]
El Salvador El Salvador Universidad Francisco Gavidia 2021 82.5% [213]
Grenada Grenada AmericasBarometer 2017 12% - - [205]
Guatemala Guatemala AmericasBarometer 2017 23% - - [205]
Guyana Guyana AmericasBarometer 2017 21% - - [208]
Haiti Haiti AmericasBarometer 2017 5% - - [205]
Honduras Honduras CID Gallup 2018 17% 75% 8% [214]
Jamaica Jamaica AmericasBarometer 2017 16% - - [205]
Mexico Mexico Ipsos 2023 58%
 28% [17% support some rights]
 14% not sure ±4.8% [b] [206]
Nicaragua Nicaragua AmericasBarometer 2017 25% - - [205]
Panama Panama AmericasBarometer 2017 22% - - [205]
Paraguay Paraguay AmericasBarometer 2017 26% - - [205]
Peru Peru Ipsos 2023 41% 40% [24% support some rights]
 19% ±3.5% [b] [206]
Saint Kitts and Nevis Saint Kitts and Nevis AmericasBarometer 2017 9% - - [205]
Saint Lucia Saint Lucia AmericasBarometer 2017 11% - - [205]
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Saint Vincent and the Grenadines AmericasBarometer 2017 4% - - [205]
Suriname Suriname AmericasBarometer 2014 18% - - [208]
Trinidad and Tobago Trinidad and Tobago AmericasBarometer 2014 16% - - [208]
United States United States Marquette 2022 72%
 28%
 – [215]
Selzer 2022 74%
(83%) 		13%
(17%) 		13% not sure [216][217]
Quinnipiac 2022 68%
(77%) 		22%
(23%) 		10% [218]
Ipsos 2023 54%
 31% [14% support some rights]
 15% not sure ±3.5% [206]
Uruguay Uruguay Equipos Consultores 2019 59% 28% 13% [219]
Venezuela Venezuela Equilibrium Cende 2023 55%
(63%) 		32%
(37%) 		13% [220]
Opinion polls for same-sex marriage by dependent territory and sub-national entities
Country Pollster Year For Against Neutral[a] Margin
of error 		Source
Aguascalientes Aguascalientes INEGI 2017 - 35.9% - [221]
Baja California Baja California INEGI 2017 - 30.7% - [221]
Baja California Sur Baja California Sur INEGI 2017 - 42.1% - [221]
Bermuda Bermuda OUTBermuda 2020 53% 35% 11% [222]
Campeche Campeche INEGI 2017 - 56.1% - [221]
Chiapas Chiapas INEGI 2017 - 58.7% - [221]
Chihuahua (state) Chihuahua INEGI 2017 - 36.4% - [221]
Coahuila Coahuila INEGI 2017 - 46.8% - [221]
Colima Colima INEGI 2017 - 39.2% - [221]
Durango Durango INEGI 2017 - 38.8% - [221]
Guanajuato Guanajuato INEGI 2017 - 38.7% - [221]
Guerrero Guerrero INEGI 2017 - 54% - [221]
Hidalgo (state) Hidalgo INEGI 2017 - 41.7% - [221]
Jalisco Jalisco INEGI 2017 - 34.2% - [221]
Mexico City Mexico City INEGI 2017 - 28.6% - [221]
Michoacán Michoacán INEGI 2017 - 46% - [221]
Morelos Morelos INEGI 2017 - 38.5% - [221]
Nayarit Nayarit INEGI 2017 - 38.8% - [221]
Nuevo León Nuevo León INEGI 2017 - 44.4% - [221]
Oaxaca Oaxaca INEGI 2017 - 52.2% - [221]
Puebla Puebla INEGI 2017 - 37.1% - [221]
Puerto Rico Puerto Rico Pew Research Center 2014 33% 55% 12% [223]
Querétaro Querétaro INEGI 2017 - 32.4% - [221]
Quintana Roo Quintana Roo INEGI 2017 - 37.9% - [221]
San Luis Potosí San Luis Potosí INEGI 2017 - 38.6% - [221]
Sinaloa Sinaloa INEGI 2017 - 37.7% - [221]
Sonora Sonora INEGI 2017 - 31.4% - [221]
State of Mexico State of Mexico INEGI 2017 - 33.8% - [221]
Tabasco Tabasco INEGI 2017 - 56.5% - [221]
Tamaulipas Tamaulipas INEGI 2017 - 44.4% - [221]
Tlaxcala Tlaxcala INEGI 2017 - 43.9% - [221]
Veracruz Veracruz INEGI 2017 - 54.3% - [221]
Yucatán Yucatán INEGI 2017 - 43% - [221]
Zacatecas Zacatecas INEGI 2017 - 37.4% - [221]


See also[edit]

Notes[edit]

  1. ^ a b Also comprises: Don't know; No answer; Other; Refused.
  2. ^ a b c [+ more urban/educated than representative]

References[edit]

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  2. ^ Vallecillo, Luis (21 January 2022). "Corte Suprema de Justicia de Honduras impide que personas LGBTQ puedan casarse y tengan derechos civiles". The Washington Blade (in Spanish).
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  22. ^ Crónica Uno, Encuesta refleja que mayoría de venezolanos apoya igualdad de derechos para la población LGBTIQ, 2 March, 2023
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  44. ^ "§2, Imm. 3, Qitiusumik Inunnik Nalunaarsuiffik pillugu inatsisip (CPR pillugu inatsit) allanngortinneqarneranik inatsisit Kalaallit Nunaannut atuutilersinneqarnerannik peqqussut (Greenlandic)" (PDF). Retrieved 1 September 2020.
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