LGBT rights in Paraguay

Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) persons in Paraguay may face legal challenges not experienced by non-LGBT residents. Both male and female same-sex sexual activity are legal in Paraguay, but same-sex couples and households headed by same-sex couples are not eligible for all of the same legal protections available to opposite-sex married couples. Paraguay remains one of the few conservative countries in South America regarding LGBT rights.

LGBT rights in Paraguay
StatusLegal since 1880, age of consent not equal
Gender identityNone
MilitaryGay, lesbian and bisexual people allowed to serve openly
Discrimination protectionsNone
Family rights
Recognition of relationshipsNone
RestrictionsConstitution limits marriage and de facto unions to one man and one woman
AdoptionSingle persons not restricted

In January 2018, the Inter-American Court of Human Rights (IACHR) ruled that the American Convention on Human Rights mandates and requires the recognition of same-sex marriage. The ruling was fully binding on Costa Rica and sets a binding precedent for other Latin American and Caribbean countries including Paraguay.[1] There is currently a pending lawsuit to recognize same-sex marriage that relies on the IACHR ruling.[2]

Law regarding same-sex sexual activity

Same-sex sexual activity has been legal in Paraguay since 1880.[3] The age of consent in Paraguay is 16 for homosexuals and 14 for heterosexuals.[4]

During the dictatorship of Alfredo Stroessner from 1954 to 1989, LGBT people faced heavy persecution and were forced to maintain secret lives. On 1 September 1959, a fire broke out in the capital city of Asunción. Bernardo Aranda, a well-loved radio announcer, died in the fire. Police intervened and blamed 108 gay men for the fire. The case is known today as the "Case 108" (Caso 108). The men were arrested, tortured and their names made public. The press then blamed homosexuality as the cause of Aranda's death, with the Government of Stroessner publicly encouraging hatred and violence against LGBT people, calling them "evil", "vicious" and "abnormal". It is still unknown today if the men had any connection with the death of Aranda.[5] LGBT groups have sought to honour the victims of Case 108, and in 2010 filmmaker Renate Costa, whose uncle was one of the 108, released a documentary, named "108 Knives of Palo" (108 Cuchillo de Palo), consisting of interviews of survivors of Case 108 and reveals the persecution they faced.[6]

Recognition of same-sex relationships
Recognition of same-sex unions in South America
  Marriage
  Other type of partnership
  Country subject to IACHR ruling (Venezuela: only Guaidó administration accepts jurisdiction of IACHR)[7]
  Unrecognized
  Constitution limits marriage to opposite-sex couples
  Same-sex sexual activity illegal, though penalties not enforced

There is no legal recognition of same-sex couples. Since 1992, the Constitution of Paraguay has limited marriage, de facto unions and the family to "one man and one woman".[8]

  • Article 49, entitled "Protection of the Family", states: "The family is the foundation of society. Its comprehensive protection will be promoted and guaranteed. This comprises the stable union of a man and a woman, their children, and the community formed with any of the ancestors or their descendants."
  • Article 50, entitled "Right To Constitute a Family", states: "Everyone has the right to constitute a family, in a formation and development under which a man and a woman will have the same rights and obligations."
  • Article 51, entitled "Legal Marriages and the Effects of De Facto Unions", states: "The law will establish the formalities to be observed for the marriage between a man and a woman, the requirements for contracting it, and the causes for separation or dissolution and its effects, as well as property management provisions and other rights and obligations between spouses. A de facto union between a man and a woman, having no legal impediments to getting married and being characterized by stability and monogamy, produces a similar effect to that of a legal marriage, in accordance with the provisions established by law."
  • Article 52, entitled "Union in Marriage", states: "The union in marriage by a man and woman is one of the fundamental factors in the formation of a family."

In addition, Article 140 of the Paraguayan Civil Code expressly prohibits marriage between persons of the same sex.[9]

In July 2010, organization "SOMOSGAY" announced their intention to submit a same-sex marriage bill to Parliament.[10][11] Though, no vote happened.

In May 2017, presidential candidate Santiago Peña of the ruling Colorado Party announced his support for same-sex marriage.[12][13] He was quickly criticised by many deputies as well as President Horacio Cartes, who months prior had unsuccessfully tried to amend the Constitution to allow him to be re-elected, a move considered anti-democratic by Opposition parties.[14] In 2013, Cartes said that he would "shoot myself in the b*****ks" if he were to have a gay son.[15]

On 12 January 2018, SOMOSGAY announced its intention to file a petition with the Supreme Court of Justice, asking the court to legalize same-sex marriage in the country,[2] citing the 9 January 2018 ruling by the Inter-American Court of Human Rights (IACHR) that signatories to the American Convention on Human Rights (of which Paraguay is one) are required to allow same-sex couples to marry.[16][17] Government officials reacted negatively to the IACHR ruling. In March 2018, presidential candidate Mario Abdo Benítez (Colorado Party) stated he would veto any same-sex marriage bill that passes Congress.[18] He won the election. Other opponents of the IACHR ruling have falsely claimed that it does not apply to Paraguay.[19][20] In March 2019, with 24 votes in favor, the Senate of Paraguay approved a draft declaration declaring itself "pro-life and pro-family", expressing opposition to same-sex marriage and abortion. The move was criticised by many lawmakers who maintained that the state is secular and cannot impose moral principles or values linked to a religion.[21]

Adoption and parenting

Since 1997, the Adoption Law (Spanish: Ley de Adopciones. Ley 1136 de 1997) states that single persons, of any sex, may adopt regardless of their marital status. Marriages and de facto unions between persons of the opposite sex, and single women have equal preference in adoption.[22][23][24]

Discrimination protections

In Paraguay, there is no legal protection against discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity.

In November 2015, a bill to ban discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity was introduced to the Congress,[25][26] but it hasn't advanced since.

Article 28 of the Internal Rules and Regulations of the Ministry of Public Defense (Spanish: Reglamento Interno del Ministerio de la Defensa Pública) prohibits discrimination based on sexual orientation against employees of the Defense Ministry.[27]

Gender identity and expression

In Paraguay, transgender people are not allowed to legally change their name and gender on official documents. In December 2016, two transgender women – Yren Rotela and Mariana Sepúlveda – filed a lawsuit to change their names, based on article 25 of the Constitution on free expression and free construction of identity, and article 42 of the Civil Code that allows the change of first name.[28]

In October 2016, the Ministry of Public Health and Social Welfare approved Resolution 695 (Resolución 695) establishing that all transgender people may use their social name on medical records, medical history and forms. It also states that officials working in Integrated Networks of Health Services (RIISS) will be required to provide assistance and obligatory treat transgender patients with the social name with which they identify themselves.[29][30]

Military service

There is no official prohibition that prevents the entry of gays, lesbians and bisexuals into the Armed Forces of Paraguay and the National Police.[31]

In June 2010, the Chamber of Deputies rejected, by 42 votes against and 4 in favor, a bill that would have prohibited the entry of homosexuals into the Public Force, which consists of the military and the police forces.[32]

School curriculum

In October 2017, the Government of Paraguay implemented a ban on discussion of LGBT issues within public schools.[33] The Minister of Education added that it might even consider burning books that raise awareness about transgender people.[34]

Living conditions

Paraguay is considered to be one of South America's most conservative countries. Reports of violence and discrimination against members of the LGBT community are frequent, and are often ignored by the police. The Catholic Church retains a strong influence and presence in the country, and has strongly opposed measures to improve the lives of LGBT people. Attitudes among the general population towards same-sex marriage and LGBT rights more generally remain low compared to other South American countries, especially neighbouring Argentina and Brazil. Additionally, a recent rise in religious fundamentalism has caused concern among LGBT advocacy groups.[35]

Pride marches

Since 2004, LGBT groups have organised pride parades in Asunción.[36]

Public opinion

According to a Pew Research Center survey, conducted between 26 November 2013 and 8 January 2014, 15% of Paraguayans supported same-sex marriage, 81% were opposed.[37][38]

The 2017 AmericasBarometer showed that 26% of Paraguayans supported same-sex marriage.[39]

Summary table
Same-sex sexual activity legal (Since 1880)
Equal age of consent
Anti-discrimination laws in employment only / (Some limited protections for government employees)
Anti-discrimination laws in the provision of goods and services
Anti-discrimination laws in all other areas (incl. indirect discrimination, hate speech)
Same-sex marriages (Constitutional ban since 1992)
Recognition of same-sex couples (Constitutional ban since 1992)
Stepchild adoption by same-sex couples
Joint adoption by same-sex couples
Lesbians, gays and bisexuals allowed to serve in the military
Right to change legal gender
Access to IVF for lesbians
Surrogacy for gay male couples
MSMs allowed to donate blood
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See also

References
  1. "Inter-American Court endorses same-sex marriage". Agence France-Presse. Yahoo7. 9 January 2018. Archived from the original on 9 January 2018. Retrieved 9 January 2018.
  2. "LGTBI anuncia presión a Corte para aceptar unión igualitaria y habrá 'guerra'". Hoy (Paraguay). 12 January 2018. Retrieved 14 January 2018.
  3. State-sponsored Homophobia A world survey of laws criminalising same-sex sexual acts between consenting adults Archived 21 December 2012 at WebCite
  4. "OAS (Organization of American States) – Paraguayan Penal Code (PDF) (Law 1160/1997)" (PDF) (in Spanish). (1.04 MB)
  5. "SOMOSGAY". somosgay.org.
  6. (in Spanish) 108 Cuchillo de palo, El Mundo
  7. "Reingreso de Venezuela a la jurisdicción de Corte Interamericana de Derechos Humanos". Exmanen ONU Venezuela (in Spanish). 3 June 2019.
  8. "Paraguay: Constitución de 1992". pdba.georgetown.edu (in Spanish).
  9. "ARTICULO 140 del Código Civil de Paraguay". www.notarfor.com.ar (in Spanish). Retrieved 23 January 2017.
  10. "SOMOSGAY". Retrieved 9 July 2015.
  11. "SOMOSGAY". somosgay.org.
  12. "Peña se retracta sobre el matrimonio igualitario". ultimahora.com.
  13. ""El matrimonio igualitario es inmoral" - Nacionales - ABC Color". www.abc.com.py.
  14. Blair, Laurence (30 March 2017). "Paraguay fears dictatorship as president moves to amend constitution" – via www.theguardian.com.
  15. "Horacio Cartes: Millionaire. Criminal. Business titan". The Independent. 19 April 2013.
  16. "Inter-American Court endorses same-sex marriage; Costa Rica reacts". Tico Times. Retrieved 12 January 2018.
  17. Andres Pretel, Enrique. "Latin American human rights court urges same-sex marriage legalization". Retrieved 12 January 2018.
  18. "HOY / Marito avisa: defenderá la familia y vetará cualquier proyecto "progay"". www.hoy.com.py.
  19. "Matrimonio igualitario: Sugieren adecuar leyes". ultimahora.com.
  20. "Opinión de Corte IDH sobre matrimonio igualitario no afecta a Paraguay". www.ultimahora.com.
  21. "Cámara de Senadores se declara provida y profamilia". Radio Marandú (in Spanish). 22 March 2019.
  22. "Ley de Adopciones. Ley 1136 de 1997" (PDF) (in Spanish). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2 February 2017. Retrieved 26 January 2017.
  23. "Instan a anotarse en los registros para adopción". La Nación (in Spanish). 21 September 2016. Retrieved 26 January 2017.
  24. Color, ABC. "Gays pueden adoptar niños" (in Spanish). Retrieved 15 June 2017.
  25. "Proyecto de ley "Julio Fretes" contra toda forma de discriminación" (PDF) (in Spanish).
  26. "Expediente: Proyecto de Ley "Contra toda forma de discriminación"". sil2py.senado.gov.py. Archived from the original on 3 January 2018. Retrieved 22 January 2017.
  27. "Reglamento Interno" (PDF). Ministerio de la Defensa Pública. 2016.
  28. "Mujeres trans inician trámite para cambiar de nombre". www.paraguay.com (in Spanish). Retrieved 20 January 2017.
  29. Color, ABC. "Trans podrán utilizar su nombre social en clínicas" (in Spanish). Retrieved 20 January 2017.
  30. "Las personas Trans podrán utilizar su nombre social en clínicas". www.panambi.org.py (in Spanish). Retrieved 20 January 2017.
  31. "Gays en las FF.AA y en Policía: ¿No está prohibido pero no está permitido?" (in Spanish). Retrieved 1 March 2017.
  32. "Diputados rechazan ley que prohíbe ingreso de homosexuales a FFAA". www.paraguay.com (in Spanish). Retrieved 1 March 2017.
  33. "Paraguay Just Instituted A Russia-Style Ban On "Gay Propaganda"". LOGO News.
  34. "Paraguay will 'burn books' which don't promote 'traditional gender ideology'". 20 October 2017.
  35. "Fears rise over LGBT discrimination in conservative Paraguay". Archived from the original on 25 June 2018. Retrieved 12 March 2018.
  36. "Marcha del Orgullo LGBTI en Paraguay". Archived from the original on 13 March 2018. Retrieved 12 March 2018.
  37. "Social Attitudes on Moral Issues in Latin America - Pew Research Center". Pew Research Center's Religion & Public Life Project. 13 November 2014. Retrieved 9 July 2015.
  38. "Appendix A: Methodology". Pew Research Center's Religion & Public Life Project. 13 November 2014. Retrieved 9 July 2015.
  39. "CULTURA POLÍTICA DE LA DEMOCRACIA EN LA REPÚBLICA DOMINICANA Y EN LAS AMÉRICAS, 2016/17" (PDF).
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