Recognition of same-sex unions in Venezuela
Venezuela does not recognize same-sex unions.[1][2][3]
Constitution
The Constitution of Venezuela enacted in 1999 defined marriage as a union between a man and a woman, thus constitutionally banning same-sex marriage.[4] However in February 2008, the Supreme Tribunal of Justice ruled in favor of Unión Afirmativa (Affirmative Union), a group advocating for same-sex marriage, who had asked for clarity on Article 21 (the article about equality before the law) and 77 (the article about marriage).[5] They argued that the sentence is unclear and does not determine the possibility of recognition of economic and social rights for same-sex couples. Furthermore they asked whether same-sex couples have the rights mentioned above and what is the scope of these rights: property in case of a dissolution of the couple by separation or death, the legal obligations of mutual assistance, the right to adoption, the benefits of social security as a couple, protection against domestic violence, the possibility of acquiring the nationality of the partner, among others. The ruling indicated that the National Assembly "could" (but was not bound to) legislate in order to protect such rights for same-sex partners.[6] Subsequently Article 77 was amended and marriage defined as the following:[7]
<templatestyles src="Template:Blockquote/styles.css" />
Marriage, which is based on free consent and absolute equality of rights and obligations of the spouses, is protected.
A stable de facto union that has all the rights of marriage is however only available to a man and a woman as currently defined in Venezuela's Constitution:[7]
<templatestyles src="Template:Blockquote/styles.css" />
A stable de facto union between a man and a woman which meets the requirements established by law shall have the same effects as marriage.
.svg)
Legislative action
On March 20, 2009, National Assembly member Romelia Matute announced that the Assembly would legalize same-sex unions and recognize them as asociaciones de convivencia (association by cohabitation).[8] However, later in the same month, Marelys Pérez—chairperson of the Family, Women and Youth Commission—announced that no such action would be taking place; adding that although the Commission would debate the same-sex partnership initiative, it would be excluded from the current bill and likely wait for its inclusion into a future Civil Code reform or a future updated anti-discrimination measure.[9]
The changes to the law were postponed multiple times.[10] On 31 January 2014, during a debate on a Civil Code reform bill, LGBT activists submitted a proposal seeking to legalize same-sex marriage. The proposal was accompanied with 21'000 signatures as well as support from the governments of the states of Barinas, Falcón, Mérida, Monagas, Táchira, Yaracuy and Zulia.[11] It seeks to alter Article 44 of the Civil Code to allow for same-sex marriages in Venezuela. The National Assembly did not act on the proposal and as such Egalitarian Venezuela Civil Association, a LGBT group, appealed to the Supreme Tribunal of Justice (Supreme Court) in January 2015.[12][13] On 5 May 2016, the TSJ declared the Assembly's failure to discuss the proposal unconstitutional.[13][14]
Public opinion
According to Pew Research Center survey, conducted between November 8, 2013 and February 12, 2014, 28% of Venezuelans supported same-sex marriage, 61% were opposed.[15][16]
See also
References
- ↑ Venezuela: Situation and treatment of homosexuals; recourse available to those who have been harassed based on their sexual orientation (2004 - February 2006)
- ↑ Venezuela's sexual revolution
- ↑ Venezuela’s Sexual Revolution Within the Revolution
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Gay Politics in Venezuela
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Venezuela: Same-sex partnerships on fast track to being legally recognized, says legislator
- ↑ Same-Sex Unions Not On the Table After All?
- ↑ (Spanish) El Tiempo. En busca del matrimonio gay en Venezuela. Retrieved 13 January 2014.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Piden al TSJ modificar el Código Civil para permitir matrimonio igualitario
- ↑ 13.0 13.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Religion in Latin America Chapter 5: Social Attitudes
- ↑ Religion in Latin America Appendix A: Methodology
