- LGBT rights in Ecuador
Homosexuality has been legal in
Ecuador since a 1997 landmark decision by the Constitutional Tribunal overturned as unconstitutional section one of Article 516 of the Penal Code, which previously criminalized sexual activities between persons of the same sex.Age of consent
The
age of consent in Ecuador is 14 regardless ofgender and/orsexual orientation . [cite web |title=Worldwide ages of consent |publisher=AVERT |date=last updated2008-02-29 |url=http://www.avert.org/aofconsent.htm |accessdate=2008-03-26]Protection based on sexual orientation in law
In 1998, Ecuador became the first country in the
Americas (and only the third worldwide afterSouth Africa andFiji ) to include sexual orientation as a protected category in its constitution. [cite paper |first=Daniel |last=Ottosson |title=LGBT world legal wrap up survey | version = November Edition |publisher=International Lesbian and Gay Association |date=2006 |url=http://www.ilga-europe.org/content/download/6444/39689/file/World%20legal%20wrap%20up%20survey%20%20November2006.pdf |format=PDF |accessdate=2008-03-14]Recognition of same-sex couples
There is legal recognition of
same-sex couples [http://www.365gay.com/news/new-ecuador-constitution-includes-gay-rights-guarantees/] .Gay life in the country
A fairly large gay scene has developed in
Quito andGuayaquil . Nevertheless, Ecuador still has a conservative and macho culture, and homosexuality continues to be viewed negatively. Moreover, institutional homophobia persists: for instance, a 2000gay pride march was broken up by the police withtear gas . [cite web |title=Gay Ecuador |work=Gay Guide |publisher=Gay Times |url=http://www.gaytimes.co.uk/Hotspots/GayGuide-action-Country-countryid-344.html |accessdate=2008-03-26]References
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