A surge in gay rights has spread throughout Latin America, a region heavily influenced by Catholicism.
Bolivia and Ecuador have incorporated LGBT protections into their constitutions while the list of states promoting equal rights continues to grow.
Early last month, human rights organisations crowded the Buenos Aires parliament in a lively discussion on legislative ideas for gay rights.
As the first Latin American country to recognise same-sex marriage, there was no better place than Argentina to hold a discussion on future policy.
Based in Buenos Aires, Marcelo Ferreyra from the International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission attended the event and told OUTinPerth the region was very contrasting on gay rights.
‘The region is very controversial… But there’s advanced legislation in every country and we are very proud of it,’ Ferreyra said.
In a significant step for same-sex equality, a gay Argentine couple were the first same-sex couple to be wedded in Latin America.
A second couple followed just a few months later in Buenos Aires.
New legislation in Mexico City also approved five Mexican couples to be wed earlier this year.
Reuters reported the controversial legislation was passed in Mexico City; however the new law was exclusive only to the district.
Heading south, Uruguay became the first Latin American country to legalise adoption for openly gay couples late last year.
With a reputation as the most progressive nation in Latin America, Uruguay has also permitted civil unions for gay couples and homosexual entrants into the military, the BBC reported.
Last month, Brazil’s highest court set a new precedent in adoption rights for the gay community after it allowed a lesbian to legally adopt her partner’s two adopted children.
The Brazilian Supreme Federal Tribunal rejected an appeal by the State Attorney General of Rio Grande du Sol to remove the children from the couple’s care.
Despite these developments in human rights, homophobia and discrimination have continued to plague the region as cases of hostility pepper the continent.
Ferreyra said hate crimes were still frequent throughout the continent regardless of the current rights and protections.
‘There is still a high rate of crimes against the gay community and human rights violations; a lot still needs to be done,’ he said.
Last month, a Puerto Rican man pleaded guilty to first-degree murder after decapitating a gay teenager and setting his body alight.
The 26-year-old man was sentenced to 99 years in jail for murdering 19-year-old university student Jorge Steven Lopez Mercado.
The 2010 Human Rights Watch report also noted cases of intolerance and violence in Bolivia, Columbia and Honduras.
‘There is much that needs to be done with education. People need to learn to respect difference… and this is a very important issue that needs to be looked at.’ Ferreya said.
‘In Buenos Aires, people are excited as they have government approval for same-sex marriage. We need this kind of support … all over the country; there should be respect for everyone.’
Benn Dorrington
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