Gay rights in Chile

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Contents 1 Law against homosexuality 2 Protection based on sexual orientation in law 2.1 Recognition of same sex couples 3 Gay life in the country 4 References 5 External links

[edit] Law against homosexuality

No sodomy laws, the age of consent for homosexuals was set at 18, when homosexuality was legalised in 1998. The age of consent for heterosexual sex is lower at 14.^{[citation needed]}

In January 2004, the Chilean Supreme Court removed judge Daniel Calvo from his position on the Santiago Court of Appeals, after media reports that he visited a sauna frequented by gay men.

[edit] Protection based on sexual orientation in law

There is no anti-discrimination law, however a bill to outlaw discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation is currently being drafted.^{[citation needed]}

[edit] Recognition of same sex couples

There is no legal recognition of same-sex couples. But the government has proposed recognition of civil unions for same sex couples. The bill was introduced in 2004.

In 2004, the Chilean Supreme Court confirmed a lower court's decision that stripped former judge Karen Atala of custody of her three daughters because she is a lesbian. The case has been taken up by the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights.

[edit] Gay life in the country

The gay scene is small compared with West or even neighbors like Argentina and Brazil and is mostly concentrated in Santiago but it is growing. Public opinion has shown substantial support for same-sex civil unions 65% favored their legalization in 2004; only 24% supported "Marriage".^{[citation needed]}

[edit] References

[edit] External links