Venezuela does not recognize same-sex unions nationwide, though the state of Mérida recognizes same-sex civil unions.[1][2][3]
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2003 — A gay NGO called Unión Afirmativa (Affirmative Union) submitted an Appeal to the Supreme Court in order to get legal recognition of economic rights (pensions, inheritance, social security, common household, etc.) for same sex partners. The ruling, issued on February 28th, 2008, despite recognizing that "same sex partners enjoy all of the rights, civil, political and economic, social and cultural rights- have not such "special protection" which could be binding for the Venezuelan state, in the same terms than married couples have. Notwithstanding this, the National Assembly "can" (but is not bound to) legislate in order to protect such rights for homosexual partners.[4]
On March 20, 2009, Chamber of Deputies member Romelia Matute announced that the National Assembly would legalize same-sex unions and recognize them as asociaciones de convivencia (association by cohabitation).[5] 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. However, Pérez added that the Commission would debate the same-sex partnership initiative, though exclude it from the current bill and likely wait for its inclusion into a future Civil Code reform or a future updated anti-discrimination measure.[6] In addition to allowing for same-sex civil unions, the bill would outlaw discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity. President Hugo Chavez has voiced his support for the bill. The bill has passed its first hearing in the National Assembly of Venezuela, and if it passes its second, it will become law.[7]
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