El Salvador, Central America

In El Salvador's penal code there is no mention of laws punishing homosexuality. There are laws regarding "moral behavior and good habits" which allow judges an extended field of interpretation. The age of consent is set at 18 years, regardless of sexual orientation. There is a gay and lesbian organization in El Salvador called the Asociacion Entre Amigos - the Among Friends Association Since 1996. A Gay Pride parade takes place each June. Nevertheless, there are reports of harassment and pressure by what some believe are agents of the police, the government and Christian groups.

 

 

First murder of transgender woman in El Salvador this year reported

Editor’s note: The Washington Blade published a Spanish version of this article on Sunday. Ciudad Delgado, El Salvador — A transgender woman was found dead in El Salvador on Jan. 17. The body of Briyit Michelle Alas, 22, was found in the Santa Margarita 2 neighborhood of Ciudad Delgado. She was not immediately identified because… Read more »

El Salvador’s Supreme Court Blocks Constitutional Ban On Same-Sex Marriage

El Salvador’s Supreme Court has blocked a change to the nation’s constitution that would bar same-sex marriage. According to the AP, the nation’s highest court blocked lawmakers from ratifying the measure. The constitutional change would recognize marriage as a heterosexual union and prohibit same-sex couples from adopting children. For the measure to become law, it… Read more »

Senate GOP filibusters nominee over pro-gay editorial

Senate Republicans successfully filibustered on Monday the confirmation of an ambassadorial nominee, citing a pro-LGBT editorial she wrote as one reason to vote against her. The cloture vote to advance the nomination of Mari Carmen Aponte for the position of U.S. ambassador to El Salvador failed by 49-37 on a mostly party-line basis. Aponte has… Read more »

Hispanic Caucus urges Senate to confirm Obama’s pick for El Salvador ambassador

Washington — Members of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus on Tuesday pressed the Senate to swiftly confirm President Barack Obama’s nominee for ambassador to El Salvador, casting Republican opposition as denying a Hispanic woman a rare shot at a prestigious diplomatic post. In gloves-off political terms, seven members of the caucus said the Senate’s failure to… Read more »

Gay El Salvador News & Reports

1 El Salvador–Demand Official Investigation Into the Murders in El Salvador 4/05 2 New police attack underscores dire gay situation 12/06 2a Gay Pride in Latin America 7/07 2b El Salvador – William Herrnandez, Asociación Entre Amigos 11/07 3 Kaiser Daily HIV/AIDS Report 8/08 4 Ministerial decree to reduce homophobia in health service 4/09 5… Read more »