Mexico, Central America

LGBT rights in Mexico have expanded in recent years, in keeping with worldwide legal trends. Homosexuality has been legal since the adoption of the French Penal Code during occupation during 1862-1867. Until 1998, laws against public immorality or indecency could be used against homosexual acts. The Mexican Constitution was amended in 2001 to prohibit discrimination based, between other factors, on sexual orientation. A federal anti-discrimination law to protect sexual minorities was passed in 2003. The law also created a National Council to enforce the law. Otherwise, political parties tend to ignore LGBT rights issues, and few LGBT Mexicans run for public office. The age of consent is 18. In November 2006, civil unions (Sociedad de Convivencia) were legalized in Mexico City for same-sex and different-sex couples, offering almost the same legal rights as marriage within its city limits, minus adoption rights. The states of Colima, Michoacán, Jalisco, Guerrero, State of Mexico, Puebla and Veracruz are also considering similar laws. Gay life thrives in Mexico in its large cities and resorts. The center of the gay community in Mexico City is the Zona Rosa, near the city center. Puerto Vallarta, Monterrey, Tijuana and Guadalajara are large cosmopolitan cities that have a growing gay scene. However, the situation outside of these centers tends to be more homophobic.