Venezuela, South America

Venezuela is among the most urbanized countries in Latin America; the vast majority of Venezuelans live in the cities of the north, especially in the capital Caracas. The petroleum sector dominates Venezuela's mixed economy, accounting for roughly a third of GDP, around 80% of exports, and more than half of government revenues. Venezuela contains some of the largest oil and natural gas reserves in the world.

Homosexuality is legal in Venezuela. Discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation was outlawed in the 1999 Labour Organic Law. There is no legal recognition of same-sex couples. Venezuela is home to a thriving gay community. Since 2000, International Day of Gay Rights has been marked, while recently the government has began participating in Gay Pride Day for the first time. However, police harassment and homophobia in the workplace remain as serious problems. In January 2008 the Supreme Court of Justice in ruled that same-sex marriages cannot be constitutionally authorized. See gay rights in Venezuela.

 

 

Displaced and Queer: These Venezuelans find community despite the obstacles

For more than a year, Venezuelans have been making the dangerous trek to the United States through the Darién Gap, in unprecedented numbers. However, the United States was not the first destination for Venezuelans fleeing their country’s instability. Due to the ongoing socio-political crisis (including hyperinflation, censorship and violence) in Venezuela, nearly 7 million people… Read more »

Venezuelan police raid offices of HIV and AIDS support group

People with HIV and AIDS have faced severe difficulties finding adequate support during the country’s political and economic crisis Police in Venezuela raided the offices of HIV and AIDS services organization on Friday (15 February). The International Council for AIDS Service Organizations [ICASO] confirmed that the authorities had forcibly entered the group’s offices in the… Read more »

A New Gay Paradise – Venezuela’s Margarita Island

The Island or Margarita, or better, Margarita Island, is the largest of the New Sparta State Islands, one of Venezuela’s 23 states, which also includes the islands of Coche and Cubagua. It’s a Caribbean island, just northwest of the Venezuelan coast. Porlamar is largest city on the island, and tourism is the main industry on… Read more »

Venezuela’s interim president Nicolás Maduro says if he were gay, he’d ‘shout it to the four winds’

‘I would have no problem loving whomever I had to love with my heart’ Since taking over for the late Hugo Chavez, Venezuela’s interim president Nicolas Maduro has been plagued with allegations that he is anti-gay. The allegations surfaced again earlier this week he referred to political rival Henrique Capriles as ‘a little princess. He… Read more »

Gay Venezuela News & Reports

0 Gay Politics in Venezuela 11/05 1 Venezuela: Struggling for gay and lesbian rights 11/05 1a Struggling for Gay and Lesbian Rights in Venezuela 12/05 2 Yhajaira Marcano Bravo, Venezuelan Trans Activist flees the country 5/06 3 Commentary from a GlobalGayz.com reader regarding Venezuela 4/06 4 Venezuela May Lower Voting Age, Add Gay Rights in… Read more »