LGBT rights in Honduras
Encyclopedia
Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) persons in Honduras may face legal challenges not experienced by non-LGBT
residents. Both male and female same-sex sexual activity is legal in Honduras
, but same-sex couples and households headed by same-sex couples are not eligible for the same legal protections available to opposite-sex married couples. Both same-sex marriage
s and adoption by same-sex couples have been constitutionally banned since 2005.
The first LGBT-rights organizations arose in the 1980s, often in the response to the AIDS-HIV pandemic. Such organizations had no legal standing and were essentially ignored by the government, except for police harassment.
In 2004 the Government extended formal recognition to three LGBT
-rights interest groups, despite organized protests from the Catholic Church, Evangelical Protests and conservative legislators.
The two major political parties have not expressed any support in expanding LGBT
-rights. Only a handful of dissident members within the leftist Party of Unified Democracy have expressed some interest in working with the LGBT-community.
or gender identity
.
Reports suggest that law enforcement often engages in or tolerates abuse. As many suggest 200 Honduras people may have been killed because of their real or perceived sexual orientation or gender identity between 1993–2003.
International human rights organizations have stated that LGBT people have been targeted by the military government for harassment, abuse and murder.
Walter Trochez
, a Honduran political activist and LGBT rights leader, was allegedly assassinated by members of the anti-Zelaya regime for organizing dissent against the new government.
LGBT
LGBT is an initialism that collectively refers to "lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender" people. In use since the 1990s, the term "LGBT" is an adaptation of the initialism "LGB", which itself started replacing the phrase "gay community" beginning in the mid-to-late 1980s, which many within the...
residents. Both male and female same-sex sexual activity is legal in Honduras
Honduras
Honduras is a republic in Central America. It was previously known as Spanish Honduras to differentiate it from British Honduras, which became the modern-day state of Belize...
, but same-sex couples and households headed by same-sex couples are not eligible for the same legal protections available to opposite-sex married couples. Both same-sex marriage
Same-sex marriage
Same-sex marriage is marriage between two persons of the same biological sex or social gender. Supporters of legal recognition for same-sex marriage typically refer to such recognition as marriage equality....
s and adoption by same-sex couples have been constitutionally banned since 2005.
Law regarding same-sex sexual activity
Same-sex sexual activity is legal provided that it involves consenting individuals fifteen years of age or older in private.Recognition of same-sex unions
Same-sex unions are not legally recognized in Honduras. In 2005 the Constitution was amended to expressly ban legal recognition of same-sex marriage and unregistered cohabitation and to prohibit such couples from adopting or having custody of children.LGBT rights movement in Honduras
The Constitution stipulates that citizens have the right to establish and associate with political parties and interest groups,yet initial efforts to register a LGBT-rights group were met with government opposition or extended delays.The first LGBT-rights organizations arose in the 1980s, often in the response to the AIDS-HIV pandemic. Such organizations had no legal standing and were essentially ignored by the government, except for police harassment.
In 2004 the Government extended formal recognition to three LGBT
LGBT
LGBT is an initialism that collectively refers to "lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender" people. In use since the 1990s, the term "LGBT" is an adaptation of the initialism "LGB", which itself started replacing the phrase "gay community" beginning in the mid-to-late 1980s, which many within the...
-rights interest groups, despite organized protests from the Catholic Church, Evangelical Protests and conservative legislators.
The two major political parties have not expressed any support in expanding LGBT
LGBT
LGBT is an initialism that collectively refers to "lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender" people. In use since the 1990s, the term "LGBT" is an adaptation of the initialism "LGB", which itself started replacing the phrase "gay community" beginning in the mid-to-late 1980s, which many within the...
-rights. Only a handful of dissident members within the leftist Party of Unified Democracy have expressed some interest in working with the LGBT-community.
Living conditions
No national legislation exists to address discrimination or harassment on the basis of sexual orientationSexual orientation
Sexual orientation describes a pattern of emotional, romantic, or sexual attractions to the opposite sex, the same sex, both, or neither, and the genders that accompany them. By the convention of organized researchers, these attractions are subsumed under heterosexuality, homosexuality,...
or gender identity
Gender identity
A gender identity is the way in which an individual self-identifies with a gender category, for example, as being either a man or a woman, or in some cases being neither, which can be distinct from biological sex. Basic gender identity is usually formed by age three and is extremely difficult to...
.
Reports suggest that law enforcement often engages in or tolerates abuse. As many suggest 200 Honduras people may have been killed because of their real or perceived sexual orientation or gender identity between 1993–2003.
International human rights organizations have stated that LGBT people have been targeted by the military government for harassment, abuse and murder.
Walter Trochez
Walter Trochez
Walter Trochez was a Honduran political activist and LGBT rights leader.On December 13 2009, he was shot as he walked in downtown Tegucigalpa. Friends rushed him to a hospital, where he died...
, a Honduran political activist and LGBT rights leader, was allegedly assassinated by members of the anti-Zelaya regime for organizing dissent against the new government.
HIV/AIDS
The socially conservative influence of the Catholic Church and evangelical Protestants has made it difficult for any sort of comprehensive public program to be implemented. Female prostitutes and men who have sex with men are seen as the highest risk groups. The government does offer medical care to all citizens and has been increasingly working with Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) to raise awareness.See also
- Politics of HondurasPolitics of HondurasPolitics of Honduras takes place in a framework of a presidential representative democratic republic, whereby the President of Honduras is both head of state and head of government, and of a multi-party system. Executive power is exercised by the government. Legislative power is vested in the...
- LGBT rights in the AmericasLGBT rights in the AmericasLesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender rights are complex in the Americas. The British, French, Spanish and Portuguese colonists, who settled most of the Americas, brought Christianity from Europe...