- Homosexuality
- ⚢✔ Legal
- Gay Marriage
- ⚭✖ Civil unions
- Censorship
- ✔ No censorship
- Changing Gender
- ✔ Legal, surgery not required
- Non-binary gender recognition
- ✖ Not legally recognized
- Discrimination
- ✔ Illegal
- Employment Discrimination
- ✔ Sexual orientation and gender identity
- Housing Discrimination
- ✔ Sexual orientation and gender identity
- Adoption
- ✖ Single only
- Military
- ✔ Legal
- Donating Blood
- ✔ Legal
- Conversion Therapy
- ✖ Not banned
- Age of Consent
- ✔ Equal
Suggest Public Opinion Data
Public Opinion
Acceptance of homosexuals as neighbors ?
Ranked #34 out of 79 regions surveyed. (Source: World Values Survey, 2017-2020)
(25.3%) Mentioned homosexuals
Did not mention homosexuals (61.8%)
Justifiability of homosexuality ?
Ranked #44 out of 79 regions surveyed. (Source: World Values Survey, 2017-2020)
(54.5%) Not justifiable
Justifiable (12.6%)
Opinion on same-sex couples as parents ?
Ranked #33 out of 74 regions surveyed. (Source: World Values Survey, 2017-2020)
(35.7%) Disagree
Agree (31.2%)
Support for same-sex marriage (North and South America) ?
Ranked #10 out of 29 regions surveyed. (Source: AmericasBarometer, 2016-2017)
(65.3%) Disapprove
Approve (34.7%)
Acceptance of Gay People in Public Office (North and South America) ?
Ranked #11 out of 29 regions surveyed. (Source: AmericasBarometer, 2016-2017)
(56.5%) Disapprove
Approve (43.5%)
"Should society accept homosexuality?" (2013) ?
Ranked #19 out of 39 regions surveyed. (Source: Pew Research Center, June, 2013)
(49%) No
Yes (43%)
Perceived Acceptance of Gay People ?
Ranked #55 out of 119 regions surveyed. (Source: Gallup, 2013)
(58%) Not a good place
Good place (31%)
History
Same-sex marriage in Bolivia is civil unions.
Current status
Since Dec 12, 2020
Since Dec 12, 2020
Civil unions
Since 2020, legal cases have set precedent for civil unions in Bolivia after a gay couple has achieved a legally recognized civil union. Only one civil union has been recognized ever since.
The couple, together for more than 11 years, took their case to court. While the Bolivian Constitution still does not contemplate same sex unions, the couple argued successfully the prohibition violated international human rights standards and constituted discrimination under Bolivian law.
The couple, together for more than 11 years, took their case to court. While the Bolivian Constitution still does not contemplate same sex unions, the couple argued successfully the prohibition violated international human rights standards and constituted discrimination under Bolivian law.
Censorship of LGBT Issues in Bolivia is no censorship.
Current status
No censorship
In Bolivia, there are no laws restricting the discussion or promotion of LGBTQ+ topics.
Right to change legal gender in Bolivia is legal, surgery not required.
Current status
Since Aug 1, 2016
Since Aug 1, 2016
Legal, surgery not required
On 25 November 2015, a law was proposed that would allow transgender people to change their legal name and sex. On 19 May 2016, the Chamber of Deputies passed the Gender Identity Law (Spanish: Ley de Identidad de Género). One day later, the Chamber of Senators passed the measure by simple majority votes. On 21 May 2016, the legislation was signed into law by Vice President Álvaro García Linera, and it took effect on 1 August 2016. In October 2016, the Bolivian Congress debated whether to repeal it.
The law allows individuals over 18 to legally change their name, sex and photography on legal documents. A psychological test proving that the person knows and voluntarily assumes the change of identity is required, but sex reassignment surgery is not. The process is confidential and must be carried out before the Civil Registry Service. The processing of the new documentation will take 15 days. The change of name and sex will be reversible once, after which they cannot modify these data again.
The law allows individuals over 18 to legally change their name, sex and photography on legal documents. A psychological test proving that the person knows and voluntarily assumes the change of identity is required, but sex reassignment surgery is not. The process is confidential and must be carried out before the Civil Registry Service. The processing of the new documentation will take 15 days. The change of name and sex will be reversible once, after which they cannot modify these data again.
Legal, but requires surgery
New announcement made by the Justice Ministers means transgender people will be able to change their name and gender on official IDs. It is unclear whether surgery will be required or not.
Legal recognition of non-binary gender in Bolivia is not legally recognized.
Current status
Not legally recognized
Bolivia does not legally recognize non-binary identities yet.
LGBT discrimination in Bolivia is illegal.
Current status
Since Oct 8, 2010
Since Oct 8, 2010
Illegal
The law against racism and all other forms of discrimination, in article 5a explicitly includes sexual orientation and (gender) identity.
LGBT employment discrimination in Bolivia is sexual orientation and gender identity.
Current status
Since Oct 8, 2010
Since Oct 8, 2010
Sexual orientation and gender identity
Discrimination is protected for sexual orientation and gender identity as per the law against racism and discrimination of any kind.
LGBT housing discrimination in Bolivia is sexual orientation and gender identity.
Current status
Since Oct 8, 2010
Since Oct 8, 2010
Sexual orientation and gender identity
Discrimination is protected for sexual orientation and gender identity as per the law against racism and discrimination of any kind.
Same-sex adoption in Bolivia is single only.
Current status
Since Mar 12, 2002
Since Mar 12, 2002
Single only
The adoption requirement does not allow for unmarried couples or single parents of any form to apply for adoption of children.
Blood donations by MSMs in Bolivia is legal.
Current status
Since Jul 10, 2019
Since Jul 10, 2019
Legal
The ban on MSM for donating blood was lifted.
Conversion therapy in Bolivia is not banned.
Current status
Not banned
announced at a gala. Conversion therapy ban pending.
Equal age of consent in Bolivia is equal.
Current status
Since Oct 29, 1999
Since Oct 29, 1999
Equal
Age of consent for Anal or Vaginal sex is 14 years old.
LGBT Rights by Department
View the LGBT laws in each individual department of Bolivia.
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