Undid revision 529241952 by Grotekennis (talk) not much of a reason |
→'Torture Clinics': removed unnecessary WP:WEASEL words. |
||
Line 36: | Line 36: | ||
=='Torture Clinics'== |
=='Torture Clinics'== |
||
In November 2011, an Ecuadorean activist group known as [[Fundacion Causana]] began a petition on [[Change.org]] to entreat the Ecuadorean [[Minister of Health]] to close down over 200 "ex-gay clinics" which |
In November 2011, an Ecuadorean activist group known as [[Fundacion Causana]] began a petition on [[Change.org]] to entreat the Ecuadorean [[Minister of Health]] to close down over 200 "ex-gay clinics" which are known for starving, abusing, and torturing patients "in an effort to make them straight".<ref name="Change.org">{{cite web |title=Ecuador Minister of Health: Close remaining ex-gay torture clinics in Ecuador |work=Change.org |publisher=[[Change.org]] |url=http://www.change.org/petitions/ecuador-minister-of-health-close-remaining-ex-gay-torture-clinics-in-ecuador |accessdate=2011-01-23}}</ref> The clinics are primarily targeted towards [[lesbian]]s, operate under the guise of [[drug rehabilitation]] centers, and often hide their methods from the Ecuadorean families who use their services.<ref>{{cite web |title=Lesbian Torture Clinics in Ecuador- Claiming to "Cure" Them |work=Hispanically Speaking News |publisher=[[Hispanically Speaking News]] |url=http://www.hispanicallyspeakingnews.com/notitas-de-noticias/details/lesbian-torture-clinics-in-ecuador-claiming-to-cure-them/11469/ |accessdate=2011-01-23}}</ref> At least one pair of parents discovered such abuse and asked for the clinic to release their daughter, Paola Ziritti, but were denied. Paola was eventually released after two years of confinement, and was the first to press a formal complaint against the clinics.<ref>{{cite web |title=Why 200 Lesbian Torture Clinics Are Still Operating in Ecuador |work=The Huffington Post |publisher=[[The Huffington Post]] |url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/emilia-gutierrez/ecuador-lesbian-torture-clinics_b_1087533.html |accessdate=2011-01-23}}</ref> Activists consequently called on the government to close the clinics down, but as of August 2011, only 27 had been closed while a reported 207 clinics remained open.<ref>{{cite web |title=Lesbians Escape From Ecuador's "Ex-Gay" Torture Centers |work=The Advocate |publisher=[[The Advocate]] |url=http://www.advocate.com/News/Daily_News/2011/10/07/Lesbians_Escape_From_Ecuadors_ExGay_Torture_Centers/ |accessdate=2011-01-23}}</ref> |
||
On January 23, 2012, the Change.org petition was closed and marked as a success with 113,761 international signatures, and updated with a statement from Fundacion Causana reading, “After ten years of outcry, the nation of Ecuador- through the Ministry of Public Health- has entered into a commitment with civic organizations and society in general to deconstruct the belief that homosexuality is an illness and root our the use of torture in these clinics. We extend our thanks to all the men and women who signed our petition. It has been invaluable to have this support in starting to change this reality.”<ref name="Change.org"/> Mafla's ministry shortly raided three clinics in the vicinity of Quito and rescued dozens of women.<ref name="MSNBC">{{Cite news |publisher=MSNBC |date=25 January 2012 |url=http://worldnews.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2012/01/25/10237126-rights-groups-hail-ecuadors-crackdown-on-lesbian-torture-clinics |title=Rights groups hail Ecuador's crackdown on lesbian 'torture clinics'}}</ref> |
On January 23, 2012, the Change.org petition was closed and marked as a success with 113,761 international signatures, and updated with a statement from Fundacion Causana reading, “After ten years of outcry, the nation of Ecuador- through the Ministry of Public Health- has entered into a commitment with civic organizations and society in general to deconstruct the belief that homosexuality is an illness and root our the use of torture in these clinics. We extend our thanks to all the men and women who signed our petition. It has been invaluable to have this support in starting to change this reality.”<ref name="Change.org"/> Mafla's ministry shortly raided three clinics in the vicinity of Quito and rescued dozens of women.<ref name="MSNBC">{{Cite news |publisher=MSNBC |date=25 January 2012 |url=http://worldnews.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2012/01/25/10237126-rights-groups-hail-ecuadors-crackdown-on-lesbian-torture-clinics |title=Rights groups hail Ecuador's crackdown on lesbian 'torture clinics'}}</ref> |
Revision as of 22:40, 22 December 2012
LGBT rights in Ecuador | |
---|---|
Status | Legal since 1997 |
Gender identity | - |
Military | - |
Discrimination protections | Sexual orientation protection (see below) |
Family rights | |
Recognition of relationships | Same-sex couples have right to civil unions pursuant to 2008 constitution |
Restrictions | Constitution defines marriage as man/woman |
Adoption | No joint adoption by same-sex couples |
Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) persons in Ecuador may face legal challenges not experienced by non-LGBT residents. Both male and female same-sex sexual activity is legal in Ecuador, but same-sex couples and households headed by same-sex couples are not eligible for all of the same legal protections available to opposite-sex married couples.
Law regarding same-sex sexual activity
Same-sex sexual activity has been legal in Ecuador since a 1997 landmark decision by the Constitutional Tribunal overturned as unconstitutional section one of Article 516 of the Penal Code, which previously criminalized sexual activities between persons of the same sex.
The age of consent in Ecuador is 14 regardless of gender and/or sexual orientation.[1]
Recognition of same-sex relationships
There is legal recognition of same-sex couples since 2009 in the form of civil unions, which grant all marriage rights except for joint adoption.[2]
Discrimination protections
In 1998, Ecuador became the first country in the Americas (and only the third worldwide after South Africa and Fiji) to include sexual orientation as a protected category in its constitution.[3]
Living conditions
A fairly large gay scene has developed in Quito and Guayaquil. Nevertheless, Ecuador still has a conservative and macho culture, and homosexuality continues to be viewed negatively. Just a decade ago institutional homophobia was still viewed: for instance, a 2000 gay pride march was broken up by the police with tear gas.[4]
But in the preceding decade many gay-pride marches has been organized in all major cities, with the authorization of authorities and have received police protection in addition to their participation. In Guayaquil's gay-pride march of 2011 for example, among the presents were the province's vice-prefect Luzmila Nicolaide, city council member Gino Molinari and national asambleist Gina Godoy, while the police band played traditional songs.[5][6] There have also been LGBT film festivals organized in the major cities for the last nine years.[7][8]
In 2012, the Ecuadoran government continued to expand its pro-gay record by appointing Carina Vance Mafla, a lesbian activist, as the country's Health Minister.[9]
'Torture Clinics'
In November 2011, an Ecuadorean activist group known as Fundacion Causana began a petition on Change.org to entreat the Ecuadorean Minister of Health to close down over 200 "ex-gay clinics" which are known for starving, abusing, and torturing patients "in an effort to make them straight".[10] The clinics are primarily targeted towards lesbians, operate under the guise of drug rehabilitation centers, and often hide their methods from the Ecuadorean families who use their services.[11] At least one pair of parents discovered such abuse and asked for the clinic to release their daughter, Paola Ziritti, but were denied. Paola was eventually released after two years of confinement, and was the first to press a formal complaint against the clinics.[12] Activists consequently called on the government to close the clinics down, but as of August 2011, only 27 had been closed while a reported 207 clinics remained open.[13]
On January 23, 2012, the Change.org petition was closed and marked as a success with 113,761 international signatures, and updated with a statement from Fundacion Causana reading, “After ten years of outcry, the nation of Ecuador- through the Ministry of Public Health- has entered into a commitment with civic organizations and society in general to deconstruct the belief that homosexuality is an illness and root our the use of torture in these clinics. We extend our thanks to all the men and women who signed our petition. It has been invaluable to have this support in starting to change this reality.”[10] Mafla's ministry shortly raided three clinics in the vicinity of Quito and rescued dozens of women.[14]
Summary table
Same-sex sexual activity | (since 1997) |
Equal age of consent | (since 1997) |
Anti-discrimination laws | (since 1997) |
Recognition of same-sex couples (e.g. civil unions) | since 2009 |
Same-sex marriage | (banned) |
Adoption by same-sex couples | |
Gays allowed to serve in the military | |
Right to change legal gender | (since 2009) |
MSMs allowed to donate blood | Unknown |
See also
References
- ^ "Worldwide ages of consent". AVERT. last updated 2008-02-29. Retrieved 2008-03-26.
{{cite web}}
: Check date values in:|date=
(help) - ^ http://www.365gay.com/news/new-ecuador-constitution-includes-gay-rights-guarantees/
- ^ Ottosson, Daniel (2006). "LGBT world legal wrap up survey" (PDF). November Edition. International Lesbian and Gay Association. Retrieved 14 March 2008.
{{cite journal}}
: Cite journal requires|journal=
(help) - ^ "Gay Ecuador". Gay Guide. Gay Times. Retrieved 26 March 2008.
- ^ http://www.eluniverso.com/2011/07/02/1/1447/comunidad-glbti-ecuador-celebro-dia-orgullo-gay.html
- ^ http://www.gayecuador.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=571:desfile-del-orgullo-2011&catid=1:latest&Itemid=116
- ^ 2010 Human Rights Report: Ecuador
- ^ Template:Es Es Ecuador sede de festival de cine LGBT en Latinoamérica
- ^ Ecuador: Lesbian Activist Appointed to Presidential Cabinet
- ^ a b "Ecuador Minister of Health: Close remaining ex-gay torture clinics in Ecuador". Change.org. Change.org. Retrieved 23 January 2011.
- ^ "Lesbian Torture Clinics in Ecuador- Claiming to "Cure" Them". Hispanically Speaking News. Hispanically Speaking News. Retrieved 23 January 2011.
- ^ "Why 200 Lesbian Torture Clinics Are Still Operating in Ecuador". The Huffington Post. The Huffington Post. Retrieved 23 January 2011.
- ^ "Lesbians Escape From Ecuador's "Ex-Gay" Torture Centers". The Advocate. The Advocate. Retrieved 23 January 2011.
- ^ "Rights groups hail Ecuador's crackdown on lesbian 'torture clinics'". MSNBC. 25 January 2012.