Is gay marriage legal in guatemala

If signed by the president, it will reform Guatemala's Civil Code to "expressly prohibit same-sex marriages". Sexual orientation and gender identity are not expressly included in the country's non-discrimination laws and same-sex couples and households headed by same-sex couples are not eligible.

The law also stipulates that schools be banned from teaching pupils that "anything other than heterosexuality is normal". The country lacks legal recognition of gender identity, marriage equality, or civil unions for same-sex couples, leaving LGBTIQ people without essential rights.

Guatemala's Congress has voted in favour of a law which prohibits same-sex marriage. The law will also prohibit the teaching of sexual diversity in schools and raise the prison sentences for women seeking abortion. In order to come into force, the law still needs to be signed by Guatemala's president, Alejandro Giammattei.

The political climate has been increasingly shaped by anti-gender ideologies, with conservative groups exerting. Both male and female forms of same-sex sexual activity are legal in Guatemala. In Guatemala, LGBTIQ individuals face significant legal and social challenges despite same-sex sexual activity being legal.

Skip to content. Guatemala's Congress has voted in favour of a law which prohibits same-sex marriage. Under the law, women who "have induced their own abortion or given their consent to another person to carry it out" will face a minimum of five years in jail, but the sentences could be much higher.

It is not yet clear, whether Mr Giammattei, a conservative, will sign it but many members of his party gave their backing to it. Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people in Guatemala face legal challenges not experienced by non- LGBTQ residents.

LGBT Rights in Guatemala, Guatemala: homosexuality, gay marriage, gay adoption, serving in the military, sexual orientation discrimination protection, changing legal gender, donating blood, age of consent, and more. Share Save. The law will also prohibit the teaching of sexual diversity in schools and raise the prison sentences for women.

Abortion is banned in Guatemala except in cases where the woman's life is at risk. Only eight lawmakers out of voted against it. Guatemala Congress bans same-sex marriage. In a pre-existing context of persistent violence against LGBTIQ people, this law reinforces stigmatization and discrimination.

One of the lawmakers who supported the bill, Patricia Sandoval, said that "under the concept of family we understand the union between a man and a woman". LGBT groups have protested against the law, which was first introduced in Congress in Thousands of women in El Salvador march for rights.

Getty Images. The "Life and Family Protection Law" was passed by an overwhelming majority in the conservative-led Congress. Contrary to international human rights standards that oblige Guatemala not to discriminate against any person, Decree discriminates against LGBTIQ people by expressly prohibiting same-sex marriage, as well as teaching about sexual diversity in public schools.