Recognition of same-sex unions in Bolivia

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{{Same-sex unions|unions}}

Bolivia has recognised same-sex civil unions since 20 March 2023 in accordance with a ruling from the Plurinational Constitutional Tribunal. The court ruled on 22 June 2022 that the Civil Registry Service (SERECI) is obliged to recognise civil unions for same-sex couples and urged the Legislative Assembly to pass legislation recognising same-sex unions. The court ruling went into effect upon publication on 20 March 2023. The ruling made Bolivia the seventh country in South America to recognise same-sex unions.

Bolivia first recognised a same-sex civil union on 9 December 2020 after a couple challenged the government's refusal to recognise their relationship. A court ruled in favour of the couple on 3 July 2020, and the couple successfully registered their union with a SERECI office on 9 December. The government appealed the ruling to the Constitutional Tribunal, which ruled in favour of same-sex unions on 22 June 2022. The Constitution of Bolivia does not recognize same-sex marriages, though an opinion issued by the Inter-American Court of Human Rights in January 2018 advises signatories to the American Convention on Human Rights to legalize same-sex marriage.

Civil unions

=Background=

In April 2012, Erica Claure, a member of the opposition coalition, the Plan Progress for Bolivia – National Convergence, introduced a bill to the Plurinational Legislative Assembly to legalize same-sex civil unions.{{Cite web|url=https://www.hoybolivia.com/Noticia.php?IdNoticia=59767&tit=|title=Proyecto para aprobar matrimonios gay entra al Legislativo|first=Punto|last=Com|website=www.hoybolivia.com}} Lawyer and LGBT activist Víctor Hugo Vidangos indicated that the bill would have granted civil partners equal rights to married couples in terms of inheritance, social security, next of kin, labor law and health care benefits; "We are asking for civil rights, we do not touch religious issues because we are in a secular state", said Hugo Vidangos. The bill was sent to the Human Rights Commission of the Chamber of Deputies for study.{{cite web|url=https://www.americaeconomia.com/politica-sociedad/politica/bolivia-avanzan-proyectos-para-la-union-del-mismo-sexo-pese-oposicion-de-|title=Bolivia: avanzan proyectos para la unión del mismo sexo pese a oposición de Iglesia|website=América economía|date=25 May 2012|language=es}} It was opposed by the Catholic Church and several members of the Movement for Socialism (MAS).{{cite web|url=https://www.dosmanzanas.com/2012/04/bolivia-la-presentacion-de-un-proyecto-de-union-civil-entre-personas-del-mismo-sexo-divide-a-legisladores-de-la-mayoria.html|title=Bolivia: la presentación de un proyecto de unión civil entre personas del mismo sexo divide a legisladores de la mayoría|website=dosmanzanas.com|date=26 April 2012|language=es}} In May 2012, the president of the Chamber of Deputies, Rebecca Delgado, said that the Constitution of Bolivia recognises only unions "between a man and a woman",{{cite web|url=http://www.presidencia.gob.bo/documentos/publicaciones/constitucion.pdf|title=Constitución Política del Estado Plurinacional de Bolivia|website=presidencia.gob.bo|access-date=26 March 2019|archive-date=24 October 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171024044028/http://www.presidencia.gob.bo/documentos/publicaciones/constitucion.pdf|url-status=dead}} and the president of the Plural Justice Commission of the Chamber of Deputies, Juan Carlos Cejas, said that the bill was probably unconstitutional.{{cite web|url=https://www.dosmanzanas.com/2012/08/senadora-oficialista-presentan-un-nuevo-proyecto-de-uniones-entre-personas-del-mismo-sexo-en-bolivia.html|title=Senadora oficialista presentan un nuevo proyecto de uniones entre personas del mismo sexo en Bolivia|website=dosmanzanas.com|date=24 August 2012|language=es}} In August 2012, Senator Hilda Saavedra from the governing MAS party introduced another civil union bill, citing Article 14(II) of the Bolivian Constitution which prohibits discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation.{{cite web|url=https://www.opinion.com.bo/articulo/el-pais/senadora-mas-presenta-proyecto-ley-unir-parejas-mismo-sexo/20120817115200428579.html|title=Senadora del MAS presenta proyecto de Ley para unir parejas del mismo sexo|website=Opiníon|date=17 August 2012|language=es}} Both measures were tabled. Saavedra presented another bill in September 2013.{{cite web|url=https://www.paginasiete.bo/sociedad/2013/10/1/proyecto-busca-matrimonio-civil-legal-1902.html|title=Un proyecto de ley busca que el matrimonio civil gay sea legal|website=Página Siete|date=30 September 2013|language=es}}

In July 2014, Public Advocate Rolando Villena called for same-sex unions to be included in the country's new family code.{{cite web|url=https://www.gaystarnews.com/article/bolivia%e2%80%99s-public-advocate-calls-government-allow-same-sex-civil-unions050814/|title=Bolivia's Public Advocate calls on Government to allow same-sex civil unions|date=5 August 2014|website=Gay Star News|access-date=26 March 2019}} On 16 October 2014, the Chamber of Senators passed a revised family code that removed gender-specific terms, which activists hoped would have allowed same-sex couples to enjoy many of the same rights as heterosexual couples. The code was approved in the Chamber of Deputies, and was enacted in August 2015.{{Cite web|url=http://www.boy4me.net/nuevo-codigo-de-familias-boliviano-da-derechos-a-uniones-del-mismo-sexo|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141027002244/http://www.boy4me.net/nuevo-codigo-de-familias-boliviano-da-derechos-a-uniones-del-mismo-sexo|url-status=dead|title="Nuevo Código de Familias boliviano da derechos a uniones del mismo sexo"|archive-date=27 October 2014}} The Family Code makes no mention of gender, but it has been clarified that it has no legal weight to apply to same-sex couples;{{cite web|url=http://www.noticias.com.bo/sociedad/codigo-de-familia-plantea-que-la-fidelidad-sea-un-deber-conyugal|archive-url=https://archive.today/20141106070251/http://www.noticias.com.bo/sociedad/codigo-de-familia-plantea-que-la-fidelidad-sea-un-deber-conyugal|url-status=dead|archive-date=6 November 2014|title=Código de familia plantea que la fidelidad sea un deber conyugal|website=noticias.com.bo|access-date=26 March 2019}} article 147 states that free unions and marriages are valid "provided they meet the conditions established in the Political Constitution". In April 2015, Vice President Álvaro García Linera stated that a discussion on the legalisation of same-sex unions would happen "sooner rather than later". This statement was followed by the president of the Chamber of Senators, José Alberto Gonzales, announcing his support for discussing the issue: "If they love each other, what is the [problem]?".{{cite web|url=http://observatoriolgbt.org.bo/index.php/noticia/detalle/cod_noticia/142|title=En el MAS abren el debate en torno a la posible unión de personas del mismo sexo|website=Observatorio de los derechos LGBT|date=26 April 2015|language=es}}

Subsequently, LGBT activists began advocating for a "Family Life Agreement" (Acuerdo de Vida en Familia), a legal institution separate from marriage or free unions but offering similar legal rights. On 21 September 2015, an LGBT advocacy group, the Bolivian Coalition of LGBT Collectives (Coalibol; Coalición Boliviana de Colectivos LGBT), handed the Plurinational Legislative Assembly a bill to legalize same-sex unions under the term "Family Life Agreement". The proposal sought to grant same-sex couples the same rights as heterosexual couples with the exception of adoption.{{cite web|url=https://www.lapublica.org.bo/al-toque/la-paz/item/788-movimiento-tlgb-de-bolivia-entrega-anteproyecto-del-acuerdo-de-vida-en-familia|title=Movimiento TLGB de Bolivia entrega anteproyecto del Acuerdo de Vida en Familia|website=La Pública|date=21 September 2015|language=es}} Citing a lack of process in the Assembly, Coalibol delivered the bill to Ombudsman David Tezanos Pinto in September 2016 who was asked to promote the bill in the Assembly.{{cite web|url=https://www.eldia.com.bo/index.php?cat=1&pla=3&id_articulo=209014|title=Movimiento TLGB entrega proyecto de Ley Acuerdo de Vida en Familia|website=El Día|date=21 September 2016|language=es}} The group reintroduced its proposal in June 2017, again citing no legislative progress.{{cite web|url=https://www.noticiasfides.com/nacional/sociedad/colectivo-tlgb-presenta-proyecto-para-que-se-avale-a-las-familias-homoparentales-en-bolivia-379445|title=Colectivo TLGB presenta proyecto para que se avale familias homoparentales|website=Agencia de Noticias Fides|language=es|date=28 June 2017}}

=Recognition of some unions and Constitutional Tribunal ruling=

{{Same-sex marriage map South America|align=right}}

On 5 October 2018, David Aruquipa Pérez and Guido Montaño Durán applied to formalise their 9-year-old relationship as a free union at a Civil Registry Service (SERECI) office in La Paz. The registry refused, alleging that the Political Constitution prevented the registration of same-sex unions. In September 2019, the SERECI issued a resolution affirming the rejection, and on 10 February 2020 the couple filed a lawsuit challenging the refusal, invoking violations of human rights and Article 256 of the Constitution. On 3 July 2020, the Second Constitutional Chamber of the La Paz Departmental Court of Justice, citing advisory opinion OC 24/7 issued by the Inter-American Court of Human Rights, ruled in favor of the couple. However, the SERECI later appealed the decision to the Constitutional Tribunal.{{cite web|url=https://www.paginasiete.bo/gente/2020/7/19/la-lucha-de-david-guido-por-el-reconocimiento-oficial-de-su-union-261743.html|title=La lucha de David y Guido por el reconocimiento oficial de su unión|website=Página Siete|date=19 July 2020|language=es}} On 9 December 2020, the SERECI reversed its position and issued "Resolution 003/2020", ordering the registration of the free union of Aruquipa Pérez and Montaño Durán.{{cite web|url=https://uk.reuters.com/article/bolivia-lgbt-civil-union/bolivia-approves-first-same-sex-union-following-legal-battle-idUSL1N2IR2T5|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201215124802/https://uk.reuters.com/article/bolivia-lgbt-civil-union/bolivia-approves-first-same-sex-union-following-legal-battle-idUSL1N2IR2T5|url-status=dead|archive-date=December 15, 2020|title=Bolivia approves first same-sex union following legal battle|website=Reuters|access-date=13 December 2020}}{{cite web|url=https://www.lavanguardia.com/vida/20201211/6114273/bolivia-registrara-primera-vez-union-libre-pareja-homosexual.html|title=Bolivia registrará por primera vez la unión libre de una pareja homosexual|website=La Vanguardia|date=11 December 2020|language=es}}{{cite web|url=https://www.france24.com/es/am%C3%A9rica-latina/20201212-bolivia-autoriza-por-primera-vez-registrar-la-uni%C3%B3n-civil-de-una-pareja-del-mismo-sexo|title=Bolivia autoriza por primera vez registrar la unión civil de una pareja del mismo sexo|website=France 24|date=12 December 2020|language=es}} The couple finally registered their union on 18 December 2020.{{cite web|url=https://elpais.com/america/sociedad/2020-12-19/bolivia-reconoce-por-primera-vez-la-union-entre-dos-personas-del-mismo-sexo.html|title=Bolivia reconoce por primera vez la unión entre dos personas del mismo sexo|website=El País|date=19 December 2020|language=es}} This decision sets a precedent for other same-sex couples to access this recognition in Bolivia.{{cite web|url=https://caretas.pe/mundo/bolivia-reconocen-union-de-pareja-del-mismo-sexo/|title=Bolivia: reconocen unión «libre» de pareja del mismo sexo|website=Caretas|language=es|date=11 December 2020}} LGBT groups described the decision as "historic".{{cite web|url=https://elpais.bo/nacional/20201210_historico-tse-resuelve-el-registro-de-union-libre-entre-dos-personas-del-mismo-sexo-en-bolivia.html|title=Histórico, TSE resuelve el registro de unión libre entre dos personas del mismo sexo en Bolivia|website=El País|date=10 December 2020|language=es}}

In May 2021, a SERECI office in La Paz refused to register the relationship of a lesbian couple. A lawyer representing the couple argued that this denial was contradictory to the registry's own resolution issued in December 2020.{{cite web|url=https://www.paginasiete.bo/sociedad/2021/7/8/hrw-denuncia-que-en-bolivia-negaron-union-de-pareja-lesbiana-300422.html|title=HRW denuncia que en Bolivia negaron unión de pareja lesbiana|website=Página Siete|date=8 July 2021|language=es}} On 13 May 2022, the couple managed to register their free union after a year of waiting and bureaucratic procedures.{{cite web |title=Tras un año de espera, Serecí registra la segunda unión legal de una pareja LGTBI |url=https://www.paginasiete.bo/sociedad/tras-un-ano-de-espera-sereci-registra-la-segunda-union-legal-de-una-pareja-lgtbi-DK2518137 |website=www.paginasiete.bo |access-date=20 August 2022 |language=es-ES}} On 27 May 2022, a third same-sex couple, Diego Figueroa and David Corchero, was able to formalize their free union by registering their relationship with a SERECI office in Santa Cruz de la Sierra, also after more than a year of waiting.{{cite web |title=David y Diego, el triunfo de la perseverancia y la diversidad en pareja |url=https://www.opinion.com.bo/articulo/revista-asi/david-diego-triunfo-perseverancia-diversidad-pareja/20220707211222872908.html |website=Opinión Bolivia |date=10 July 2022 |access-date=20 August 2022 |language=es}}{{cite web |title=Pareja del mismo sexo en unión libre: "Hemos salido de las catacumbas (...) Bolivia será un mejor país, más libre" |url=https://eldeber.com.bo/santa-cruz/pareja-del-mismo-sexo-en-union-libre-hemos-salido-de-las-catacumbas-bolivia-sera-un-mejor-pais-mas-l_280245 |website=El Deber |access-date=20 August 2022 |language=es-ES |date=2 June 2022}} On 7 October 2022, another couple officially registered their free union with a SERECI office in La Paz. The process lasted a month according to the couple.{{cite web |title=Joel y Shomar, una historia de amor de cinco años y que dijo sí ante la ley |url=https://www.paginasiete.bo/sociedad/joel-y-shomar-una-historia-de-amor-de-cinco-anos-y-que-dijo-si-ante-la-ley-BB4524344 |website=www.paginasiete.bo |access-date=15 October 2022 |language=es-ES}} By January 2023, 16 same-sex couples had entered into a free union in Bolivia; 8 in Santa Cruz de la Sierra, 5 in La Paz, and 3 in Cochabamba.{{cite web|url=https://www.opinion.com.bo/articulo/cochabamba/cochabamba-celebra-tercera-union-civil-pareja-mismo-sexo-hoy/20230126231859895211.html|title=Cochabamba celebra la tercera unión civil de pareja del mismo sexo hoy|work=Opinión|date=27 January 2023|language=es}}

On 22 June 2022, the Constitutional Tribunal ruled in favour of same-sex civil unions, ordering the SERECI to register all civil unions and directed the Legislative Assembly to pass legislation recognising same-sex unions. The ruling went into effect upon publication on 20 March 2023.{{cite web|url=https://www.bloomberglinea.com/2023/03/24/bolivia-mas-cerca-del-matrimonio-igualitario-legalizan-union-libre-de-personas-del-mismo-sexo/|title=Bolivia más cerca del matrimonio igualitario: legalizan unión libre de personas del mismo sexo|work=Bloomberg Línea|date=24 March 2023|language=es|first=Fátima|last=Romero}} The SERECI said it would abide by the court ruling. While the ruling did not mention the issue of same-sex marriage, activists believe the ruling "constitutes a precedent in case a couple wants to enter into a civil marriage."{{cite web|url=https://correodelsur.com/seguridad/20230323_un-fallo-avala-uniones-libres-de-personas-del-mismo-sexo.html|title=Un fallo avala uniones libres de personas del mismo sexo|work=Correo del Sur|language=es|date=23 March 2023}} The first same-sex civil union in Sucre was performed on 31 March 2023.{{cite web|url=https://www.adich.com.bo/primera-union-libre-o-de-hecho-de-una-pareja-del-mismo-sexo-en-sucre/?fbclid=IwAR1ghikpW6ZTaWkDGoqKUEH_Ebp3e9HXdPByxJftGpLt0hWsyXJqPFrrQ0c|language=es|date=31 March 2023|title=Primera Unión libre o de hecho de una pareja del mismo sexo en Sucre|work=ADICH}} On 21 July 2023, the Supreme Electoral Tribunal (TSE) announced that same-sex free unions could now be performed in the same manner as opposite-sex ones. The head of the SERECI stated that the regulations related to free unions had been modified so that same-sex unions could be registered with the same requirements and conditions already available to heterosexual couples.{{cite web|url= https://www.eltiempo.com/mundo/latinoamerica/parejas-homosexuales-podran-legalizar-igualdad-de-condiciones-su-union-libre-en-bolivia-788674|language=es|date=21 July 2023|title= Parejas homosexuales podrán legalizar igualdad de condiciones su unión libre en Bolivia|work= El Tiempo}} 101 same-sex civil unions were performed in Bolivia in 2024, based on information provided by the TSE.{{cite web|url=https://elpotosi.net/nacional/20250104_bolivia-registro-183-876-nacimientos-58-588-defunciones-y-101-uniones-libres-entre-personas-del-mismo-sexo.html|title=Bolivia registró 183.876 nacimientos, 58.588 defunciones y 101 uniones libres entre personas del mismo sexo|language=es|date=4 January 2025|work=El Potosí}}

Same-sex marriage

=Background=

Article 63(I) of the Constitution of Bolivia states that:

{{blockquote|Marriage between a woman and a man is formed by legal bond and is based on equality of the rights and duties of the spouses.{{efn|In some official languages of Bolivia:

  • {{langx|es|El matrimonio entre una mujer y un hombre se constituye por vínculos jurídicos y se basa en la igualdad de derechos y deberes de los cónyuges.}}{{cite web|url=https://www.oas.org/dil/esp/constitucion_bolivia.pdf|title=Constitución Política del Estado|website=oas.org|language=es}}
  • {{langx|qu|Kamachiymanjina warmiwan qhariwan sawarakuyninkuqa kanan tiyan, iskayninku kikin ruway atiyniyuq chantapis ruwayniyuq kanku.|label=Quechua}}{{cite web|url=https://tcpbolivia.bo/tcp/sites/default/files/images/pdf/CPE/CPE%20Quechua.pdf|title=Constitución Política del Estado (Castellano - Quechua)|website=Tribunal Constitucional Plurinacional|language=es, qu}}
  • {{langx|ay|Chacha warmi jaqichasiña phuqhapxatapaxa kamachi taypina utt'atawa, ukhamarusa purapata derecho katuqañataki ukhamaraki wakisirikanaka khuskhata katuqapaxañapatakiwa.}}{{cite web|url=https://tcpbolivia.bo/tcp/sites/default/files/images/pdf/CPE/CPE%20Aymara.pdf|title=Constitución Política del Estado (Castellano - Aymara)|website=Tribunal Constitucional Plurinacional|language=es, ay}}
  • {{langx|gn|Kuña kuimbae ndive oyogüireko tupapire rupi vae jae reta ko oyapo jupigüe vae, jare oyovake güinoi tekomboe yeokuai, ñoguinoi ramo metei ramiño.}}{{cite web|url=https://tcpbolivia.bo/tcp/sites/default/files/images/pdf/CPE/CPE%20Guarani.pdf|title=Constitución Política del Estado (Castellano - Guarani)|website=Tribunal Constitucional Plurinacional|language=es, gn}}
  • {{langx|trn|No 'remano etna 'seno etna 'jiro eno tparaakono taye'e to vye'eono 'wosaregrampoo'i wo nakuchkim'i te titapopo to nemtone te añinapo ene tpajkoyre to najakpogñono, tajina nachiyire wo nakemotonejyore te'to taetuchapoo'i to 'moneko taye'e te sintikatu.|label=Mojeño-Trinitario}}{{cite web|url=https://tcpbolivia.bo/tcp/?q=content/tcp-puso-disposici%C3%B3n-de-la-poblaci%C3%B3n-en-formato-digital-la-%E2%80%9Cconstituci%C3%B3n-pol%C3%ADtica-del-estado|language=es|title=TCP Puso A Disposición De La Población, En Formato Digital, La "Constitución Política Del Estado" Traducida En Siete Idiomas Oficiales|work=Tribunal Constitucional Plurinacional de Bolivia|access-date=5 May 2024}}
  • {{langx|gyr|Mendasa kuña kuimba'e oyeapo ikwachiaprɨ va'e rupi a'e yuvɨrekoi yeroyasa pɨpe iyavei mborokwaita pɨpe.}}{{cite web|url=https://www.scribd.com/document/718933644/CPE-EN-GWARAYU|title=Constitución Politica del Estado, Castellano - Guarayo|access-date=5 May 2024|work=Scribd}}
  • {{langx|cax|Axɨna poosokox aɨbu paɨx taityo ñoñɨnx sɨromatɨ au nɨriakax taityo ichepeatai niyobesaxatoe taityo niyupachikoikixh au niyoposokox.}}{{cite web|url=https://www.scribd.com/document/718933612/CPE-BESIRO-CATELLANO-1|title=Constitución Politica del Estado - Idioma Besɨro|access-date=5 May 2024|work=Scribd}}
  • {{langx|cav|Kakemiti deka epuna juya tuke vinculo jurídico tume tuke juya tashe tupu juya tatseja derechu tume baedya deberes Ekakemitike.}}}}}}

In July 2010, following the legalisation of same-sex marriage in Argentina, Vice President Álvaro García Linera said that the Cabinet of Bolivia led by President Evo Morales had no plans to legalize same-sex marriage.{{Cite web|url=http://www.sentidog.com/lat/2010/07/gobierno-boliviano-no-tiene-en-sus-planes-aprobar-el-matrimonio-gay.html|title=Gobierno boliviano no tiene en sus planes aprobar el matrimonio gay|date=17 July 2010}} The Family Code approved by the Legislative Assembly in 2014 is written in gender-neutral terminology, However, article 147 states that marriages and free unions are valid "provided they meet the conditions established in the Political Constitution".{{cite web|url=https://comunicacion.gob.bo/sites/default/files/dale_vida_a_tus_derechos/archivos/Ley%20603%20C%C3%B3digo%20de%20las%20Familias%20y%20del%20Proceso%20Familiar.pdf |title=Código de las Familias|website=comunicacion.gob.bo|language=es}}

In 2013, constitutionalist Jose Antonio Rivera said he believed that "article 63 of the Constitution does not foresee a prohibition on marriages between people of the same sex; what it does is characterize the modalities of marriages between a man and a woman". Antonio Rivera stated that pursuant to Articles 14(II) and 66 of the Constitution, which prohibit discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and recognise sexual freedom, same-sex couples should be able to marry in Bolivia, but that interpretation of the articles lays with the Plurinational Constitutional Tribunal.

=2018 Inter-American Court of Human Rights advisory opinion=

On 9 January 2018, the Inter-American Court of Human Rights (IACHR) issued an advisory opinion that parties to the American Convention on Human Rights should grant same-sex couples "accession to all existing domestic legal systems of family registration, including marriage, along with all rights that derive from marriage".{{cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-latinamerica-lgbt/latin-american-human-rights-court-urges-same-sex-marriage-legalization-idUSKBN1EZ020|title=Latin American human rights court urges same-sex marriage legalization|publisher=Reuters|first=Enrique Andres|last=Pretel|date=January 10, 2018|access-date=January 12, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200602084023/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-latinamerica-lgbt/latin-american-human-rights-court-urges-same-sex-marriage-legalization-idUSKBN1EZ020|archive-date=June 2, 2020|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.nacion.com/el-pais/politica/corte-interamericana-notifica-a-costa-rica/LRJBJF6DWNHOFGBXSDNIVYSEDA/story/|title=Corte Interamericana ordena abrir la puerta al matrimonio gay en Costa Rica|publisher=La Nación|first1=Sofía|last1=Chinchilla|first2=Natasha|last2=Cambronero|language=es|date=January 9, 2018|access-date=June 2, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200602085908/https://www.nacion.com/el-pais/politica/corte-interamericana-notifica-a-costa-rica/LRJBJF6DWNHOFGBXSDNIVYSEDA/story/|archive-date=June 2, 2020|url-status=live}} The advisory opinion states that:{{Cite web|url=https://corteidh.or.cr/docs/opiniones/seriea_24_esp.pdf|title=Opinión Consultiva OC-24/17 de 24 de Noviembre de 2017 Solicitada por la República de Costa Rica|publisher=Inter-American Court of Human Rights|language=es|access-date=June 2, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200602085150/https://corteidh.or.cr/docs/opiniones/seriea_24_esp.pdf|archive-date=June 2, 2020|url-status=live}}{{cite news|url=https://www.asil.org/insights/volume/22/issue/9/inter-american-court-human-rights-advisory-opinion-gender-identity-and|title=The Inter-American Court of Human Rights' Advisory Opinion on Gender Identity and Same-Sex Marriage|publisher=American Society of International Law|first=Jorge|last=Contesse|date=July 26, 2018|access-date=June 5, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200605112332/https://www.asil.org/insights/volume/22/issue/9/inter-american-court-human-rights-advisory-opinion-gender-identity-and|archive-date=June 5, 2020|url-status=live}}

{{Quote|The State must recognize and guarantee all rights derived from a family bond between persons of the same sex in accordance with the provisions of Articles 11.2 and 17.1 of the American Convention. (...) in accordance with articles 1.1, 2, 11.2, 17, and 24 of the American Convention, it is necessary to guarantee access to all the existing figures in domestic legal systems, including the right to marry. (..) To ensure the protection of all the rights of families formed by same-sex couples, without discrimination with respect to those that are constituted by heterosexual couples.}}

Bolivia ratified the American Convention on Human Rights on 19 July 1979 and recognized the court's jurisdiction on 27 July 1993.{{cite web|url=http://www.cidh.org/annualrep/2001port/anexo3.htm|title=Annual Report of the IACHR 2001 - Annex III|website=cidh.org|language=es}} Human rights activists believe Bolivia is now required to legalise same-sex marriage under Article 256 of the Political Constitution:

{{quote|I. The international treaties and instruments in matters of human rights that have been signed and/or ratified, or those that have been joined by the State, which declare rights more favorable than those contained in the Constitution, shall have preferential application over those in this Constitution.
II. The rights recognized in the Constitution shall be interpreted in agreement with international human rights treaties when the latter provide more favorable norms.}}

Public opinion

According to a Pew Research Center survey conducted between 7 November 2013 and 13 February 2014, 22% of Bolivians supported same-sex marriage and 67% were opposed.{{cite web|url=https://www.pewforum.org/2014/11/13/chapter-5-social-attitudes/ |title=Chapter 5: Social Attitudes |website=Pew Research Center |date=13 November 2014 |access-date=26 March 2019}}{{cite web |url=https://www.pewforum.org/2014/11/13/appendix-a-methodology/ |title=Appendix A: Methodology |website=Pew Research Center |date=13 November 2014 |access-date=26 March 2019}}

A poll conducted in June 2015 by newspaper Página Siete found that 74% of Bolivians opposed same-sex marriage.{{cite web|url=http://www.lostiempos.com/diario/actualidad/nacional/20150621/bolivia-74-rechaza-matrimonio-gay-y-67-se-opone-al_305872_676327.html|title=Bolivia: 74% rechaza matrimonio gay y 67% se opone al aborto|website=lostiempos.com|access-date=26 March 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160123022007/http://www.lostiempos.com/diario/actualidad/nacional/20150621/bolivia-74-rechaza-matrimonio-gay-y-67-se-opone-al_305872_676327.html|archive-date=23 January 2016|url-status=dead}}

The 2017 AmericasBarometer showed that 35% of Bolivians supported same-sex marriage.{{in lang|es}} [https://www.vanderbilt.edu/lapop/dr/AB2016-17_Dominican_Republic_Country_Report_W_12.11.17.pdf Cultura Política de la Democracia en la República Dominicana y en las Américas, 2016/17]

See also

Notes

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References

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