LGBTQI+ rights in Venezuela

While LGBTQI+s in Venezuela formally enjoy some legal protections, systemic discrimination and legal loopholes persist. Same-sex relationships are not considered a crime in the country, but same-sex marriage or partnership is not legally recognised. Same-sex couples are also unable to adopt.

The Venezuelan Constitution recognises hate crimes as an aggravating circumstance and prohibits discrimination based on sexual orientation. However, protections for gender identity are very limited and mainly cover only the right to housing. Trans people cannot change the gender marker on their identity documents, with rare exceptions granted after medical and psychological examinations.

Gender-affirming care, particularly hormone therapy, is largely unavailable in the country. Human rights groups say that the lack of documentation for trans and intersex people excludes them from education, healthcare, and the labour market, increasing their risk of exploitation and human trafficking.

Although lawyer Tamara Adrián made history in 2015 as Venezuela’s first openly trans lawmaker, there has been little significant legislative progress on LGBTQI+ rights. At the same time, authorities have used public order and morality laws to raid queer spaces, detain activists, and harass them. Rights activists see this practice as part of authoritarian rule and the shrinking of civic space.

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