Chile has recognized civil unions since 22 October On 28 January , the National Congress approved a bill recognizing civil unions for same-sex and opposite-sex couples, offering some of the rights of marriage. The bill was signed into law on 13 April and was published in the Official Gazette on 21 April and took effect on 22 October A bill to this effect was introduced to the National Congress in August , but failed to pass before March , when a new government was inaugurated. In October , a civil union bill was introduced but failed to pass. This would give unmarried partners many of the rights now enjoyed only by married couples, such as inheritance and certain social welfare and health care benefits. On 5 August , a Senate committee approved the civil unions bill.
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Por primera vez en 10 años Chanel suma a su pasarela a una modelo plus-size
Civil unions between same-sex couples have been legal in Chile since , but same-sex marriage is still illegal. On Sept. LGBT activists claim that the dismissive rhetoric of the Chilean government is detrimental to the humanity of LGBT people and actually hinders their rights. In a recent article , Movilh highlighted examples of this damaging rhetoric. Although same-sex marriage is not legal in Chile, a number of other rights protect the LGBT community. Same-sex sexual activity was decriminalized in , and since then the Chilean government has gradually introduced laws that serve to protect its LGBT population. Among other things, the government implemented anti-discrimination laws based on sexual orientation and gender identity in , it officially recognized civil unions in October , and it passed laws against discrimination based on gender expression in Nevertheless, many issues surrounding LGBT rights in Chile, not just the legalization of same-sex marriage, remain to be determined. These include prohibiting conversion therapy and legalizing joint adoption by same-sex couples.
LGBT rights activists march during a previous pride parade in Santiago, Chile. | Photo: Reuters
Bachelet signed the proposal, which will be sent to lawmakers, at a ceremony in the presidential palace. She said the measure seeks to expand the definition of marriage between a man and a woman and would also expand rights for gay couples, allowing them to adopt children. Chile approved civil unions for same-sex couples in and decriminalised gay sex in Civil unions have been recognised in several South American countries, though only Argentina and Uruguay have codified same-sex marriage. Gay marriage has also been legalised in Brazil and Colombia under court rulings. But gay right advocates celebrated the decision as an important step toward full rights.
Both male and female same-sex sexual activity is legal in Chile. Since , the law bans all discrimination and hate crimes based on sexual orientation and gender identity. Since then, the Chilean Armed Forces allow to openly serve gays, lesbians and bisexuals. LGBT people are allowed to donate blood without restrictions since Since 22 October , same-sex couples and households headed by same-sex couples have the same legal protections available to opposite-sex married couples, within a civil union - except for adoption rights and the title of marriage. Since , the change of gender has been possible in the country through a judicial process. The Gender Identity Law, in effect since , recognizes the right to self-perceived gender identity, allowing people over 14 years to change their name and gender in documents without prohibitive requirements. Adult, consensual, non-commercial, same-sex sexual activity has been legal in Chile since , but the liberalization of the criminal code created an unequal age of consent and did not modify vague public indecency laws, which have been used to harass LGBT people in Chile. In Chile , the age at which there are no restrictions for sexual activities is 18 , while the minimum age of consent is
