LGBT rights in Ecuador

Law regarding same-sex sexual activity

Same-sex sexual activity has been legal in Ecuador since 1997 when the Constitutional Tribunal, in Case No. 111-97-TC, overturned the first paragraph of Article 516 of the Penal Code, which criminalized sexual activities between persons of the same sex.

The age of consent in Ecuador is 14, regardless of gender or sexual orientation.

Recognition of same-sex relationships

Article 67 of the Ecuadorian Constitution adopted in 2009 limits marriage to the union of a man and a woman. However, according to an unofficial English language translation of Article 68 the article provides that same-sex couples in stable and monogamous unions enjoy the same rights and obligations of married couples.

The stable and monogamous union between two persons without any other marriage ties who have a common-law home, for the lapse of time and under the conditions and circumstances provided for by law, shall enjoy the same rights and obligations of those families bound by formal marriage ties.

Based on Article 68, civil unions for same-sex couples are legal in Ecuador.

In August 2014, President Rafael Correa signed a resolution to allow same-sex de facto couples to register their unions and in addition the recognition of the marital status. It also establishes to register domestic partnerships as a complementary data to marital status and create a special registry for these unions. The order took effect on September 15.

In April 2015, the National Assembly approved an amendment to the Civil Code that allows same-sex couples to register their de facto unions, deleting the requirement of evidence of cohabitation for at least two years.

Adoption of children

Article 68 of the Ecuador Constitution states, "La adopción corresponderá sólo a parejas de distinto sexo." An unofficial English language translation of this provision states, "Adoption shall only be permitted for different-gender couples." The constitution is silent about adoptions by single individuals.

Under Ecuadorean statutory law, however, a single person is allowed to adopt a child, although a legally constituted heterosexual couple has priority over the single person.

Gender identity/expression

A Gender Identity Law, approved in 2016, allows Ecuadorians to state their gender identity instead of the sex assigned at birth. The law distributes new legal ID cards to those wishing to change their gender and birth name.

Discrimination protections

In 1998, Ecuador became the first country in the Americas (and only the third worldwide) to include sexual orientation as a protected category in its constitution.

Ecuador includes both sexual orientation and gender identity in its constitutional prohibition against discrimination. An unofficial English language translation of Article 11(2) states,

All persons are equal and shall enjoy the same rights, duties and opportunities. No one shall be discriminated against for reasons of ethnic belonging, place of birth, age, sex, gender identity, cultural identity, civil status, language, religion, ideology, political affiliation, legal record, socio-economic condition, migratory status, sexual orientation, health status, HIV carrier, disability, physical difference or any other distinguishing feature, whether personal or collective, temporary or permanent, which might be aimed at or result in the diminishment or annulment of recognition, enjoyment or exercise of rights. All forms of discrimination are punishable by law. The State shall adopt affirmative action measures that promote real equality for the benefit of the rights-bearers who are in a situation of inequality.

In 2015, a labor reform made it illegal for employers to discriminate against people due to their sexual orientation.

Living conditions

A fairly large gay scene has developed in Quito and Guayaquil. The first gay pride in Ecuador took place in Quito, in 1998, following the Constitutional Court ruling that overturned the law that prohibited sexual acts between people of the same sex. Nevertheless, Ecuador has a conservative and macho culture, and homosexuality continues to be viewed negatively by society.

Since the last decade, many gay-pride marches have been organized in all major cities, with the authorization of authorities and police protection, in addition to their participation. In Guayaquil's gay-pride march of 2011, for instance, among those present were the province's vice-prefect Luzmila Nicolaide, city council member Gino Molinari, and National Assambleist Gina Godoy, while the police band played traditional songs.

There have also been LGBT film festivals organized in the major cities.

In 2012, President Rafael Correa appointed Carina Vance Mafla, a lesbian activist, as the country's Health Minister.

The U.S. Department of State's 2011 Human Rights Report found that,

The constitution includes the principle of nondiscrimination and establishes choice of sexual orientation as a right. Although the law prohibits discrimination based on sexual orientation, gay, lesbian, and transgender persons continued to suffer discrimination from both public and private bodies. LGBT organizations reported that transgender persons suffered more discrimination because they were more visible. LGBT groups claimed that police and prosecutors did not thoroughly investigate deaths of LGBT individuals, including when there was suspicion that the killing was because of sexual orientation or gender identity. LGBT organizations and credible media sources reported that LGBT persons were interned against their will in private treatment centers to "cure" or "dehomosexualize" them, although such treatment is illegal. The clinics reportedly used cruel treatments, including rape, in an attempt to change LGBT persons' sexual orientation. In August[,] the government reported that it closed 30 such centers, but LGBT organizations reported that other illegal clinics continued to operate. Members of the LGBT community continued to report that their right of equal access to formal education was frequently violated. The LGBT population involved in the commercial sex trade reported abusive situations, extortion, and mistreatment by security forces.

Gay-to-straight conversion clinics

In November 2011, an Ecuadorean activist group, called Fundación Causana, began a petition on Change.org to entreat the Ecuadorean minister of health to close down more than 200 "ex-gay clinics". The group claimed that the clinics abuse and torture patients in an effort to "cure homosexuality".

The clinics primarily targeted lesbians and operated under the guise of being drug rehabilitation centers. At least one pair of parents discovered the abuse and asked for the clinic to release their daughter, Paola Ziritti, but were denied. Ziritti was eventually released after two years of confinement and was the first to press a formal complaint against the clinics.

Activists consequently called on the government to close down the clinics, but as of August 2011, only 27 had been closed while a reported 207 clinics remained open.

On 23 January 2012, the Change.org petition was closed and marked as a success with 113,761 international signatures. The petition also was 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 out 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.

Carina Vance Mafla's ministry of health shortly thereafter raided three clinics in the vicinity of Quito and rescued dozens of women.

2013 election homophobic remarks

After the 2013 Ecuadorian general election, Nelson Zavala, an evangelical preacher and the presidential candidate who finished last out of eight candidates, was sentenced by an election court to pay more than $3,000 in fines for his homophobic remarks. The court also prohibited him for a year from standing as a candidate or from affiliating himself or being involved with a political party or movement. During the campaign, he called gay people "sinners" and "immoral" and said they suffered from "severe deviation of conduct". LGBT activists applauded the ruling as a "landmark". Zavala appealed the verdict, but the ruling was ratified in the last instance on 19 March 2013.

LGBTI candidacy

In the 2013 elections, the LGBTI activist Diane Marie Rodriguez Zambrano of Silueta X Association, became the first openly transgender candidate to run for public office. At the conclusion of her candidacy, Ecuadorian President Rafael Correa Delgado declared his respect and admiration for Rodriquez on Twitter. Months later, Rodriguez was invited to change the Presidential Guard. In December 2013, she led the first group LGBTI meeting with President Rafael Correa. The meeting concluded with several agreements.