LGBT group in Bolivia proposes draft bill on same-sex unions

The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) group in Bolivia presented a draft bill Wednesday to legalize same-sex marriage.

The draft bill, which goes under the title "Family Life Agreement," is to protect the rights and obligations of LGBT people when it comes to goods, social security and health, said Wendy Molina, a representative from Bolivia's LGBT group.

History demands that same-sex couples are entitled to the rights that heterosexual couples enjoy, she said.

The draft bill proposes that same-sex couples be recognized under the principles of equality, non-discrimination, diversity, social integration and family protection. The draft bill does not include adoption.

Ombudsman David Tezanos Pinto received the proposal from the group in his office and agreed to bring it before the the Plurinational Legislative Assembly, the national legislature of Bolivia.

"We will take up the social duty given to us by the LGBT population and address this challenge to put the discussion about family life (of LGBT people) on the agenda (of the Assembly)," said Tezanos Pinto.

David Tezanos Pinto Photo: La Razón of Bolivia

Tezanos Pinto revealed that the draft was developed by over 800 leaders of the LGBT movement in Bolivia on the basis of articles 13, 14 and 62 of Bolivia's constitution as well as the Law Against Racism and All Forms of Discrimination.

The draft bill is also based on various international treaties Bolivia has signed with the United Nations and the Organization of American States on protecting the human rights of the LGBT population, he said.

On May 21, Bolivia enacted the gender identity act which enables transsexual persons to update their personal information in terms of gender and identity on legal documents. However, this does not give them the right to form a family and does not allow marriage between members of the same sex.

(APD)