Venezuela

Venezuela is under a dictatorship, and this authoritarian context has severely affected the rights of LGBTIQ people and the ability of civil society to operate freely. The erosion of democratic institutions and the rule of law has enabled the government to impose increasing restrictions on civic space, including harassment and criminalization of organizations working on human rights and equality. LGBTIQ people continue to face systemic discrimination, and there are no national laws recognizing same-sex partnerships, protecting against discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity, or allowing for legal gender recognition. In July 2023, 33 men were arbitrarily detained at the Avalon Club in Valencia and charged with “indecent behavior,” a case that sparked national and international condemnation for its homophobic underpinnings. This event reflects the broader pattern of exclusion, violence, and state-sanctioned stigma that LGBTIQ individuals continue to face in Venezuela.

*Outright research indicates that the bodily autonomy of intersex people is not respected and protected in this country.