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Country Overview

Ecuador

At a glance

Same-sex Relations for Men Legal Throughout the Country?

Yes

Same-sex Relations for Women Legal Throughout the Country?

Yes

Legal Gender Recognition Possible?

Yes

LGBTI Orgs Able to Register?

Yes

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In 2019, Ecuador legalized same-sex marriage, but adoption for same-sex couples remains illegal due to a constitutional ban. Legal gender recognition has been possible since 2016. Ecuador prohibits some forms of conversion practices that aim to change a person’s sexual orientation or gender identity. Despite a constitutional ban against discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation, LGBTIQ people suffer discrimination from both private individuals and government officials. Police and prosecutors often fail to investigate hate crimes committed due to the actual or perceived sexual orientation and gender identity of the victim. Some influential religious and political leaders publicly disparage LGBTIQ people as a threat to “family values.” Due to these anti-LGBTIQ beliefs and comments, LGBTIQ people are subject to harassment, discrimination, and social rejection. At the same time, LGBTIQ visibility and acceptance have grown over the last decade, particularly in large cities.

 

Global Impact

Sub-Saharan Africa

Outright supports LGBTIQ organizations in Sub-Saharan Africa and works with mainstream human rights organizations to respect human rights and influence positive changes in laws, policies, attitudes and beliefs that cause discrimination against LGBTIQ people.

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United Nations

Our work at the United Nations centers around advocating for the advancement of the rights of LGBTIQ people.

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Asia

Our work in Asia promotes acceptance of sexual and gender diversity at all levels of society.

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Middle East and North Africa

In the Middle East and North Africa, we partner with local groups in various countries as part of our international solidarity work. We also work with our local partners on different topics through capacity building, advocacy, research and holistic security.



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Europe and Central Asia

Outright International partners with activists to fight for an end to human rights violations based on sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression in Europe and Central Asia, where most of our work involves emergency responses to harassment, discrimination, violence, and most recently, Russia’s brutal and expanded invasion of Ukraine.

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Americas

Our work in the Americas continues to build on the fundamental and positive transformation of human rights protections in recent years. We partner with groups in the Caribbean that focus on ending gender-based violence and eradicating discrimination against trans people.

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Pacific

Our work in the Pacific aims to increase the visibility of activists, respond to human rights emergencies, and actively bridge local, regional, and international activism to achieve equality and justice.

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Human Rights Research

Since 1990, we have partnered with activists from all over the world to produce hundreds of groundbreaking reports.

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