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Country Overview

Venezuela

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?

No

LGBTI Orgs Able to Register?

Yes

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Venezuela’s economic crisis has negatively impacted the country’s growing acceptance of LGBTIQ people. LGBTIQ Venezuelans were already vulnerable to discrimination, violence and social rejection before the economic crisis, and their tentative position in society has only worsened since. LGBTIQ people cannot access some of the government’s assistance because it is tied to marital status and same-sex couples are not legally recognized in Venezuela. Transgender Venezuelans struggle to access government-controlled food supplies because the Venezuelan government does not issue identification documents reflecting their gender identity. United States sanctions against Venezuela have made it more difficult for non-governmental organizations (NGOs) to provide assistance to LGBTIQ Venezuelans, who often rely on civil society for healthcare services. LGBTIQ Venezuelans have some protections against discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation; however, these laws are not being enforced, due to the current political and social unrest.

 

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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