LGBT rights in Uruguay
Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) rights in Uruguay rank among the highest in the world. Same-sex sexual activity has been legal with an equal age of consent since 1934. Anti-discrimination laws protecting LGBT people have been in place since 2004. Civil unions for same-sex couples have been allowed since 2008 and same-sex marriages since 2013, in accordance with the nation's same-sex marriage law passed in early 2013. Additionally, same-sex couples have been allowed to jointly adopt since 2009 and gays, lesbians and bisexuals are allowed to serve openly in the military. Finally, in 2018, a new law guaranteed the human rights of the trans population.
LGBT rights in Uruguay | |
|---|---|
Uruguay | |
| Status | Legal since 1934 |
| Gender identity | Transgender people allowed to change legal gender without a diagnosis, hormone therapy, sterilization or surgery |
| Military | Gays, lesbians and bisexuals allowed to serve openly |
| Discrimination protections | Sexual orientation or identity protections since 2004 (see below) |
| Family rights | |
| Recognition of relationships | Civil unions since 2008; Same-sex marriage since 2013 |
| Adoption | Full adoption rights since 2009 |
In 2016, Americas Quarterly named Uruguay the most LGBT-friendly country in Latin America, calling the nation "a model for social inclusion in Latin America". It also hosted the first international LGBT rights conference in the region in July 2016, with hundreds of diplomats, politicians and activists from around the world addressing LGBT issues. A large majority of Uruguayans support same-sex marriage.