In the Central American nation of nearly 6 million, constitutional amendments can only pass when two consecutive legislators approve them by a two-thirds majority. So when El Salvador’s lawmakers approved an amendment banning same-sex marriage in April, the nation’s gays were worried. Fast-forward a few months, and the outlook is much rosier.
Conservative lawmakers (yes, backed by the Catholic community) failed to score the two-thirds vote they needed to approve either a same-sex marriage ban or a gay adoption ban (measures introduced back in 2006 and approved in April), meaning both attempts at limiting gay rights have been shot down. The left-leaning ruling party, Farabundo Martí National Liberation Front, opposed the bans.
So where do LGBT rights stand in El Salvador? There’s no recognition of marriage or civil unions; gay rights advocates there are urging legislators to enact recognition of the latter. And while anti-discrimination laws include sexual orientation, anecdotal evidence suggests those protections are rarely enforced.
terrwill
Its comforting to know that rightwing-nutbags inhabit every country thru the globe!! Everyone knows it is MUCH better to let kids wallow in an orphanage then be adopted by a loving family who can provide a good home for them!! Absoutley amazing that they were defeated……. The very sad aspect of the vote is that if the same vote were to be held in the United States it probably would have been approved……..