South America

The South American country is also close to legalizing marriage equality, although a far-right candidate is close to becoming president.

“Welcome to the 21st century!” Claudia López tweeted following her swearing in as one of South America’s few out political leaders.

“This president has helped create a humanitarian crisis,” Castro said. “People should not be living like this.”

In his upcoming autobiography, the legendary singer reveals that his touring of South America almost cost him his life.

Colombia’s highest court has cleared the way for same-sex couples to marry in the conservative Roman Catholic nation.

A couple in Ecuador are making history with a unique pregnancy: The father-to-be is carrying the baby of his transgender partner.

In a historic decision, Colombia’s constitutional court opened the door this week for same-sex couples to legally adopt children in the conservative South American nation.

A top Cabinet minister on Sunday urged Colombia’s courts to legalize same-sex marriage and support the right of such couples to adopt.

The Jesuit priest used a pejorative Spanish term for a gay man, and wondered aloud whether one of Jesus’ 12 apostles could have been homosexual and Mary Magdalene a lesbian.

Chilean President Michelle Bachelet on Monday signed a law that recognizes civil unions between same-sex couples, a sign of change in a country long regarded as one South America’s most socially conservative nations.

The program being offered by Sao Paulo’s Municipal Human Rights and Citizenship Secretariat is intended to help transgender youth from having to turn to prostitution to support themselves.

Chile’s Congress on Wednesday approved the country’s first law authorizing civil unions between same-sex couples.

Lawmakers in Chile are expected to introduce a bill Wednesday aimed at extending marriage rights to same-sex couples.

RIO DE JANEIRO — Gay rights activists are using Rio de Janeiro’s annual gay pride parade to demand laws against discrimination based on sexual orientation. Thousands of people paraded down Copacabana’s main coastal boulevard with rainbow flags and thematic floats, many dressed in carnival costumes or wearing t-shirts saying “Fight Against Homophobia.”

SAO PAULO — A minor character in Brazil’s presidential race is on the spot after saying the country needs to stand up against gay people who should seek psychological help far away from the population. Candidate Levy Fidelix has the support of less than 1 percent of potential voters, but his remarks drew the ire of tens of thousands …

BOGOTA, Colombia — Colombia has taken a major step recognizing the rights of same-sex couples after the country’s constitutional court allowed a lesbian couple to adopt a child born to one of its mothers. Ana Leiderman gave birth to two children via artificial insemination. Her longtime partner Veronica Botero however doesn’t have any custodial or legal rights …

SANTIAGO, Chile — A sailor with Chile’s navy on Wednesday announced he is gay, an unprecedented public declaration in this socially conservative South American nation. Chile has traditionally been a tough place for homosexuals, although the country decriminalized gay sex in 1999 and attitudes toward gays are evolving. The killing of a gay man in Chile 2012 set off a national debate…

QUITO, Ecuador — Ecuadoran President Rafael Correa on Saturday said that same-sex couples in civil unions can now have their relationships officially recognized by the Ecuador government. Correa said LGBT people will have “the full constitutional right” to register their civil unions, and have them recorded on their national ID cards, reports AFP.

RIO DE JANEIRO — Gay rights activists in Brazil are using the spotlight of the World Cup to draw attention to the harsh penalties gay people face in many of the countries represented at soccer’s premier event. A protest led by the gay rights organization Grupo Dignidade attracted about 400 people, many brandishing signs reading “Show homophobia the red card…”

LIMA, Peru — A Peruvian gay rights group says at least 17 gays have been killed in the Andean nation since 2012 because of their sexual orientation.