Four identical twins share everything except their sexual preferences in Colombia’s predominantly Catholic culture, where many still hold prejudiced attitudes against homosexuals. But times are changing; in 2011 the Constitutional Court issued rulings permitting same-sex couples to marry and in 2015 it became possible to change gender markers on identification documents – slowly but surely Colombia is progressing on this issue.
However, LGBT discrimination and violence remain issues across the country. LGBT individuals traveling should seek guidance from local advocacy groups before embarking on any trip abroad to remain aware of potential harassment or acts of violence that may take place during travel.
This research employed key informant interviews, in-depth interviews and focus group discussions among Brazilian, Colombian and Dominican men who engage in sexual relations with men to explore how social context influenced motivation for migration, sexual behavior and risk perception post migration. Participants reported that homo-negativity and machismo contributed significantly to perceptions of risk associated with sexual activity after migration.
Latinos generally hold positive attitudes toward gay people; however, many still view a homosexual lifestyle as a threat to family stability and morality, leading many to advocate against same-sex marriages.