Intro: Catholic Bolivia is a difficult country in which to express lesbigay truth. Newly met friends there described to me their hidden lives and feelings in the face of strong religious prejudice, political disdain, family honor and macho military opposition. Following the first story about Daniel is a second short correspondence with a gay American living in Bolivia for a year; he describes his experience of trying to integrate with local gays in La Paz.
Bolivia has had a total of 193 coups d’état from independence until 1981, thereby averaging a change of government once every ten months. The country has the lowest GDP per capita figures in South America (about $1350). Thus, Bolivia is one of the least developed countries in South America. Almost two-thirds of its people, many of whom are subsistence farmers, live in poverty. The government remains heavily dependent on foreign assistance.
Given the political instability and the daunting economic issues, it is difficult for rights activist to bring their issues forward. However, there are currently no laws prohibiting homosexual behavior and/or expression. There are no laws protecting GLBT people against discrimination in any form and no laws allowing GLBT people to adopt. In 2007 the government enacted a ban on same sex marriage. The constitution, implemented in February 2009, prohibits discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity. See gay rights in Bolivia.
Name: Bolivia
Population: 9120000
Capital: La Paz - Pop. 800000
Area: 1098581 sq. km/ sq. miles
Language: Spanish, Quechua, Aymara
Religion: Roman Catholic
Status of Homosexuality: Not illegal
Telephone Country Code: 591
Salt of the Earth: the Great Lake of Uyuni, Bolivia
Intro: In the middle of Bolivia there is one of the world’s great salt plains, which becomes a salt lake in the wet season. In the middle of the lake is a unique hotel with 360-degree views. Along the edge of the lake is a small town that makes a living from mining salt.
Into the Bowels and History of the Potosi Silver Mine
Intro: High in the mountains of Bolivia is the town of Potosi, home to a famous silver mine with an austere history. A visit there is a journey into a harrowing way of life and a grueling history of greed and conquest.
