Intro: Guest writer Jane McDevitt reviews the recent past and hopeful future for unmarried and LGBT couples in Uruguay under the new President Mujica. Uruguay was the first Latin American country to allow same-sex civil unions so human rights groups are eager to see what direction the new leader will take. His publicised liberal political
Uruguay is the second smallest country in South America. The economy is largely based on agriculture. The country is on the whole more stable than in its surrounding states, and it maintains a solid reputation with investors. Uruguay is the least corrupt country in Latin America (along with Chile),[ with its political and labor conditions being among the freest on the continent. Homosexuality was decriminalized in 1934. Then the age of consent became equal at 15, regardless of sexual orientation and/or gender, however the corruption of persons under the age of 18 is criminalized since 1994. Incitement to hatred on the ground of sexual orientation has been prohibited since 2003, and in 2004 an anti-discrimination law was passed. Uruguay was the first Latin American Country to legalize civil unions under national legislation.
Name: Uruguay
Population: 3400000
Capital: Montevideo - Pop. 1700000
Area: 176215 sq. km/ sq. miles
Language: Spanish
Religion: Roman Catholic, Non-Religious
Status of Homosexuality: Legal
Telephone Country Code: 598
Former Uruguayan President Jose Mujica Say Recognizing Gay Marriage Is Accepting ‘Reality’, 2015/Aug/21
First Gay Couple Registers To Marry In Uruguay, 2013/Aug/05
Uruguay Gay Marriage Law Takes Effect Monday, 2013/Aug/04
Uruguay Congress approves gay marriage bill, 2013/Apr/10
Uruguay Recognizes Marriage Of Gay Couple, 2012/Jun/10
Gay Uruguay News & Report 2011, 2011/Apr/13
Gay Uruguay News & Report 2000-10, 2009/Jan/01