Gay rights in Panama
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Homosexuality is legal in Panama, as there are no laws against consensual homosexual relations. There are no laws protecting gays from discrimination. Gays and lesbians are banned from both the armed forces and the police.
[edit] History
In 1996 Panama's first lesbian and gay organisation Asociación Hombres y Mujeres Nuevos de Panama (AHMNP) was founded. It recently received legal recognition after a 3 year battle with the authorities and the church. It is still the only gay and lesbian organisation in Panama. Last year they presented a petition calling for partnership rights, and in June 2005 Panama's first Gay Pride March was held with 100 AHMNP demonstrators.
Article 39 of the Constitution forbids the creation of "companies, associations or foundations" that are contrary to moral or legal order. In the past this has been used to refuse registration of gay organisations.
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