Gay rights in Latvia

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The democratization process in Latvia has allowed lesbians and gays to establish organizations and infrastructural elements such as bars, clubs, stores, libraries, etc. Cultural, educational and other events can be held, and lifestyles can be freely developed. However society has not reached a high level of tolerance.

Contents 1 Laws against homosexuality 2 Military laws 3 Laws against discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation 4 Recognition of same-sex relationships 5 Gay life in Latvia 6 References 7 See also 8 Links

[edit] Laws against homosexuality

There have been no laws against same-sex sexual activity in Latvia. The age of consent is 14 for those under 18, 16 for those over 18 regardless of gender and/or sexuality.

[edit] Military laws

Homosexuals are not officially banned from military service.

[edit] Laws against discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation

Lesbians and gays are often attacked in the streets or in the meeting places. Lesbians and gays can make no criminal charge against their attackers other than "hooliganism" ^[1][2]

In September 2006 a bill against discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation in workplace was signed. Latvia was the last country in the European Union to introduce anti-discrimination laws dealing with sexual orientation.

[edit] Recognition of same-sex relationships

Latvia recently made constitutional changes to ban same-sex marriages [1].

[edit] Gay life in Latvia

Only in the capital of Latvia is a small gay scene. Elsewhere in Latvia, however, the sparse population means there is no gay scene. Most people in Latvia are against homosexuality due to the huge Christian population including many politicians [2].

Over the last three years, there have been violent attacks against individuals in lesbian and gay bars and cafes, police representatives have conducted unauthorized raids against such establishments to check documents and search for weapons, during the course of which establishments are often closed down and patrons are humiliated.

A Eurobarometer survey published on December 2006 showed that 12% of Latvians surveyed support same-sex marriage and 8% recognise same-sex couples' right to adopt (EU-wide average 44% and 33%).

[edit] References

1. ^ Latvian Association for Sexual Equality (LASV) - letter to parliamentary commissions.
2. ^ Anti-discrimination law in Latvia - summary for parliamentary commission of position of lesbians and gays - Euroletter 41 - April 1996)

[edit] See also

• Homosexuality laws of the world

[edit] Links

• Amnesty International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Rights in Poland and Latvia, 15 November 2006