Whoever is elected in the presidential elections will have the opportunity to undertake public policies that will get Venezuela out of the lag in which it finds itself in issues of protection for the LGBTIQ+ population, compared to other countries in the region where programs and laws have already been discussed and approved that guarantee equal rights for all citizens.
Historically, access to rights for LGBTIQ+ people has not been a priority on the public agenda of those who run the institutions in which decisions are made.
Since Chavismo came to power more than 25 years ago, issues such as same-sex marriage or name changes for trans, intersex or non-binary people have barely been debated in bodies such as the National Assembly. However, they have not been fully implemented.
Prejudice and Pride
This Sunday, July 7, the National LGBTIQ+ Pride March In Caracas, the intention of which has been politicized by the ruling party, based on electoral interests, three organizations participating in the call denounced following announcing their withdrawal from the organizing committee.
Under the premise that “our existence is not an outrage to modesty,” thousands of Venezuelans are expected to march from Parque del Este to the headquarters of the National Electoral Council to remind the State of its systematic omissions.
When asked regarding these issues, most of the candidates for the Miraflores seat prefer to leave the issue in the hands of “collective debate” and respond that, if they win, they will opt for popular and open consultations to decide these matters.
Here you can find out what the presidential candidates think regarding these issues:
Edmundo Gonzalez Urrutia
The candidate of the Democratic Unitary Platform (PUD), the main opposition coalition, Edmundo González Urrutia, assures that he will respect the thoughts of each person, but that he will also guarantee compliance with what is established in the Constitution.
“We will respect what everyone thinks on this matter and what is in the Constitution regarding the treatment of these issues,” he said in an interview with Chronicle.One.
Claudio Fermin
For university professor Claudio Fermin, candidate for the Solutions for Venezuela party, “democracy implies coexistence.” For this reason, he rejects any type of segregation, whether due to political preference, origin, sexual orientation or age.
“We are once morest segregation and these extreme speeches and extremist behaviors are segregationist behaviors. They are approaches that exclude other sectors. So our first offer to all these groups, particularly women and people with diverse sexual orientations, is to first maintain a serious democratic behavior. That is, a behavior of inclusion, a behavior of equity, a behavior of equality before the law. That resolves everything: equality before the law and equity, justice,” he told Chronicle.One.
If Fermín becomes president, he hopes to achieve equal conditions for all.
Antonio Ecarri
The leader of the Pencil Alliance, Antonio Ecarri, is in favour of civil unions and openness regarding the rights of the LGBTI population.
From his social Christian position, he considers that a civil union is a way to protect same-sex couples and guarantee their legal rights regarding the construction of lives as a couple, without taking into account their sexual orientation.
Javier Bertucci
Candidate Javier Bertucci, standard-bearer of Esperanza por el Cambio and the only candidate who raises religion as one of his flags, has said in some public statements that issues such as same-sex marriage might lead to a “social distortion.”
However, in an interview with Chronicle.OneBertucci assured that regarding these issues, he would give “the right opportunities to these groups”, without imposing laws of any kind and guaranteeing “the right respect” and “seriousness” in addressing the demands of this population.
“I am an extremist in the respect of the laws and the Constitution that gives you a tool for that, it is called a consultative referendum and the consultative referendum is the correct thing, what allows a people to express themselves and say whether they want or do not want one thing or another and I believe that is the correct thing, not imposition, but consultation, questions to a people.”he sentenced.
Daniel Ceballos
The candidate for the Arepa Digital party, Daniel Ceballos, has been emphatic in stating that he is an ally for those who feel they must defend their identity once morest stereotypes or political, social or religious constraints.
He believes that the demands of the LGBTI population, such as equal marriage or identity change, should be addressed by the State, which has the responsibility of guaranteeing the rights and equality of all people.
Benjamin Rausseo
The leader of the National Democratic Confederation (Conde) party, Benjamin Rausseo, proposes a “total opening” regarding the defense of civil rights and the constitutional guarantees provided for.
“I propose to all those groups that have an interest in a particular matter that they express it and that it be the National Assembly, by vote or referendum, that determines whether that is appropriate.”said to Chronicle.One.
He said that in his eventual government he would remain attached to the Constitution, but with an openness to debate new ideas, because “personal opinion is one thing and national opinion is another.”
Enrique Marquez
The former rector of the Electoral Power and candidate for the Centrados party, Enrique Márquez, pointed out that Venezuela must advance towards modernity in all aspects. This includes the rights for LGBTIQ+ people.
In this regard, he expressed his agreement with the introduction of policies such as same-sex marriage or adoption within same-sex families.
Márquez indicated that these issues would be part of his agenda if he were to become president of the Republic.
Jose Brito
Regarding the position of José Brito, whose candidacy is supported by the Primero Justicia card taken away by the Judiciary from its traditional leadership, Primero Venezuela, Venezuela Unida and Unidad Visión Venezuela, he expressed that he agrees with same-sex marriage. In the opinion of the candidate, this right is implemented as a “social contract.”
“Same-sex marriage, of course I agree with marriage, it is a social contract and you join whoever you want here, but it is true that this is a very conservative society. (…) What I do not agree with is adoption.”he clarified.
Luis Eduardo Martinez
Luis Eduardo Martínez, one of the candidates with the most support from parties on the ballot, said he is respectful of the sexual orientations of each person. In this sense, he believes that Venezuelan laws must be adjusted so that the LGBTIQ+ population is protected in its rights.
For Martínez, protection for people who need to change their gender must be comprehensive and complete. In this way, their rights would not be affected by legal loopholes.
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2024-07-09 11:54:26
