Hey my name is Courtney and I’m queeeeeer! It’s something I don’t talk to everyone about, but it’s Pride Month! *rainbows* What a perfect time to share with the world a little about my queer story and queerness in Latin America.
My Coming Out Story
I say queer because that’s the label if any, that I like. I feel bisexuality is misunderstood and pansexuality is sort of a mystery. Gender isn’t something that is important to me while picking a mate. I’ve been attracted to both sexes as long as I can remember. I remember growing up and crushing on both girls and boys. Pretty much just wanting to kiss everyone. At some point in time, I realized that kissing your girlfriends isn’t exactly normal and I stopped. Then alcohol was introduced into my life at the age of 15 and all of a sudden it was okay to kiss girls again. In college, I finally put it all together, that maybe I like rainbows and gay people because I’m queer too! I came out to all my close friends. Pretty much from then on I started dating and pursuing anyone I am attracted to men, women, trans– doesn’t matter! In the last couple of years, I’ve started owning my queerness and talking about it more freely. *woot woot*
As a woman who likes all genders, I’m privileged in the way that there’s no real need for me to “come out.” I’ve only had serious relationships with men, so I don’t openly talk to my parents or family about my sexuality. It’s never come up. Besides the time my mom asked me flat-out if I like women a couple of months ago. She said she already knew the answer and she’s known for years. It was a weight off my shoulders that I didn’t realize existed.
In the back of my mind was this thought that bisexual females aren’t taken serious. I’ve encountered many gay women who are not open to dating bisexual women. We’re not even taken serious in our own community. Why would anyone else take me serious?
A year or so ago, I lived with a bisexual woman for a few months before moving in with my ex-partner. It was the first time I was able to talk freely and openly to someone who actually understood me. Talking with her and meeting other bisexual women made me more comfortable and confident with my sexuality. Thank you to my queer friends in Chicago. And thank you to my queer sisters who were brave enough to go first and speak up on social platforms. You my hero.
My Queer Experience in Latin America
I’ve been traveling on and off since 2016 mostly in Latin America. While abroad, I find myself being more open about my queerness to strangers, acquaintances, really anyone. I feel a safe space between fellow travelers. I automatically assume if you are backpacking around the world, you must be somewhat open-minded.
Surprisingly, I’ve met only a few other queer travelers (but tons of queer locals!) A few months ago in Peru, I met a lesbian couple traveling together from Italy and Spain. I was so excited to talk to them. The Spaniard was a yogi and personal trainer. The Italian was very relaxed, a talented chef but didn’t claim it as her profession. They cooked vegetarian food together, didn’t party or drink. After getting to know them a bit, they shared their experiences traveling as a lesbian couple. They told me they lie and claim to be cousins or best friends most of the time. They usually stay in dorms and only get private rooms in more liberal cities. The Italian had traveled for months by herself before meeting up her girlfriend in Peru. Her and I laughed about how different it is traveling with a partner. Both wonderful and… difficult.
LGBTQ+ Rights in Latin America
Latin America is very conservative as a whole, the majority of citizens are Catholic. Gay marriage is not recognized in many countries.
Believe it or not, Costa Rica JUST legalized same-sex marriage May of 2020 and is the ONLY country in Central America that allows gay marriage. In Paraguay, discrimination based on your sexual orientation is legal. In Guyana, South America it is same-sex sexual activity is illegal and punishable up to life in prison.
For maps and statistics on gay marriage and laws in Latin America, click here!
On a positive note, times are changing. In January 2018, a Latin American human rights court called for the legalization of gay marriage throughout Latin America. It doesn’t force countries to change their laws but it pressures them to make the shift.
I’ve seen openly gay couples in just about every city in Latin America. Local men blatantly checking out my ex-boyfriend. I’ve seen same-sex couples holding hands and laughing together on the street. For this reason, I was stunned gay marriage and gay rights are still an issue here.
Tips for LGBTQ+ Travel in Latin America
My advice would be to always be aware of the current situation and politics. It’s best to do your research before entering the country. Your sexuality should not prevent you from traveling, but the more you know, the safer you will be.
There are many blogs with meet-ups and tips on where to find gay clubs and bars in Latin America. Bogota, Colombia has the largest gay club in Latin America.
On solo trips, I use Tinder to meet queer locals. There are many ways to find your community abroad!
We are here and queer in Latin America! Cheers! <3
If you have any more advice, please share in the comments! I hope this information was useful in some way!
xoxo
4 Comments
fakeflamenco
August 14, 2018 at 5:57 pmThanks for the overview of gay rights in Latin America. I am impressed at the graphics from Wiki. I adore Latin America.
Courtney
August 14, 2018 at 6:08 pmThanks for reading! Latin America is so special <3
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