Published information on the situation of gays and lesbians is scarce. Please consult a 30 July 1998 article in Latinamerica Press that discusses the situation of young gays and lesbians in Bolivia (available in Regional Documentation Centres). This and two other documents available to the Research Directorate indicate that in recent years the homosexual community of Bolivia has been experiencing an increasing visibility and assertiveness in what has long been an atmosphere of discrimination and rejection of homosexuality.

A 30 June 1996 report prepared by the Libertad Gay Movement in La Paz (MGLP Libertad) for the International Lesbian and Gay Association (ILGA) wrote:

In Bolivia, homosexuals are viewed, not to say pigeon-holed, as undesirables that are outside society's normal moral code. For this reason, it is in the interest of most gay people to simply go along with whatever their family expects of them. The economic and social advantages of being part of a family far outweigh the disadvantages of a gay identity, such as homophobia, concealing one's identity and leading a double life. The sort of social clubs, community and health centres and gay press that are so common in many countries in Europe do not exist in Bolivia. It is often difficult for gay people to make use of welfare and health services, since discrimination makes them unable or unwilling to reveal their true identity. Furthermore, the police and the courts can hardly be counted on to protect gay people, when they are threatened by problems such as violence, threats, blackmail or slander and the like.

The report adds that on 3 June 1995 the police raided "a well-known gay bar called Cherry" to search for drugs; around 120 of the locale's patrons were detained until the next afternoon, and reportedly "denied their civil rights and beaten, apparently because of their sexual orientation," facing "taunts, insults and threats to expose our sexuality publicly."

The same report states that "between February and August of the same year, no less than four well-to-do homosexuals were violently murdered in their homes in La Paz," adding that "this state of affairs makes it difficult to reach the gay community in Bolivia to provide social activities and educational campaigns."

Finally, the MGLP Libertad report states that this movement was established in the beginning of 1995 to carry out advocacy and a number of activities in favour of the homosexual community, and names two counterpart organizations in other cities of Bolivia: UNELDYS (United in the Fight for Dignity and Health) in Santa Cruz and DIGNIDAD in Cochabamba.

An 18 November 1998 article from the Bolivian daily La Razón reports on the first national convention of gays and lesbians in Bolivia, from 17 to 20 November 1998 at the Santo Tomás University in La Paz, which gathered parliamentarians, social activists, and some 60 representatives from gay and lesbian organizations throughout Bolivia. The article describes this as a first courageous step of the homosexual community against rejection, and an opening to society after many years of remaining "isolated in their own circles." The convention was organized by the Asociacion Civil de Desarrollo Social y Promoción Cultural para Jovenes "Libertad" (ADESPROC-Libertad), headed by Luis Miguel Muley, to strengthen the work of gay and lesbian organizations throughout Bolivia, sensitize public opinion, and clear misconceptions that lead to hate and rejection by society (La Razón 18 Nov. 1998). David Perez, a member of the organizing group, attributed homophobia in Bolivia to lack of proper information (ibid.). (Please note that it is not clear from the available documents if ADESPROC-Libertad is the legal successor organization of the MGLP-Libertad group.)

The head of ADESPROC-Libertad blamed homophobia and its resulting harassment and mistreatment of homosexuals for the fact that many homosexuals opt to hide their sexual orientation or limit their socializing to a closed circle of people with similar sexual orientation (ibid.). The article explained the need for this first national convention by stating that "not all homosexuals accept their situation openly, communicate it to society, or participate in media, government and citizens' meetings" (ibid.). The convention was also seen as a first step towards legislation that would enshrine the rights of gays, lesbians, homosexual and transgender persons (ibid.).

The attached Latinamerica Press article states that

Bolivia's gay community still has a long way to go to win the respect and acceptance it seeks, Gay bars and associations often remain clandestine, and few homosexuals openly declare their preference. Few homosexuals would give their names for this article; even the president of the Gay Association preferred to remain anonymous (Latinamerica Press 30 July 1998).

The report adds that "a new generation of gays is stepping out in Bolivia, no longer willing to keep sexual preference a secret," but adds that "there is a limit to the openness." The article cites a gay person as saying that "homosexuality here is virtually invisible," and adding that "there are a lot of gays here, but they are clandestine in society," while the secretary general of the Permanent Assembly of Human Rights of Bolivia (APDH) is cited as saying that homosexual rights are "contradicted" by government, the legal system and society (ibid.). The report adds that "times may be changing" as "many [young gays and lesbians] openly admit their sexuality, refusing to live a double life of secrecy and guilt," although being open about one's homosexuality can entail family problems (ibid.). The article states that "this nascent pride and self-assertion in the young gay community is reflected in its growing organization during the past few years" (ibid.).

This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum.

International Lesbian and Gay Association (ILGA), Brussels. 30 June 1996. "M.G.L.P. Libertad (The "Libertad" (Freedom) Gay Movement in La Paz)." [Internet] http://mother.qrd.org/qrd/world/americas/bolivia/gay.movement.in.la.paz-06. 30.96 [Accessed 1 Mar. 1999]

La Razón [La Paz]. 18 November 1998. "El mundo gay de Bolivia se abre a la sociedad y denuncia discriminación." [Internet] http://www.la-razon.com/ant/981118/ cuerpoe/portada.htm [Accessed 1 Mar. 1999]

Latinamerica Press [Lima]. 30 July 1998. Jamie Grant. "Bolivia: Gays and Lesbians Speak Out."