Guatemala Congress Votes To Ban Same-Sex Marriages

The Guatemalan Congress voted to ban same-sex marriages on Tuesday, March 8.

The Conservative-dominated congress passed the “Life and Family Protection Law” by 101 to eight votes. 

The law would amend the country’s Civil Code to “expressly” ban same-sex marriage.

Bans The Teaching of Sexual Diversity

The law also sentences women to a minimum of five years in prison for seeking an abortion and bans the teaching of sexual diversity in schools which it defines as “promoting in children and teenagers policies or programs that tend to lead to diversion from their sexual identities at birth.”

The law goes on to state that teaching “anything other than heterosexuality is normal” is prohibited. 

Patricia Sandoval, a member of congress and supporter of the bill believes that “under the concept of family we understand the union between a man and a woman.”

Congressman Walter Felix, left-wing opponent of the law, said, “The human rights of significant parts of the population are being violated.” 

President Must Still Sign

In order to be passed into law, it must be signed by Guatemalan President Alejandro Giammattei.

Lucrecia Hernández, a lawmaker opposed to the law, stated that the “law stigmatizes people, discriminates and foments intolerance and hate speech and crimes.” She has urged Giammattei to veto it.