LGBT Rights In Puerto Rico
Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender (LGBT) persons in Puerto Rico face some legal issues. Public discussion and debate about sexual orientation and gender identity issues have increased, and some legal changes have been made. Currently, both supporters and opponents of legislation protecting the rights of LGBT persons can be found in either of the major political parties. Public opposition still exists due, in large part, to the strong influence of the Roman Catholic Church and socially conservative Protestants. However, Puerto Rico's status as a United States commonwealth has a great influence over legal rights of LGBT citizens, as the U.S Supreme Court has the ability to overturn Puerto Rican laws that the court finds unconstitutional.
Read more about LGBT Rights In Puerto Rico: Civil Rights, Sodomy Laws, Military, Marriage-related Measures, Political Parties
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“A state that denies its citizens their basic rights becomes a danger to its neighbors as well: internal arbitrary rule will be reflected in arbitrary external relations. The suppression of public opinion, the abolition of public competition for power and its public exercise opens the way for the state power to arm itself in any way it sees fit.... A state that does not hesitate to lie to its own people will not hesitate to lie to other states.”
—Václav Havel (b. 1936)