Ecuador has undergone a remarkable transformation in the last few years. On 10th August 1998 the constitution of Ecuador was reformed to “recognise the equality of all before the law without discrimination against age, sex, ethnic orgin, colour, religion, political affiliation, economic position, sexual orientation, state of health, incapacity, or difference of any kind. But homosexuality continues to be viewed negatively so keep a low profile in public.   Most people who travel to Ecuador come to experience the variety of landscapes, climates, cultures, fauna and flora that this small country has to offer. Many tourists visiting Ecuador go to the amazing Galapagos Islands. However the rest of Ecuador has a great deal to offer. About the size of the state of Colorado, Ecuador has the highest population density of any South American country and also has a high proportion of indigenous people with their unique cultures and languages. Added

Downtown Centro Rio is inland from the beaches. It is the heart of the city where financial, legislative and political offices are located. These include Brazil’s first state-supported LGBT agencies that were set up to counter homophobia in the city–’Rio Sem Homophobia’. Their offices take up a whole floor of City Hall. Centro also includes parks, markets, colonial architecture, modern skyscrapers, the unusual Metropolitan Catholic Cathedral and the first electric trolley car in the country…and much more. Posted Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Santa Teresa is the name of an uphill neighborhood above Rio Centro on Santa Teresa hill. It’s famous for its winding, narrow streets along which ‘upscale slums’ are mixed with middle-class houses and artist studios. Among the buildings are some elegant mansions left over from the more opulent 19th century. In 1896, the Carioca Aqueduct, a colonial structure that used to bring water to the center of Rio, was converted into a viaduct for the Santa Teresa Trolley (bondinho). The historic tram line is still in operation today carrying passengers–students, workers, tourists. The track starts in the city center then crosses the old arched aqueduct and snakes through the picturesque streets with its wheels screeching at every curve. Posted Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Rocinha is the largest slum (favela) area in Rio. It’s situated on the hills behind the city with panoramic views of the mountains and ocean. The people are generally poor but life in the favela teems with energy, enterprise, domestic activity, artwork, music (we encountered a spontaneous dance performance by a 9 year-old), day care centers, charity groups, schools as well as mafia-style control zones where the drug trade is said to flourish. Small tourist groups are led through the narrow alleyways by an authorized guide, occasionally passing by a gang member armed with a semi-automatic rifle. Other favelas can be navigated independently by tourist on foot. Going alone was considered previously consider foolish, but some are now under control by the Police Pacification Units and are safe to visit, such as the Santa Marta or Cantagalo favelas. People are friendly, some with shops selling pastries or jewelry. Posted Rio

Christ the Redeemer is a statue of Jesus Christ on Corcovado mountain in the Tijuca Forest National Park overlooking the city. It is 39.6 metres (130 ft) tall and 30 metres (98 ft) wide. The statue has become an icon of Rio and Brazil. It is made of reinforced concrete and soapstone, and was constructed between 1922 and 1931. Read more on Wikipedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christ_the_Redeemer_%28statue%29) Posted Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Ipanema Beach and Copacabana Beach are a paradise for people watching, sunbathing and socializing. On weekends the avenues along the beaches are closed to traffic and they become great long promenades of people dressed in every manner of attire–including uninhibited men and women dressed in tiny swimsuits. The atmosphere is mellow, respectful, playful and friendly with virtually no sign of the crime so often reported by the media. The beaches are miles long and accommodate tens of thousands of people; the crowds vary according to the weather. Posted Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

With over 20 million people in the metropolitan area, São Paulo is the largest city in Brazil, the largest city in the western and southern hemisphere, and the world’s seventh largest city by population. Posted Sao Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.

Sao Paulo has significant influence nationally and internationally, in terms of culture, economy and politics. It houses several important monuments, parks and museums. It is also home to the world’s largest gay Pride Parade that happens every June (separately from Carnival in February). The last parade, held on June 6, 2010, attracted about 3 million people. The Paulista-Caneca area is populated by many LGBT citizens with numerous bars, shops and cafes, Pictured here (first 5 photos) is Casarao-Brasil, one of many LGBT organizations in the city. The central city is generally accepting of same-sex couples who feel comfortable enough to hold hands in public (photo 6). Posted Piracicaba, São Paulo, Brazil.

A Huge Country with a Huge Gay Scene By Richard Ammon GlobalGayz.com May 2011 For the second time in as many months I happened to be in a country when historic LGBT events have occurred. First, in Botswana in March of this year when the human rights organization, Bonela, and the LGBT association LeGaBiBo, for the first time ever, filed a High Court suit against the government claiming the country’s anti-gay laws currently on the books are unconstitutional. The second happened May 5, 2011 in Brazil when the Federal Supreme Court ruled unanimously (10 to 0) that Civil Unions are legally acceptable relationships between adult citizens of the same gender. The ruling grants that gay couples are entitled to most of the rights of heterosexual partners, including marital ceremonies, pension benefits, inheritance and, according to some lawyers, the right to adopt children. (photo, Iguacu Falls Brazil side) “This is a

Brazil is a dazzle. Every aspect of this huge country overwhelms, challenges, stimulates or puzzles the first time visitor, which I am. I came for three full weeks and each day has been a unique chapter in my memory book–even just driving a car on the main highways here. Brazil decided decades ago, unfortunately, to invest in roads instead of railways, thanks to the lobbying influence of the oil, rubber and auto industries. The result is that today tens of thousands of heavy cargo trucks–6 to 24 wheelers–blaze along the highways making pleasure driving anything but. But that’s another whole story. (photo above: Iguacu Falls) My story is about LGBT life in Brazil which is also a lesson in overwhelm. There are hundreds of lesbian, gay, trans and bisexual organizations in this country, mostly in the major cities along the Atlantic coastline which stretches over 4000 miles south to north.

Intro: For the past three years, Colombia has made important and steady progress in recognizing LGBT individuals and couples. Three comments and an interview attest to this positive development. But caution is still advised for LGBT people as the country is a typical ‘macho’ Latino culture not inclined to favor homosexuality.   Story edited by Richard Ammon GlobalGayz.com January 2011 Also see: Gay Colombia News & Reports 2001 to Present Gay Colombia web sites: http://www.guiagaycolombia.com/ http://www.misscolombiagaymedellin.com/ Overview of LGBT Scene in Colombia April 17, 2008 Colombia has once again made news in its search for social justice on planet earth, with this decision of the constitutional court. The court considered that the same pension system presently in force is applicable to same-sex couples. With this decision, the court has continued down the road it started on last year, when it made man-woman couples that lived together the same as same-sex

Intro: Homosexual men in Guyana are still finding it difficult to live free from discrimination and harassment in the capital of Guyana. Ignorance and bullying are common experiences for anyone perceived to be gay.    From: CaribWorldNews December 1, 2010 By Elan Era John, Panos Global AIDS Programme Georgetown, Guyana  Homosexual men in Guyana are still finding it difficult to live free from fear of stigma and discrimination as the World celebrates another AIDS Day today. These are everyday parts of their lives whether at school, work or accessing services from hospitals or transportation service providers. Kobe, a young openly homosexual man, said his first experience with stigma and discrimination goes way back to his childhood when he was bullied and harassed. `Being in school, having persons tell you or trouble you and you would have to shift to doing certain things.` He explains some of the shifts he is

Intro: Guest writer Jane McDevitt reviews the recent past and hopeful future for unmarried and LGBT couples in Uruguay under the new President Mujica. Uruguay was the first Latin American country to allow same-sex civil unions so human rights groups are eager to see what direction the new leader will take. His publicised liberal political ideology is awaiting actual proof.      From: Ola Uruguay By Jane McDevitt December 19, 2010 Uruguay has become a trailblazer for gay rights not only amongst other Latin American countries but also when viewed in an international context. President Mujica has yet to be tested on his stance on gay rights, however his predecessor President Tabare Vazquez was known for a progressive attitude to gay rights during his five year tenure. The then president produced a sweeping tide of legislative change, making Uruguay a desirable country in which to be openly gay. The current president’s

Intro: A guest author from Holland leaps across the Atlantic to far off Salvador city in Brazil where he finds sunshine, passion and willing companions to share languid days and steamy nights. He offers useful insights on realities of money, prostitution, LGBT venues, lesbians and pro-gay laws. Also see: Gay Brazil News & Reports 2000 to present Gay Brazil Stories By Vincent van der K (Story from: http://www.gay-news.com/article04.php?sid=475 For Dutch gays who’ve had it with once again Gran Canaria or Ibiza, a visit to the exciting Brazilian town Salvador might offer new and stimulating vistas. Salvador, capital of Bahia, in Northeast Brazil at the Atlantic coast. With its tropical sea climate, the mercury on the coldest day of the last 300 years indicated 21 C. In summer, December – February, temperatures can rise to some 35 C. But the seawinds bring in an ever welcome cooling breeze. For centuries Salvador

Argentina is the second largest country in South America by land area, and eighth in the world. Its continental area is 2,766,890 km2 (1,068,302 sq mi), between the Andes mountain range in the west and the southern Atlantic Ocean in the east and south. Argentina has the highest Human Development Index level and the second highest Gross Domestic Product (GDP) per capita in purchasing power parity in Latin America.

Intro: Uruguay is the smallest country in South America. Over the past century it has been influenced by forces that make homosexuality less of an offense than in other Catholic countries. Finding sex may be easier, but finding love is still no simple matter. Also see: Gay Uruguay News & Reports 2000 to present Gay Uruguay Photo Gallery By Richard Ammon October 2007 Updated July 2010 Getting Away Uruguay is a tiny oceanic country of 3.7 million people wedged between the two South American giants of Brazil and Argentina. When the sun rises on the capital Montevideo, the city glows softly along the waterfront and its European architecture warms in the mild morning air. The traffic is light, huge cargo boats loaded with lumber chug out to sea, and the ferries bring vacationing Argentineans ("Portenos") heading to Punte del Este. Fifty miles southeast along the coast from Montevideo, Punte del

A native Paraguayan offers a brief overview of Paraguay and the modest lesbigay life there. This is preceded by a first person commentary of a gay Peace Corps volunteer about finding a community there. Also See: Gay Paraguay News & Reports 1986 to present (1) Building My Own Closet in Paraguay http://lgbrpcv.org/2012/01/28/building-my-own-closet-in-paraguay/ January 28, 2012 From a Current Peace Corps Volunteer I am very lucky. Until now, I have never lived in a community where I have felt uncomfortable being out. Paraguay is different. I have all the support and respect I could ask for in the Peace Corps office, and from fellow volunteers. But, self-imposed closeting in my own community is taking a toll. Part of it is my inability to read the subtle cultural signs, which as a foreigner I frequently miss. I worry about small comments from people in my community. I second guess conversations, searching for

Argentina Gallery B – Tucuman city, Ushuaia, Moreno Glacier Argentina is the second largest country in South America by land area, and eighth in the world. Its continental area is 2,766,890 km2 (1,068,302 sq mi), between the Andes mountain range in the west and the southern Atlantic Ocean in the east and south. Argentina has the highest Human Development Index level and the second highest Gross Domestic Product (GDP) per capita in purchasing power parity in Latin America. San Miguel de Tucumán (usually referred to as simply Tucumán) is the largest city in northern Argentina, with a population of 525,853 per the 2001 census. The metropolitan area totals 806,000, making it the fifth-largest in the country. It is the capital of the province of Tucumán. It was founded in 1565 by Spanish Diego de Villarroel travelling south from Peru and was moved to the present site in 1685. On July

Intro: From the Pacific to the Andes, Peruvian culture spans centuries and rugged terrain. It also contains some different views of homosexuality. In Peru, sexual labels vary with an individual’s behavior and self-definition. Meanwhile (since 2004) the gay ‘scene’ in Lima has become quietly lively. Also see: Gay Peru News & Reports 2000 to present Gay Peru Photo Galleries By Richard Ammon October 1999 Updated April 2008 Beautiful Scenery, Negative Attitudes It is not easy to see gay life on the streets of Lima, Peru. Hidden from public scrutiny, most Latino queers know better than to risk their honor and safety with demonstrations, public affections or political defiance. Despite the magnificent scenic and historic wonders throughout Peru, from the stunning carved stones at Machu Picchu in the high Andes to the fascinating gigantic Nazco Lines near the ocean, unseen feelings run strong and hostile toward same-sex love and behavior. A

According to Transparency International, Uruguay is the second least corrupt country in Latin America (after Chile), with its political and labor conditions being among the freest on the continent. In November 2007 it became the first Latin American country and the second in all of the Americas (after Canada) to recognize same-sex civil unions at the national level. Montevedeo city is a variety of delights and decay with old European archtecture and new life styles. It was founded by the Spanish in the early 18th century as a military stronghold. Uruguay won its independence in 1825-1828 following a three-way struggle between Spain, Argentina and Brazil. It is a constitutional democracy, where the president fulfills the roles of both head of state and head of government. In the south is Punte del Este, a beautiful beach city. Read the story about Gay Uruguay

The usual tourist route through Lima, Cuzco and Machu Picchu–beautiful and sublime. Peruvian territory was home to the ancient Norte Chico civilization, one of the oldest in the world, and to the Inca Empire, the largest state in Pre-Columbian America. The Spanish Empire conquered the region in the 16th century and established a Viceroyalty, which included most of its South American colonies. After achieving independence in 1821, Peru has undergone periods of political unrest and fiscal crisis as well as periods of stability and economic upswing. Read the story about Gay Peru

Homosexuality in Brazil: Two Stories (1) A long candid talk with author James N. Green who wrote Beyond Carnival,–"a story of how gays found a way to survive in a society laced with petty prejudices, stereotypes, and violence. In the midst of it all, they managed to create lives for themselves that were full of passion, pain, love, happiness, and a bit of drama." (2) This is followed by personal coments by a native gay Brazilian who says "The laws here are very fair towards gays… gays and straights live freely with each other." Also see: Gay Brazil News & Reports 2000 to present Gay Brazil Stories From: Brazzil, ( http://www.brazzil.com ) (http://www.brazzil.com/p106feb03.htm) Story by Bernadete R. Beserra (1) Last June, thousands of Cariocas poured onto the streets of Copacabana to celebrate the World Cup victory. They were joined by over a hundred thousand gays, lesbians, and travestis (transvestites), who

Intro: Catholic Bolivia is a difficult country in which to express lesbigay truth. Newly met friends there described to me their hidden lives and feelings in the face of strong religious prejudice, political disdain, family honor and macho military opposition. Following this story is a short correspondence with a gay American living in Bolivia for a year; he describes his experience of trying to integrate with local gays in La Paz. Also see: Gay Bolivia News & Reports 2002 to present Gay Bolivia Photo Gallery by Richard Ammon Updated August 2008   Daniel and the New Night Life Walking anonymously among the masses of Sunday-best churchgoers in downtown La Paz, Daniel is making his way in the opposite direction toward home. Sleep, not prayer, is uppermost on his mind as he heads toward the sparse but tidy apartment he shares with his sister and mother half way up the great

Peruvian territory was home to the ancient Norte Chico civilization, one of the oldest in the world, and to the Inca Empire, the largest state in Pre-Columbian America. The Spanish Empire conquered the region in the 16th century and established a Viceroyalty, which included most of its South American colonies. After achieving independence in 1821, Peru has undergone periods of political unrest and fiscal crisis as well as periods of stability and economic upswing. Read the story about Gay Peru

Intro: In the middle of Bolivia there is one of the world’s great salt plains, which becomes a salt lake in the wet season. In the middle of the lake is a unique hotel with 360-degree views. Along the edge of the lake is a small town that makes a living from mining salt. Also see: Gay Bolivia News & Reports 2002 to present Gay Bolivia Photo Gallery By Richard Ammon April 1999 Rev February 2001 (1320 words)   Between heaven and earth there is a great watery salt plain where the heavens are mirrored in the horizon of the earth. It is a remarkable illusion, with no distinction between clouds and terra firma. Blue layers of Altiplano sky on white layers of clouds spread out like a mother reflected in a child’s eye. The vision is a surreal scape of melded water, clouds and cerulean heaven with no distinctions.