Gay Life in Ecuador

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.” There are now active LGBT ‘scenes’ in several cities, mainly in Quitos and Guayaquil but Hispanic machismo runs deep in the culture and homosexuality continues to be viewed negatively in general.