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Public Opinion

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History

Homosexual activity in Chontales

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Homosexual activity in Chontales is legal.

Current status
Since Mar 2008
Legal
Nicaragua legalized homosexuality in 2008 after a new penal code was adopted. Under the new penal code, consensual gay sex was not included as a criminal offense.
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Sep 1992–Mar 2008
Illegal (imprisonment as punishment) under federal Nicaragua law
In 1992, Nicaragua passed legislation that criminalized “anyone who induces, promotes, propagandises or practices sexual intercourse between persons of the same sex commits the crime of sodomy,” with a punishment of one to three years of imprisonment.

Same-sex marriage in Chontales

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Same-sex marriage in Chontales is banned.

Current status
Since Jan 1, 1987
Banned
Article 72 of the 1987 constitution states that marriage is between a man and a woman, effectively banning same-sex marriage in Nicaragua.

Censorship of LGBT issues in Chontales

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Censorship of LGBT issues in Chontales is no censorship.

Current status
Since Mar 2008
No censorship
Since the repeal of the previous law and that which criminalises same sex sexual activity in Nicaragua, there are no laws restricting the discussion or promotion of LGBTQ+ topics. However, since the 2018 crackdown on student protests, LGBTIQ+ organisations have faced harassment and de facto restrictions from the government.
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Sep 1992–Mar 2008
State-enforced under federal Nicaragua law
In 1992, the government banned: "anyone who induces, promotes, propagandises or practices sexual intercourse between persons of the same sex".

Right to change legal gender in Chontales

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Right to change legal gender in Chontales is illegal.

Current status
Illegal
No laws regarding change of legal gender.

Gender-affirming care in Chontales

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Gender-affirming care in Chontales is unknown.

Current status
Unknown

Legal recognition of non-binary gender in Chontales

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Legal recognition of non-binary gender in Chontales is not legally recognized.

Current status
Not legally recognized
Non-binary identities are not legally recognized in Nicaragua.
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LGBT discrimination in Chontales

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LGBT discrimination in Chontales is illegal in some contexts.

Current status
Since May 1, 2008
Illegal in some contexts
Legal measures against LGBT discrimination exist in the workplace (2008) and in health (2014).

LGBT employment discrimination in Chontales

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LGBT employment discrimination in Chontales is sexual orientation only.

Current status
Since May 1, 2008
Sexual orientation only
Article 315 of the Criminal Code (2008) bans employment discrimination based on sexual option.

LGBT housing discrimination in Chontales

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LGBT housing discrimination in Chontales is no protections.

Current status
No protections
According to ILGA laws in force in Nicaragua do not offer protection against LGBT discrimination in housing.

Same-sex adoption in Chontales

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Same-sex adoption in Chontales is illegal.

Current status
Illegal
Article 239(a) of the Family Code (2014) establishes that adoption may be requested by a couple consisting of a man and a woman who live together in a marital union or in a stable de facto union.
Sources:
Family Code
legislacion.asamblea.gob.ni…
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Intersex infant surgery in Chontales

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Intersex infant surgery in Chontales is not banned.

Current status
Not banned
Surgery on intersex infants is legal in Nicaragua but not reported.
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Serving openly in military in Chontales

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Serving openly in military in Chontales is illegal.

Current status
Illegal
The Nicaraguan Army does not allow LGBT people to serve openly.

Blood donations by MSMs in Chontales

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Blood donations by MSMs in Chontales is unknown.

Current status
Unknown

Conversion therapy in Chontales

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Conversion therapy in Chontales is not banned.

Current status
Not banned
Reportedly, conversion therapy is quite widespread and currently, no ban exists in Nicaragua.
Sources:
www.state.gov/reports/2023-… - Section 6.7
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Equal age of consent in Chontales

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Equal age of consent in Chontales is equal.

Current status
Since Mar 2008
Equal
Nicaraguan law does not specify a homosexual age of consent and a heterosexual one.
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Until Mar 2008
N/A
Before the revisions to the penal code, same sex sexual activities were outlawed.
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