Gay Venezuela

No — same-sex marriage is not currently recognised in Venezuela. Venezuela decriminalised same-sex relations in 1997 when the Supreme Court struck down the vagrancy law, and the age of consent is equal. Article 77 of the 1999 constitution defines marriage as between a man and a woman, there is no civil union, same-sex couples cannot adopt jointly, and a marriage equality case admitted by the Supreme Tribunal in 2016 has never been decided. Employment discrimination on grounds of sexual orientation has been illegal since 1996 and the 2012 labour law and 2011 housing law repeat it; there is no broad anti-discrimination statute. Legal gender change is not possible despite a 2016 announcement and a pending court case. In March 2023 the Supreme Court annulled Article 565 of the military code, which had punished same-sex acts in the armed forces with up to three years. A 2023 poll found 55 percent supporting same-sex marriage. The economic and political crisis shapes daily life more than the law; police harassment and extortion of LGBTQ people is reported, and in May 2026 around 30 people were detained in a raid on an LGBTQ venue in Barquisimeto. Caracas keeps a small scene in Chacao and Las Mercedes, and Margarita Island is relaxed with visitors.

The cities listed on this page have the most active LGBTQ+ scenes in Venezuela — typically the capital and the largest tourist cities. Each city page lists verified LGBTQ+ venues.

Many hotels in tourist areas of Venezuela welcome LGBTQ+ guests without explicit marketing. International chains in central districts are the safest choice; smaller boutique hotels vary. See each city page for verified LGBTQ+-friendly options.

Pride events do take place in Venezuela — see the events calendar for the current schedule and each city page for local specifics. Attendance sizes and dates vary year to year.