History of LGBT issues and psychology in Colombia

Abstract

This article presents the development of the rights movement for the LGBT population in Colombia within the international context. As part of the Latin-American tradition and Spanish heritage, the behaviour and attitude towards sexuality in general and towards homosexuality in particular, were very conservative in the country. The beginning of the gay liberation movement in Colombia is presented, along with its historical, psychological and legal aspects, the ideas of homosexuality as a sin, as a criminal offence, as a mental disease, or as an alternative lifestyle. Described are the developments of what is referred to as sexual rights, as human rights, marriage equality, the adoption of children by same-sex couples, homo-parental families, the topics of health, identity, the psychological health of LGBT people, and the attitudes of the Colombian society in relation to these aspects. The roles of psychology as a discipline and the professional psychology associations are shown in a historical perspective.