Recognition of same-sex unions in El Salvador

[10] In August 2021, the government of President Nayib Bukele proposed constitutional changes to permit same-sex couples to marry, prohibit discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and legalize abortion when the life of the mother is in danger.

[12] In August 2016, a law student filed a lawsuit with the Supreme Court of El Salvador seeking the nullification of article 11 of the Family Code, which defines marriage as the "union of a man and a woman".

Calling the law discriminatory and explaining the lack of gendered terms used in Article 34 of the Constitution of El Salvador's summary of marriage, the lawsuit sought to allow same-sex couples to marry.

Originally filed in 2016 by activist Gabriel Gasteazoro, the case alleges that the provisions outlawing same-sex marriages in the Family Code are unconstitutional.

(...) in accordance with articles 1.1, 2, 11.2, 17, and 24 of the American Convention, it is necessary to guarantee access to all the existing figures in domestic legal systems, including the right to marry.

[24] In the wake of the ruling, LGBT groups have urged the Government of El Salvador to abide by the decision and legalise same-sex marriage.

[27] According to a Pew Research Center survey conducted between November 9 and December 17, 2013, 11% of Salvadorans supported same-sex marriage, while 81% were opposed.

[30] The Society for Cultural Anthropology reported in 2019 that in addition to low public support the situation for LGBT Salvadorans is "nightmarish": "Normalized intrapersonal violence and sexism intersect with widely acceptable homophobia and transphobia, subjecting many to hostility and harm.