Colombia’s progressive legal rights and protections has won the destination the title of best LGBTQ+ emerging destination at the FITUR 2017 travel trade show in Madrid, and is one of the reasons why Colombia was considered the Leading LGBTQ+ Destination in South America in 2018, by the World Travel Awards. In addition, Congress passed a law banning discrimination on sexual orientation in 2011, adoption for same-sex couples was legalized in 2012 and the right to change your gender has been in place since 1993. Same-sex marriage was legalized in April 2016 in Colombia with the first same-sex wedding taking place in Cali on. Legal rights and protections for LGBTQ+ people in Colombia are considered among the most progressive in Latin America.
