Chile overwhelmingly rejects progressive new constitution that would’ve enshrined LGBTQ+ rights

A majority of voters in Chile rejected a progressive constitution that would have enshrined greater social and LGBTQ+ rights.

Chilean voters rejected a proposed constitution that would’ve allowed people the right to live as their own identity in “all its dimensions and manifestations”. (Getty)

 

 

With almost all of the ballots counted, 62 per cent of voters rejected the new proposal with only 38 per cent in favour. The vote followed a nearly-two year process aimed to uplift and reflect a broader array of voices in Chilean society through the nation’s document.

The proposed constitution would have significantly expanded social rights, committed to fighting climate change, given the government wider responsibility for social welfare programmes.

It also would have provided full gender parity in government and added designated seats for Indigenous representatives. 

The text included protections that would have allowed Chileans the right to live as their authentic identity “in all its dimensions and manifestations, including sexual characteristics, gender identities and expressions”. 

Chile’s president Gabriel Boric, who backed the new constitution, said the vote proved the people had spoken “loudly and clearly” about how they wanted to move forward.

“They have given us two messages,” Boric said. “The first one is that they love and value their democracy… The second one is that the people of Chile was not satisfied with the proposed constitution and, therefore, has decided to reject in a clear way at the polls.”

He vowed to put his efforts into “building a new constitutional itinerary alongside congress and civil society”. 

Emilia Schneider, the first out trans person to be elected to the National Congress of Chile, said on Twitter that the recent vote was a “hard result” to accept as the “constitution of the dictatorship does not unite” the people of Chile. 

“The cycle of change is not closed,” Schneider wrote. “Citizenship demands social rights and positive democracy. It is urgent to give answers!”

The trans official added the government must “work for a new democratic, equal process” with all people able to participate equally. 

 

 

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