Gay and lesbian

The Ecuadorean constitution prohibits discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and attitudes have gradually become more liberal in Quito, Guayaquil and Cuenca. In 2009, about 2000 people participated in a gay pride parade in Guayaquil, the first ever to be permitted by local authorities. In many smaller towns, however, values are still intensely conservative and there remains a general bias, even hostility, against gay people. As in most Latin countries, effeminate behaviour in men is condemned and the derogatory term

is commonly used to describe such a person, irrespective of their sexual orientation. In order to avoid offending local sensibilities, same-sex couples travelling in Ecuador should avoid public displays of affection.

, www.zenithecuador.com, has a department that caters to gay and lesbian travellers and offers all-gay Galápagos cruises, English and French spoken.