DOMINICAN REPUBLIC REMOVES CRIMINAL PENALTIES FOR HOMOSEXUALITY IN ARMED FORCES. (PHOTO).

 Dominican Republic removes criminal penalties for homosexuality in armed forces

The Dominican Republic’s Constitutional Court has struck down laws that criminalized same-sex relationships within the National Police and Armed Forces.

The ruling invalidates two articles in the justice codes of both institutions that previously imposed prison sentences on service members engaged in same-sex relationships—up to one year for officers and six months for enlisted personnel—under the justification of “maintaining discipline and institutional morality.” These provisions had been in place since the mid-20th century.

The court determined that the laws violated fundamental rights, including privacy, equality before the law, and the free development of one’s personality. The decision came in response to a constitutional challenge filed by attorneys Anderson Dirocie de León and Patricia Santana, who argued that the disciplinary codes conflicted with rights recognized in the Dominican Constitution and international human rights treaties.

The ruling has drawn mixed reactions. Cristian Gonzales Cabrera, a senior researcher at Human Rights Watch, called it a “resounding affirmation” that a more inclusive future is possible, noting that LGBT officers had lived in fear of punishment for decades. Conservative and evangelical groups criticized the decision, describing it as an attack on the nation’s moral and spiritual values. The Dominican Bar Association also called the ruling “unfortunate and unnecessary,” arguing that military and police institutions operate under unique standards of discipline and subordination.

Same-sex marriage remains illegal in the Dominican Republic, and LGBTQ+ individuals still face significant social stigma. With this ruling, the country joins Peru, Ecuador, and Venezuela in eliminating similar discriminatory laws against military personnel. Activists caution, however, that while the decision is historic, it does not automatically ensure a cultural shift within the armed forces. The judgment, which awaits full implementation, represents a milestone in Dominican jurisprudence and may pave the way for broader reforms in public service.