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Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people in Puerto Rico have gained some legal rights in recent years. Same sex relationships have been legal in Puerto Rico since 2003, however same-sex unions, marriages and adoptions are not permitted. Federal U.S. hate crime laws apply in Puerto Rico. ==Violence against the LGBT community== In recent years, numerous LGBT people have been murdered with some laying the blame for these acts on politicians and on the religious community. The dismembered body of 19-year-old college student Jorge Steven López Mercado was discovered 14 November 2009 in Cayey, a city located in the island's interior region. López was widely known as a volunteer for organizations advocating gay rights and HIV prevention, and activists are planning remembrance vigils for him in cities including San Juan, Chicago, and New York. According to local police, it is under investigation as a possible hate crime, under the newly approved U.S. Federal hate crimes law which includes crimes against people who are (or perceived to be) gay or transgender people. Juan A. Martinez Matos was arrested a few days after López Mercado's body was discovered.〔(''Suspect charged with murder in slaying of gay teen in Puerto Rico'' ) from ''CNN'' 18 November 2009〕 On 12 May 2010, Martinez Matos pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 99 years in prison for the murder of López Mercado.〔(''Man jailed for 99 years for murder of Puerto Rican gay student'' ) from ''PinkNews'' 13 May 2010〕 On 19 April 2010, the body of Ashley Santiago, a transgender woman who resided in the town of Corozal was discovered in the kitchen of her home. Santiago, a stylist at a local salon, was found naked on the floor and was stabbed 14 times by an unknown assailant.〔(''Transgender woman stabbed to death in Puerto Rico home'' ) from ''www.edgeboston.com'' 20 April 2010〕 On 13 September 2010, the bodies of Justo Luis "Michelle" Gonzalez and Miguel Orlando "La Flaca" Soto, two transsexuals were found murdered along a road in the small town of Juana Diaz.〔(''Puerto Rican Authorities Accused of Tolerating Homophobia'' ) from the ''Latin American Herald Tribune'' 23 September 2010〕 With these two deaths, LGBT activists on the island have stated that nine gay and transsexual people have been killed over the last 10 months on the island, and local authorities have not adequately responded to these crimes.〔(''2 men in women's clothing slain in Puerto Rico, activists demand hate crime investigation'' ) from the ''Associated Press'' 13 September 2010〕 In October 2012, Malena Suarez, a transgender woman living in Carolina, was found dead at her home as a result of multiple stabbings. Her death marked the 30th anti-LGBT homicide in Puerto Rico in a decade.〔('' Transgender murder 30th anti-LGBTQ homicide in Puerto Rico in decade'' ) from the ''Windy City Times'' 23 October 2012〕 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「LGBT in Puerto Rico」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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