LGBTQ+ groups urge Dominican court to expand discrimination protections

The Dominican Republic's Constitutional Court heard 23 direct unconstitutionality actions on Wednesday, with over 150 organizations opposing one filed by the Inclusive Dominican Lesbians Community and LGBTQ+ groups. Dozens of LGBTQ+ members gathered at Flag Plaza demanding the new Penal Code's Article 173 explicitly mention sexual orientation. The actions target Article 39 of the constitution and Article 173, which civil society groups say threatens human dignity. Other cases before the court include ones from the Dominican Medical College. The dispute centers on whether the code adequately protects against discrimination based on sexual orientation.