Legal Mobilization Networks and the LGBT Rights Revolution in Colombia (1992–2022): Using Litigation and Amicus Curiae Briefs in Rights Struggles.

This article examines the judicialization of LGBT rights in Colombia from 1992 to 2022, focusing on the broad legal mobilization network that advanced these rights through litigation and amicus curiae briefs submitted to the Colombian Constitutional Court (CCC). It highlights that beyond traditional social movement actors, a diverse and dense network—including activists, academics, state officials, grassroots organizations, and ordinary individuals—played a crucial role in promoting LGBT rights by exerting pressure on judges, providing information, and lending legitimacy to legal claims. The study emphasizes the importance of amicus curiae briefs as a legal mechanism that enabled wider participation and collective action, particularly in contentious cases such as same-sex marriage and adoption, where the pro-LGBT network effectively countered conservative opposition. By adopting a network approach, the research contributes to a more comprehensive understanding of the multiple actors and resources involved in legal reform, demonstrating that judicial receptivity to rights claims depends on sustained, diverse mobilization beyond formal activism.