LGBT rights by country or territory

Rights
Theoretical distinctions
Claim rights and liberty rights Individual and group rights Natural rights and legal rights Negative and positive rights
Human rights
Civil and political Economic, social and cultural Three generations
Rights by beneficiary
Accused Animals Children Consumers Creditors Deaf Disabled Elders Farmers Fetuses Humans Indigenous Intersex Kings LGBT Transgender Men Minorities Parents Fathers Mothers Patients Peasants Plants Prisoners Robots States Students Victims Women Workers Youth
Other groups of rights
Assembly Association Asylum Civil liberties Digital Education Fair trial Food Free migration Health Housing Linguistic Movement Development Property Repair Reproductive Rest and leisure Self defense Self-determination of people Sexuality Speech Water and sanitation
v t e

Rights affecting lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people vary greatly by country or jurisdiction—encompassing everything from the legal recognition of same-sex marriage to the death penalty for homosexuality.

Notably, as of May 2024^[update], 37 countries recognize same-sex marriage.^[1][2] By contrast, not counting non-state actors and extrajudicial killings, only two countries are believed to impose the death penalty on consensual same-sex sexual acts: Iran and Afghanistan.^[3][4][5][6] The death penalty is officially law, but generally not practiced, in Mauritania, Saudi Arabia, Somalia (in the autonomous state of Jubaland) and the United Arab Emirates.^[7][8] LGBT people also face extrajudicial killings in the Russian region of Chechnya.^[9] Sudan rescinded its unenforced death penalty for anal sex (hetero- or homosexual) in 2020. Fifteen countries have stoning on the books as a penalty for adultery, which (in light of the illegality of gay marriage in those countries) would by default include gay sex, but this is enforced by the legal authorities in Iran and Nigeria (in the northern third of the country).^{[10][11][12][13][14]}

In 2011, the United Nations Human Rights Council passed its first resolution recognizing LGBT rights, following which the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights issued a report documenting violations of the rights of LGBT people, including hate crimes, criminalization of homosexual activity, and discrimination. Following the issuance of the report, the United Nations urged all countries which had not yet done so to enact laws protecting basic LGBT rights.^[15][16] A 2022 study found that LGBT rights (as measured by ILGA-Europe's Rainbow Index) were correlated with less HIV/AIDS incidence among gay and bisexual men independently of risky sexual behavior.^[17]

The 2023 Equaldex Equality Index ranks the Nordic countries, Chile, Uruguay, Canada, the Benelux countries, Spain, Andorra, and Malta among the best for LGBT rights. The index ranks Nigeria, Yemen, Brunei, Afghanistan, Somalia, Mauritania, Palestine, and Iran among the worst.^{[18][better source needed]} Asher & Lyric ranked Canada, Sweden, and the Netherlands as the three safest nations for LGBT people in its 2023 index.^[19]

Laws that affect LGBT people include, but are not limited to, the following:

• laws concerning the recognition of same-sex relationships, including same-sex marriage, civil unions, and domestic partnerships
• laws concerning LGBT parenting, including adoption by LGBT people
• anti-discrimination laws in employment, housing, education, public accommodations
• anti-bullying legislation to protect LGBT children at school
• hate crime laws imposing enhanced criminal penalties for prejudice-motivated violence against LGBT people
• bathroom bills affecting access to sex-segregated facilities by transgender people
• laws related to sexual orientation and military service
• laws concerning access to assisted reproductive technology
• sodomy laws that penalize consensual same-sex sexual activity. These may or may not target homosexuals, males or males and females, or leave some homosexual acts legal.
• adultery laws that same-sex couples are subject to
• age of consent laws that may impose higher ages for same-sex sexual activity
• laws regarding donation of blood, corneas, and other tissues by men who have sex with men
• laws concerning access to gender-affirming surgery and hormone replacement therapy
• legal recognition and accommodation of the affirmed gender.

Part of a series on
LGBT rights
Lesbian ∙ Gay ∙ Bisexual ∙ Transgender
Overview Rights Movements Student Germany (pre-1933) United States Intersex rights Social attitudes Transgender rights Legal status Movement
Aspects Decriminalization Marriage Legal status Timeline Migration Military service Organizations List Parenting Adoption Pinkwashing Relationship Recognition Union
Opposition Censorship Conversion therapy Corrective rape Discrimination Criminalization of homosexuality Execution Opposition Propaganda Rhetoric Violence
Organizations LGBT Bisexual Intersex Community centre Medical Military and Veteran Rights Transgender United States Religious Christian Jewish Muslim
Politics Anarchist Bisexual politics Communism Conservatism Ecology Homonationalism Liberation Libertarianism Nationalism Radicalism Sexual revolution Socialism Transfeminism Political parties affiliates Political ideologies regarding LGBT
Timeline Years List Category
Related Discrimination Freedom Index Human rights Minority rights LGBT people in prison
LGBT portal
v t e

Part of a series on
LGBT topics
Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender
Sexual orientation and gender Aromanticism Asexuality Gray asexuality Biology Bisexuality Pansexuality Demographics Environment Gender fluidity Gender identity Gender role Gender variance Homosexuality Intersex Non-heterosexual Non-binary gender Queer Queer heterosexuality Questioning Sexual identity Sex–gender distinction Trans man Trans woman Transgender Transsexual Two-spirit
History General Timeline Same-sex marriage Homosexuality Movements Gay liberation Same-sex unions Stonewall riots Identities Lesbian Gay men Bisexuality Transgender Intersex
Culture Business Coming out Community African-American Dyke March Events Largest events Gay village Media Films New queer cinema Periodicals LGBT culture in New York City Pride Pride Month Parade Queer art QPR and QPP Same-sex relationship Slang Socialization Subcultures Symbols Flags Takatāpui Moe aikāne Tourism
Rights Adoption Civil union Decriminalization Intersex human rights Marriage Military service Parenting Rights by country or territory Transgender rights Yogyakarta Principles
Health MSM and Blood donation restrictions / HIV LGBT medical organizations Reproduction Transgender health care Youth suicide Detransition
Social attitudes 2020s anti-LGBT movement in the United States Allonormativity Amatonormativity Cisnormativity Heteronormativity LGBT rights opposition Mixed-orientation marriage Media portrayal Religion and homosexuality / trans people Sexual diversity Stereotypes
Issues Acephobia Arophobia AIDS stigma Anti-LGBT rhetoric Biphobia Bullying Censorship Closeted Outing Comphet Criminalization Domestic violence Erasure Straightwashing Bisexual Lesbian Trans Gay bashing Gayphobia Heteropatriarchy Heterosexism Homophobia Liberal Intersex discrimination Lesbophobia LGBT youth Suicide Vulnerability Migration Racism Sexualism Transphobia Non-binary people Trans men Trans women Violence Trans people
Academic fields and discourse Communism and LGBT rights Gender studies Lesbian feminism Lavender linguistics LGBT conservatism LGBT conservatism in the United States Queer anarchism Queer studies Queer theory Social construction of gender Socialism and LGBT rights Transfeminism Transgender studies Travesti
LGBT portal
v t e

Ayoni or non-vaginal sex of all types is punishable in the Arthashastra. Homosexual acts are, however, treated as a smaller offence punishable by a fine, while unlawful heterosexual sex carries much harsher punishment. The Dharmsastras, especially the later ones, prescribe against non-vaginal sex like the Vashistha Dharmasutra. The Yājñavalkya Smṛti prescribes fines for such acts including those with other men. Manusmriti prescribes light punishments for such acts.^[20][21] Vanita states that the verses about punishment for a sex between female and a maiden is due to its strong emphasis on a maiden's sexual purity.^[22]

The ancient Law of Moses (the Torah) forbids men from lying with men (i.e., from having intercourse) in Leviticus 18 and gives a story of attempted homosexual rape in Genesis 19, in the story of Sodom and Gomorrah, after which the cities were soon destroyed with "brimstone and fire, from the Lord"^[23][24] and the death penalty was prescribed to its inhabitants – and to Lot's wife, who was turned into a pillar of salt because she turned back to watch the cities' destruction.^[25][26] In Deuteronomy 22:5, cross-dressing is condemned as "abominable".^[27][28]

In Assyrian society, sex crimes were punished identically whether they were homosexual or heterosexual.^[29] An individual faced no punishment for penetrating someone of equal social class, a cult prostitute, or with someone whose gender roles were not considered solidly masculine.^[29] Such sexual relations were even seen as good fortune, with an Akkadian tablet, the Šumma ālu, reading, "If a man copulates with his equal from the rear, he becomes the leader among his peers and brothers".^[30][31] However, homosexual relationships with fellow soldiers, slaves, royal attendants, or those where a social better was submissive or penetrated, were treated as bad omens.^[32][33]

Middle Assyrian Law Codes dating 1075 BC has a particularly harsh law for homosexuality in the military, which reads: "If a man have intercourse with his brother-in-arms, they shall turn him into a eunuch."^[34][35] A similar law code reads, "If a seignior lay with his neighbor, when they have prosecuted him (and) convicted him, they shall lie with him (and) turn him into a eunuch". This law code condemns a situation that involves homosexual rape. Any Assyrian male could visit a prostitute or lie with another male, just as long as false rumors or forced sex were not involved with another male.^[36]

In ancient Rome, the bodies of citizen youths were strictly off-limits, and the Lex Scantinia imposed penalties on those who committed a sex crime (stuprum) against a freeborn male minor.^[37] Acceptable same-sex partners were males excluded from legal protections as citizens: slaves, male prostitutes, and the infames, entertainers or others who might be technically free but whose lifestyles set them outside the law.

A male citizen who willingly performed oral sex or received anal sex was disparaged, but there is only limited evidence of legal penalties against these men.^[38] In courtroom and political rhetoric, charges of effeminacy and passive sexual behaviors were directed particularly at "democratic" politicians (populares) such as Julius Caesar and Mark Antony.^[39]

Roman law addressed the rape of a male citizen as early as the 2nd century BC when it was ruled that even a man who was "disreputable and questionable" had the same right as other citizens not to have his body subjected to forced sex.^[40] A law probably dating to the dictatorship of Julius Caesar defined rape as forced sex against "boy, woman, or anyone"; the rapist was subject to execution, a rare penalty in Roman law.^[41] A male classified as infamis, such as a prostitute or actor, could not as a matter of law be raped, nor could a slave, who was legally classified as property; the slave's owner, however, could prosecute the rapist for property damage.^[42]

In the Roman army of the Republic, sex among fellow soldiers violated the decorum against intercourse with citizens and was subject to harsh penalties, including death,^[43] as a violation of military discipline.^[44] The Greek historian Polybius (2nd century BC) lists deserters, thieves, perjurers, and "...on young men who have abused their persons" as subject to the fustuarium, clubbing to death.^[45] Ancient sources are most concerned with the effects of sexual harassment by officers, but the young soldier who brought an accusation against his superior needed to show that he had not willingly taken the passive role or prostituted himself.^[46] Soldiers were free to have relations with their male slaves;^[47] the use of a fellow citizen-soldier's body was prohibited, not homosexual behaviors per se.^[48] By the late Republic and throughout the Imperial period, there is increasing evidence that men whose lifestyle marked them as "homosexual" in the modern sense served openly.^[49]

Although Roman law did not recognize marriage between men, and in general Romans regarded marriage as a heterosexual union with the primary purpose of producing children, in the early Imperial period some male couples were celebrating traditional marriage rites. Juvenal remarks with disapproval that his friends often attended such ceremonies.^[50] The emperor Nero had two marriages to men, once as the bride (with a freedman Pythagoras) and once as the groom. His consort Sporus appeared in public as Nero's wife wearing the regalia that was customary for the Roman empress.^[51]

Apart from measures to protect the prerogatives of citizens, the prosecution of homosexuality as a general crime began in the 3rd century of the Christian era when male prostitution was banned by Philip the Arab. By the end of the 4th century, after the Roman Empire had come under Christian rule, passive homosexuality was punishable by burning.^[52] "Death by sword" was the punishment for a "man coupling like a woman" under the Theodosian Code.^[53] Under Justinian, all same-sex acts, passive or active, no matter who the partners are, were declared contrary to nature and punishable by death.^[54]

The United Kingdom introduced anti-homosexuality laws throughout its colonies, particularly in the 19th century when the British Empire was at its peak.^[55] As of 2018, more than half of the 71 countries that criminalised homosexuality were former British colonies or protectorates.^[56]

In 2001, the Netherlands was the first country in the world to legalize same-sex marriage.^[57]

Note that for simplicity the table below does not distinguish between 'legal' and 'lawful'. An action can only be legal or illegal where a specific law has been passed.

Laws regarding same-sex sexuality by country or territory

LGBT rights at the United Nations

Homosexual "propaganda" and "morality" laws by country or territory

Decriminalization of same-sex sexual intercourse by country or territory

Equalization of age of consent laws for same-sex couples by country or territory

Legal status of same-sex marriage

Legal status of adoption by same-sex couples by country or territory

LGBT service in national militaries by country or territory[citation needed]

Employment discrimination laws by sexual orientation or gender identity by country or territory

Anti-discrimination laws covering goods and services by sexual orientation and/or gender identity by country or territory

Constitutional discrimination laws by sexual orientation and/or gender identity by country or territory

LGBT hate crime laws by country or territory

Incitement to hatred based on sexual orientation and gender identity prohibited by country or territory

Legal status on conversion therapy for minors on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity by country or territory

Immigration equality by country or territory[citation needed]

Bans on same-sex unions by country or territory

Blood donation policies for men who have sex with men by country or territory

Blood donation policies for female sex partners of men who have sex with men by country or territory

Laws concerning gender identity-expression by country or territory

Legal recognition of non-binary genders and third gender

^[c]

List of countries or territories by LGBT rights in Africa

This table: view talk edit Northern Africa LGBT rights in: Same-sex sexual activity Recognition of same-sex unions Same-sex marriage Adoption by same-sex couples LGB people allowed to serve openly in military Anti-discrimination laws concerning sexual orientation Laws concerning gender identity/expression Algeria Illegal since 1966 Penalty: Up to 3 years imprisonment with fines up to 10,000 dinars.[65] Torture,[66] beatings,[67] or vigilante executions are also common. Canary Islands (Autonomous community of Spain) Legal since 1979 + UN decl. sign.[68] De facto unions legal since 2003[69] Legal since 2005[70] Legal since 2005[71][72] Spain responsible for defence Bans all anti-gay discrimination[73] Since 2007, all documents can be amended to the recognised gender[74] Ceuta (Autonomous city of Spain) Legal since 1979 + UN decl. sign.[68] De facto union since 1998[75] Legal since 2005[70] Legal since 2005[71] Spain responsible for defence Bans all anti-gay discrimination Since 2007, all documents can be amended to the recognised gender[74] Egypt / Ambiguous. Male de jure legal, but de facto illegal since 2000 Penalty: Up to 17 years imprisonment with or without hard labour and with or without fines under broadly-written morality laws.[68][76] Libya Illegal since 1953 Penalty: Up to 5 years in jail or vigilante execution.[77][78] Madeira (Autonomous region of Portugal) Legal since 1983 + UN decl. sign.[68] De facto union since 2001[79][80] Legal since 2010[81] Legal since 2016[82][83][84] Portugal responsible for defence Bans all anti-gay discrimination.[73] Since 2011, all documents can be amended to the recognised gender[85] Melilla (Autonomous city of Spain) Legal since 1979 + UN decl. sign.[68] De facto union since 2008[86] Legal since 2005[70] Legal since 2005[71] Spain responsible for defence Bans all anti-gay discrimination[87] Since 2007, all documents can be amended to the recognised gender[74] Morocco (including Southern Provinces) Illegal since 1962 Penalty: Up to 3 to 6 years imprisonment with hard labour.[68][88] Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic (Disputed territory; excluding Southern Provinces) Illegal Penalty: Up to 3 years imprisonment.[68][89][90] Sudan Illegal since 1899 (as Anglo-Egyptian Sudan) Penalty: Life imprisonment for a third offense of anal sex.[91] Tunisia Illegal since 1913 (as the French protectorate of Tunisia) Penalty: 3 years imprisonment.[68][92] [93] Western Africa LGBT rights in: Same-sex sexual activity Recognition of same-sex unions Same-sex marriage Adoption by same-sex couples LGB people allowed to serve openly in military Anti-discrimination laws concerning sexual orientation Laws concerning gender identity/expression Benin Legal (No laws against same-sex sexual activity have ever existed in the country);[68][94] Age of consent discrepancy[68] Burkina Faso Legal (No laws against same-sex sexual activity have ever existed in the country)[68] Constitutional ban since 1991 Cape Verde Legal since 2004 + UN decl. sign.[68] Bans some anti-gay discrimination[68] Gambia Illegal since 1888 (as the Gambia Colony and Protectorate) Penalty: Up to Iife imprisonment.[68][95][96] Forms of gender expression criminalized since 2013[97] Ghana Male illegal since 1892 (as the Gold Coast) Penalty: Up to 3 years imprisonment (repeal disputed)[98][99] Female legal, criminalisation pending 2024[68][96][100][101] Guinea Illegal since 1988 Penalty: 6 months to 10 years imprisonment.[102] Guinea-Bissau Legal since 1993[68] + UN decl. sign. Ivory Coast Legal (No laws against same-sex sexual activity have ever existed in the country); Age of consent discrepancy[68] Liberia Illegal since 1976 Penalty: 1 year imprisonment.[68][103] (repeal disputed) Mali Legal (No laws against same-sex sexual activity have ever existed in the country)[68] Constitutional ban since 2023[104] [105] Mauritania Illegal since 1983 Penalty: Capital punishment for men, (not enforced); prison and a fine for women.[68][106] Niger Legal (No laws against same-sex sexual activity have ever existed in the country); Age of consent discrepancy[68] [105] Nigeria Illegal since 1904 (Northern Region only) Illegal since 1916 (Region-wide) Penalty: Up to 14 years imprisonment. Death in the states of Bauchi, Borno, Gombe, Jigawa, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Kebbi, Niger, Sokoto, Yobe, and Zamfara. (not enforced)[68][107][96] Statutory ban since 2013 Forms of gender expression criminalized in Sharia provinces. Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha (Overseas Territory of the United Kingdom) Legal since 2001 + UN decl. sign.[68] Legal since 2017 Legal since 2017[108][109] Legal since 2017 UK responsible for defence Bans all anti-gay discrimination Senegal Illegal since 1966 Penalty: 1 to 5 years imprisonment.[68][110] Sierra Leone Male illegal since 1861 (as the Sierra Leone Colony and Protectorate) Penalty: Up to life imprisonment (Not enforced, repeal disputed). Female always legal + UN decl. sign.[68] Togo Illegal since 1980 Penalty: Fine and 3 years imprisonment [68] (repeal proposed)[111] Central Africa LGBT rights in: Same-sex sexual activity Recognition of same-sex unions Same-sex marriage Adoption by same-sex couples LGB people allowed to serve openly in military Anti-discrimination laws concerning sexual orientation Laws concerning gender identity/expression Cameroon Illegal since 1972 Penalty: Fines to 5 years imprisonment.[68][96] or vigilante execution and torture,[112] (repeal disputed) Central African Republic Legal (No laws against same-sex sexual activity have ever existed in the country)[68] + UN decl. sign. Constitutional ban since 2016[113] [105] Chad Illegal since 2017 Penalty: Between 3 months and 2 years in prison, with fines of 50,000 to 500,000 FCFA. (Penal Code, Chapter 2, Article 354) [114] [105] Democratic Republic of the Congo Legal (No laws against same-sex sexual activity have ever existed in the country)[68] Constitutional ban since 2005 Republic of the Congo Legal (No laws against same-sex sexual activity have ever existed in the country); Age of consent discrepancy[68] [105] Equatorial Guinea Legal (No laws against same-sex sexual activity have ever existed in the country)[68] [105] Gabon Legal since 2020[115]; Age of consent discrepancy, + UN decl. sign. São Tomé and Príncipe Legal since 2012 + UN decl. sign.[68] Eastern Africa LGBT rights in: Same-sex sexual activity Recognition of same-sex unions Same-sex marriage Adoption by same-sex couples LGB people allowed to serve openly in military Anti-discrimination laws concerning sexual orientation Laws concerning gender identity/expression Burundi Illegal since 2009 Penalty: fine, and 3 months to 2 years imprisonment. [68][116] (repeal disputed) Constitutional ban since 2005 Djibouti Legal (No laws against same-sex sexual activity have ever existed in the country) [68][117] [105] Eritrea Illegal Penalty: Up to 3 years imprisonment.[68][118] or vigilate execution[119] Beatings and torture are also tolerated.[120][121] Ethiopia Illegal Penalty: Up to 15 years. [68] (repeal disputed) [122] Statutory ban since 2009[123] Kenya Illegal since 1897 (as the East Africa Protectorate) Penalty: up to 14 years imprisonment. (repeal proposed) [68][96][124] Constitutional ban since 2010[125] / Limited protection following legal process by the authorities.[126] [127] Rwanda Legal (No laws against same-sex sexual activity have ever existed in the country)[68] + UN decl. sign. Constitutional ban since 2003 Somalia Illegal Penalty: Up to 3 years prison. Jubaland Illegal. Penalty: Up to death in Jubaland.[citation needed] Somaliland (Disputed territory) Illegal Penalty: Up to 3 years prison, sometimes death sentences.[128] South Sudan Illegal since 1899 (as Anglo-Egyptian Sudan) Penalty: Up to 10 years imprisonment. (not enforced) [68][96] Constitutional ban since 2011[citation needed] Forms of gender expression are criminalized. Tanzania Illegal since 1864 (only Zanzibar) Illegal since 1899 Penalty: Up to life imprisonment.[68][96] Vigilante executions, beatings and torture[129][130] are also tolerated. Uganda Male illegal since 1902 (as Protectorate) Female illegal since 2000 Penalty: Life imprisonment, Death penalty in some cases, Beatings, torture, or vigilante execution. [131][132] Constitutional ban since 2005 Indian Ocean states LGBT rights in: Same-sex sexual activity Recognition of same-sex unions Same-sex marriage Adoption by same-sex couples LGB people allowed to serve openly in military Anti-discrimination laws concerning sexual orientation Laws concerning gender identity/expression Comoros Illegal since 1982 Penalty: 5 years imprisonment and fines. (not enforced)[68][133] [105] French Southern and Antarctic Lands (Overseas territory of France) Legal (No laws against same-sex sexual activity have ever existed in the territory)[68] Civil solidarity pact since 1999[citation needed] Legal since 2013 Legal since 2013 France responsible for defence Bans all anti-gay discrimination Under French law Madagascar Legal (No laws against same-sex sexual activity have ever existed in the country); Age of consent discrepancy[68] Mauritius Legal since 2023[134] + UN decl. sign. Bans all anti-gay discrimination[135][136] Mayotte (Overseas region of France) Legal (No laws against same-sex sexual activity have ever existed in the region)[68] Civil solidarity pact since 2007 Legal since 2013 Legal since 2013 France responsible for defence Bans all anti-gay discrimination Under French law Réunion (Overseas region of France) Legal since 1791[68] Civil solidarity pact since 1999 Legal since 2013 Legal since 2013 France responsible for defence Bans all anti-gay discrimination Under French law Seychelles Legal since 2016[137] + UN decl. sign. Bans some anti-gay discrimination[68] Southern Africa LGBT rights in: Same-sex sexual activity Recognition of same-sex unions Same-sex marriage Adoption by same-sex couples LGBT people allowed to serve openly in military Anti-discrimination laws concerning sexual orientation Laws concerning gender identity/expression Angola Legal since 2021 [138] Bans all anti-gay discrimination[139] May possibly change gender under the Código do Registro Civil 2015[140] Botswana Legal since 2019 [141] (Only LGB) Bans all anti-gay discrimination Legal gender change recognized as a constitutional right since 2017[142] Eswatini Male illegal since the 1880s (not enforced, repeal proposed) Penalty: Unknown Female always legal[68][96] Lesotho Male legal since 2012 Female always legal[68] May possibly change gender under the National Identity Cards Act 9 of 2011[143] Malawi Illegal since 1891 (as British Central Africa Protectorate)[96] Penalty: Up to 14 years imprisonment, with or without corporal punishment for men up to 5 years imprisonment for women (repeal proposed)[68][144][96][145][146] Mozambique Legal since 2015[147][148] Bans some anti-gay discrimination[68][135] Namibia Male illegal since 1920 (not enforced; repeal proposed)[96][149] Penalty: Unknown Female always legal[68][150][151] / Foreign same-sex marriages recognised. / Foreign same-sex marriages recognised. Bans some anti-gay discrimination.[152] Under the Births, Marriages and Deaths Registration Act 81 of 1963[153] South Africa Male legal since 1998 Female always legal; equal age of consent since 2007 + UN decl. sign.[68] Limited recognition of unregistered partnerships since 1998; same-sex marriage since 2006 Legal since 2006 Legal since 2002 Since 1998 Constitution bans all anti-gay discrimination Anti-discrimination laws are interpreted to include gender identity; legal gender may be changed after surgical or medical treatment Zambia Illegal since 1911 (as part of the British South Africa Company rule of Rhodesia) Penalty: up to 14 years imprisonment. (repeal proposed)[68][96] Zimbabwe Male illegal since 1891 (as part of the British South Africa Company rule of Rhodesia) Penalty: up to 14 years imprisonment. (repeal proposed) Female always legal[68][96] Constitutional ban since 2013[154]

List of countries or territories by LGBT rights in the Americas

Tables: view talk edit North America LGBT rights in: Same-sex sexual activity Recognition of same-sex unions Same-sex marriage Adoption by same-sex couples LGB people allowed to serve openly in military Anti-discrimination laws concerning sexual orientation Laws concerning gender identity/expression Lack of a Presence of Anti-LGBT laws Bermuda (Overseas Territory of the United Kingdom) Legal since 1994; equal age of consent since 2019 + UN decl. sign.[68] Domestic partnerships since 2018[155] Was legal between November 2018 and March 2022 and between May 2017 and June 2018 Legal since 2015[156] UK responsible for defence Bans all anti-gay discrimination[157] Canada Legal since 1969; equal age of consent since 1987 + UN decl. sign.[68][158] Domestic partnerships in Nova Scotia (2001);[159] Civil unions in Quebec (2002);[160] Adult interdependent relationships in Alberta (2003);[161] Common-law relationships in Manitoba (2004)[162] Legal in some provinces and territories since 2003, nationwide since 2005[163] Legal in some provinces and territories since 1996, nationwide since 2011[164] Since 1992[165]; Includes transgender people[166] Bans all anti-gay discrimination. Ban on conversion therapy since 2022 nationwide Transgender people can change their gender and name without completion of medical intervention and human rights protections explicitly include gender identity or expression within all of Canada since 2017[167][168][169][170] [171][172] Greenland (Autonomous Territory within the Kingdom of Denmark) Legal since 1933; equal age of consent since 1977 + UN decl. sign.[68] Registered partnerships between 1996 and 2016 (Existing partnerships are still recognised.)[173] Legal since 2016 Stepchild adoption since 2009;[174] joint adoption since 2016[175] The Kingdom of Denmark responsible for defence Bans some anti-gay discrimination[68] Legal gender change and recognition possible without surgery or hormone therapy[176][177] Mexico Legal since 1871 + UN decl. sign.[68] / Civil unions in Mexico City (2007), Coahuila (2007),[178] Colima (between 2013 and 2016),[179] Campeche (2013),[180] Jalisco (between 2014 and 2018),[181] Michoacán (2015), Tlaxcala (2017), and Veracruz (2020) Starting in 2010; nationwide since 2022 / Legal in Mexico City (2010),[182] Coahuila (2014), Chihuahua (2015), Jalisco (2016), Michoacán (2016), Colima (2016), Morelos (2016), Campeche (2016), Veracruz (2016), Baja California (2017), Querétaro (2017), Chiapas (2017), Puebla (2017), Aguascalientes (2018), San Luis Potosi (2019), Hidalgo (2019), Yucatán (2021), Nayarit (2022), Quintana Roo (2022), Baja California Sur (2022), Tabasco (2024), Durango, Tamaulipas, and Nuevo León (the latter three never had adoption bans)[183][184] (ambiguous) Bans all anti-gay discrimination[185] Pathologization or attempted treatment of sexual orientation by mental health professionals illegal in Mexico City (2020), México (2020), Baja California Sur (2020), Colima (2021), Tlaxcala (2021), Oaxaca (2021), Yucatán (2021), Zacatecas (2021), Baja California (2022), Hidalgo (2022), Jalisco (2022), Puebla (2022), Sonora (2022), Nuevo León (2022), Querétaro (2023), Sinaloa (2023), Quintana Roo (2023), Morelos (2023), Guerrero (2024). / Transgender persons can change their legal gender and name in Mexico City (2008),[186] Michoacán (2017), Nayarit (2017), Coahuila (2018), Hidalgo (2019), San Luis Potosí (2019), Colima (2019), Baja California (2019), Oaxaca (2019), Tlaxcala (2019), Chihuahua (2019), Sonora (2020), Jalisco (2020), Quintana Roo (2020), Puebla (2021), Baja California Sur (2021), México (2021), Morelos (2021), Sinaloa (2022), Zacatecas (2022), Durango (2023), and Yucatán (2024) [187] Saint Pierre and Miquelon (Overseas collectivity of France) Legal since 1791 + UN decl. sign.[68] Civil solidarity pact since 1999[188] Legal since 2013[189] Legal since 2013[190] Bans all anti-gay discrimination[87] Under French law[191] United States Legal in some states since 1962, nationwide since 2003 + UN decl. sign.[68] Domestic partnerships in California (1999), the District of Columbia (2002), Maine (2004), Washington (2007), Maryland (2008), Oregon (2008), Nevada (2009) and Wisconsin (2009). Civil unions in Vermont (2000), Connecticut (2005), New Jersey (2007), New Hampshire (2008), Illinois (2011), Rhode Island (2011), Delaware (2012), Hawaii (2012) and Colorado (2013). Legal in some states since 2004, nationwide since 2015 Legal in some states since 1993, nationwide since 2016 / Lesbians, gays, and bisexuals have been allowed to serve openly in the U.S. military since 2011, following the repeal of the Don't Ask, Don't Tell policy. Transgender people have been allowed to serve openly since 2021.[192] "Transvestites" are currently banned from the military since 2012.[193] Most openly Intersex people may be banned from the military under the Armed Forces ban of "hermaphrodites".[193] / Employment discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation is prohibited nationwide since 2020. More extensive protections exist in 23 states, DC, and some municipalities. Conversion therapy for minors is banned in 22 states, DC, and some municipalities. Sexual orientation is covered by the federal hate crime law since 2009. / Since April 11, 2022 by legal self determination - gender X became available and recognized formally on US passports.[194] Gender change is legal on birth certificates (under varying conditions by state), in 48 states + DC. Nonbinary gender markers are available, under varying circumstances, in 25 states + DC. Employment discrimination on the basis of gender identity is prohibited nationwide since 2020. More extensive protections exist in 22 states, DC, and some municipalities. Gender identity is covered by the federal hate crime law since 2009. Federally / Status varies state to state Central America LGBT rights in: Same-sex sexual activity Recognition of same-sex unions Same-sex marriage Adoption by same-sex couples LGB people allowed to serve openly in military Anti-discrimination laws concerning sexual orientation Laws concerning gender identity/expression Lack of a Presence of Anti-LGBT laws Belize Legal since 2016[195] Bans all anti-gay discrimination[196][197][198] [199] Costa Rica Legal since 1971 + UN decl. sign.[68] Unregistered cohabitation since 2014[200][201] Legal since May 2020 Legal since May 2020[202] Has no military Bans all anti-gay discrimination[68] / Transgender persons can change their legal name without surgeries or judicial permission since 2018. Legal gender cannot be changed. Sex indicator removed from all ID cards issued since May 2018[203][204][205] One-time sex change allowed for passports. [206] [171][172] El Salvador Legal since 1822 + UN decl. sign.[68] [207][208] Bans all anti-gay discrimination[207] [209] Bans discrimination based on gender identity. Guatemala Legal since 1871 + UN decl. sign.[68] Pending Bans some anti-gay discrimination [210] Honduras Legal since 1899 + UN decl. sign.[68] Constitutional ban on de facto unions since 2005 Constitutional ban since 2005;[211][212] court decision pending Constitutional ban since 2005 Bans all anti-gay discrimination[213] Nicaragua Legal since 2008 + UN decl. sign.[68] Bans some anti-gay discrimination[68] Panama Legal since 2008 + UN decl. sign.[68] Court decision pending Court decision pending Court decision pending Has no military Bans some anti-gay discrimination[214][215] Transgender persons can change their legal gender and name after completion of medical intervention since 2006[216][217] / Caribbean LGBT rights in: Same-sex sexual activity Recognition of same-sex unions Same-sex marriage Adoption by same-sex couples LGB people allowed to serve openly in military Anti-discrimination laws concerning sexual orientation Laws concerning gender identity/expression Lack of a Presence of Anti-LGBT laws Anguilla (Overseas Territory of the United Kingdom) Legal since 2001 Age of consent discrepancy + UN decl. sign.[68] UK responsible for defence Antigua and Barbuda Legal since 2022 Aruba (Constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands) Legal (No laws against same-sex sexual activity have ever existed in the country) + UN decl. sign.[68] Registered partnerships since 2021[218] / Same-sex marriages performed in the Netherlands recognized[219] The Netherlands responsible for defence Bans all anti-gay discrimination[220] Bahamas Legal since 1991; Age of consent discrepancy + UN decl. sign.[68] [68] Barbados Legal since 2022. / Foreign Domestic Partnerships recognized for immigration purposes "Welcome Stamp"[221] Civil Unions proposed.[222] Bans some anti-gay discrimination[223] Bonaire (a special municipality of the Netherlands) Legal (No laws against same-sex sexual activity have ever existed in the municipalities) + UN decl. sign.[68] Registered partnerships since 2012[224] Legal since 2012[225] [226] The Netherlands responsible for defence Bans all anti-gay discrimination[227] British Virgin Islands (Overseas Territory of the United Kingdom) Legal since 2001 + UN decl. sign.[68] UK responsible for defence Bans all anti-gay discrimination[228] Cayman Islands (Overseas Territory of the United Kingdom) Legal since 2001; Age of consent discrepancy[68] + UN decl. sign. Civil partnerships since 2020[229] Legal since 2020 UK responsible for defence Cuba Legal since 1979 + UN decl. sign.[68] Legal since 2022 Legal since 2022 Legal since 2022 [68][230] Bans all anti-gay discrimination [231][232][233] Transgender people allowed to change gender after sex change operations[234] [171][172] Curaçao (Constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands) Legal (No laws against same-sex sexual activity have ever existed in the country) + UN decl. sign.[68] (Pending court ruling)/ Mariages performed in Netherlands recognized The Netherlands responsible for defence Bans all anti-gay discrimination[235] Dominica Legal since 2024[236] + UN decl. sign.[68] Dominican Republic Legal since 1822 + UN decl. sign.[68] Constitutional ban since 2010[citation needed] [237] Grenada Male illegal Penalty: 10-year prison sentence (not enforced). [238] Legalization proposed[239] Female always legal[68] Has no military Guadeloupe (Overseas department of France) Legal since 1791 + UN decl. sign.[68] Civil solidarity pact since 1999[188] Legal since 2013[189] Legal since 2013[190] France responsible for defence Bans all anti-gay discrimination[87] Under French law[191] Haiti Legal since 1791 (as Saint-Domingue)[68] Has no military Jamaica Male illegal Penalty: 10 years and/or hard labor (Not enforced). Legalization proposed[240] Female always legal.[68] Constitutional ban since 1962 Martinique (Overseas department of France) Legal since 1791 + UN decl. sign.[68] Civil solidarity pact since 1999[188] Legal since 2013[189] Legal since 2013[190] France responsible for defence Bans all anti-gay discrimination[87] Under French law[191] Montserrat (Overseas Territory of the United Kingdom) Legal since 2001 + UN decl. sign.[68] UK responsible for defence Bans all anti-gay discrimination[241] Puerto Rico (Commonwealth of the United States) Legal since 2003 Legal since 2015 Legal since 2015[242] Legal since 2015 United States responsible for defense[243][244] Bans some anti-gay discrimination Gender change legal since 2018; does not require surgery Saba (a special municipality of the Netherlands) Legal (No laws against same-sex sexual activity have ever existed in the municipalities) + UN decl. sign.[68] Registered partnerships since 2012[224] Legal since 2012[225] [226] The Netherlands responsible for defence Bans all anti-gay discrimination[227] [245] Saint Barthélemy (Overseas collectivity of France) Legal since 1791 + UN decl. sign.[68] Civil solidarity pact since 1999[188] Legal since 2013[189] Legal since 2013[190] France responsible for defence Bans all anti-gay discrimination[87] Under French law[191] Saint Kitts and Nevis Legal since 2022 Saint Lucia Male illegal Penalty: Fine and/or 10-year prison sentence (Not enforced). Legalization proposed[246] Female always legal[68] Has no military Bans some anti-gay discrimination Saint Martin (Overseas collectivity of France) Legal since 1791 + UN decl. sign.[68] Civil solidarity pact since 1999[188] Legal since 2013[189] Legal since 2013[190] France responsible for defence Bans all anti-gay discrimination[87] Under French law[191] Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Illegal Penalty: Fine and/or 10-year prison sentence (Not enforced).[68] Legalization proposed[247] Has no military Sint Eustatius (a special municipality of the Netherlands) Legal (No laws against same-sex sexual activity have ever existed in the municipalities) + UN decl. sign.[68] Registered partnerships since 2012[224] Legal since 2012[225] [226] The Netherlands responsible for defence Bans all anti-gay discrimination[227] Sint Maarten (Constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands) Legal (No laws against same-sex sexual activity have ever existed in the country) + UN decl. sign.[68] / Same-sex marriages performed in the Netherlands recognized[219] The Netherlands responsible for defence Bans all anti-gay discrimination[248] Trinidad and Tobago Legal since 2018[249] Turks and Caicos Islands (Overseas Territory of the United Kingdom) Legal since 2001 Age of consent discrepancy + UN decl. sign.[68] UK responsible for defence Bans all anti-gay discrimination[68] United States Virgin Islands (Territory of the United States) Legal since 1985 Legal since 2015[250] Legal since 2015[250] Legal since 2015[250] United States responsible for defense[243][244] Bans all anti-gay discrimination[251] Legislation enacted in 2022, also explicitly includes gender identity.[251] South America LGBT rights in: Same-sex sexual activity Recognition of same-sex unions Same-sex marriage Adoption by same-sex couples LGB people allowed to serve openly in military Anti-discrimination laws concerning sexual orientation Laws concerning gender identity/expression Lack of a Presence of Anti-LGBT laws Argentina Legal since 1887 + UN decl. sign.[68] Civil unions in Buenos Aires (2003),[252] Río Negro Province (2003),[253] Villa Carlos Paz (2007) and Río Cuarto (2009) Cohabitation unions nationwide since 2015[254] Legal since 2010[255] Legal since 2010 Since 2009[256] / Legal protection in some cities;[257] pending nationwide. Pathologization or attempted treatment of sexual orientation by mental health professionals illegal since 2010 Transgender persons can change their legal gender and name without surgeries or judicial order since 2012[258] Transgender persons have a law reserving 1% of Argentina's public sector jobs. Economic incentives included in the new law aim to help trans people find work in all sectors.[259] [171][172] Bolivia Legal since 1832 + UN decl. sign.[68] Free unions officially recognised starting in 2020; nationwide since 2023.[260] Constitutional ban since 2009[261] Same-sex couples in a free union are permitted to adopt[262] Since 2015[263][264][265]; Includes transgender people[166] Bans all anti-gay discrimination[68] Transgender persons can change their legal gender and name without surgeries or judicial order since 2016[266][267][268] Brazil Legal since 1830 + UN decl. sign.[68] "Stable unions" legal and all rights as recognized family entities available nationwide since 2011[269][270] Starting in 2011; nationwide since 2013[271][272] Legal since 2010[273] Since 1969[274] Bans all anti-gay discrimination.[275] Pathologization or attempted treatment of sexual orientation by mental health professionals illegal since 1999[276][277] Transgender people can change their legal gender and name before a notary without the need of surgeries or judicial order since 2018. The sex reassignment surgery, hormonal and psychological treatment are offered free of charge by the Brazilian Unified Health System (UHS) [278][279][280] Chile Legal since 1999; equal age of consent since 2022 + UN decl. sign.[68] Civil unions since 2015[281] Legal since 2022[282] Legal since 2022[282] Since 2012[283]; Includes transgender people[284] Bans all anti-gay discrimination[285] Pathologization or attempted treatment of sexual orientation by mental health professionals illegal since 2021 Transsexual persons can change their registral sex and name since 1974. Transgender persons can change their registral sex and name, no surgeries or judicial order for adults above 18 years old since 2019.[286] Colombia Legal since 1981 + UN decl. sign.[68] De facto marital union since 2007[287] Legal since 2016[288][289] Stepchild adoption since 2014;[290] joint adoption since 2015[291] Since 1999[68] Bans all anti-gay discrimination[292] Since 2015, transgender persons can change their legal gender and name manifesting their solemn will before a notary, no surgeries or judicial order required[293] Ecuador Legal since 1997 + UN decl. sign.[68] De facto unions since 2009[294][295] Legal since 2019[296] LGBT individuals may adopt, but not same-sex couples[297] [298] Bans all anti-gay discrimination.[299] Pathologization or attempted treatment of sexual orientation by mental health professionals illegal since 2014 Since 2016, transgender persons are allowed to change their birth name and gender identity; no surgeries or judicial order required[300][301] Falkland Islands (Overseas Territory of the United Kingdom) Legal since 1989; equal age of consent since 2006 + UN decl. sign.[68] Civil partnerships since 2017[302] Legal since 2017[302] Legal since 2017 UK responsible for defence Bans all anti-gay discrimination[303] French Guiana (Overseas department of France) Legal since 1791 + UN decl. sign.[68] Civil solidarity pact since 1999[188] Legal since 2013[189] Legal since 2013[190] France responsible for defence Bans all anti-gay discrimination[87] Under French law[191] Guyana Illegal Penalty: Up to life imprisonment (Not enforced).[68] Legalization proposed[304] [305] [306] Paraguay Legal since 1880; Age of consent discrepancy + UN decl. sign.[68] Constitutional ban on de facto unions since 1992[307] Constitutional ban since 1992[308] [309] Bans some anti-gay discrimination. Pathologization or attempted treatment of sexual orientation by mental health professionals illegal since 2022 Peru Legal since 1924; equal age of consent since 2012 + UN decl. sign.[68] / Limited recognition for same-sex partners of health-care workers since 2020. Since 2009[310] Bans all anti-gay discrimination[311][312][313][314][315] Transgender persons can change their legal gender and name without the need for the completion of medical intervention since 2016. Judicial order required.[316][317] South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands (Overseas Territory of the United Kingdom) Legal since 2001 + UN decl. sign. Legal since 2014[318] Legal since 2014[318] UK responsible for defence Suriname Legal since 1869 (as Dutch Guiana); Age of consent discrepancy Bans all anti-gay discrimination[319] Transgender persons can change their legal gender since 2022. Court order required.[320][321][322] Uruguay Legal since 1934 + UN decl. sign.[68] Concubinage union since 2008[323] Legal since 2013[324] Legal since 2009[325] Since 2009[326] Bans all anti-gay discrimination.[327] Pathologization or attempted treatment of sexual orientation by mental health professionals illegal since 2017 Transgender persons can change their legal gender and name without surgeries or judicial order required since 2009.[328] Self-determination since 2018. Venezuela Legal since 1997 + UN decl. sign.[68] Constitutional ban on de facto stable unions since 1999 Constitutional ban since 1999 Since 2023[329] Bans some anti-gay discrimination[68]