LGBTQ rights by country or territory

This article needs to be updated. Please help update this article to reflect recent events or newly available information. (May 2025)

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Rights affecting lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ) 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 January 2025^[update], 38 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United Arab Emirates.^[7][8] LGBTQ people also face extrajudicial killings in the Russian region of Chechnya.^[9] Sudan rescinded its unenforced death penalty for anal sex (hetero- or homosexual) in 2020.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 LGBTQ 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 LGBTQ rights.^[15][16] A 2022 study found that LGBTQ 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 LGBTQ 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 LGBTQ people in its 2023 index.^[19]

Laws that affect LGBTQ 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 same-sex parenting, including same-sex adoption
• anti-discrimination laws in employment, housing, education, public accommodations
• anti-bullying legislation to protect LGBTQ children at school
• hate crime laws imposing enhanced criminal penalties for prejudice-motivated violence against LGBTQ 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 that 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 gender-affirming hormone replacement therapy
• legal recognition and accommodation of the affirmed gender

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 people from lying with people of the same sex (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 1861, the British Empire introduced Section 377 of the British Colonial Penal Code, outlawing consensual sexual activity between same-sex couples as well as labelling third gender communities such as the apwint people and Hijra as "outlaw tribes". This law was intended to criminalise acts "against the order of nature". Section 377 was used to prosecute people engaging in oral and anal sex along with homosexual activity.

Today, Section 377 still exists in some former British colonies:

• Bangladesh^[57]
• Malaysia^[57]
• Myanmar^[57]
• Pakistan^[57]
• Sri Lanka (as Section 365)^[57]

In addition to Section 377, the United Kingdom also introduced a number of laws targeting gender non-conformity throughout its colonies. In 1861, authorities of the North-Western Provinces (NWP) sought to enact a 'special law' against Hijra people in order to criminalise their identity.^[58] The Hijra were included in the Criminal Tribes Act (1871)^[59][58] and were monitored with the hope of eliminating their culture.^[58] Due to the passage of the Criminal Tribes Act (1871), Hijra people could not possess children.^[58]

While significant progress has been made to reverse these laws, the majority of the countries of the Commonwealth of Nations, formerly known as the British Commonwealth, still criminalise sexual acts between consenting adults of the same sex and other forms of sexual orientation, gender identity and expression. Homosexual activity remains a criminal offence in 29 of the 56 sovereign states of the Commonwealth; and legal in only 27. In 3 of these states, homosexual activity is punishable by death.

LGBTQ communities still face significant discrimination due to the influence of colonialism in former British colonies, despite these communities being accepted prior to British colonialism. In the Indic cultural sphere, references to a third sex can be found throughout the texts of India's religious traditions like Jainism^[60] and Buddhism^[61] as well as the Kama Sutra.^[62] The foundational work of Hindu law, the Manu Smriti (c. 200 BC–200 AD) explains humans as belonging to one of three biological sexes, indicating a belief that transsexuality was an inherent trait.

In 2001, the Netherlands was the first country in the world to legalize same-sex marriage.^[63]

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

LGBTQ service in national militaries by country or territory

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

LGBTQ 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
[original research?]

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[needs update]

Laws concerning gender identity-expression by country or territory

Legal recognition of non-binary genders and third gender

Decriminalization of homosexuality timeline

	Countries/Territories/States
Never been illegal/Never criminalized	List Aruba, Netherlands Benin Burkina Faso Cambodia Central African Republic Cocos (Keeling) Islands, Australia Congo DR Congo Christmas Island, Australia Curaçao, Netherlands Djibouti Equatorial Guinea French Polynesia, France Indonesia[a] Ivory Coast Laos Madagascar Mayotte, France Micronesia New Caledonia, France Niger North Korea Rwanda Sint Maarten, Netherlands South Korea Philippines Vietnam Wallis and Futuna, France
18th century	List 1791: Andorra            Kingdom of France (includes Guadeloupe, French Guiana, Martinique, Réunion, San Barthélemy, Saint Martin, and Saint Pierre and Miquelon)            Saint-Domingue (Haiti) 1793: Monaco 1794: Luxembourg 1795: Belgium 1798: Geneva, Switzerland            Ticino, Switzerland            Vaud, Switzerland            Valais, Switzerland
19th century	List 1811: Netherlands 1822: Dominican Republic            El Salvador 1830: Empire of Brazil 1832: Bolivia 1853: Argentina 1858: Ottoman Empire (Turkey) 1864: San Marino 1869: Dutch Guiana (Suriname) 1871: Guatemala            Mexico 1882: Empire of Japan 1890: Kingdom of Italy            Vatican City 1899: Honduras
20th century	List 1912: Taiwan 1924: Peru 1933: Denmark (includes Greenland and the Faroe Islands) 1932: Poland 1934: Uruguay 1940: Kingdom of Iceland 1942: Switzerland (nationwide) 1944: Sweden 1951: Greece            Jordan            West Bank, Palestine 1956: Thailand 1961: Hungary 1962: Czechoslovakia            Illinois, United States 1967: England and Wales, United Kingdom 1968: Bulgaria            East Germany 1969: Canada            West Germany 1971: Austria            Connecticut, United States            Costa Rica            Finland 1972: Colorado, United States            Oregon, United States            Norway 1973: Delaware, United States            Hawaii, United States            Malta            North Dakota, United States 1974: Massachusetts, United States            Ohio, United States 1975: East Timor            New Hampshire, United States            New Mexico, United States            South Australia, Australia 1976: Australian Capital Territory, Australia            Bahrain            California, United States            Indiana, United States            Maine, United States            Washington, United States            West Virginia, United States 1977: Socialist Republic of Croatia            Socialist Republic of Montenegro            Socialist Republic of Slovenia            South Dakota, United States            Vermont, United States            Wyoming, United States 1978: Guam, United States            Iowa, United States            Nebraska, United States            New Jersey, United States 1979: Cuba            Spain 1980: Alaska, United States            American Samoa, United States            New York, United States            Pennsylvania, United States 1981: Colombia            Scotland, United Kingdom            Victoria, Australia 1982: Northern Ireland, United Kingdom 1983: Guernsey, United Kingdom            Northern Mariana Islands, United States            Northern Territory, Australia            Portugal            Wisconsin, United States 1984: New South Wales, Australia 1985: United States Virgin Islands, United States 1986: New Zealand 1988: Israel 1989: Falkland Islands, United Kingdom            Liechtenstein 1990: Jersey, United Kingdom            Paraguay            Western Australia, Australia 1991: Bahamas            Abkhazia            British Hong Kong            Queensland, Australia            South Ossetia            Ukraine 1992: Estonia            Isle of Man, United Kingdom            Kentucky, United States            Latvia 1993: District of Columbia, United States            Gibraltar, United Kingdom            Guinea Bissau            Ireland            Lithuania            Mongolia            Nevada, United States            Norfolk Island, Australia            Russia[b] 1994: Autonomous Province of Kosovo and Metohija            Belarus            Bermuda, United Kingdom            Republic of Serbia 1995: Albania            Moldova 1996: Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bosnia and Herzegovina            Portuguese Macau            North Macedonia            Romania            Tennessee, United States 1997: China            Ecuador            Montana, United States            Tasmania, Australia            Venezuela 1998: Cyprus            Georgia, United States            Kazakhstan            Kyrgyzstan            Republika Srpska, Bosnia and Herzegovina            Rhode Island, United States            South Africa            Tajikistan 1999: Chile            Maryland, United States 2000: Akrotiri and Dhekelia, United Kingdom            Azerbaijan            Georgia
21st century	List 2001: Anguilla, United Kingdom            Arizona, United States            Brčko District, Bosnia and Herzegovina            British Virgin Islands, United Kingdom            Cayman Islands, United Kingdom            Minnesota, United States            Montserrat, United Kingdom            Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha, United Kingdom            Pitcairn Islands, United Kingdom            Turks and Caicos Islands, United Kingdom 2002: Arkansas, United States            Transnistria 2003: Armenia            Tokelau, New Zealand            United States (nationwide) 2004: Cape Verde 2005: Marshall Islands 2007: Nepal            Vanuatu 2008: Nicaragua            Panama 2010: Fiji 2012: Lesotho            São Tomé and Príncipe 2014: Northern Cyprus            Palau 2015: Mozambique 2016: Belize            Nauru            Seychelles 2018: India 2019: Botswana 2020: Gabon 2021: Angola            Bhutan 2022: Antigua and Barbuda            Barbados            Singapore            Saint Kitts and Nevis 2023: Cook Islands, New Zealand            Mauritius 2024: Dominica            Namibia            Niue, New Zealand 2025: Saint Lucia
	Notes Note that while this template lists several historical countries, such as the Kingdom of France, Czechoslovakia, East Germany, etc., for the sake of clarity, the flags shown are contemporary flags. When a country has decriminalized, re-criminalized, and decriminalized again (e.g. Albania, Bulgaria, Spain, republics of the Soviet Union) only the later decriminalization date is included. Countries which have decriminalized and since re-criminalized (e.g. Iraq) are excluded.

Note: A country in this list is to be presumed to have equalized the age of consent at the same time as it decriminalized homosexual acts, unless otherwise noted.

List of countries or territories by LGBT rights in Africa

This table: view talk edit Northern Africa [edit] LGBTQ 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.[71][72][73] Canary Islands (Autonomous community of Spain) Legal since 1979 + UN decl. sign.[74] De facto unions legal since 2003[75] Legal since 2005[76] Legal since 2005[77][78] Spain responsible for defence Bans all anti-gay discrimination[79] Since 2007, all documents can be amended to the recognised gender[80] Ceuta (Autonomous city of Spain) Legal since 1979 + UN decl. sign.[74] De facto union since 1998[81] Legal since 2005[76] Legal since 2005[77] Spain responsible for defence Bans all anti-gay discrimination Since 2007, all documents can be amended to the recognised gender[80] 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.[74][82] Libya Illegal since 1953 (as Kingdom of Libya) Penalty: Up to 5 years in jail.[83][84] Madeira (Autonomous region of Portugal) Legal since 1983 + UN decl. sign.[74] De facto union since 2001[85][86] Legal since 2010[87] Legal since 2016[88][89][90] Portugal responsible for defence Bans all anti-gay discrimination.[79] Since 2011, all documents can be amended to the recognised gender[91] Melilla (Autonomous city of Spain) Legal since 1979 + UN decl. sign.[74] De facto union since 2008[92] Legal since 2005[76] Legal since 2005[77] Spain responsible for defence Bans all anti-gay discrimination[93] Since 2007, all documents can be amended to the recognised gender[80] Morocco (including Moroccan-occupied Western Sahara) Illegal since 1962 Penalty: Up to 3 to 6 years imprisonment with hard labour.[74][94] Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic (Disputed territory; only Free Zone) Illegal Penalty: Up to 3 years imprisonment.[74][95][96] Sudan Illegal since 1899 (as Anglo-Egyptian Sudan) Penalty: Life imprisonment for a third offense of anal sex.[97] Tunisia Illegal since 1913 (as the French protectorate of Tunisia) Penalty: 3 years imprisonment.[74][98] [99] Western Africa [edit] LGBTQ 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);[74][100] Equal age of consent since 2018. / Limited protections. Burkina Faso Legal (No laws against same-sex sexual activity have ever existed in the country, Criminalization pending) [101] Constitutional ban since 1991 Cape Verde Legal since 2004 + UN decl. sign.[101] Bans some anti-gay discrimination[101] Gambia Illegal since 1888 (as the Gambia Colony and Protectorate) Penalty: Up to Iife imprisonment.[101][102][103] Forms of gender expression criminalized since 2013[104] Ghana Male illegal since 1892 (as the Gold Coast) Penalty: Up to 3 years imprisonment (repeal proposed)[105][106][107] Female legal, Criminalization pending 2024[74][103][108][109] / Limited protections. Guinea Illegal since 1988 Penalty: 6 months to 10 years imprisonment.[110] (rarely enforced)[111] Guinea-Bissau Legal since 1993[101] + UN decl. sign. Ivory Coast Legal (No laws against same-sex sexual activity have ever existed in the country); Age of consent discrepancy[101] Liberia Illegal since 1976 Penalty: 1 year imprisonment.[101][112] (repeal proposed)[113] / Limited protections. Mali Illegal since 2024 Penalty: 7 years imprisonment and a fine of 500,000 francs.[114][74] Constitutional ban since 2023[115] [116] Mauritania Illegal since 1983 Penalty: Capital punishment for men, (not enforced, de jure); up to 2 years in prison and a fine for women and men (de facto).[101][117] Niger Legal (No laws against same-sex sexual activity have ever existed in the country, Criminalization pending); Age of consent discrepancy[101] [116] 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)[74][118][103] 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.[74] Legal since 2017 Legal since 2017[119][120] Legal since 2017 UK responsible for defence Bans all anti-gay discrimination Senegal Illegal since 1966 Penalty: 1 to 5 years imprisonment.[74][121] 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.[74] / Limited protections. Togo Illegal since 1980 Penalty: Fine and 3 years imprisonment [74] (rarely enforced, repeal proposed)[122][123] / Limited protections. Central Africa [edit] LGBTQ 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.[74][103][124] (repeal proposed) [125] Central African Republic Legal (No laws against same-sex sexual activity have ever existed in the country)[74] + UN decl. sign. Constitutional ban since 2016[126] / Limited protections. [116] 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) [127] / Aggravated punishment when the rape is committed because of the sexual orientation of the victim. [116] Democratic Republic of the Congo Legal (No laws against same-sex sexual activity have ever existed in the country)[74] Constitutional ban since 2006 / Limited protections Republic of the Congo Legal (No laws against same-sex sexual activity have ever existed in the country); Age of consent discrepancy[74] / Limited protections [116] Equatorial Guinea Legal (No laws against same-sex sexual activity have ever existed in the country)[74] Bans some anti-gay discrimination. [116] Gabon Legal since 2020[128]; Age of consent discrepancy, + UN decl. sign. Constitutional ban since 2024 / Limited protections. São Tomé and Príncipe Legal since 2012 + UN decl. sign.[74] Bans some anti-gay discrimination[129] Eastern Africa [edit] LGBTQ 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. [74][130] (repeal disputed) Constitutional ban since 2005 Djibouti Legal (No laws against same-sex sexual activity have ever existed in the country) [74][131] [116] Eritrea Illegal Penalty: Up to 3 years imprisonment.[74][132][133][134][135] (rarely enforced)[136] Ethiopia Illegal Penalty: Up to 15 years. [74] (repeal disputed) [137] Statutory ban since 2009[138] Kenya Illegal since 1897 (as the East Africa Protectorate) Penalty: up to 14 years imprisonment. (repeal proposed) [74][103][139] Constitutional ban since 2010[140] / Limited protections.[141] [142] Rwanda Legal (No laws against same-sex sexual activity have ever existed in the country)[74] + UN decl. sign. Constitutional ban since 2003 / Limited protections.[143] Somalia Illegal Penalty: Up to 3 years prison. Jubaland Illegal. Penalty: Up to death in Jubaland.[144] Somaliland (Disputed territory) Illegal Penalty: Up to 3 years prison, sometimes death sentences.[145] South Sudan Illegal since 1899 (as Anglo-Egyptian Sudan) Penalty: Up to 10 years imprisonment. (not enforced) [74][103] Constitutional ban since 2011[146] Forms of gender expression are criminalized. Tanzania Illegal since 1864 (only Zanzibar) Illegal since 1899 Penalty: Up to life imprisonment.[74][103][147][148] (repeal disputed)[149] / Limited protections. Uganda Male illegal since 1902 (as Protectorate) Female illegal since 2000 Penalty: Up to life imprisonment. Capital punishment for "aggravated homosexuality" (not enforced). [150][151] Constitutional ban since 2005 Indian Ocean states [edit] LGBTQ 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)[74][152] [116] French Southern and Antarctic Lands (Overseas territory of France) Legal (No laws against same-sex sexual activity have ever existed in the territory)[74] Civil solidarity pact since 1999[153] 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[74] / Limited protections. Mauritius Legal since 2023[154] + UN decl. sign. Bans all anti-gay discrimination[155][156] Mayotte (Overseas region of France) Legal (No laws against same-sex sexual activity have ever existed in the region)[74] 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[74] 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[157] + UN decl. sign. Bans some anti-gay discrimination[74] Southern Africa [edit] LGBTQ 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 [158] Bans all anti-gay discrimination[159] May possibly change gender under the Código do Registro Civil 2015[160] Botswana Legal since 2019 [161] (Only LGB) Bans all anti-gay discrimination Legal gender change recognized as a constitutional right since 2017[162] Eswatini Male illegal since the 1880s (not enforced, repeal proposed)[163] Penalty: Unknown Female always legal[74][103] / Hate speech ban, only in broadcasting. Lesotho Male legal since 2012 Female always legal[74] Bans some anti-gay discrimination.[164][165] May possibly change gender under the National Identity Cards Act 9 of 2011[166] Malawi Illegal since 1891 (as British Central Africa Protectorate)[103] Penalty: Up to 14 years imprisonment, with or without corporal punishment for men up to 5 years imprisonment for women (rarely enforced, repeal proposed)[74][167][103][168][169] Mozambique Legal since 2015[170][171] Bans some anti-gay discrimination[74][155] Namibia Legal since 2024[172] / Foreign same-sex marriages recognised[173] / Foreign same-sex marriages recognised[173] Bans some anti-gay discrimination.[174] Under the Births, Marriages and Deaths Registration Act 81 of 1963[175] South Africa Male legal since 1998 Female always legal; equal age of consent since 2007 + UN decl. sign.[74] 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[176]; 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 15 years to life imprisonment. (repeal proposed)[74][103][177][178] Zimbabwe Male illegal since 1891 (as part of the British South Africa Company rule of Rhodesia) Penalty: 1 to 14 years imprisonment. (repeal proposed)[179] Female always legal[74][103] Constitutional ban since 2013[180]

List of countries or territories by LGBT rights in the Americas

Tables: view talk edit North America [edit] LGBTQ 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 Bermuda (Overseas Territory of the United Kingdom) Legal since 1994; equal age of consent since 2019 + UN decl. sign.[74] Domestic partnerships since 2018[181] Was legal between November 2018 and March 2022 and between May 2017 and June 2018 Legal since 2015[182] UK responsible for defence Bans all anti-gay discrimination[183] Canada Legal since 1969; equal age of consent since 1987 + UN decl. sign.[74][184] Domestic partnerships in Nova Scotia (2001);[185] Civil unions in Quebec (2002);[186] Adult interdependent relationships in Alberta (2003);[187] Common-law relationships in Manitoba (2004)[188] Legal in some provinces and territories since 2003, nationwide since 2005[189] Legal in some provinces and territories since 1996, nationwide since 2011[190] Since 1992[191]; Includes transgender people[192] 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.[193][194][195][196] Gender identity change is not recognized for the purpose of inheritance of hereditary peerages and baronetcies, which is subject to Section 16 of the United Kingdom's Gender Recognition Act 2004. Greenland (Autonomous Territory within the Kingdom of Denmark) Legal since 1933; equal age of consent since 1977 + UN decl. sign.[74] Registered partnerships between 1996 and 2016 (Existing partnerships are still recognised.)[197] Legal since 2016 Stepchild adoption since 2009;[198] joint adoption since 2016[199] The Kingdom of Denmark responsible for defence Bans all anti-gay discrimination[74] Legal gender change and recognition possible without surgery or hormone therapy[200][201] Mexico Legal since 1871 + UN decl. sign.[74] / Civil unions in Mexico City (2007), Coahuila (2007),[202] Colima (between 2013 and 2016),[203] Campeche (2013),[204] Jalisco (between 2014 and 2018),[205] Michoacán (2015), Tlaxcala (2017), and Veracruz (2020) Starting in 2010; nationwide since 2022 / Legal in Mexico City (2010),[206] 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), Zacatecas (2023), Tabasco (2024), Durango, Tamaulipas, and Nuevo León (the latter three never had adoption bans)[207][208] (ambiguous) Bans all anti-gay discrimination[209] 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), Michoacán (2024), and nationwide (2024). / Transgender persons can change their legal gender and name in Mexico City (2008),[210] 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), Yucatán (2024), Campeche (2024), and Tabasco (2025).. [211] Saint Pierre and Miquelon (Overseas collectivity of France) Legal since 1791 + UN decl. sign.[74] Civil solidarity pact since 1999[212] Legal since 2013[213] Legal since 2013[214] Bans all anti-gay discrimination[93] Under French law[215] United States Legal in some states since 1962, nationwide since 2003 + UN decl. sign.[74] 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 previously allowed to serve openly,[216] but restrictions have been placed on those with a history of gender dysphoria.[217] "Transvestites" are currently banned from the military since 2012.[218] Most openly Intersex people may be banned from the military under the Armed Forces ban of "hermaphrodites".[218] / 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. / Gender X became available and recognized formally on US passports in April 2022.[219] This was rescinded in 2025 at the beginning of president Trump's second term.[220] 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. Central America [edit] 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 Belize Legal since 2016[221] Bans all anti-gay discrimination[222][223][224] [225] Costa Rica Legal since 1971 + UN decl. sign.[74] Unregistered cohabitation since 2014[226][227] Legal since 2020 Legal since 2020[228] Has no military Bans all anti-gay discrimination[74] / 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[229][230][231] One-time sex change allowed for passports. [232] El Salvador Legal since 1822 + UN decl. sign.[74] [233][234] Bans all anti-gay discrimination[233] [235] Bans discrimination based on gender identity. Guatemala Legal since 1871 + UN decl. sign.[74] Pending Bans some anti-gay discrimination [236] Honduras Legal since 1899 + UN decl. sign.[74] Constitutional ban on de facto unions since 2005 Constitutional ban since 2005;[237][238] court decision pending Constitutional ban since 2005 Bans all anti-gay discrimination[239] Nicaragua Legal since 2008 + UN decl. sign.[74] Bans some anti-gay discrimination[74] Panama Legal since 2008 + UN decl. sign.[74] Court decision pending Court decision pending Court decision pending Has no military Bans some anti-gay discrimination[240][241] Transgender persons can change their legal gender and name after completion of medical intervention since 2006[242][243] Caribbean [edit] Main article: LGBTQ rights in the 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 Anguilla (Overseas Territory of the United Kingdom) Legal since 2001 Age of consent discrepancy + UN decl. sign.[74] UK responsible for defence Antigua and Barbuda Legal since 2022 Bans some anti-LGBT discrimination 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.[74] Registered partnerships since 2021[244] [245] The Netherlands responsible for defence Bans all anti-gay discrimination[246] Bahamas Legal since 1991; Age of consent discrepancy + UN decl. sign.[74] [74] Barbados Legal since 2022. / Foreign Domestic Partnerships recognized for immigration purposes "Welcome Stamp"[247] Civil Unions proposed.[248] Bans some anti-gay discrimination[249] Bonaire (a special municipality of the Netherlands) Legal (No laws against same-sex sexual activity have ever existed in the municipalities) + UN decl. sign.[74] Registered partnerships since 2012[250] Legal since 2012[251] [252] The Netherlands responsible for defence Bans all anti-gay discrimination[253] British Virgin Islands (Overseas Territory of the United Kingdom) Legal since 2001 + UN decl. sign.[74] UK responsible for defence Bans all anti-gay discrimination[254] Cayman Islands (Overseas Territory of the United Kingdom) Legal since 2001; Age of consent discrepancy[74] + UN decl. sign. Civil partnerships since 2020[255] Legal since 2020 UK responsible for defence Cuba Legal since 1979 + UN decl. sign.[74] Legal since 2022 Legal since 2022 Legal since 2022 [74][256] Bans all anti-gay discrimination [257][258][259] Transgender people allowed to change gender after sex change operations[260] 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.[74] [245] The Netherlands responsible for defence Bans all anti-gay discrimination[261] Dominica Legal since 2024[262] + UN decl. sign.[74] Has no military Dominican Republic Legal since 1822 + UN decl. sign.[74] Constitutional ban since 2010[263] [264] Grenada Male illegal Penalty: 10-year prison sentence (not enforced). [265] Legalization proposed[266] Female always legal[74] Has no military Guadeloupe (Overseas department of France) Legal since 1791 + UN decl. sign.[74] Civil solidarity pact since 1999[212] Legal since 2013[213] Legal since 2013[214] France responsible for defence Bans all anti-gay discrimination[93] Under French law[215] Haiti Legal since 1791 (as Saint-Domingue)[74] Has no military Jamaica Male illegal Penalty: 10 years and/or hard labor (Not enforced). Legalization proposed[267] Female always legal.[74] Constitutional ban since 2011 Martinique (Overseas department of France) Legal since 1791 + UN decl. sign.[74] Civil solidarity pact since 1999[212] Legal since 2013[213] Legal since 2013[214] France responsible for defence Bans all anti-gay discrimination[93] Under French law[215] Montserrat (Overseas Territory of the United Kingdom) Legal since 2001 + UN decl. sign.[74] UK responsible for defence Bans all anti-gay discrimination[268] Puerto Rico (Commonwealth of the United States) Legal since 2003 Legal since 2015 Legal since 2015[269] Legal since 2015 United States responsible for defense[270][271] 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.[74] Registered partnerships since 2012[250] Legal since 2012[251] [252] The Netherlands responsible for defence Bans all anti-gay discrimination[253] [272] Saint Barthélemy (Overseas collectivity of France) Legal since 1791 + UN decl. sign.[74] Civil solidarity pact since 1999[212] Legal since 2013[213] Legal since 2013[214] France responsible for defence Bans all anti-gay discrimination[93] Under French law[215] Saint Kitts and Nevis Legal since 2022 Saint Lucia Legal since 2025 Has no military Bans some anti-gay discrimination Saint Martin (Overseas collectivity of France) Legal since 1791 + UN decl. sign.[74] Civil solidarity pact since 1999[212] Legal since 2013[213] Legal since 2013[214] France responsible for defence Bans all anti-gay discrimination[93] Under French law[215] Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Illegal Penalty: Fine and/or 10-year prison sentence (Not enforced).[74] Legalization proposed[273] 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.[74] Registered partnerships since 2012[250] Legal since 2012[251] [252] The Netherlands responsible for defence Bans all anti-gay discrimination[253] 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.[74] / Same-sex marriages performed in the Netherlands recognized[274] The Netherlands responsible for defence Bans all anti-gay discrimination[275] Trinidad and Tobago Male illegal since 2025 Penalty: Up to 5-year prison sentence (not enforced, Court of Appeal ruling that reinstated buggery and gross indecency laws; previously struck down by lower court in 2018; appeal to Privy Council pending.) Female always legal[129] Turks and Caicos Islands (Overseas Territory of the United Kingdom) Legal since 2001 Age of consent discrepancy + UN decl. sign.[74] UK responsible for defence Bans all anti-gay discrimination[74] United States Virgin Islands (Territory of the United States) Legal since 1985 Legal since 2015[276] Legal since 2015[276] Legal since 2015[276] United States responsible for defense[270][271] Bans all anti-gay discrimination[277] Legislation enacted in 2022, also explicitly includes gender identity.[277] South America [edit] 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 Argentina Legal since 1887 + UN decl. sign.[74] Civil unions in Buenos Aires (2003),[278] Río Negro Province (2003),[279] Villa Carlos Paz (2007) and Río Cuarto (2009) Cohabitation unions nationwide since 2015[280] Legal since 2010[281] Legal since 2010 Since 2009[282] / Legal protection in some cities;[283] 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[284] 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. [285] Bolivia Legal since 1832 + UN decl. sign.[74] Free unions officially recognised starting in 2020; nationwide since 2023.[286] Constitutional ban since 2009[287] Same-sex couples in a free union are permitted to adopt[288] Since 2015[289][290][291]; Includes transgender people[192] Bans all anti-gay discrimination[74] Transgender persons can change their legal gender and name without surgeries or judicial order since 2016[292][293][294] Brazil Legal since 1830 + UN decl. sign.[74] "Stable unions" legal and all rights as recognized family entities available nationwide since 2011[295][296] Starting in 2011; nationwide since 2013[297][298] Legal since 2010[299] Since 1969[300] Bans all anti-gay discrimination.[301] Pathologization or attempted treatment of sexual orientation by mental health professionals illegal since 1999[302][303] 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) [304][305][306] Chile Legal since 1999; equal age of consent since 2022 + UN decl. sign.[74] Civil unions since 2015[307] Legal since 2022[308] Legal since 2022[308] Since 2012[309]; Includes transgender people[310] Bans all anti-gay discrimination[311] 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.[312] Colombia Legal since 1981 + UN decl. sign.[74] De facto marital union since 2007[313] Legal since 2016[314][315] Stepchild adoption since 2014;[316] joint adoption since 2015[317] Since 1999[74] Bans all anti-gay discrimination[318] Since 2015, transgender persons can change their legal gender and name manifesting their solemn will before a notary, no surgeries or judicial order required[319] Ecuador Legal since 1997 + UN decl. sign.[74] De facto unions since 2009[320][321] Legal since 2019[322] LGBT individuals may adopt, but not same-sex couples[323] [324] Bans all anti-gay discrimination.[325] 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[326][327] Falkland Islands (Overseas Territory of the United Kingdom) Legal since 1989; equal age of consent since 2006 + UN decl. sign.[74] Civil partnerships since 2017[328] Legal since 2017[328] Legal since 2017 UK responsible for defence Bans all anti-gay discrimination[329] French Guiana (Overseas department of France) Legal since 1791 + UN decl. sign.[74] Civil solidarity pact since 1999[212] Legal since 2013[213] Legal since 2013[214] France responsible for defence Bans all anti-gay discrimination[93] Under French law[215] Guyana Male illegal Penalty: Up to life imprisonment (Not enforced).[74] Legalization proposed[330] Female always legal[129] [331] [332] Paraguay Legal since 1880; Age of consent discrepancy + UN decl. sign.[74] Constitutional ban on de facto unions since 1992[333] Constitutional ban since 1992[334] [335] 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.[74] / Limited recognition for same-sex partners of health-care workers since 2020. Since 2009[336] Bans all anti-gay discrimination[337][338][339][340][341] Transgender persons can change their legal gender and name without the need for the completion of medical intervention since 2016. Judicial order required.[342][343] South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands (Overseas Territory of the United Kingdom) Legal since 2001 + UN decl. sign. Legal since 2014[344] Legal since 2014[344] UK responsible for defence Suriname Legal since 1869 (as Dutch Guiana) Since 13 February 2025, Court recognizes 2 same-sex marriages performed abroad Bans all anti-gay discrimination[345] Transgender persons can change their legal gender since 2022. Court order required.[346][347][348] Uruguay Legal since 1934 + UN decl. sign.[74] Concubinage union since 2008[349] Legal since 2013[350] Legal since 2009[351] Since 2009[352] Bans all anti-gay discrimination.[353] 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.[354] Self-determination since 2018. Venezuela Legal since 1997 + UN decl. sign.[74] Constitutional ban on de facto stable unions since 1999 Constitutional ban since 1999 Since 2023[355] Bans some anti-gay discrimination[74]

List of countries or territories by LGBT rights in Asia

This table: view talk edit North Asia [edit] 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 Russia Yes Fully legal nationwide since 1993[356][74] (de-facto illegal in Chechnya) No No Constitution limits marriage to opposite-sex couples since 2020 No Yes[357] No No Gender change has not been legal since 2023[358] Central Asia [edit] 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 Kazakhstan Yes Legal since 1998[74] No No No Yes Since 2022[359] No Yes[360] Kyrgyzstan Yes Legal since 1998[74] No No Constitutional ban since 2016[361] No Un­known No Yes Requires sex reassignment surgery[362][360] Tajikistan Yes Legal since 1998[74] No No No Un­known No Yes Requires sex reassignment surgery[363][360] Turkmenistan No Male illegal since 1927 Penalty: up to 2 years imprisonment. Yes Female always legal[364] No No No No No No Uzbekistan No Male illegal since 1926 Penalty: up to 3 years imprisonment. Yes Female always legal[364] No No No No No No West Asia [edit] 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 Abkhazia (Disputed territory) Yes Legal No No No Un­known No Un­known Akrotiri and Dhekelia (Overseas Territory of the United Kingdom) Yes Legal since 2000 + UN decl. sign.[74] Yes Civil partnerships since 2005 Yes Legal since 2014 Un­known Yes UK responsible for defence Yes Bans some anti-gay discrimination[365] Un­known Armenia Yes Legal since 2003 + UN decl. sign.[74] No No Constitutional ban since 2015[366][367] No LGBT individuals may adopt, but not same-sex couples. No [368] No No Azerbaijan Yes Legal since 2000[74] No No No No No No Bahrain Yes Legal since 1976[74] No No No No No Yes Transgender people allowed to change legal gender, but only after sex reassignment surgery.[369] Cyprus Yes Legal since 1998 + UN decl. sign.[74] Yes Civil cohabitation since 2015[370] No No Yes[371] Yes Bans some anti-gay discrimination[372] Yes Forbids some discrimination based on gender identity.[373] No Gender change is not legal. Egypt Ambiguous 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.[74][374] No No No No No No Georgia Yes Legal since 2000 + UN decl. sign.[74] No No Constitutional ban since 2018 No Un­known Yes Bans all anti-gay discrimination[375] Yes Requires sterilization and sex reassignment surgery for change[376] Iran No Illegal Penalty: 74 lashes for immature men and death penalty for mature men (although there are documented cases of minors executed because of their sexual orientation)[377]. For women, 100 lashes for women of mature sound mind and if consenting. Death penalty offense after fourth conviction.[74] No No No No No Yes Legal gender recognition legal if accompanied by a medical intervention[378] Iraq No Re-criminalized in 2024.[379] Penalty: Prison sentence between 10 and 15 years. No No No No No No Israel Yes Legal since 1963 (de facto), 1988 (de jure)[380] + UN decl. sign.[74][381] Yes Unregistered cohabitation since 1994. No/ Yes Foreign same-sex marriages are recognized and recorded in the population registry Yes Permitted by law since 2008.[382] But in practice gay couples were put at the end of the queue for adoption, until the Supreme Court forbade this discrimination in 2023.[383] Legal adoptions by gay couples began in practice in 2025.[384] Yes Since 1993; Includes transgender people[385] Yes Bans all anti-gay discrimination[386][387][388] Yes Full recognition of gender's ID with or without a surgery or medical intervention;[389][390][391] equal employment opportunity law bars discrimination based on gender identity[392][393][394] Jordan Yes Legal[74] No No No Un­known No Yes Allowed since 2014[395] Kuwait No Male illegal Penalty: Fines or up to 6-year prison sentence. Yes Female always legal[74][396] No No No No No No Lebanon Ambiguous Ambiguous. Illegal under Article 534 of the Penal Code. Some judges have ruled not to prosecute individuals based on the law, however, this has not been settled by the Supreme Court and thus homosexuality is still illegal.[397] However, a 2017 court ruling claims that it is legal, but the law against it is still in place. Penalty: Up to 1 year imprisonment (unenforced). No No No No No Yes Legal gender change allowed, but sex reassignment surgery required[398] Northern Cyprus (Disputed territory) Yes Legal since 2014[399][400][74] No No No No Yes Bans all anti-gay discrimination[399][400] Yes Legal, requires surgery for change[401] Oman No Illegal Penalty: Fines and prison sentence up to 3 years (only enforced when dealing with "public scandal").[74] No No No No No No Laws against forms of gender expression. Palestine West Bank: Yes Legal[74] Gaza: No consensus on legal applicability of British 1936 Sexual offences provisions to homosexual conduct[402][403][404][405] West Bank: No Gaza: No No No Un­known No No Qatar No Illegal Penalty: Fines, up to 7 years imprisonment[74] Death penalty for Muslims. No No No No No No Saudi Arabia No Illegal Penalty: Capital punishment,[406] prison terms (indeterminate length, max. term unknown),[407][408] flogging, fines, deportation [74] No No No No No No Laws against forms of gender expression. South Ossetia (Disputed territory) Yes Legal No No No Un­known No Un­known Syria Ambiguous No No No official military Turkey Yes Legal since 1858[74] No No No LGBT individuals may adopt, but not same-sex couples. No No Yes Requires sterilisation and sex reassignment surgery for change[409] United Arab Emirates No Illegal (unenforced): Prosecution only on complaint of husband or (male) legal guardian[410][411] Penalty: Max – no upper limit, sentence at courts' discretion Min. – 6 months' imprisonment[410][412] No No No No No No Sex reassignment surgery severely restricted to limited circumstances (mainly physical intersex traits), highly regulated by the state.[413][414] Laws used against forms of gender expression.[415] Yemen No Illegal (codified in 1994) Penalty: Unmarried men punished with 100 lashes of the whip or a maximum of one year of imprisonment, stoning for adultery is not enforced. Women punished up to three years of imprisonment.[74] No No No No No No South Asia [edit] 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 Afghanistan No Illegal Penalty: Death penalty[416] No No No No No No Bangladesh No Illegal since 1862 Penalty: 10 years to life imprisonment (Occasionally enforced).[74][417] No No No No No Yes A third gender option (hijra) besides male and female is available for a certain sect of third genders[418] Bhutan Yes Legal since 2021[419] No No No No Yes Bans some anti-gay discrimination Yes Transgender people allowed to change legal gender without surgery British Indian Ocean Territory (Overseas Territory of the United Kingdom) Yes Legal since 2001 + UN decl. sign.[74] Yes Civil partnerships since 2005 Yes Legal since 2014 Un­known Yes UK responsible for defense Un­known Un­known India Yes Legal since 2018[420] Yes/ No symbolic live-In relationships exist[421] On August 28, 2024, India's Ministry of Finance issued an advisory declaring that persons from the LGBTQ community face no restrictions in opening joint bank accounts or nominating their partners as beneficiaries[422] No No No Yes/ No Discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity prohibited by court decision. No nationwide law.[423][424][425] In 2022, National Medical Commission banned conversion therapy[426] Yes A third gender option (hijra) besides male and female is available; transgender people have a constitutional right to change gender, only after medical/surgical intervention[427][425] Maldives No Illegal (codified in 2014) Penalty: Up to 8 years imprisonment, house arrest, lashings and fines. (unenforced)[428] LGBTQ welcomed in tourist islands [429] No No No No No No Nepal Yes Legal since 2007 + UN decl. sign.[74] No No No Yes Since 2007[430] Yes Constitutional protections since 2015[431] No Change to third gender "O" legal since 2007, unable to change to male or female[432] Pakistan No Illegal since 1862 Penalty: 2 years to life sentence (Occasionally enforced).[74][433] No No No No Yes Transphobia illegal No Homophobia/biphobia is not illegal Yes Right to change gender; transgender and intersex citizens have legal protections from all discrimination and harassment[434] Sri Lanka No Illegal since 1885 Penalty: Up to 10 years imprisonment with fines.[74] (Ruled unenforcable by the Supreme Court) Legalization proposed No No No No Yes Bans some anti-gay discrimination Yes Transgender people allowed to change legal gender without surgery East Asia [edit] LGBT rights in: Same-sex sexual activity Recognition of relationships 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 China Yes Legal since 1997[74] No/ Yes "Legal guardianship" since 2017 No No Yes can openly serve No open displays of affection [435][436] Yes Court has in some cases protected LGBT workers from employment discrimination.[437] No protection codified in law Yes legal gender change possible since 2002. Since 2022, legal gender change allowed with only partial sex reassignment surgery. Difficulty remains to change gender information on diplomas and degrees.[438][439] Hong Kong Yes Legal since 1991[74] No/ Yes Same-sex marriages registered overseas for government benefits and taxation, and limited recognition of local cohabiting partners No Yes/ No Stepchild adoption since 2021 [440] The central government of China is responsible for the defense of Hong Kong.[441] Yes Bans some anti-gay discrimination (government discrimination only) Yes Following a legal decision, may change gender marker after partial sex reassignment surgery.[442] Japan Yes Legal since 1882 + UN decl. sign.[74] No * Symbolic recognition in some jurisdictions. No Proposed in 2023[443] No Yes The Japan Self-Defense Forces allow gay people to enlist.[444] No nationwide protections Yes some cities ban some anti-gay discrimination[74] Yes Transgender people allowed to change legal gender, but only after sex reassignment surgery Macau Yes Legal since 1996 No No No The central government of China is responsible for the defence of Macau. Yes Bans some anti-gay discrimination Un­known Mongolia Yes Legal since 1993 + UN decl. sign.[74] No No Constitutional ban since 1992 No Yes (Only LGB)[445] Yes Bans all anti-gay discrimination Yes Transgender people allowed to change legal gender but only after sex reassignment surgery North Korea Yes / No Ambiguous, punishable through Articles 193 and 262 regarding obscenity and decency laws.[dubious – discuss] Penalty: Unknown No No No Yes can serve with 10-year celibacy required for all soldiers.[446] No open displays of LGBT attitudes. No No South Korea Yes Legal + UN decl. sign.[74] No No Proposed in 2023[447] No No No nationwide protections Yes Protection from discrimination varies by jurisdiction in some areas, including Seoul Yes Transgender people allowed to change legal gender but usually requires sex reassignment surgery Taiwan Yes Legal[448] [449] Legal since 2019[450][451][452] Yes Stepchild adoption since 2019 Yes Joint adoption legal since 2023[453] Yes Yes Constitutionally bans all anti-gay discrimination from government[454]; several laws banning anti-gay discrimination regarding education and employment.[455][456] Yes Transgender people allowed to change legal gender, but only after sex reassignment surgery.[c] Southeast Asia [edit] LGBT rights in Same-sex sexual activity Recognition of relationships 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 Aceh (autonomous territory of Indonesia) No Illegal Penalty: 100 strokes of the cane or 8 years in prison[458] No No No LGBT individuals may adopt, but not same-sex couples No The central government of Indonesia is responsible for the defense of Aceh. No Yes Follows the law of the central Indonesian government. Brunei No Illegal since 1908 Penalty: Death by stoning (in abeyance), 1 year imprisonment and 100 lashes for men. Caning and 10 years prison for women.[459] No No No No No Laws prohibit forms of gender expression. Cambodia Yes Legal[74] No/ Yes Partnerships recognized in certain cities No Constitutional ban since 1993 No Un­known No No[460] Indonesia Ambiguous Not criminalized in private relationship (except in Aceh)[74][461] No No No LGBT individuals may adopt, but not same-sex couples No Not explicitly prohibited by Law (de jure), Illegal (de facto) Ambiguous Circular letter bans hate speech based on sexual orientation but enforcement inconsistent[462] [463] Yes Transgender people allowed to change legal gender, but only after sex reassignment surgery. Laos Yes Legal[74] No No No Un­known No Un­known Malaysia No Federal criminal law: Illegal since 1871, up to 20 years imprisonment and caning for anal sex (male/male or male/female);[74][464] ? Uncertain for lesbian sex.[d] No State shariah law: Gay sex or lesbian sex, or both, are illegal for Muslims in all states and federal territories, except in Pahang.[e] No No No LGBT individuals may adopt, but not same-sex couples No No No Generally impossible to change gender. Gender changes was briefly recognized as fundamental rights in a 2014 court ruling,[465][466] but was overturned by the apex court in 2015.[467] Forms of gender expression are criminalized for Muslims under state shariah law.[468] Myanmar No Illegal since 1886 Penalty: Up to 20 years in prison (unenforced).[74][469] No No No No No No Philippines Yes Legal + UN decl. sign.[470][74][471][472] [f] No (Pending) [470] No (Pending) [473] No LGBT individuals may adopt, but not same-sex couples[474][473] Yes Since 2009 Yes/ No Bans some anti-gay discrimination in certain cities and provinces,[475] including the City of Manila,[476]Cebu City,[477] Quezon City,[478] and Davao City;[479] Nationwide anti-bullying law for basic education students.[480] No Generally impossible to change legal gender. However in Cagandahan vs Philippines, allowed an intersex man to change his legal gender from female to male. Singapore Yes Legal since 2007 (de facto), 2022 (de jure) No No Ambiguous, a gay Singaporean man with a male partner in 2018 won an appeal in court to adopt a child that he fathered through a surrogate.[481] Yes Yes Protections against anti-gay discrimination, harassment and violence[482] Yes Transgender people allowed to change legal gender, but only after sex reassignment surgery Thailand Yes Legal since 1956 + UN decl. sign.[74] Yes Since 2025 Yes Since 2025[483][484][485] Yes Since 2025[483] Yes Since 2005 [486] Yes Bans all anti-gay discrimination No[484][487] Yes Anti-discrimination protections for gender expression.[464] Timor-Leste Yes Legal since 1975 + UN decl. sign.[74] No No Yes LGBT individuals may adopt but same-sex couples can not adopt Un­known Yes Bans some anti gay discrimination, Hate crime protections since 2009.[488] Un­known Vietnam Yes Legal[74] + UN decl. sign.[74] No No No LGBT individuals may adopt, not same-sex couples[489] Yes Irrespective of one's sexual orientation Yes Bans some anti-gay discrimination Yes Gender changes recognized and officially practised since 2017[490][491]

List of countries or territories by LGBT rights in Europe

Tables: view talk edit European Union [edit] Main article: LGBTQ rights in the European Union 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 member states of the European Union Legal in all 27 member states[492] / Recognized in 25/27 member states / Legal in 16/27 member states / Stepchild adoption legal in 19/27 member states; joint adoption legal in 17/27 member states Legal in all member states Membership requires a state to ban discrimination based on person's sexual orientation in employment. 4/27 states ban some anti-gay discrimination. 23/27 states ban all anti-gay discrimination / Legal in 25/27 member states[493] Central Europe [edit] 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 Austria Legal since 1971; equal age of consent since 2002[74] + UN decl. sign. Registered partnerships since 2010[494] Legal since 2019[495] Stepchild adoption since 2013; joint adoption since 2016[496][497][498] Includes transgender people[499] Bans all anti-gay discrimination[500] Transgender people allowed to change gender without undergoing surgery[501] Czech Republic Legal since 1962 (As part of Czechoslovakia); equal age of consent since 1990 + UN decl. sign.[74] Registered partnerships since 2006[502] / Stepchild adoption legal since 2025 Includes transgender people[499] Bans all anti-gay discrimination[500] Transgender people allowed to change gender without undergoing surgery Germany Legal in East Germany since 1968 Legal in West Germany since 1969; equal age of consent since 1988 in East Germany and since 1994 in unified Germany + UN decl. sign.[74][503] Registered life partnerships from 2001 to 2017 (existing partnerships and new foreign partnerships still recognised)[504][505] Legal since 2017[506] Stepchild adoption since 2005; successive adoption since 2013; joint adoption legal since 2017[506] Includes transgender people[499] Bans all anti-gay discrimination[507] Gender self-determination enacted and implemented on a birth certificate since 2024. Hungary Legal since 1962; equal age of consent since 2002 + UN decl. sign.[74] Registered partnerships since 2009[508] Constitutional ban since 2012[509][510][511][512] Constitutional ban since 2020[513][510] [514] Bans all anti-gay discrimination[500] Forbids discrimination based on gender identity Transgender people are not allowed to change gender since 2020.[515] Liechtenstein Legal since 1989; equal age of consent since 2001 + UN decl. sign.[74] Registered partnerships since 2011[516] Legal since 2025 [517][518][519][520][521][522] Stepchild adoption since 2022; joint adoption since 2023[523][524] Has no military Bans all anti-gay discrimination[500] Gender change is not legal[525] Poland Always legal in Polish legislation (Russian Empire, Kingdom of Prussia and Austria-Hungary Empire laws criminalizing same-sex intercourse were in force to 1932; German laws criminalizing same-sex intercourse were in force from 1939 to 1945 during Nazi occupation) + UN decl. sign.[74] / Unregistered cohabitation since 2012; registered partnership proposed 2019 Constitutional ban since 1997[526] (Article 18 of the Constitution is generally interpreted as limiting marriage to opposite-sex couples[527][528][529][530][531][532])[g] LGBT individuals may adopt, but not same-sex couples[534] Bans some anti-gay discrimination[500] Transgender people allowed to change gender. No provisions for nonbinary people.[535] Slovakia Legal since 1962 (As part of Czechoslovakia); equal age of consent since 1990 + UN decl. sign.[74] / some limited rights for unregistered cohabiting same-sex couples since 2018; Limited residency rights for married same-sex couples since 2018 (Proposed) Constitutional ban since 2014 LGBT individuals may adopt, but not same-sex couples[536] [537] Bans all anti-gay discrimination[538][539] / Allowed to change legal gender in theory. However because of lack of care and refusal by the state, de facto almost impossible since 2022. See LGBT rights in Slovakia § Gender identity and expression Slovenia Legal since 1977 (As part of Yugoslavia); equal age of consent since 1990 + UN decl. sign.[74] Registered cohabitation since 2006[540]; Registered partnerships since 2017[541] Legal since 2022[542] Stepchild adoption since 2011; joint adoption since 2022[543] Bans all anti-gay discrimination[500] Gender change is legal[544] Switzerland Legal nationwide since 1942 Legal in the cantons of Geneva (as part of France), Ticino, Valais, and Vaud since 1798; equal age of consent since 1990 + UN decl. sign.[74][545] Registered partnerships in Geneva (2001),[546] Zürich (2003),[547] Neuchâtel (2004)[548] and Fribourg (2005)[548] Nationwide from 2007[549] until 2022 (superseded by marriage) Legal since 2022[550] Stepchild adoption since 2018; joint adoption since 2022[550][551] Includes transgender people[552] Bans all anti-gay discrimination [553] Change of legal sex by simple declaration (self-determination +16 yo); surgery/sterilisation not required.[554] Eastern Europe [edit] 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 Abkhazia (Disputed territory) Legal after 1991 Armenia Legal since 2003 + UN decl. sign.[74] Constitutional ban since 2015[555][556] [557] Azerbaijan Legal since 2000[74] Belarus Legal since 1994[74] Constitutional ban since 1994[558] / Banned from military service during peacetime, but during wartime homosexuals are permitted to enlist as partially able[559] / (Highly bureaucratic, lengthy two-stage process: deciding body meets only twice a year; permission for medical or surgical interventions only at the second stage. Flaw in passport conversion whereby passport number may reveal former designation of sex to agencies.)[560] Georgia Legal since 2000 + UN decl. sign.[74] Constitutional ban since 2018 Bans all anti-gay discrimination[561] Requires sterilisation and surgery for change[525] Kazakhstan Legal since 1998[74] [562] Requires sex reassignment surgery, sterilization, hormone therapy and medical examinations[563] Moldova Legal since 1995 + UN decl. sign.[74] Constitutional ban since 1994[564] [565] Bans all anti-gay discrimination No longer requires sterilisation or surgery for change since 2017[525] Russia Male legal nationwide since 1993 Female always legal[566][74] (de-facto illegal in Chechnya) Constitution limits marriage to opposite-sex couples since 2020 [567] Gender change has not been legal since 2023[568] South Ossetia (Disputed territory) Legal after 1991 Transnistria (Disputed territory) Legal since 2002[569] Ukraine Legal since 1991 + UN decl. sign.[74] / limited recognition of foreign unions/extraterritorial marriages[570] Constitutional ban since 1996[571] LGBT individuals may adopt, but not same-sex couples[572] [573][574] Bans some anti-gay discrimination[575] No longer requires sterilisation or surgery for change since 2016[576] Northern Europe [edit] 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 Denmark Legal since 1933; equal age of consent since 1973 + UN decl. sign.[74] Registered partnerships from 1989 to 2012 (existing partnerships are still recognised)[577] Legal since 2012[578][579] Stepchild adoption since 1999; joint adoption since 2010[580][581] Includes transgender people[499] Bans all anti-gay discrimination[500] Legal gender change and recognition possible without surgery or hormone therapy[582] Estonia Legal since 1992 + UN decl. sign.[74] Cohabitation agreement since 2016[583] Legal since 2024[584] Stepchild adoption since 2016; joint adoption since 2024[584] [585] Includes transgender people[499][586] Bans all anti-gay discrimination[500] Gender reassignment legal; surgery not required[525] Faroe Islands (Autonomous Territory within the Kingdom of Denmark) Legal since 1933; equal age of consent since 1977 + UN decl. sign.[74] Legal since 2017[587][588] Legal since 2017 The Kingdom of Denmark responsible for defence Bans some anti-gay discrimination[589][590] [591] Finland (includes Åland) Legal since 1971; equal age of consent since 1999 + UN decl. sign.[74] Registered partnerships from 2002 to 2017 (existing partnerships are still recognised)[592] Legal since 2017[593] Stepchild adoption since 2009; joint adoption since 2017 Includes transgender people[499] Bans all anti-gay discrimination[500] Since 2023, by way of self-determination.[594] Iceland Legal since 1940; equal age of consent since 1992 (As part of Denmark) + UN decl. sign.[74] Registered cohabitation since 2006;[595] Registered partnerships from 1996 to 2010 (existing partnerships are still recognised)[596] Legal since 2010[597][598] Legal since 2006[599][600] No standing army Bans all anti-gay discrimination[500] Documents can be amended to the recognised gender, sterilisation not required[601][525] Latvia Legal since 1992 + UN decl. sign.[74] Registered partnerships since 2024[602][603] Constitutional ban since 2006[604] LGBT individuals may adopt, but not same-sex couples, incl. stepchild adoption[605] [606] Bans some anti-gay discrimination[607] Legal change allowed[608] but requires "full" transition and doctor's or court's approval.[609] Sterilization required.[610] Lithuania Legal since 1993 + UN decl. sign.[74] Registered partnerships admitted by the judiciary since 2025[611] Constitutional ban since 1992[612] / Stepchild adoption admitted by the judiciary since 2024 [613] [614] Bans all anti-gay discrimination[500] Since 2022, gender change on legal documents permitted without surgery and no non-binary option available.[615][616] Norway (includes Svalbard and Jan Mayen) Legal since 1972 + UN decl. sign.[74] Registered partnerships from 1993 to 2009 (existing partnerships are still recognised)[617] Legal since 2009[618][619] Stepchild adoption since 2002; joint adoption since 2009[620][621] Includes transgender people[499] Bans all anti-gay discrimination[622] All documents can be amended to the recognised gender[501] Sweden Legal since 1944; equal age of consent since 1972 + UN decl. sign.[74] Registered partnerships from 1995 to 2009 (existing partnerships are still recognised)[623] Legal since 2009[624] Legal since 2003[625][626] [627] Includes transgender people[499] Bans all anti-gay discrimination[500] First country within the world in 1972, to allow gender reassignment procedures for individuals. Since July 1, 2025 by “self-determination” for individuals to change gender.[628] Southern Europe [edit] 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 Akrotiri and Dhekelia (Overseas Territory of the United Kingdom) Legal since 2000; equal age of consent since 2003 + UN decl. sign.[74][629][630] Since 2005, for members of the British Armed Forces[631] Since 2014, for members of the British Armed Forces[632] UK responsible for defence Bans some anti-gay discrimination[633] Albania Legal since 1995 + UN decl. sign.[74] Bans all anti-gay discrimination[500] No legal recognition[525] Andorra Legal since 1791 + UN decl. sign.[74] Stable unions since 2005[634]; Civil unions from 2014–2023, replaced by civil marriage[635] Legal since 2023 Legal since 2014[636][635][637] Has no military Bans all anti-gay discrimination[500] Since 2023, without SRS and sterilization - but with a mandatory 2-year waiting period.[638] Bosnia and Herzegovina Legal since 1996 in the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, in Republika Srpska since 1998, and in Brčko District since 2003 + UN decl. sign.[74] [639] Bans all anti-gay discrimination[500] Requires surgery for change[640] Bulgaria Legal since 1968; equal age of consent since 2002 + UN decl. sign.[74] / Limited residency rights for married same-sex couples since 2018 Constitutional ban since 1991[641] LGBT individuals may adopt, but not same-sex couples[642] Bans all anti-gay discrimination[500] Forbids discrimination based on gender identity.[643][644] Transgender people are not allowed to change gender since 2017.[645][646] Croatia Legal since 1977 (As part of Yugoslavia); equal age of consent since 1998 + UN decl. sign.[74] Unregistered cohabitation since 2003 [647] Life partnerships since 2014[648] Constitutional ban since 2013[649] Legal since 2022[650] Bans all anti-gay discrimination[500][651] Act on the elimination of discrimination bans all discrimination based on both gender identity and gender expression. Gender change is regulated by special policy issued by Ministry of Health.[652] Cyprus Legal since 1998; equal age of consent since 2002 + UN decl. sign.[74] Civil cohabitation since 2015[653] [371] Bans some anti-gay discrimination[500] Forbids some discrimination based on gender identity.[654] Gender change not legal. Gibraltar (Overseas Territory of the United Kingdom) Legal since 1993; equal age of consent since 2012 + UN decl. sign.[74] Civil partnerships since 2014[655] Legal since 2016[656] Legal since 2014 UK responsible for defence Bans all anti-gay discrimination[657] Forbids discrimination on the grounds of gender reassignment[657] Gender change is not legal Greece Legal since 1951; equal age of consent since 2015 + UN decl. sign.[74] Cohabitation agreements since 2015[658] Legal since 2024[659] Legal since 2024 Bans all anti-gay discrimination[500] Under the Legal Gender Recognition Act 2017[660][661] Italy Legal since 1890 + UN decl. sign.[74] Civil unions since 2016[662] In 2018 the Supreme Court ruled that same-sex marriages performed abroad must be registered as civil unions. (Proposed) [663] / Stepchild adoption admitted by the Court of Cassation since 2016[664][665] Bans some anti-gay discrimination[500] Legal recognition and documents can be amended to the recognised gender, sterilisation not required[666][667] Kosovo (Disputed territory) Legal since 1994 (as part of Yugoslavia); equal age of consent since 2004[74] [668] LGBT individuals may adopt, but not same-sex couples[669][670] [671] Bans all anti-gay discrimination[672] Forbids discrimination based on gender identity. No legal recognition[525] Malta Legal since 1973 + UN decl. sign.[74] Civil unions since 2014[673] Legal since 2017 Legal since 2014 Bans all anti-gay discrimination[500] Pathologization or attempted treatment of sexual orientation by mental health professionals illegal since 2016 Transgender people allowed to change gender; surgery not required since 2015[674] Montenegro Legal since 1977 (As part of Yugoslavia) + UN decl. sign.[74] Life partnership from July 2021[675] Constitutional ban since 2007 (Court decision pending)[676][677] [678] Bans all anti-gay discrimination[500] Requires sterilisation and surgery for change[501][525] North Macedonia Legal since 1996 + UN decl. sign.[74] (Proposed) [679] Bans all anti-gay discrimination[500] Forbids discrimination based on gender identity. Gender change is legally recognized since 2021[680] Northern Cyprus (Disputed territory) Legal since 2014[681][682][74] Bans all anti-gay discrimination[681][682] Legal, requires surgery for change[683] Portugal Legal since 1983; equal age of consent since 2007 + UN decl. sign.[74] De facto unions since 2001[684][685] Legal since 2010[686] Legal since 2016[687][688][689] Bans all anti-gay discrimination[500] All documents can be amended to the recognised gender since 2011[690] Romania Legal since 1996; equal age of consent since 2002 + UN decl. sign.[74] / Limited residency rights for married same-sex couples since 2018;[691] LGBT individuals may adopt, but not same-sex couples[692] Bans all anti-gay discrimination[500] Legal recognition after sex reassignment surgery (sterilisation mandatory)[525] San Marino Legal since 1865 + UN decl. sign.[74] Civil unions since 2019 / Stepchild adoption legal since 2019 Bans all anti-gay discrimination No legal recognition[501] Serbia Legal from 1858, when nominally a vassal of the Ottoman Empire to 1860,[693] and again since 1994 (As part of Yugoslavia); equal age of consent since 2006 + UN decl. sign.[74] (Proposed) Constitutional ban since 2006[694] LGBT individuals may adopt, but not same-sex couples Bans all anti-gay discrimination[500] Legal after 1 year of hormone therapy, surgery no longer required since 2019[695] Spain Legal since 1979 + UN decl. sign.[74] De facto unions in Catalonia (1998),[696] Aragon (1999),[696] Navarre (2000),[696] Castilla–La Mancha (2000),[696] Valencia (2001),[697] the Balearic Islands (2001),[698] Madrid (2001),[696] Asturias (2002),[699] Castile and León (2002),[700] Andalusia (2002),[696] the Canary Islands (2003),[696] Extremadura (2003),[696] Basque Country (2003),[696] Cantabria (2005),[701] Galicia (2008)[702] La Rioja (2010),[703] and Murcia (2018),[704][705] and in both autonomous cities; Ceuta (1998)[706] and Melilla (2008).[707] Legal since 2005[708] Legal since 2005[709][710] Includes transgender people[499] Bans all anti-gay discrimination[500] Pathologization or attempted treatment of sexual orientation by mental health professionals illegal nationwide since 2023.[711] Since 2023, by way of self-determination[712] Turkey Legal since 1858[74] Legal since 1988, requires sterilisation and surgery for change[713] Vatican City Legal since 1890 (As part of Italy)[74] Has no military Western Europe [edit] 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 Belgium Legal nationwide since 1795; equal age of consent since 1985 + UN decl. sign.[74] Legal cohabitation since 2000[714] Legal since 2003[715][716][717] Legal since 2006[718][719] Includes transgender people[499] Bans all anti-gay discrimination[500] Since 2018, sex changes do not require sterilisation and surgery[720] France Legal nationwide since 1791 Legal in Savoy since 1792; equal age of consent since 1982 + UN decl. sign.[74] Civil solidarity pact since 1999[721] Legal since 2013[722] Legal since 2013[723] Includes transgender people[499] Bans all anti-gay discrimination[500] Since 2017, sex changes no longer requires sterilisation and surgery[724] Guernsey (Crown Dependency of the United Kingdom) Legal since 1983; equal age of consent since 2012 + UN decl. sign.[725][726][74] Civil partnerships performed in the UK abroad recognised for succession purposes in inheritance and other matters respecting interests in property since 2012[727][728] Legal cohabitation since 2017[729] Legal since 2017 in Guernsey, since 2018 in Alderney, and since 2020 in Sark[730] [731] Legal since 2017[732] UK responsible for defence Bans all anti-gay discrimination[733][734] Legal gender changes since 2007[735][736] Ireland Male legal since 1993 Female always legal + UN decl. sign.[74] Civil partnerships from 2011 to 2015 (existing partnerships are still recognised)[737] Legal since 2015 after a constitutional referendum[738] Legal since 2017[739][740][741][742][743][744] Includes transgender people[499] Bans all anti-gay discrimination[745][746][747] Under the Gender Recognition Act 2015, by self-declaration.[748] Isle of Man; equal age of consent since 2006 (Crown Dependency of the United Kingdom) Legal since 1992 + UN decl. sign.[74] Civil partnerships since 2011[749] Legal since 2016[750] Legal since 2011 UK responsible for defence Bans all anti-gay discrimination[751] Transgender people are allowed to change their legal gender and to have their new gender recognised as a result of the Gender Recognition Act 2009 (c.11)[752][753] Jersey; equal age of consent since 2006 (Crown Dependency of the United Kingdom) Legal since 1990 + UN decl. sign.[74] Civil partnerships since 2012[754] Legal since 2018[755][756] Legal since 2012 UK responsible for defence Bans all anti-gay discrimination[757] Under the Gender Recognition (Jersey) Law 2010[758] Luxembourg Legal since 1795; equal age of consent since 1992 + UN decl. sign.[74] Registered partnerships since 2004[759] Legal since 2015[760][761] Legal since 2015[762] Bans all anti-gay discrimination[763] No divorce, sterilization and/or surgery legally required since September 2018 for change of gender[764][525] Monaco Legal since 1793 + UN decl. sign.[74] Cohabitation agreements since 2020 (Proposed) France responsible for defence Bans some anti-gay discrimination[74] Netherlands Legal since 1811; equal age of consent since 1971 + UN decl. sign.[74] Registered partnership since 1998[765] Legal since 2001[766] Legal since 2001[767][768] Includes transgender people[499] Bans all anti-gay discrimination[769] Since 2014, sex changes do not require sterilisation and surgery[770][771] United Kingdom Female always legal. Male legal in England and Wales since 1967, in Scotland since 1981, and in Northern Ireland since 1982; equal age of consent since 2001 + UN decl. sign.[74] Civil partnerships since 2005[772] Legal in England, Wales, and Scotland since 2014, and Northern Ireland since 2020[773][773] Legal in England and Wales since 2005, in Scotland since 2009 and Northern Ireland since 2013[774][775][776] Since 2000; Includes transgender people[499] Bans all anti-gay discrimination[777][74][778] / Under the Gender Recognition Act 2004, except for the purpose of hereditary peerage inheritance

List of countries or territories by LGBT rights in Oceania

Tables: view talk edit Australasia [edit] 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 Australia (including territories of  Christmas Island, the  Cocos (Keeling) Islands and  Norfolk Island) Always legal for women. Male legal in some states and territories since 1975, nationwide since 1997. Tasmania was the last state to legalise male homosexuality; Equal age of consent in some states and territories since 1975, nationwide since 2016. + UN decl. sign.[74] Unregistered cohabitation nationally since 2009; Domestic partnerships in Tasmania (2004),[779] South Australia (2007),[780] Victoria (2008),[781] New South Wales (2010),[782] and Queensland (2012);[783] Civil unions in the Australian Capital Territory (2012)[784] Legal since 2017[785] Legal nationwide since 2018 Gay men and lesbians since 1992[786]; Transgender and intersex people since 2010[787] Bans all anti-gay discrimination.[788] / Since 2025, differing regulations within each jurisdiction regarding change of sex on a birth certificate applies - for example some jurisdictions still requires “appropriate clinical treatment” (WA, SA & NT), while others are based on “self-determination” (TAS, VIC, NSW, ACT & QLD).[789][790]. Gender identity change is not recognized for the purpose of inheritance of hereditary peerages and baronetcies, which is subject to Section 16 of the United Kingdom's Gender Recognition Act 2004. Norfolk Island (external territory of Australia) Always legal for women. Male legal since 1993. + UN decl. sign.[74] Since 2010[791] Legal since 2017[792] Legal since 2010 Australia responsible for defence Bans all anti-gay discrimination.[788] / Based on "self-determination" (New South Wales law).[793][794]. Gender identity change is not recognized for the purpose of inheritance of hereditary peerages and baronetcies, which is subject to Section 16 of the United Kingdom's Gender Recognition Act 2004. New Zealand Legal since 1986 + UN decl. sign.[74] Unregistered cohabitation since 2002; Civil unions since 2005 Legal since 2013[795] Legal since 2013[795] Since 1993; Includes transgender people[796] Bans all anti-gay discrimination Covered under the "sex discrimination" provision of the Human Rights Act 1993; Since July 2023, gender self-determination implemented by legislation on a birth certificate.[797][798] Melanesia [edit] 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 Fiji Legal since 2010 + UN decl. sign.[799][74] Bans all anti-gay discrimination[74] Pathologization or attempted treatment of sexual orientation by mental health professionals illegal since 2010 New Caledonia (Special collectivity of France) Legal (No laws against same-sex sexual activity have ever existed in the collectivity) + UN decl. sign.[74] Civil solidarity pact since 2009[800] Legal since 2013 Legal since 2013 France responsible for defence Bans all anti-gay discrimination Under French law Papua New Guinea Male illegal Penalty: 3 to 14 years imprisonment (Rarely enforced, legalization proposed). Female always legal[74] Solomon Islands Illegal Penalty: Up to 14 years imprisonment (Not enforced, Legalization proposed).[74] Has no military [801] Vanuatu Legal (No laws against same-sex sexual activity have ever existed since independence[802]) + UN decl. sign.[74] Bans some anti-gay discrimination Micronesia [edit] 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 Lack of a Presence of Anti-LGBT laws Guam (Unincorporated territory of the United States) Legal since 1978 Since 2015 Legal since 2015 Legal since 2002 United States responsible for defense[803][804] Bans some anti-gay discrimination Allowed to legally change gender, but requires sex reassignment surgery Micronesia Legal + UN decl. sign.[74] Has no military Bans all anti-gay discrimination[805] Kiribati Male illegal Penalty: 5-14 years imprisonment (Not enforced, Legalization proposed). Female legal[74] Has no military Bans some anti-gay discrimination Marshall Islands Legal since 2005 + UN decl. sign.[74] Has no military Bans all anti-gay discrimination[806] Nauru Legal since 2016[807][808] + UN decl. sign. Has no military Pathologization or attempted treatment of sexual orientation by mental health professionals illegal since 2016 Northern Mariana Islands (Unincorporated territory of the United States) Legal since 1983 Since 2015 Legal since 2015 Legal since 2015 United States responsible for defense[803][804] Bans some anti-gay discrimination[809][810] Under the Vital Statistics Act of 2006 Palau Legal since 2014 + UN decl. sign.[811] Constitutional ban since 2008 Has no military United States Minor Outlying Islands (Unincorporated territories of the United States) Legal Legal Legal United States responsible for defense[803][804] Polynesia [edit] 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 American Samoa (Unincorporated territory of the United States)[812] Legal since 1980 / Same-sex marriages recognized but not performed under Respect for Marriage Act since 2022. / Same-sex marriages recognized but not performed under Respect for Marriage Act since 2022.[813] United States responsible for defense[803][804] [814] Cook Islands (Part of the Realm of New Zealand) Legal since 2023 + UN decl. sign.[74] New Zealand responsible for defence Bans some anti-gay discrimination[815] Easter Island (Special territory of Chile) Legal since 1999 + UN decl. sign.[74] Civil unions since 2015[816] Since 2022[817] Since 2022[817] Chile responsible for defence[818][819] Bans all anti-gay discrimination[820] Pathologization or attempted treatment of sexual orientation by mental health professionals illegal since 2021 Transgender persons can change their legal gender and name since 1974. No surgeries or judicial order since 2019.[821] French Polynesia (Overseas collectivity of France) Legal (No laws against same-sex sexual activity have ever existed in the collectivity) + UN decl. sign.[74] Since 2013 Legal since 2013 Legal since 2013 France responsible for defence Bans all anti-gay discrimination Under French law Hawaii (Constituent state of the United States) Since 1972 Since 1997 Since 2013 Since 2012 United States responsible for defence Bans all anti-gay discrimination Niue (Part of the Realm of New Zealand) Legal since 2024 + UN decl. sign.[74] New Zealand responsible for defence Pitcairn Islands (Overseas Territory of the United Kingdom) Legal since 2001 + UN decl. sign.[74] Since 2015 Legal since 2015[822] Legal since 2015[823] UK responsible for defence Constitutional ban on all anti-gay discrimination[824] Samoa Male illegal Penalty: 5-7 years imprisonment (Not enforced). Legalization proposed Female always legal + UN decl. sign.[74] Has no military Bans some anti-gay discrimination[825] Pathologization or attempted treatment of sexual orientation by mental health professionals illegal since 2007 Samoa has a large transgender or "third-gender" community called the fa'afafine. They are a recognized part of traditional Samoan customs. Tokelau (Dependent territory of the Realm of New Zealand) Legal since 2003[826] + UN decl. sign.[74] New Zealand responsible for defence Tonga Male illegal Penalty: Up to 10 years imprisonment (Not enforced, Legalization proposed). Female always legal[74] Tuvalu Male illegal Penalty: Up to 14 years imprisonment (Not enforced). Legalization proposed Female legal + UN decl. sign.[74] Constitutional ban since 2023 Has no military Bans some anti-gay discrimination Wallis and Futuna (Overseas collectivity of France) Legal (No laws against same-sex sexual activity have ever existed in the collectivity) + UN decl. sign.[74] Civil solidarity pact since 2009 Legal since 2013 Legal since 2013 France responsible for defence Bans all anti-gay discrimination Under French law

• Capital punishment for non-violent offenses
• Criminalization of homosexuality
• Decriminalization of homosexuality
• Discrimination against LGBTQ people
• Human rights
• Legal status of transgender people
• Legality of conversion therapy
• LGBTQ people in prison
• Minority rights
• Societal attitudes toward homosexuality

• International Lesbian and Gay Association
  • State-sponsored Homophobia report (2015 edition)
  • Lesbian and Gay Rights in the World map (2015 edition)
• Amnesty International USA: LGBT legal status around the world – interactive map
• Pride Legal Archived 5 March 2022 at the Wayback Machine – information by country
• Human Rights Watch on LGBT Rights
• International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission resource links – for researching legal information
• International Commission of Jurists, Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity and Justice – A Comparative Law Casebook
• United Nations Human Rights Council, Discriminatory laws and practices and acts of violence against individuals based on their sexual orientation and gender identity, an annual report
• United Nations, Living Free and Equal: What States Are Doing to Tackle Violence and Discrimination against Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Intersex People, November 2016