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LGBTQ rights by country or territory - Wikiwand

  • ️Wed Feb 02 2022

"LGBTQ right" redirects here. For the right-wing LGBTQ movement, see LGBTQ conservatism.

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.

Laws concerning gender identity-expression by country or territory

  Legal identity change, surgery not required

  Legal identity change, surgery required

  No legal identity change

  Unknown/Ambiguous

Worldwide laws regarding same-sex intercourse, unions and expression

Same-sex intercourse illegal. Penalties:

  Death

  Prison; death not enforced

  Death under militias

  Prison, with arrests or detention

  Prison, not enforced1
Same-sex intercourse legal. Recognition of unions:

  Extraterritorial marriage2

  Limited foreign

  Optional certification

  None

  Restrictions of expression, not enforced

  Restrictions of association with arrests or detention

1No imprisonment in the past three years[timeframe?] or moratorium on law.
2Marriage not available locally. Some jurisdictions may perform other types of partnerships.

LGBTQI+ rights at the United Nations
Neither States which did not support either declaration
Non-member states States that are not voting members of the United Nations
Oppose States which supported an opposing declaration in 2008 and continued their opposition in 2011
Subsequent member South Sudan, did not exist in 2008
Support States which supported the LGBT rights declaration in the General Assembly or on the Human Rights Council in 2008 or 2011

Notably, as of January 2025, 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United Arab Emirates.[7][8] LGBTQ people also face extrajudicial killings in the Russian region of Chechnya.[9] Sudan rescinded its unenforced death penalty for anal sex (hetero- or homosexual) in 2020.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:

Ancient India

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]

Ancient Israel

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]

Assyria

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]

Ancient Rome

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]

British Empire

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]

Netherlands

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

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

More information Laws regarding same-sex sexuality by country or territory ...

Laws regarding same-sex sexuality by country or territory
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Worldwide laws regarding same-sex intercourse, unions and expression

Same-sex intercourse illegal. Penalties:

  Death

  Prison; death not enforced

  Death under militias

  Prison, with arrests or detention

  Prison, not enforced1
Same-sex intercourse legal. Recognition of unions:

  Extraterritorial marriage2

  Limited foreign

  Optional certification

  None

  Restrictions of expression, not enforced

  Restrictions of association with arrests or detention

1No imprisonment in the past three years[timeframe?] or moratorium on law.
2Marriage not available locally. Some jurisdictions may perform other types of partnerships.

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More information Decriminalization of same-sex sexual intercourse by country or territory ...

Decriminalization of same-sex sexual intercourse by country or territory
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  1791–1850

  1850–1945

  1946–1989

  1990–present

  Unknown date of legalization of same-sex intercourse

  Same-sex sexual intercourse always legal

  Still criminalized

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More information Legal status of same-sex marriage ...

Legal status of same-sex marriage
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  Marriage open to same-sex couples

  Mixed jurisdiction: marriage recognized by the state but not by tribal government for residents who are members of the tribe

  Legislation or binding domestic court ruling establishing same-sex marriage, but marriage is not yet provided for

  Same-sex marriage recognized with full rights when performed in certain other jurisdictions

  Civil unions or domestic partnerships

  Limited legal recognition

  Local certification without legal force

  Limited recognition of marriage performed in certain other jurisdictions (residency rights for spouses)

  Other countries where same-sex unions are not legally recognized

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

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

  Second-parent adoption allowed

  No laws allowing adoption by same-sex couples and no same-sex marriage

  Same-sex marriage but adoption by married same-sex couples not allowed

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LGBTQ service in national militaries by country or territory
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  All LGBT people can serve

  GBT men can serve

  LGB people can serve

  GB men can serve

  Ambiguous/unknown policy

  LGBT people are banned from serving

  No military

More information Employment discrimination laws by sexual orientation or gender identity by country or territory ...

Employment discrimination laws by sexual orientation or gender identity by country or territory
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  Sexual orientation and gender identity: all employment

  Sexual orientation with anti–employment discrimination ordinance and gender identity solely in public employment

  Sexual orientation: all employment

  Gender identity: all employment

  Sexual orientation and gender identity: federal public employment and federal contractors

  Sexual orientation and gender identity: public employment

  Sexual orientation: public employment

  No national-level employment laws covering sexual orientation or gender identity

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LGBTQ hate crime laws by country or territory
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  Sexual orientation and gender identity hate crime laws

  Sexual orientation hate crime laws

  No LGBT hate crime laws

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

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

  De facto ban on conversion therapy

  No ban on conversion therapy

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More information Legal recognition of non-binary genders and third gender ...

Legal recognition of non-binary genders and third gender
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  Nonbinary / third gender available as voluntary opt-in

  Opt-in for intersex people only

  Standard for third gender

  Standard for intersex

  Nonbinary / third gender not legally recognized / no data

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More information Countries/Territories/States ...

Decriminalization of homosexuality timeline
Countries/Territories/States
Never been illegal/Never criminalized
18th century

List

19th century

List

20th century

List

21st century

List

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.

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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.

Africa

More information List of countries or territories by LGBT rights in Africa, Same-sex sexual activity ...

List of countries or territories by LGBT rights in Africa

This table:

Northern Africa

Western Africa

Central Africa

Eastern Africa

Indian Ocean states

Southern Africa

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Americas

More information List of countries or territories by LGBT rights in the Americas, Same-sex sexual activity ...

List of countries or territories by LGBT rights in the Americas

North America

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 Bermuda
(Overseas Territory of the United Kingdom)		 Yes Legal since 1994; equal age of consent since 2019
+ UN decl. sign.[68]		 Yes Domestic partnerships since 2018[167] No Was legal between November 2018 and March 2022 and between May 2017 and June 2018 Yes Legal since 2015[168] Yes UK responsible for defence No Bans all anti-gay discrimination[169] No
Canada Canada Yes Legal since 1969; equal age of consent since 1987
+ UN decl. sign.[68][170]		 Yes Domestic partnerships in Nova Scotia (2001);[171]
Civil unions in Quebec (2002);[172]
Adult interdependent relationships in Alberta (2003);[173]
Common-law relationships in Manitoba (2004)[174]		 Yes Legal in some provinces and territories since 2003, nationwide since 2005[175] Yes Legal in some provinces and territories since 1996, nationwide since 2011[176] Yes Since 1992[177]; Includes transgender people[178] Yes Bans all anti-gay discrimination. Ban on conversion therapy since 2022 nationwide Yes 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[179][180][181][182]
Greenland Greenland
(Autonomous Territory within the Kingdom of Denmark)		 Yes Legal since 1933; equal age of consent since 1977
+ UN decl. sign.[68]		 Yes Registered partnerships between 1996 and 2016 (Existing partnerships are still recognised.)[183] Yes Legal since 2016 Yes Stepchild adoption since 2009;[184]
joint adoption since 2016[185]		 Yes The Kingdom of Denmark responsible for defence Yes Bans all anti-gay discrimination[68] Yes Legal gender change and recognition possible without surgery or hormone therapy[186][187]
Mexico Mexico Yes Legal since 1871
+ UN decl. sign.[68]		 Yes/No Civil unions in Mexico City (2007), Coahuila (2007),[188] Colima (between 2013 and 2016),[189] Campeche (2013),[190] Jalisco (between 2014 and 2018),[191] Michoacán (2015), Tlaxcala (2017), and Veracruz (2020) Yes Starting in 2010; nationwide since 2022 Yes/No Legal in Mexico City (2010),[192] 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)[193][194] (ambiguous) Yes Bans all anti-gay discrimination[195] 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). Yes/No Transgender persons can change their legal gender and name in Mexico City (2008),[196] 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), and Campeche (2024). [197]
Saint Pierre and Miquelon
(Overseas collectivity of France)		 Yes Legal since 1791
+ UN decl. sign.[68]		 Yes Civil solidarity pact since 1999[198] Yes Legal since 2013[199] Yes Legal since 2013[200] Yes Yes Bans all anti-gay discrimination[87] Yes Under French law[201]
United States United States Yes Legal in some states since 1962, nationwide since 2003
+ UN decl. sign.[68]		 YesDomestic 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).		 Yes Legal in some states since 2004, nationwide since 2015 Yes Legal in some states since 1993, nationwide since 2016 Yes/No 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,[202] but restrictions have been placed on those with a history of gender dysphoria.[203]
"Transvestites" are currently banned from the military since 2012.[204]
Most openly Intersex people may be banned from the military under the Armed Forces ban of "hermaphrodites".[204]		 Yes/No 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.		 Yes/No Gender X became available and recognized formally on US passports in April 2022.[205] This was rescinded in 2025 at the beginning of president Trump's second term.[206] 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

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 Belize Yes Legal since 2016[207] No No No No Yes Bans all anti-gay discrimination[208][209][210] No[211]
Costa Rica Costa Rica Yes Legal since 1971
+ UN decl. sign.[68]		 Yes Unregistered cohabitation since 2014[212][213] Yes Legal since 2020 Yes Legal since 2020[214] Has no military Yes Bans all anti-gay discrimination[68] Yes/No 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[215][216][217] One-time sex change allowed for passports. [218]
El Salvador El Salvador Yes Legal since 1822
+ UN decl. sign.[68]		 No No No Yes[219][220] Yes Bans all anti-gay discrimination[219] No[221] Bans discrimination based on gender identity.
Guatemala Guatemala Yes Legal since 1871
+ UN decl. sign.[68]		 No Pending No No Yes Bans some anti-gay discrimination No[222]
Honduras Honduras Yes Legal since 1899
+ UN decl. sign.[68]		 No Constitutional ban on de facto unions since 2005 No Constitutional ban since 2005;[223][224] court decision pending No Constitutional ban since 2005 No Yes Bans all anti-gay discrimination[225] No
Nicaragua Nicaragua Yes Legal since 2008
+ UN decl. sign.[68]		 No No No Yes Bans some anti-gay discrimination[68] No
Panama Panama Yes Legal since 2008
+ UN decl. sign.[68]		 No Court decision pending No Court decision pending No Court decision pending Has no military Yes Bans some anti-gay discrimination[226][227] Yes Transgender persons can change their legal gender and name after completion of medical intervention since 2006[228][229]

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 Anguilla
(Overseas Territory of the United Kingdom)		 Yes Legal since 2001
Age of consent discrepancy
+ UN decl. sign.[68]		 No No No Yes UK responsible for defence No
Antigua and Barbuda Antigua and Barbuda Yes Legal since 2022 No No No No No No
Aruba Aruba
(Constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands)		 Yes Legal (No laws against same-sex sexual activity have ever existed in the country)
+ UN decl. sign.[68]		 Yes Registered partnerships since 2021[230] Yes [231] Yes Yes The Netherlands responsible for defence Yes Bans all anti-gay discrimination[232]
The Bahamas Bahamas Yes Legal since 1991;
Age of consent discrepancy
+ UN decl. sign.[68]		 No No No Yes[68] No No
Barbados Barbados Yes Legal since 2022. No/Yes Foreign Domestic Partnerships recognized for immigration purposes "Welcome Stamp"[233]

Civil Unions proposed.[234]

 No No No Yes Bans some anti-gay discrimination[235] No
Bonaire Bonaire
(a special municipality of the Netherlands)		 Yes Legal (No laws against same-sex sexual activity have ever existed in the municipalities)
+ UN decl. sign.[68]		 Yes Registered partnerships since 2012[236] Yes Legal since 2012[237] Yes[238] Yes The Netherlands responsible for defence Yes Bans all anti-gay discrimination[239] Yes
British Virgin Islands British Virgin Islands
(Overseas Territory of the United Kingdom)		 Yes Legal since 2001
+ UN decl. sign.[68]		 No No No Yes UK responsible for defence Yes Bans all anti-gay discrimination[240] No
Cayman Islands Cayman Islands
(Overseas Territory of the United Kingdom)		 Yes Legal since 2001;
Age of consent discrepancy[68]
+ UN decl. sign.		 Yes Civil partnerships since 2020[241] No Yes Legal since 2020 Yes UK responsible for defence No No
Cuba Cuba Yes Legal since 1979
+ UN decl. sign.[68]		 Legal since 2022 Legal since 2022 Legal since 2022 Yes[68][242] Yes Bans all anti-gay discrimination [243][244][245] Yes Transgender people allowed to change gender after sex change operations[246]
Curaçao Curaçao
(Constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands)		 Yes Legal (No laws against same-sex sexual activity have ever existed in the country)
+ UN decl. sign.[68]		 Yes Yes [247] Yes Yes The Netherlands responsible for defence Yes Bans all anti-gay discrimination[248]
Dominica Dominica Yes Legal since 2024[249]
+ UN decl. sign.[68]		 No No No Has no military No No
Dominican Republic Dominican Republic Yes Legal since 1822
+ UN decl. sign.[68]		 No No Constitutional ban since 2010[citation needed] No No[250] No No
Grenada Grenada No Male illegal
Penalty: 10-year prison sentence (not enforced). [251] Legalization proposed[252]
Yes Female always legal[68]		 No No No Has no military No No
Guadeloupe Guadeloupe
(Overseas department of France)		 Yes Legal since 1791
+ UN decl. sign.[68]		 Yes Civil solidarity pact since 1999[198] Yes Legal since 2013[199] Yes Legal since 2013[200] Yes France responsible for defence Yes Bans all anti-gay discrimination[87] Yes Under French law[201]
Haiti Haiti Yes Legal since 1791 (as Saint-Domingue)[68] No No No Has no military No No
Jamaica Jamaica No Male illegal
Penalty: 10 years and/or hard labor (Not enforced). Legalization proposed[253]
Yes Female always legal.[68]		 No No Constitutional ban since 1962 No No No No
Martinique Martinique
(Overseas department of France)		 Yes Legal since 1791
+ UN decl. sign.[68]		 Yes Civil solidarity pact since 1999[198] Yes Legal since 2013[199] Yes Legal since 2013[200] Yes France responsible for defence Yes Bans all anti-gay discrimination[87] Yes Under French law[201]
Montserrat Montserrat
(Overseas Territory of the United Kingdom)		 Yes Legal since 2001
+ UN decl. sign.[68]		 No No No Yes UK responsible for defence Yes Bans all anti-gay discrimination[254]
Puerto Rico Puerto Rico
(Commonwealth of the United States)		 Yes Legal since 2003 Yes Legal since 2015 Yes Legal since 2015[255] Yes Legal since 2015 Yes United States responsible for defense[256][257] Yes Bans some anti-gay discrimination Yes Gender change legal since 2018; does not require surgery
Saba (island) Saba
(a special municipality of the Netherlands)		 Yes Legal (No laws against same-sex sexual activity have ever existed in the municipalities)
+ UN decl. sign.[68]		 Yes Registered partnerships since 2012[236] Yes Legal since 2012[237] Yes[238] Yes The Netherlands responsible for defence Yes Bans all anti-gay discrimination[239] Yes[258]
Saint Barthélemy
(Overseas collectivity of France)		 Yes Legal since 1791
+ UN decl. sign.[68]		 Yes Civil solidarity pact since 1999[198] Yes Legal since 2013[199] Yes Legal since 2013[200] Yes France responsible for defence Yes Bans all anti-gay discrimination[87] Yes Under French law[201]
Saint Kitts and Nevis Saint Kitts and Nevis Yes Legal since 2022 No No No No No
Saint Lucia Saint Lucia No Male illegal
Penalty: Fine and/or 10-year prison sentence (Not enforced). Legalization proposed[259]
Yes Female always legal[68]		 No No No Has no military Yes Bans some anti-gay discrimination No
Saint Martin
(Overseas collectivity of France)		 Yes Legal since 1791
+ UN decl. sign.[68]		 Yes Civil solidarity pact since 1999[198] Yes Legal since 2013[199] Yes Legal since 2013[200] Yes France responsible for defence Yes Bans all anti-gay discrimination[87] Yes Under French law[201]
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Saint Vincent and the Grenadines No Illegal
Penalty: Fine and/or 10-year prison sentence (Not enforced).[68] Legalization proposed[260]		 No No No Has no military No
Sint Eustatius Sint Eustatius
(a special municipality of the Netherlands)		 Yes Legal (No laws against same-sex sexual activity have ever existed in the municipalities)
+ UN decl. sign.[68]		 Yes Registered partnerships since 2012[236] Yes Legal since 2012[237] Yes[238] Yes The Netherlands responsible for defence Yes Bans all anti-gay discrimination[239] Yes
Sint Maarten Sint Maarten
(Constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands)		 Yes Legal (No laws against same-sex sexual activity have ever existed in the country)
+ UN decl. sign.[68]		 No No/Yes Same-sex marriages performed in the Netherlands recognized[citation needed] No Yes The Netherlands responsible for defence Yes Bans all anti-gay discrimination[261]
Trinidad and Tobago Trinidad and Tobago No Illegal
Penalty: Up to 5-year prison sentence, since 2025 Court of Appeal ruling that reinstated buggery and gross indecency laws; previously struck down by lower court in 2018; appeal to Privy Council pending.		 No No No No No No
Turks and Caicos Islands Turks and Caicos Islands
(Overseas Territory of the United Kingdom)		 Yes Legal since 2001
Age of consent discrepancy
+ UN decl. sign.[68]		 No No No Yes UK responsible for defence Yes Bans all anti-gay discrimination[68] No
United States Virgin Islands United States Virgin Islands
(Territory of the United States)		 Yes Legal since 1985 Yes Legal since 2015[262] Yes Legal since 2015[262] Yes Legal since 2015[262] Yes United States responsible for defense[256][257] Yes Bans all anti-gay discrimination[263] Yes Legislation enacted in 2022, also explicitly includes gender identity.[263]

South America

LGBT rights in: Same-sex sexual activity Recognition of same-sex unions Same-sex marriage Adoption by same-sex couples LGB people allowed to serve openly in military Anti-discrimination laws concerning sexual orientation Laws concerning gender identity/expression
Argentina Argentina Yes Legal since 1887
+ UN decl. sign.[68]		 Yes Civil unions in Buenos Aires (2003),[264] Río Negro Province (2003),[265] Villa Carlos Paz (2007) and Río Cuarto (2009)
Cohabitation unions nationwide since 2015[266]		 Yes Legal since 2010[267] Yes Legal since 2010 Yes Since 2009[268] Yes/No Legal protection in some cities;[269]
pending nationwide.
Pathologization or attempted treatment of sexual orientation by mental health professionals illegal since 2010		 Yes Transgender persons can change their legal gender and name without surgeries or judicial order since 2012[270]

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. [271]

Bolivia Bolivia Yes Legal since 1832
+ UN decl. sign.[68]		 YesFree unions officially recognised starting in 2020; nationwide since 2023.[272] No Constitutional ban since 2009[273] Yes Same-sex couples in a free union are permitted to adopt[274] Yes Since 2015[275][276][277]; Includes transgender people[178] Yes Bans all anti-gay discrimination[68] Yes Transgender persons can change their legal gender and name without surgeries or judicial order since 2016[278][279][280]
Brazil Brazil Yes Legal since 1830
+ UN decl. sign.[68]		 Yes "Stable unions" legal and all rights as recognized family entities available nationwide since 2011[281][282] Yes Starting in 2011; nationwide since 2013[283][284] Yes Legal since 2010[285] YesSince 1969[286] Yes Bans all anti-gay discrimination.[287]
Pathologization or attempted treatment of sexual orientation by mental health professionals illegal since 1999[288][289]		 Yes 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) [290][291][292]
Chile Chile Yes Legal since 1999; equal age of consent since 2022
+ UN decl. sign.[68]		 Yes Civil unions since 2015[293] Yes Legal since 2022[294] Yes Legal since 2022[294] Yes Since 2012[295]; Includes transgender people[296] Yes Bans all anti-gay discrimination[297]
Pathologization or attempted treatment of sexual orientation by mental health professionals illegal since 2021		 Yes 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.[298]
Colombia Colombia Yes Legal since 1981
+ UN decl. sign.[68]		 Yes De facto marital union since 2007[299] Yes Legal since 2016[300][301] Yes Stepchild adoption since 2014;[302] joint adoption since 2015[303] Yes Since 1999[68] Yes Bans all anti-gay discrimination[304] Yes Since 2015, transgender persons can change their legal gender and name manifesting their solemn will before a notary, no surgeries or judicial order required[305]
Ecuador Ecuador Yes Legal since 1997
+ UN decl. sign.[68]		 Yes De facto unions since 2009[306][307] Yes Legal since 2019[308] No LGBT individuals may adopt, but not same-sex couples[309] [310] Yes Bans all anti-gay discrimination.[311]
Pathologization or attempted treatment of sexual orientation by mental health professionals illegal since 2014		 Yes Since 2016, transgender persons are allowed to change their birth name and gender identity; no surgeries or judicial order required[312][313]
Falkland Islands Falkland Islands
(Overseas Territory of the United Kingdom)		 Yes Legal since 1989; equal age of consent since 2006
+ UN decl. sign.[68]		 Yes Civil partnerships since 2017[314] Yes Legal since 2017[314] Yes Legal since 2017 Yes UK responsible for defence Yes Bans all anti-gay discrimination[315] No
French Guiana French Guiana
(Overseas department of France)		 Yes Legal since 1791
+ UN decl. sign.[68]		 Yes Civil solidarity pact since 1999[198] Yes Legal since 2013[199] Yes Legal since 2013[200] Yes France responsible for defence Yes Bans all anti-gay discrimination[87] Yes Under French law[201]
Guyana Guyana No Illegal
Penalty: Up to life imprisonment (Not enforced).[68] Legalization proposed[316]		 No No [317] Yes[318] No No
Paraguay Paraguay Yes Legal since 1880; Age of consent discrepancy
+ UN decl. sign.[68]		 No Constitutional ban on de facto unions since 1992[319] No Constitutional ban since 1992[320] No Yes[321] Yes Bans some anti-gay discrimination.
Pathologization or attempted treatment of sexual orientation by mental health professionals illegal since 2022		 No
Peru Peru Yes Legal since 1924; equal age of consent since 2012
+ UN decl. sign.[68]		 No/Yes Limited recognition for same-sex partners of health-care workers since 2020. No No Yes Since 2009[322] Yes Bans all anti-gay discrimination[323][324][325][326][327] Yes Transgender persons can change their legal gender and name without the need for the completion of medical intervention since 2016. Judicial order required.[328][329]
South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands
(Overseas Territory of the United Kingdom)		 Yes Legal since 2001
+ UN decl. sign.		 Yes Legal since 2014[330] Yes Legal since 2014[330] Yes UK responsible for defence No
Suriname Suriname Yes Legal since 1869 (as Dutch Guiana) No Yes Since 13 February 2025, Court recognizes 2 same-sex marriages performed abroad No Yes Bans all anti-gay discrimination[331] Yes Transgender persons can change their legal gender since 2022. Court order required.[332][333][334]
Uruguay Uruguay Yes Legal since 1934
+ UN decl. sign.[68]		 Yes Concubinage union since 2008[335] Yes Legal since 2013[336] Yes Legal since 2009[337] Yes Since 2009[338] Yes Bans all anti-gay discrimination.[339] Pathologization or attempted treatment of sexual orientation by mental health professionals illegal since 2017 Yes Transgender persons can change their legal gender and name without surgeries or judicial order required since 2009.[340] Self-determination since 2018.
Venezuela Venezuela Yes Legal since 1997
+ UN decl. sign.[68]		 No Constitutional ban on de facto stable unions since 1999 No Constitutional ban since 1999 No Yes Since 2023[341] Yes Bans some anti-gay discrimination[68] No

Close

Antarctica

Asia

More information List of countries or territories by LGBT rights in Asia, LGBT rights in: ...

List of countries or territories by LGBT rights in Asia

This table:

North Asia

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 Russia Yes Yes Fully legal nationwide since 1993[342][68]
(de-facto illegal in Chechnya)		 No No No No Constitution limits marriage to opposite-sex couples since 2020 No No Yes Yes[343] No No No No Gender change has not been legal since 2023[344]

Central Asia

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 Kazakhstan Yes Yes Legal since 1998[68] No No No No No No Yes Yes Since 2022[345] No No Yes Yes[346]
Kyrgyzstan Kyrgyzstan Yes Yes Legal since 1998[68] No No No No Constitutional ban since 2016[347] No No Un­known No No Yes Yes Requires sex reassignment surgery[348][346]
Tajikistan Tajikistan Yes Yes Legal since 1998[68] No No No No No No Un­known No No Yes Yes Requires sex reassignment surgery[349][346]
Turkmenistan Turkmenistan No No Male illegal since 1927
Penalty: up to 2 years imprisonment.
Yes Yes Female always legal[350]		 No No No No No No No No No No No No
Uzbekistan Uzbekistan No No Male illegal since 1926
Penalty: up to 3 years imprisonment.
Yes Yes Female always legal[350]		 No No No No No No No No No No No No

West Asia

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 Abkhazia
(Disputed territory)		 Yes Yes Legal No No No No No No Un­known No No Un­known
Akrotiri and Dhekelia Akrotiri and Dhekelia
(Overseas Territory of the United Kingdom)		 Yes Yes Legal since 2000
+ UN decl. sign.[68]		 Yes Yes Civil partnerships since 2005 Yes Yes Legal since 2014 Un­known Yes Yes UK responsible for defence Yes Yes Bans some anti-gay discrimination[351] Un­known
Armenia Armenia Yes Yes Legal since 2003
+ UN decl. sign.[68]		 No No No No Constitutional ban since 2015[352][353] No No LGBT individuals may adopt, but not same-sex couples. No No [354] No No No No
Azerbaijan Azerbaijan Yes Yes Legal since 2000[68] No No No No No No No No No No No No
Bahrain Bahrain Yes Yes Legal since 1976[68] No No No No No No No No No No Yes Yes Transgender people allowed to change legal gender, but only after sex reassignment surgery.[355]
Cyprus Cyprus Yes Yes Legal since 1998
+ UN decl. sign.[68]		 Yes Yes Civil cohabitation since 2015[356] No No No No Yes Yes[357] Yes Yes Bans some anti-gay discrimination[358] Yes Yes Forbids some discrimination based on gender identity.[359]
No No Gender change is not legal.
Egypt Egypt Yes Yes/ No No Ambiguous. Male de jure legal, but de facto illegal since 2000
Penalty: Up to 17 years imprisonment with or without hard labour and with or without fines under broadly-written morality laws.[68][360]		 No No No No No No No No No No No No
Georgia (country) Georgia Yes Yes Legal since 2000
+ UN decl. sign.[68]		 No No No No Constitutional ban since 2018 No No Un­known Yes Yes Bans all anti-gay discrimination[361] Yes Yes Requires sterilization and sex reassignment surgery for change[362]
Iran Iran No No 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)[363]. For women, 100 lashes for women of mature sound mind and if consenting. Death penalty offense after fourth conviction.[68]		 No No No No No No No No No No Yes Yes Legal gender recognition legal if accompanied by a medical intervention[364]
Iraq Iraq No No Re-criminalized in 2024.[365] Penalty: Prison sentence between 10 and 15 years. No No No No No No No No No No No No
Israel Israel Yes Yes Legal since 1963 (de facto), 1988 (de jure)[366]
+ UN decl. sign.[68][367]		 Yes Yes Unregistered cohabitation since 1994. No No/Yes Yes Foreign same-sex marriages are recognized and recorded in the population registry No No Permitted by law since 2008,[368] but in practice not possible in nearly every case[369] Yes Yes Since 1993; Includes transgender people[370] Yes Yes Bans all anti-gay discrimination[371][372][373] No No Almost full recognition of gender's ID without a surgery or medical intervention (Excluding changing gender and name in birth certificate) ;[374] equal employment opportunity law bars discrimination based on gender identity[375][376][377]
Jordan Jordan Yes Yes Legal[68] No No No No No No Un­known No No Yes Yes Allowed since 2014[378]
Kuwait Kuwait
  • No No Male illegal
  • Penalty: Fines or up to 6-year prison sentence.
  • Yes Yes Female always legal[68][379]
 No No No No No No No No No No No No
Lebanon Lebanon Yes Yes / No No 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.[380] 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 No No No No No Yes Yes Legal gender change allowed, but sex reassignment surgery required[381]
Northern Cyprus Northern Cyprus
(Disputed territory)		 Yes Yes Legal since 2014[382][383][68] No No No No No No No No Yes Yes Bans all anti-gay discrimination[382][383] Yes Yes Legal, requires surgery for change[384]
Oman Oman No No Illegal
Penalty: Fines and prison sentence up to 3 years (only enforced when dealing with "public scandal").[68]		 No No No No No No No No No No No No Laws against forms of gender expression.
Palestine Palestine
 West Bank:
Yes Yes Legal[68]
Gaza:
No consensus on legal applicability of British 1936 Sexual offences provisions to homosexual conduct[385][386][387][388]		 West Bank:
No No
Gaza:
No No
 No No No No Un­known No No No No
Qatar Qatar No No No Illegal
Penalty: Fines, up to 7 years imprisonment[68] Death penalty for Muslims.		 No No No No No No No No No No No No
Saudi Arabia Saudi Arabia
[68]		 No No No No No No No No No No No No Laws against forms of gender expression.
South Ossetia South Ossetia
(Disputed territory)		 Yes Yes Legal No No No No No No Un­known No No Un­known
Syria No No No No No official military
Turkey Turkey Yes Yes Legal since 1858[68] No No No No No No LGBT individuals may adopt, but not same-sex couples. No No No No Yes Yes Requires sterilisation and sex reassignment surgery for change[392]
United Arab Emirates United Arab Emirates
  • No No Illegal (unenforced): Prosecution only on complaint of husband or (male) legal guardian[393][394]
  • Penalty: Max – no upper limit, sentence at courts' discretion
  • Min. – 6 months' imprisonment[393][395]
 No No No No No No No No No No No No Sex reassignment surgery severely restricted to limited circumstances (mainly physical intersex traits), highly regulated by the state.[396][397] Laws used against forms of gender expression.[398]
Yemen Yemen No No 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.[68]		 No No No No No No No No No No No No

South Asia

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 Afghanistan No No No Illegal
Penalty: Death penalty[399]		 No No No No No No No No No No No No
Bangladesh Bangladesh No No Illegal since 1862
Penalty: 10 years to life imprisonment (Occasionally enforced).[68][400]		 No No No No No No No No No No A third gender option (hijra) besides male and female is available for a certain sect of third genders[401]
Bhutan Bhutan Yes Yes Legal since 2021[402] No No No No No No No No No No No No
British Indian Ocean Territory British Indian Ocean Territory
(Overseas Territory of the United Kingdom)		 Yes Yes Legal since 2001
+ UN decl. sign.[68]		 Yes Yes Civil partnerships since 2005 Yes Yes Legal since 2014 Un­known Yes Yes UK responsible for defense Un­known Un­known
India India Yes Yes Legal since 2018[403] Yes Yes/ No No symbolic live-In relationships exist[404]
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[405]		 No No No No No No Yes Yes/ No No Discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity prohibited by court decision. No nationwide law.[406][407][408]

In 2022, National Medical Commission banned conversion therapy[409]

 Yes 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[410][408]
Maldives Maldives No No Illegal (codified in 2014)
Penalty: Up to 8 years imprisonment, house arrest, lashings and fines. (unenforced)[411] LGBTQ welcomed in tourist islands [412]		 No No No No No No No No No No No No
Nepal Nepal Yes Yes Legal since 2007
+ UN decl. sign.[68]		 No No No No No No Yes Yes Since 2007[413] Yes Yes/No No Limited protection since 2015[414] No No Change to third gender "O" legal since 2007, unable to change to male or female[415]
Pakistan Pakistan No No Illegal since 1862
Penalty: 2 years to life sentence (Occasionally enforced).[68][416]		 No No No No No No No No Yes Yes Transphobia illegal

No No Homophobia/biphobia is not illegal

 Yes Yes Right to change gender; transgender and intersex citizens have legal protections from all discrimination and harassment[417]
Sri Lanka Sri Lanka No No Illegal since 1885
Penalty: Up to 10 years imprisonment with fines.[68] (Ruled unenforcable by the Supreme Court) Legalization proposed		 No No No No No No No No No No Yes Yes Transgender people allowed to change legal gender without surgery

East Asia

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 China Yes Yes Legal since 1997[68] No No/Yes Yes "Legal guardianship" since 2017 No No No No Yes Yes can openly serve
No No open displays of affection [418][419]		 YesYes Court has in some cases protected LGBT workers from employment discrimination.[420]
No No protection codified in law		 Yes 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.[421][422]

Hong Kong Hong Kong Yes Yes Legal since 1991[68] No No/Yes Yes Same-sex marriages registered overseas for government benefits and taxation, and limited recognition of local cohabiting partners No No No No LGBT individuals may adopt, but not same-sex couples[423] The central government of China is responsible for the defense of Hong Kong.[424] Yes Yes Bans some anti-gay discrimination (government discrimination only) Yes Yes Following a legal decision, may change gender marker after partial sex reassignment surgery.[425]
Japan Japan Yes Yes Legal since 1882
+ UN decl. sign.[68]		 No No * Symbolic recognition in some jurisdictions. No No Proposed in 2023[426] No No Yes Yes The Japan Self-Defense Forces allow gay people to enlist.[427] No No nationwide protections
Yes Yes some cities ban some anti-gay discrimination[68]		 Yes Yes Transgender people allowed to change legal gender, but only after sex reassignment surgery
Macau Macau Yes Yes Legal since 1996 No No No No No No The central government of China is responsible for the defence of Macau. Yes Yes Bans some anti-gay discrimination Un­known
Mongolia Mongolia Yes Yes Legal since 1993
+ UN decl. sign.[68]		 No No No No Constitutional ban since 1992 No No Un­known Yes Yes Bans some anti-gay discrimination Yes Yes Transgender people allowed to change legal gender but only after sex reassignment surgery
North Korea North Korea Yes Yes / No No Ambiguous, punishable through Articles 193 and 262 regarding obscenity and decency laws.[dubious – discuss]
Penalty: Unknown		 No No No No No No Yes Yes can serve with 10-year celibacy required for all soldiers.[428]
No No open displays of LGBT attitudes.		 No No No No
South Korea South Korea Yes Yes Legal
+ UN decl. sign.[68]		 No No No No Proposed in 2023[429] No No No No Yes Yes/No No Protection from discrimination varies by jurisdiction in some areas, including Seoul Yes Yes Transgender people allowed to change legal gender but usually requires sex reassignment surgery
Taiwan Taiwan Yes Yes Legal[430] [431] Legal since 2019[432][433][434] Yes Yes Stepchild adoption since 2019
Yes Yes Joint adoption legal since 2023[435]		 Yes Yes Yes Yes Constitutionally bans all anti-gay discrimination from government[436]; several laws banning anti-gay discrimination regarding education and employment.[437][438] Yes Yes Transgender people allowed to change legal gender, but only after sex reassignment surgery.[c]

Southeast Asia

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 Aceh (autonomous territory of Indonesia) No No Illegal
Penalty: 100 strokes of the cane or 8 years in prison[440]		 No No No No No No LGBT individuals may adopt, but not same-sex couples No No The central government of Indonesia is responsible for the defense of Aceh. Yes Yes Follows the law of the central Indonesian government. Yes Yes Follows the law of the central Indonesian government.
Brunei Brunei No No 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.[441]		 No No No No No No No No No No Laws prohibit forms of gender expression.
Cambodia Cambodia Yes Yes Legal[68] No No/Yes Yes Partnerships recognized in certain cities No No Constitutional ban since 1993 No No Un­known No No No No[442]
Indonesia Indonesia Yes Never criminalized (except in Aceh)[68][443] No No No No No No LGBT individuals may adopt, but not same-sex couples No No Not explicitly prohibited by Law (de jure), Illegal (de facto) Yes Yes Limited protection following legal process by the authorities.[444] Yes Yes Transgender people allowed to change legal gender, but only after sex reassignment surgery.
Laos Laos Yes Yes Legal[68] No No No No No No Un­known No No Un­known
Malaysia Malaysia No No Illegal since 1871
Penalty: fines, prison sentence (2–20 years), or whippings.[68][445]		 No No No No No No LGBT individuals may adopt, but not same-sex couples No No No No No No Generally impossible to change gender. However, a 2016 court ruling recognizes gender changes as fundamental constitutional rights[446] Forms of gender expression are criminalized.
Myanmar Myanmar No No Illegal since 1886
Penalty: Up to 20 years in prison (unenforced).[68][447]		 No No No No No No No No No No No No
Philippines Philippines Yes Yes Legal
+ UN decl. sign.[448][68][449][450] [d]		 No No (Pending) [448] No No (Pending) [451] No No LGBT individuals may adopt, but not same-sex couples[452][451] Yes Yes Since 2009 Yes Yes/No No Bans some anti-gay discrimination in certain cities and provinces,[453] including the City of Manila,[454]Cebu City,[455] Quezon City,[456] and Davao City;[457]
Nationwide anti-bullying law for basic education students.[458]		 No 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 Singapore Yes Yes Legal since 2007 (de facto), 2022 (de jure) No No 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.[459] Yes Yes Yes Yes Protections against anti-gay discrimination, harassment and violence[460] Yes Yes Transgender people allowed to change legal gender, but only after sex reassignment surgery
Thailand Thailand Yes Yes Legal since 1956
+ UN decl. sign.[68]		 Yes Yes Since 2025 Yes Yes Since 2025[461][462][463] Yes Yes Since 2025[461] Yes Yes Since 2005 [464] Yes Yes Bans all anti-gay discrimination No No[462][465]

Yes Yes Anti-discrimination protections for gender expression.[445]

Timor-Leste Timor-Leste Yes Yes Legal since 1975
+ UN decl. sign.[68]		 No No No No Yes Yes LGBT individuals may adopt
but same-sex couples can not adopt		 Un­known Yes Yes Bans some anti gay discrimination, Hate crime protections since 2009.[466] Un­known
Vietnam Vietnam Yes Yes Legal[68]
+ UN decl. sign.[68]		 No No No No No No LGBT individuals may adopt, not same-sex couples[467] Yes Yes Irrespective of one's sexual orientation Yes Yes Bans some anti-gay discrimination Yes Yes Gender changes recognized and officially practised since 2017[468][469]

Close

Europe

More information List of countries or territories by LGBT rights in Europe, LGBT rights in: ...

List of countries or territories by LGBT rights in Europe

European Union

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
European Union European Union Yes Legal in all 27 member states[470] Yes/No Recognized in 25/27 member states
 Yes/No Legal in 16/27 member states
 Yes/No Stepchild adoption legal in 19/27 member states;
joint adoption legal in 17/27 member states		 Yes Legal in all member states Yes 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		 Yes/No Legal in 25/27 member states[471]

Central Europe

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
Austria Austria Yes Legal since 1971; equal age of consent since 2002[68]
+ UN decl. sign.		 Yes Registered partnerships since 2010[472] Yes Legal since 2019[473] Yes Stepchild adoption since 2013;
joint adoption since 2016[474][475][476]		 Yes Includes transgender people[477] Yes Bans all anti-gay discrimination[358] Yes Transgender people allowed to change gender without undergoing surgery[362]
Czech Republic Czech Republic Yes Legal since 1962 (As part of Czechoslovakia); equal age of consent since 1990
+ UN decl. sign.[68]		 Yes Registered partnerships since 2006[478] No Yes/No Stepchild adoption legal since 2025 Yes Includes transgender people[479] Yes Bans all anti-gay discrimination[358] Yes Legal recognition after sex reassignment surgery (with mandatory sterilisation)[480]
Germany Germany Yes 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.[68][481]		 Yes Registered life partnerships from 2001 to 2017 (existing partnerships and new foreign partnerships still recognised)[482][483] Yes Legal since 2017[484] Yes Stepchild adoption since 2005; successive adoption since 2013; joint adoption legal since 2017[484] Yes Includes transgender people[485] Yes Bans all anti-gay discrimination[486] Yes Gender self-determination enacted and implemented on a birth certificate since 2024.
Hungary Hungary Yes Legal since 1962; equal age of consent since 2002
+ UN decl. sign.[68]		 Yes Registered partnerships since 2009[487] No Constitutional ban since 2012[488][489][490][491] No Constitutional ban since 2020[492][489] Yes[citation needed] Yes Bans all anti-gay discrimination[358] Yes Forbids discrimination based on gender identity

No Transgender people are not allowed to change gender since 2020.[493]

Liechtenstein Liechtenstein Yes Legal since 1989; equal age of consent since 2001
+ UN decl. sign.[68]		 Yes Registered partnerships since 2011[494] Yes Legal since 2025 [495][496][497][498][499][500] Yes Stepchild adoption since 2022;
joint adoption since 2023[501][502]		 Has no military Yes Bans all anti-gay discrimination[358] No Gender change is not legal[480]
Poland Poland Yes Legal since 1932
+ UN decl. sign.[68]		 No/Yes Unregistered cohabitation since 2012;
registered partnership proposed 2019		 No Constitutional ban since 1997[503] (Article 18 of the Constitution is generally interpreted as limiting marriage to opposite-sex couples[504][505][506][507][508][509])[e] No LGBT individuals may adopt, but not same-sex couples[511] Yes Yes Bans some anti-gay discrimination[358] Yes Transgender people allowed to change gender. No provisions for nonbinary people. [512]
Slovakia Slovakia Yes Legal since 1962 (As part of Czechoslovakia); equal age of consent since 1990
+ UN decl. sign.[68]		 No/Yes some limited rights for unregistered cohabiting same-sex couples since 2018;
Limited residency rights for married same-sex couples since 2018 (Proposed)		 No Constitutional ban since 2014 No LGBT individuals may adopt, but not same-sex couples[513] Yes[citation needed] Yes Bans all anti-gay discrimination[514][515] Yes/No 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 Slovenia Yes Legal since 1977 (As part of Yugoslavia); equal age of consent since 1990
+ UN decl. sign.[68]		 Yes Registered cohabitation since 2006[516];
Registered partnerships since 2017[517]		 Yes Legal since 2022[518] Yes Stepchild adoption since 2011;
joint adoption since 2022[519]		 Yes Yes Bans all anti-gay discrimination[358] Yes Gender change is legal[520]
Switzerland Switzerland Yes 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.[68][521]		 Yes Registered partnerships in Geneva (2001),[522] Zürich (2003),[523] Neuchâtel (2004)[524] and Fribourg (2005)[524]
Nationwide since 2007[525]		 Yes Legal since 2022[526] Yes Stepchild adoption since 2018;
joint adoption since 2022[526][527]		 Yes Includes transgender people[528] Yes Bans all anti-gay discrimination [529] Yes Gender change is legal on simple declaration (self-determination +16 yo); surgery/sterilisation not required. [530]

Eastern Europe

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
Abkhazia Abkhazia
(Disputed territory)		 Yes Legal after 1991 No No No No
Armenia Armenia Yes Legal since 2003
+ UN decl. sign.[68]		 No No Constitutional ban since 2015[531][532] No LGBT individuals may adopt, but not same-sex couples. No[533] No No
Azerbaijan Azerbaijan Yes Legal since 2000[68] No No No No No No
Belarus Belarus Yes Legal since 1994[68] No No Constitutional ban since 1994[534] No No/Yes Banned from military service during peacetime, but during wartime homosexuals are permitted to enlist as partially able[535] No Yes/No (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.)[536]
Georgia (country) Georgia Yes Legal since 2000
+ UN decl. sign.[68]		 No No Constitutional ban since 2018 No Yes Bans all anti-gay discrimination[537] Yes Requires sterilisation and surgery for change[480]
Kazakhstan Kazakhstan Yes Legal since 1998[68] No No No Yes[538] No Yes Requires sex reassignment surgery, sterilization, hormone therapy and medical examinations[citation needed]
Moldova Moldova Yes Legal since 1995
+ UN decl. sign.[68]		 No No Constitutional ban since 1994[539] No Yes[citation needed] Yes Bans all anti-gay discrimination Yes No longer requires sterilisation or surgery for change since 2017[480]
Russia Russia Yes Male legal nationwide since 1993
Female always legal[342][68]
(de-facto illegal in Chechnya)		 No No Constitution limits marriage to opposite-sex couples since 2020 No Yes[540] No No Gender change has not been legal since 2023[541]
South Ossetia South Ossetia
(Disputed territory)		 Yes Legal after 1991 No No No No
Transnistria Transnistria
(Disputed territory)		 Yes Legal since 2002[542] No No No No
Ukraine Ukraine Yes Legal since 1991
+ UN decl. sign.[68]		 No No Constitutional ban since 1996[543] No LGBT individuals may adopt, but not same-sex couples[544] Yes[545][546] Yes Bans some anti-gay discrimination[547] Yes No longer requires sterilisation or surgery for change since 2016[548]

Northern Europe

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 Denmark Yes Legal since 1933; equal age of consent since 1973
+ UN decl. sign.[68]		 Yes Registered partnerships from 1989 to 2012 (existing partnerships are still recognised)[549] Yes Legal since 2012[550][551] Yes Stepchild adoption since 1999;
joint adoption since 2010[552][553]		 Yes Includes transgender people[554] Yes Bans all anti-gay discrimination[358] Yes Legal gender change and recognition possible without surgery or hormone therapy[555]
Estonia Estonia Yes Legal since 1992
+ UN decl. sign.[68]		 Yes Cohabitation agreement since 2016[556] Yes Legal since 2024[557] Yes Stepchild adoption since 2016;
joint adoption since 2024[558]		 Yes[citation needed] Includes transgender people[559] Yes Bans all anti-gay discrimination[358] Yes Gender reassignment legal; surgery not required[480]
Faroe Islands Faroe Islands
(Autonomous Territory within the Kingdom of Denmark)		 Yes Legal since 1933; equal age of consent since 1977
+ UN decl. sign.[68]		 Yes Yes Legal since 2017[560][561] Yes Legal since 2017 Yes The Kingdom of Denmark responsible for defence Yes Bans some anti-gay discrimination[562][563] No[564]
Finland Finland
Åland (includes Åland)		 Yes Legal since 1971; equal age of consent since 1999
+ UN decl. sign.[68]		 Yes Registered partnerships from 2002 to 2017 (existing partnerships are still recognised)[565] Yes Legal since 2017[566] Yes Stepchild adoption since 2009;
joint adoption since 2017		 Yes Includes transgender people[567] Yes Bans all anti-gay discrimination[358] Yes Since 2023, by way of self-determination.[568]
Iceland Iceland Yes Legal since 1940; equal age of consent since 1992
(As part of Denmark)
+ UN decl. sign.[68]		 Yes Registered cohabitation since 2006;[569]
Registered partnerships from 1996 to 2010 (existing partnerships are still recognised)[570]		 Yes Legal since 2010[571][572] Yes Legal since 2006[573][574] No standing army Yes Bans all anti-gay discrimination[358] Yes Documents can be amended to the recognised gender, sterilisation not required[575][480]
Latvia Latvia Yes Legal since 1992
+ UN decl. sign.[68]		 Yes Registered partnerships since 2024[576][577] No Constitutional ban since 2006[578] No LGBT individuals may adopt, but not same-sex couples, incl. stepchild adoption[579] Yes[580] Yes Bans some anti-gay discrimination[581] YesLegal change allowed[582] but requires "full" transition and doctor's or court's approval.[583] Sterilization required.[584]
Lithuania Lithuania Yes Legal since 1993
+ UN decl. sign.[68]		 No/Yes Limited residency rights for married same-sex couples since 2018; Cohabitation agreement pending [585] Civil unions proposed. No Constitutional ban since 1992[586] Yes/No Stepchild adoption admitted by the judiciary since 2024 [587] YesSince 2015[588] Yes Bans all anti-gay discrimination[358] Yes Effective from 2/2/2022, gender change on legal documents permitted without surgery and no non-binary option available.[589][590]
Norway Norway Yes Legal since 1972
+ UN decl. sign.[68]		 Yes Registered partnerships from 1993 to 2009 (existing partnerships are still recognised)[591] Yes Legal since 2009[592][593] Yes Stepchild adoption since 2002;
joint adoption since 2009[594][595]		 Yes Includes transgender people[596] Yes Bans all anti-gay discrimination[597] Yes All documents can be amended to the recognised gender[362]
Sweden Sweden Yes Legal since 1944; equal age of consent since 1972
+ UN decl. sign.[68]		 Yes Registered partnerships from 1995 to 2009 (existing partnerships are still recognised)[598] Yes Legal since 2009[599] Yes Legal since 2003[600][601] Yes[602] Includes transgender people[603] Yes Bans all anti-gay discrimination[358] Yes/Upcoming First country within the world in 1972 to allow gender reassignment procedures for individuals. Effective from July 1, 2025 by self-determination for individuals to change gender.[604]

Southern Europe

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 Akrotiri and Dhekelia
(Overseas Territory of the United Kingdom)		 Yes Legal since 2000; equal age of consent since 2003
+ UN decl. sign.[68][605][606]		 Yes Since 2005, for members of the British Armed Forces[607] Yes Since 2014, for members of the British Armed Forces[608] Yes UK responsible for defence Yes Bans some anti-gay discrimination[609]
Albania Albania Yes Legal since 1995
+ UN decl. sign.[68]		 No No No Yes Yes Bans all anti-gay discrimination[358] No No legal recognition[480]
Andorra Andorra Yes Legal since 1791
+ UN decl. sign.[68]		 Yes Stable unions since 2005[610]; Civil unions from 2014–2023, replaced by civil marriage[611] Yes Legal since 2023 Yes Legal since 2014[612][611][613] Has no military Yes Bans all anti-gay discrimination[358] Yes Since 2023, without SRS and sterilization - but with a mandatory 2-year waiting period.[614]
Bosnia and Herzegovina Bosnia and Herzegovina Yes Legal since 1996 in the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, in Republika Srpska since 1998, and in Brčko District since 2003
+ UN decl. sign.[68]		 No No No Yes[citation needed] Yes Bans all anti-gay discrimination[358] Yes Requires surgery for change[615]
Bulgaria Bulgaria Yes Legal since 1968; equal age of consent since 2002
+ UN decl. sign.[68]		 No/Yes Limited residency rights for married same-sex couples since 2018 No Constitutional ban since 1991[616] No LGBT individuals may adopt, but not same-sex couples[617] Yes Yes Bans all anti-gay discrimination[358] Yes Forbids discrimination based on gender identity.[618][619]

No Transgender people are not allowed to change gender since 2017.[620][621]

Croatia Croatia Yes Legal since 1977 (As part of Yugoslavia); equal age of consent since 1998
+ UN decl. sign.[68]		 Yes Unregistered cohabitation since 2003 [622] Life partnerships since 2014[623] No Constitutional ban since 2013[624] Yes Legal since 2022[625] Yes Yes Bans all anti-gay discrimination[358][626] Yes 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.[627]
Cyprus Cyprus Yes Legal since 1998; equal age of consent since 2002
+ UN decl. sign.[68]		 Yes Civil cohabitation since 2015[356] No No Yes[357] Yes Bans some anti-gay discrimination[358] Yes Forbids some discrimination based on gender identity.[359]
Gender change not legal.
Gibraltar Gibraltar
(Overseas Territory of the United Kingdom)		 Yes Legal since 1993; equal age of consent since 2012
+ UN decl. sign.[68]		 Yes Civil partnerships since 2014[628] Yes Legal since 2016[629] Yes Legal since 2014 Yes UK responsible for defence Yes Bans all anti-gay discrimination[630] Yes Forbids discrimination on the grounds of gender reassignment[630]

No Gender change is not legal

Greece Greece Yes Legal since 1951; equal age of consent since 2015
+ UN decl. sign.[68]		 Yes Cohabitation agreements since 2015[631] Yes Legal since 2024[632] Yes Legal since 2024 Yes Yes Bans all anti-gay discrimination[358] Yes Under the Legal Gender Recognition Act 2017[633][634]
Italy Italy Yes Legal since 1890
+ UN decl. sign.[68]		 Yes Civil unions since 2016[635] No In 2018 the Supreme Court ruled that same-sex marriages performed abroad must be registered as civil unions. (Proposed) [636] Yes/No Stepchild adoption admitted by the Court of Cassation since 2016[637][638] Yes Yes Bans some anti-gay discrimination[358] Yes Legal recognition and documents can be amended to the recognised gender, sterilisation not required[639][640]
Kosovo Kosovo
(Disputed territory)		 Yes Legal since 1994
(as part of Yugoslavia); equal age of consent since 2004[68]		 No No[641] No LGBT individuals may adopt, but not same-sex couples[642][643] Yes[citation needed] Yes Bans all anti-gay discrimination[644] Yes Forbids discrimination based on gender identity.

No No legal recognition[480]

Malta Malta Yes Legal since 1973
+ UN decl. sign.[68]		 Yes Civil unions since 2014[645] Yes Legal since 2017 Yes Legal since 2014 Yes Yes Bans all anti-gay discrimination[358]
Pathologization or attempted treatment of sexual orientation by mental health professionals illegal since 2016		 Yes Transgender people allowed to change gender; surgery not required since 2015[646]
Montenegro Montenegro Yes Legal since 1977 (As part of Yugoslavia)
+ UN decl. sign.[68]		 Yes Life partnership from July 2021[647] No Constitutional ban since 2007 (Court decision pending)[648][649] No Yes[citation needed] Yes Bans all anti-gay discrimination[358] Yes Requires sterilisation and surgery for change[362][480]
North Macedonia North Macedonia Yes Legal since 1996
+ UN decl. sign.[68]		 No (Proposed) No No Yes[citation needed] Yes Bans all anti-gay discrimination[358] Yes Forbids discrimination based on gender identity.

Gender change is legally recognized since 2021[650]

Northern Cyprus Northern Cyprus
(Disputed territory)		 Yes Legal since 2014[382][383][68] No No No No Yes Bans all anti-gay discrimination[382][383] Yes Legal, requires surgery for change[384]
Portugal Portugal Yes Legal since 1983; equal age of consent since 2007
+ UN decl. sign.[68]		 Yes De facto unions since 2001[651][652] Yes Legal since 2010[653] Yes Legal since 2016[654][655][656] Yes Yes Bans all anti-gay discrimination[358] Yes All documents can be amended to the recognised gender since 2011[657]
Romania Romania Yes Legal since 1996; equal age of consent since 2002
+ UN decl. sign.[68]		 No/Yes Limited residency rights for married same-sex couples since 2018;[658]
 No No LGBT individuals may adopt, but not same-sex couples[659] Yes Yes Bans all anti-gay discrimination[358] Yes Legal recognition after sex reassignment surgery (sterilisation mandatory)[480]
San Marino San Marino Yes Legal since 1865
+ UN decl. sign.[68]		 Yes Civil unions since 2019 No Yes/No Stepchild adoption legal since 2019 Yes Bans all anti-gay discrimination No No legal recognition[362]
Serbia Serbia Yes Legal from 1858, when nominally a vassal of the Ottoman Empire to 1860,[660] and again since 1994 (As part of Yugoslavia); equal age of consent since 2006
+ UN decl. sign.[68]		 No (Proposed) No Constitutional ban since 2006[661] No LGBT individuals may adopt, but not same-sex couples Yes Yes Bans all anti-gay discrimination[358] Yes Legal after 1 year of hormone therapy, surgery no longer required since 2019[662]
Spain Spain Yes Legal since 1979
+ UN decl. sign.[68]		 Yes De facto unions in Catalonia (1998),[663] Aragon (1999),[663] Navarre (2000),[663] Castilla–La Mancha (2000),[663] Valencia (2001),[664] the Balearic Islands (2001),[665] Madrid (2001),[663] Asturias (2002),[666] Castile and León (2002),[667] Andalusia (2002),[663] the Canary Islands (2003),[663] Extremadura (2003),[663] Basque Country (2003),[663] Cantabria (2005),[668] Galicia (2008)[669] La Rioja (2010),[670] and Murcia (2018),[671][672] and in both autonomous cities; Ceuta (1998)[673] and Melilla (2008).[674] Yes Legal since 2005[675] Yes Legal since 2005[676][677] Yes Includes transgender people[678] Yes Bans all anti-gay discrimination[358]
Pathologization or attempted treatment of sexual orientation by mental health professionals illegal nationwide since 2023.[679]		 Yes Since 2023, by way of self-determination[680]
Turkey Turkey Yes Legal since 1858[68] No No No No No Yes Legal since 1988, requires sterilisation and surgery for change[681]
Vatican City Vatican City Yes Legal since 1890 (As part of Italy)[68] No No No Has no military No

Western Europe

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
Belgium Belgium Yes Legal nationwide since 1795; equal age of consent since 1985
+ UN decl. sign.[68]		 Yes Legal cohabitation since 2000[682] Yes Legal since 2003[683][684][685] Yes Legal since 2006[686][687] Yes Includes transgender people[688] Yes Bans all anti-gay discrimination[358] Yes Since 2018, sex changes do not require sterilisation and surgery[689]
France France Yes Legal nationwide since 1791
Legal in Savoy since 1792; equal age of consent since 1982
+ UN decl. sign.[68]		 Yes Civil solidarity pact since 1999[690] Yes Legal since 2013[691] Yes Legal since 2013[692] Yes Includes transgender people[693] Yes Bans all anti-gay discrimination[358] Yes Since 2017, sex changes no longer requires sterilisation and surgery[694]
Bailiwick of Guernsey Guernsey
(Crown Dependency of the United Kingdom)		 Yes Legal since 1983; equal age of consent since 2012
+ UN decl. sign.[695][696][68]		 Yes Civil partnerships performed in the UK abroad recognised for succession purposes in inheritance and other matters respecting interests in property since 2012[697][698] Legal cohabitation since 2017[699] Yes Legal since 2017 in Guernsey, since 2018 in Alderney, and since 2020 in Sark[700]
[701]		 Yes Legal since 2017[702] Yes UK responsible for defence Yes Bans all anti-gay discrimination[703][704] Yes Legal gender changes since 2007[705][706]
Republic of Ireland Ireland Yes Male legal since 1993
Female always legal
+ UN decl. sign.[68]		 Yes Civil partnerships from 2011 to 2015 (existing partnerships are still recognised)[707] Yes Legal since 2015 after a constitutional referendum[708] Yes Legal since 2017[709][710][711][712][713][714] Yes Includes transgender people[715] Yes Bans all anti-gay discrimination[716][717][718] Yes Under the Gender Recognition Act 2015, by self-declaration.[719]
Isle of Man Isle of Man; equal age of consent since 2006
(Crown Dependency of the United Kingdom)		 Yes Legal since 1992
+ UN decl. sign.[68]		 Yes Civil partnerships since 2011[720] Yes Legal since 2016[721] Yes Legal since 2011 Yes UK responsible for defence Yes Bans all anti-gay discrimination[722] Yes 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)[723][724]
Jersey Jersey; equal age of consent since 2006
(Crown Dependency of the United Kingdom)		 Yes Legal since 1990
+ UN decl. sign.[68]		 Yes Civil partnerships since 2012[725] Yes Legal since 2018[726][727] Yes Legal since 2012 Yes UK responsible for defence Yes Bans all anti-gay discrimination[728] Yes Under the Gender Recognition (Jersey) Law 2010[729]
Luxembourg Luxembourg Yes Legal since 1795; equal age of consent since 1992
+ UN decl. sign.[68]		 Yes Registered partnerships since 2004[730] Yes Legal since 2015[731][732] Yes Legal since 2015[733] Yes Yes Bans all anti-gay discrimination[734] Yes No divorce, sterilization and/or surgery legally required since September 2018 for change of gender[735][480]
Monaco Monaco Yes Legal since 1793
+ UN decl. sign.[68]		 Yes Cohabitation agreements since 2020 No (Proposed) No Yes France responsible for defence Yes Bans some anti-gay discrimination[68]
Netherlands Netherlands Yes Legal since 1811; equal age of consent since 1971
+ UN decl. sign.[68]		 Yes Registered partnership since 1998[736] Yes Legal since 2001[737] Yes Legal since 2001[738][739] Yes Includes transgender people[740] Yes Bans all anti-gay discrimination[741] Yes Since 2014, sex changes do not require sterilisation and surgery[742][743]
United Kingdom United Kingdom Yes 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.[68]		 Yes Civil partnerships since 2005[744] Yes Legal in England, Wales, and Scotland since 2014, and Northern Ireland since 2020[745][745] Yes Legal in England and Wales since 2005, in Scotland since 2009 and Northern Ireland since 2013[746][747][748] Yes Since 2000; Includes transgender people[749] Yes Bans all anti-gay discrimination[750][68] [751] Yes Under the Gender Recognition Act 2004

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Oceania

More information List of countries or territories by LGBT rights in Oceania, LGBT rights in: ...

List of countries or territories by LGBT rights in Oceania

Australasia

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 Australia
(including territories of
 Christmas Island, the
 Cocos (Keeling) Islands and
 Norfolk Island)		 Yes 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.[68]		 Yes Unregistered cohabitation nationally since 2009;
Domestic partnerships in Tasmania (2004),[752] South Australia (2007),[753] Victoria (2008),[754] New South Wales (2010),[755] and Queensland (2012);[756]
Civil unions in the Australian Capital Territory (2012)[757]		 Yes Legal since 2017[758] Yes Legal nationwide since 2018 Yes Gay men and lesbians since 1992[759]; Transgender and intersex people since 2010[760] Yes Bans all anti-gay discrimination.[761] Yes Different regulations within each jurisdiction regarding change of sex on a birth certificate. Effective from July 1, 2025 NSW will formally repeal the “surgical requirement” to change sex.[762][763]
New Zealand New Zealand Yes Legal since 1986
+ UN decl. sign.[68]		 Yes Unregistered cohabitation since 2002;
Civil unions since 2005		 Yes Legal since 2013[764] Yes Legal since 2013[764] Yes Since 1993; Includes transgender people[765] Yes Bans all anti-gay discrimination Yes 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.[766][767]

Melanesia

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 Fiji Yes Legal since 2010
+ UN decl. sign.[768][68]		 No No No Yes Bans all anti-gay discrimination[68]
Pathologization or attempted treatment of sexual orientation by mental health professionals illegal since 2010
Indonesia Indonesia Yes Legal (except in Aceh)[68][769] No No No No Yes Limited protection following legal process by the authorities.[770] Yes Transgender people allowed to change legal gender, but only after sex reassignment surgery.
New Caledonia New Caledonia
(Special collectivity of France)		 Yes Legal
(No laws against same-sex sexual activity have ever existed in the collectivity)
+ UN decl. sign.[68]		 Yes Civil solidarity pact since 2009[771] Yes Legal since 2013 Yes Legal since 2013 Yes France responsible for defence Yes Bans all anti-gay discrimination Yes Under French law
Papua New Guinea Papua New Guinea No Male illegal
Penalty: 3 to 14 years imprisonment (Rarely enforced, legalization proposed).
Yes Female always legal[68]		 No No No No No No
Solomon Islands Solomon Islands No Illegal
Penalty: Up to 14 years imprisonment (Not enforced, Legalization proposed).[68]		 No No No Has no military No[772] No
Vanuatu Vanuatu Yes Legal
(No laws against same-sex sexual activity have ever existed since independence[773])
+ UN decl. sign.[68]		 No No No Yes Bans some anti-gay discrimination No

Micronesia

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 Guam
(Unincorporated territory of the United States)		 Yes Legal since 1978 Yes Since 2015 Yes Legal since 2015 Yes Legal since 2002 Yes United States responsible for defense[774][775] Yes Bans some anti-gay discrimination Yes Allowed to legally change gender, but requires sex reassignment surgery Yes
Federated States of Micronesia Micronesia Yes Legal
+ UN decl. sign.[68]		 No No No Has no military Yes Bans all anti-gay discrimination[776]
Kiribati Kiribati No Male illegal
Penalty: 5-14 years imprisonment (Not enforced, Legalization proposed).
Yes Female legal[68]		 No No No Has no military Yes Bans some anti-gay discrimination No
Marshall Islands Marshall Islands Yes Legal since 2005
+ UN decl. sign.[68]		 No No No Has no military Yes Bans all anti-gay discrimination[777]
Nauru Nauru Yes Legal since 2016[778][779]
+ UN decl. sign.		 No No No Has no military No
Pathologization or attempted treatment of sexual orientation by mental health professionals illegal since 2016		 No
Northern Mariana Islands Northern Mariana Islands
(Unincorporated territory of the United States)		 Yes Legal since 1983 Yes Since 2015 Yes Legal since 2015 Yes Legal since 2015 Yes United States responsible for defense[774][775] Yes Bans some anti-gay discrimination[780][781] Yes Under the Vital Statistics Act of 2006 Yes
Palau Palau Yes Legal since 2014
+ UN decl. sign.[782]		 No No Constitutional ban since 2008 No Has no military No No
United States United States Minor Outlying Islands
(Unincorporated territories of the United States)		 Yes Legal Yes Yes Legal Yes Legal Yes United States responsible for defense[774][775] No No Yes

Polynesia

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 American Samoa
(Unincorporated territory of the United States)[783]		 Yes Legal since 1980 No/Yes Same-sex marriages recognized but not performed under Respect for Marriage Act since 2022. No/Yes Same-sex marriages recognized but not performed under Respect for Marriage Act since 2022.[784] No Yes United States responsible for defense[774][775] No Yes[785]
Cook Islands Cook Islands
(Part of the Realm of New Zealand)		 Yes Legal since 2023
+ UN decl. sign.[68]		 No No No Yes New Zealand responsible for defence Yes Bans some anti-gay discrimination[786] No
Easter Island Easter Island
(Special territory of Chile)		 Yes Legal since 1999
+ UN decl. sign.[68]		 Yes Civil unions since 2015[787] Yes Since 2022[788] Yes Since 2022[788] Yes Chile responsible for defence[789][790] Yes Bans all anti-gay discrimination[791]
Pathologization or attempted treatment of sexual orientation by mental health professionals illegal since 2021		 Yes Transgender persons can change their legal gender and name since 1974.
No surgeries or judicial order since 2019.[792]
French Polynesia French Polynesia
(Overseas collectivity of France)		 Yes Legal
(No laws against same-sex sexual activity have ever existed in the collectivity)
+ UN decl. sign.[68]		 Yes Since 2013 Yes Legal since 2013 Yes Legal since 2013 Yes France responsible for defence Yes Bans all anti-gay discrimination Yes Under French law
Hawaii Hawaii
(Constituent state of the United States)		 Yes Since 1972 Yes Since 1997 Yes Since 2013 Yes Since 2012 Yes United States responsible for defence Yes Bans all anti-gay discrimination Yes
Niue Niue
(Part of the Realm of New Zealand)		 No Male illegal
Penalty: 5-10 years imprisonment. (Not enforced, Legalization proposed).[793]
Yes Female legal
+ UN decl. sign.[68]		 No No No Yes New Zealand responsible for defence
Pitcairn Islands Pitcairn Islands
(Overseas Territory of the United Kingdom)		 Yes Legal since 2001
+ UN decl. sign.[68]		 Yes Since 2015 Yes Legal since 2015[794] Yes Legal since 2015[795] Yes UK responsible for defence Yes Constitutional ban on all anti-gay discrimination[796]
Samoa Samoa No Male illegal
Penalty: 5-7 years imprisonment (Not enforced). Legalization proposed
Yes Female always legal
+ UN decl. sign.[68]		 No No No Has no military Yes Bans some anti-gay discrimination[797]
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 Tokelau
(Dependent territory of the Realm of New Zealand)		 Yes Legal since 2003[798]
+ UN decl. sign.[68]		 No No No Yes New Zealand responsible for defence No No
Tonga Tonga No Male illegal
Penalty: Up to 10 years imprisonment (Not enforced, Legalization proposed).
Yes Female always legal[68]		 No No No No No No
Tuvalu Tuvalu No Male illegal
Penalty: Up to 14 years imprisonment (Not enforced). Legalization proposed
Yes Female legal
+ UN decl. sign.[68]		 No No Constitutional ban since 2023 No Has no military Yes Bans some anti-gay discrimination
Wallis and Futuna Wallis and Futuna
(Overseas collectivity of France)		 Yes Legal
(No laws against same-sex sexual activity have ever existed in the collectivity)
+ UN decl. sign.[68]		 Yes Civil solidarity pact since 2009 Yes Legal since 2013 Yes Legal since 2013 Yes France responsible for defence Yes Bans all anti-gay discrimination Yes Under French law

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  1. Never criminalized nationwide, except in the province of Aceh

  3. In Taiwan, gender change is not explicitly stated in any law; instead it is permitted by an executive order published by the Ministry of the Interior, which dictates that sex reassignment surgeries are required before gender change. In 2021 a judgement by the Taipei High Administrative Court[439] ruled that the executive order above was unconstitutional and therefore the defendant (district household registration office) must allow the plaintiff to change their gender. The judgement was finalized since the defendant did not appeal. However, since rulings in Taiwan are generally not precedential, said judgement only applies to the plaintiff and does not bind other cases nor the executive branch.

  5. In January 2019, a lower administrative court in Warsaw ruled that the language in Article 18 of the Constitution does not explicitly ban same-sex marriage.[510]