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How do different countries approach LGBTQ+ rights legally, and what key variations exist in terms of legal protections or lack thereof? 

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How do different countries approach LGBTQ+ rights legally, and what key variations exist in terms of legal protections or lack thereof? 

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A strong global movement has improved respect for the rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people around the world. However, at least 67 countries have national laws criminalizing same-sex relations between consenting adults. In addition, at least nine countries have national laws criminalizing forms of gender expression that target transgender and gender nonconforming people. This series of maps provides a global overview of those laws.

Legal sanctions against same-sex conduct vary in scope and application. In some countries, only specific sexual acts are punished, while in others the laws are more general, often vague and open to varying interpretation. Sentences range from fines to life imprisonment and even the death penalty. In some countries, law enforcement agencies aggressively pursue and prosecute people suspected of being lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender. In others, the laws are rarely enforced but nonetheless have severe consequences for LGBT people, serving to justify discriminatory treatment and impeding LGBT people's access to employment, health services, and police protection.

Among countries that expressly forbid expression of transgender identities, at least two, Brunei and Oman, have national laws that criminalize "posing as" or "imitating" a person of a different sex. Saudi Arabia has no codified law, but police routinely arrest people based on their gender expression. Malaysia also criminalizes "posing as" a different sex, not in its federal criminal code but in the Sharia codes of each of its states and its federal territory. Nigeria criminalizes transgender and gender nonconforming people in its northern states under Sharia.

In South Sudan, such laws only apply to men who "dress as women" and in Malawi, men who wear their hair long. Tonga prohibits any "male person" from presenting as a female while "soliciting for an immoral purpose, in a public place with intent to deceive any other person as to his true sex."

In the United Arab Emirates, laws prohibit men "posing as" women in order to enter women-only spaces. The UAE has used this law to prosecute gay and transgender people even in mixed-gender spaces. Other countries with similar laws on "women-only" spaces have not done so, to our knowledge, and are not included in these maps.

Human Dignity Trust has reported that 15 countries maintain unequal ages of consent, with a higher bar set for same-sex couples than different-sex couples, or for anal sex as compared to vaginal sex. This includes several countries that otherwise have progressive laws on sexual orientation and gender identity, such as Canada and Chile.

In 11 states of the United States, unenforceable laws prohibiting consensual same-sex conduct remain on the books despite a 2003 Supreme Court decision that found such laws unconstitutional.

The fact that we have not included a particular country in these maps does not mean it is in compliance with international human rights law. Russia and Lithuania, for instance, do not criminalize same-sex acts or forms of gender expression, but they prohibit so-called "propaganda" in support of LGBT rights, in an effort to silence activists. Many other countries have erected barriers to freedom of association and assembly for LGBT groups, as documented by OutRight Action International.

Laws are constantly changing, and we intend to update this resource to reflect such changes. In April 2023, the Parliament of the Cook Islands voted to decriminalize same-sex sexual activity between men. The Crimes Act 1969 criminalized "indecent acts" and acts of "sodomy." In August 2022, the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court struck down discriminatory legal provisions that criminalized same-sex relations in St. Kitts and Nevis, this ruling came off the heels of a similar decision in June from the High Court of Justice for Antigua and Barbuda decriminalizing same-sex relations. In August 2022 Singapore's Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong's announced that Singapore would decriminalize same-sex intimacy. In February, 2022, the Kuwaiti Constitutional Court ruled article 198 of the penal code, which arbitrarily criminalizes "imitating the opposite sex," unconstitutional, finding it inconsistent with Kuwait's Constitution that enshrines personal freedom. Kuwaiti lawyers working on the case said that Human Rights Watch's 2012 report, " They Hunt Us Down for Fun," which documented extensively the law's negative effects on the lives of transgender women, was instrumental in achieving this important judicial step. In February 2021, Bhutan issued an amended penal code that no longer criminalized same sex relations. In June 2019, the Botswana High Court struck down laws prohibiting same-sex conduct, as did the Supreme Court in India and the High Court in Trinidad and Tobago the year before. The Caribbean Court of Justice in 2018 invalidated a Guyana law prohibiting some forms of gender expression. Angola in January 2019 issued a new penal code that no longer penalizes homosexual sex. Gabon criminalized same-sex conduct in July 2019, but in July 2020, parliament voted to revoke the law. Brunei enacted a new sharia code in April 2019 introducing new laws against sex between women and gender nonconformity alongside appalling punishments, including death by stoning, for anal intercourse.

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#OUTLAWED: "The love that dare not speak its name"

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Maps of anti-LGBT Laws Country by Country

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How are LGBTQ+ topics or gender identity integrated into the standard curriculum across different subjects and grade levels in the United States?

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How are LGBTQ+ topics or gender identity integrated into the standard curriculum across different subjects and grade levels in the United States?

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What are recent legislative changes affecting LGBTQ+ individuals in various parts of the world? 

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What are recent legislative changes affecting LGBTQ+ individuals in various parts of the world? 

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In response to a ruling by the Supreme Court of Russia recognizing the "international public LGBT movement" as "extremist," and effectively outlawing any public LGBTI-related activity, Marie Struthers, Director for Eastern Europe and Central Asia at Amnesty International, said:

"This shameful and absurd decision represents a new front in the Russian authorities' campaign against the LGBTI community. The ruling risks resulting in a blanket ban on LGBTI organizations with far reaching violations of the rights to freedom of association, expression and peaceful assembly, as well as the right to be free from discrimination. It will affect countless people, and its repercussions are poised to be nothing short of catastrophic."

The ruling risks resulting in a blanket ban on LGBTI organizations with far reaching violations of the rights to freedom of association, expression and peaceful assembly, as well as the right to be free from discrimination
Marie Struthers, Director for Eastern Europe and Central Asia at Amnesty International

"There is little if any doubt that it will lead to the persecution of LGBTI activists, undoing decades of their brave and dedicated work, while threatening to inspire and legitimize whole new levels of violence against LGBTI persons across Russia.

"We call on the Russian authorities to immediately review this ruling. The international community must stand in solidarity with the Russian LGBTI community, demanding an end to these oppressive actions and safeguarding the principles of equality, freedom, and justice for all."
Background
The Supreme Court's ruling recognizes as "extremist" an undefined "international public LGBT movement." This phrase, used by the Russian Ministry of Justice, appears to target not an established, clearly defined group or initiative, but any activism in defence of the human rights of LGBTI people or even any public association with the LGBTI community. Recognizing it as "extremist" carries severe legal consequences for everyone involved in LGBTI-related activities or even having a known, or assumed, association with the LGBTI community. Its "participants" may face up to five years in prison, and its "organizers" and donors, up to 10 years, under Articles 282.2(2), 282.2(1) and 282.3 of the Criminal Code, respectively.

Being designated "extremist" entails a ban on the organization's symbols. Displaying these symbols can lead to so-called administrative arrest of up to 15 days under Article 20.3 of the Code of Administrative Offences, and a repeat "offence" is a crime under Article 282.4 of the Criminal Code, with a maximum penalty of four years' imprisonment.

Those facing investigation or prosecution for being involved in "extremist" activities typically have their bank accounts blocked, and face employment restrictions and restriction of other rights, including being banned for various periods of time from standing in elections at all levels.

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Russia: Judgment labelling "LGBT movement" as "extremist" will have catastrophic consequences

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The ruling risks resulting in a blanket ban on LGBTI organizations with far reaching violations of the rights to freedom of association, expression and peaceful assembly, as well as the right to be free from discrimination

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Are there differences in the policies for transgender athletes between different countries or sports organizations?

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Are there differences in the policies for transgender athletes between different countries or sports organizations?

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How is the legal situation on gender affirming care in the US? Which states have the most restrictive, which most liberal laws?

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How is the legal situation on gender affirming care in the US? Which states have the most restrictive, which most liberal laws?

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Legislation targeting LGBTQ+ rights has more than doubled since last year. What are the measurements that the Democratic candidates want to implement in order to advocate more strongly?

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Legislation targeting LGBTQ+ rights has more than doubled since last year. What are the measurements that the Democratic candidates want to implement in order to advocate more strongly?

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Does the banning of books, specifically those with an LGBTQ+ themed narrative, affect the educational experience of students, particularly in terms of exposure to diverse perspectives and fostering inclusivity?

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Does the banning of books, specifically those with an LGBTQ+ themed narrative, affect the educational experience of students, particularly in terms of exposure to diverse perspectives and fostering inclusivity?

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Explain recent legal changes for queer, especially genderqueer people in a state of your choice.

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Explain recent legal changes for queer, especially genderqueer people in a state of your choice.

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How do cultural and religious beliefs influence LGBTQ+ rights globally?

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How do cultural and religious beliefs influence LGBTQ+ rights globally?

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https://www.catawiki.com/de/stories/5999-der-buddha-der-zum-symbol-nicht-binarer-geschlechtsidentitaten-wurde

"Es ist gut, sich vor Augen zu halten, dass die Menschen im Buddhismus an die Reinkarnation im Kontext eines/einer Bodhisattva glauben, der möglicherweise männlich oder weiblich ist. Vor nicht allzu langer Zeit erklärte der Dalai Lama - der eine Reinkarnation von Avalokiteshvara ist -, dass der nächste Dalai Lama möglicherweise eine Frau sein könnte. Wenn sich eine Frau als nützlicher erweise, könne der Lama sehr wohl in dieser Form reinkarniert werden."

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August 27, 2023

As LGBTQ rights gain momentum globally, many countries are pushing back with stringent legal measures. From the US's controversial laws to Uganda's life-threatening penalties, the battle is far from over.

Queer people face discrimination everywhere, but aggressive laws are proliferating

US: 'Don't say gay' law for political gain

The fact that hoisting a rainbow flag is enough to get you shot these days is a sad low point in the struggle for LGBTQ rights in the United States.

That was the fate of a 66-year-old lifestyle boutique owner in California during an argument with a man over a pride flag. The perpetrator was subsequently shot dead during a confrontation with police.

Celebrities, including US actor and director Paul Feig, expressed their sorrow.

In the US, the so-called "Land of the Free," state governments are falling over each other to introduce anti-LGBTQ laws.

Republican presidential candidate and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis is trying to score points with voters with what critics have dubbed the "don't say gay" law. It prohibits the discussion of sexual orientation or gender identity in Florida schools.

Educators who violate the ban risk having their professional certification revoked.

Mississippi, meanwhile, is making headlines with the most anti-LGBTQ laws proposed this year. Performing gender reassignment procedures on those younger than 18 is now prohibited in the state. Those who perform the procedure face severe penalties, including losing their professional licenses.

Ohio, Georgia, Iowa, South Dakota and West Virginia have all passed similar laws. Texas even classifies gender reassignment procedures as child abuse, with parents facing potential investigation.

Tennessee became the first state to ban drag queens from performing in public spaces or anywhere in the presence of children and teens under the age of 18. Anyone caught breaking the ban faces up to one year in jail for a first offense.

Russia: Protecting 'traditional values'

In Russia, lawmakers justified a new law curbing gender reassignment as a safeguard against "Western anti-family ideology."

Its supporters say banning "medical interventions aimed at changing the sex of a person" and the ability to alter gender identity in official documents supports Russia's "traditional values."

Marriages where one person has changed their gender will also be annulled, and transgender people are not allowed to foster or adopt children.

Last December, Russian President Vladimir Putin sought to contain what he deemed "LGBT propaganda" by signing a law prohibiting any expression of queer life in public, online, in films, books or advertising.

Hungary: Orban's battle against the EU LGBTQ 'offensive'

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban is also fond of fiery rhetoric on queer issues, recently warning of an LGBTQ "offensive" carried out at the behest of the European Union.

In the meantime, the country's laws make it possible to anonymously inform on same-sex couples with kids.

All of this is occurring in a country that used to be seen as one of the most liberal in the region. Homosexuality was decriminalized in the 1960s in Hungary, but under Orban, laws are becoming increasingly restrictive.

For the last two years, it has been forbidden to inform minors about homosexuality and gender reassignment. The European Commission initiated disciplinary proceedings against the Hungarian government as a result.

Since 2019, the Hungarian constitution stipulates that marriage is only possible between a man and a woman, and that a father must be a CIS-gender male and a mother a CIS-gender female.

Italy: Meloni cracks down on surrogacy

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's government is also causing problems for LGBTQ families. Even before her election last September, she had railed against the "gay lobby."

Two months ago, in the city of Padua, the public prosecutor's office ensured that the civil registration of one of the two mothers of a five-year-old girl was revoked.

Since March, mayors have been prohibited from registering parents of the same sex.

Far-right leader Meloni is also pursuing a hard line on surrogacy. The practice is banned in Italy and can be prosecuted not just in the country itself but also if conception and birth occur abroad.

For male homosexual couples, surrogacy may be the only way to fulfill their desire to have children.

Those convicted already face draconian penalties of up to two years in prison and a fine of up to €1 million ($1.08 million).

Uganda: Homosexuality punishable by death

Restrictions on LGBTQ rights in Europe are still nowhere close to the levels of discrimination and persecution in Uganda, where queer people fear for their lives because of the state.

The recent "anti-homosexuality bill" is one of the world's most rigid sets of rules against minorities and even threatens the death penalty for "aggravated" homosexuality.

Even before the new laws, those who were denounced ended up directly in prison.

Many from the LGBTQ community flee to neighboring Kenya as a result. Although homosexuality is also prohibited there, it is only sanctioned if practiced in public.

In much of Africa, homophobia is part of everyday life: homosexuality is criminalized in 30 countries across the continent.

Indonesia: Jail for extra-marital sex

In Indonesia, the criminalization of sexuality does not end with the LGBTQ community.

The country with the largest Muslim population worldwide is set to ban all sex outside of heterosexual marriage from 2025 and punish those who defy the ban with up to one year in prison.

This applies not only to locals but also to visitors from abroad, including vacationers to places like Bali. Same-sex marriage is illegal in Indonesia.

Indonesia is also moving miles away from its earlier policy, which, unlike many other Muslim countries, for many years at least tolerated homosexuality.

In the autonomous province of Aceh, harsher penalties have long been applied. An interpretation of Sharia law was introduced there in 2003.

These religious rules prescribe 100 strokes of the cane, stoning and public flogging for homosexual sex.
This article was translated from German.

Oliver Pieper Reporter on German politics and society, as well as South American affairs.

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LGBTQ rights under legal attack around the world - DW - 08/27/2023

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As LGBTQ rights gain momentum globally, many countries are pushing back with stringent legal measures. From the US's controversial laws to Uganda's life-threatening penalties, the battle is far from over.

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What are concrete changes that the LGBTQ+ community has to face if the Republican Party wins and how are the presidential candidates using the topic in their campaigns? Which candidates are more moderate and which are more extreme?

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What are concrete changes that the LGBTQ+ community has to face if the Republican Party wins and how are the presidential candidates using the topic in their campaigns? Which candidates are more moderate and which are more extreme?

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What does current research suggest about the impact of hormone therapy on the athletic performance of transgender individuals, and how should sports organizations navigate these considerations?

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What does current research suggest about the impact of hormone therapy on the athletic performance of transgender individuals, and how should sports organizations navigate these considerations?