LGBTQ rights in Asia

LGBTQ rights in Asia
StatusLegal, with an equal age of consent, in 29 out of 50 states
Legal, with an equal age of consent, in 7 territories
Gender identityLegal in 23 out of 50 states
Legal in 1 territory
MilitaryAllowed in 9 out of 50 states
Allowed in 2 territories
Discrimination protectionsProtected in 14 out of 50 states
Protected in 4 territories
Family rights
Recognition of relationshipsRecognized in 5 out of 50 states
Recognized in 4 territories
RestrictionsSame-sex marriage constitutionally banned in 5 out of 50 states
AdoptionLegal in 2 out of 50 states
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Laws governing lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) rights are complex in Asia, and acceptance of LGBTQ persons is generally low. Same-sex sexual activity is outlawed in at least twenty Asian countries. In Afghanistan, Brunei, Iran, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Yemen, homosexual activity results in death penalty.[1][2] In addition, LGBT people also face extrajudicial executions from non-state actors such as the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant and Hamas in the Gaza Strip.[3][4] While egalitarian relationships have become more frequent in recent years, they remain rare.[2][5][6]

Historical discrimination towards homosexuality in much of the region include the ban on homosexual acts enforced by Genghis Khan in the Mongol Empire, which made male homosexuality punishable by death.[7][8] The Fatawa-e-Alamgiri of the Mughal Empire (descended from the Mongol Empire) mandated a common set of punishments for homosexuality, which could include 50 lashes for a slave, 100 for a free infidel, or death by stoning for a Muslim,[9][10][11][12][13][14][15] whereas the Yuan Dynasty (descended from the Mongol Empire) implemented a crackdown on homosexuality in China that was continued by the Ming Dynasty.[16][17]

Many Asian countries have collectivist cultures, wherein aggression is generally accepted by society if it is used to protect the family honor. Homosexuality is generally considered to be dishonorable, so homophobic aggression in the name of protecting family honor is common.[18]

The only Asian jurisdictions which nationally recognize same-sex marriage are Taiwan and Thailand.[19][20] In 2019, a survey by The Economist found 45% of respondents in the Asia-Pacific believed that same-sex marriage is inevitable in the region, while 31% of respondents disagreed. Furthermore, three-quarters of those surveyed reported a more open climate for LGBT rights compared to three years ago. Of those reporting an improving climate for LGBT people, 38% cited a change in policies or laws. Meanwhile, 36% said coverage of LGBT issues in mainstream media was a major factor. The top reasons cited for diminishing openness was anti-LGBT advocacy by religious institutions.[21][22]

Laws regarding homosexuality in Asia
Same-sex sexual activity legal
  Marriage performed
  Marriage recognized
  Other type of partnership
  Legal guardianships or unregistered cohabitation
  Limited foreign recognition (residency rights)
  No recognition of same-sex couples
  Restrictions on freedom of expression, not enforced
  Severe restrictions of association with arrests or detention
Same-sex sexual activity illegal
  Prison, not enforced
  Prison
  Death penalty on books, not enforced
  Enforced death penalty

Legislation by country or territory

Main article: LGBT rights by country or territory
This table:

North Asia

[edit]
LGBT rights in: Same-sex sexual activity Recognition of same-sex unions Same-sex marriage Adoption by same-sex couples LGBT people allowed to serve openly in military? Anti-discrimination laws concerning sexual orientation Laws concerning gender identity/expression
Russia Russia Yes Yes Fully legal since 1993[23][24]
No No Illegal de facto in Chechnya, where homosexuals are abducted and sent to concentration camps based on their perceived sexual orientation. 		No No No No Constitutional ban since 2020[25] No No Yes Yes[26] No No No No Gender change has not been legal since 2023[27]

Central Asia

[edit]
LGBT rights in: Same-sex sexual activity Recognition of same-sex unions Same-sex marriage Adoption by same-sex couples LGBT people allowed to serve openly in military? Anti-discrimination laws concerning sexual orientation Laws concerning gender identity/expression
Kazakhstan Kazakhstan Yes Yes Legal since 1998[24] No No No No No No Yes Yes Since 2022[28] No No Yes Yes[29]
Kyrgyzstan Kyrgyzstan Yes Yes Legal since 1998[24] No No No No Constitutional ban since 2016[30] No No Un­known No No Yes Yes Requires sex reassignment surgery[31][29]
Tajikistan Tajikistan Yes Yes Legal since 1998[24] No No No No No No Un­known No No Yes Yes Requires sex reassignment surgery[32][29]
Turkmenistan Turkmenistan No No Illegal for males since 1927
Penalty: up to 2 years imprisonment.
Yes Yes Female always legal[33] 		No No No No No No No No No No No No
Uzbekistan Uzbekistan No No Illegal for males since 1926
Penalty: up to 3 years imprisonment.
Yes Yes Female always legal[33] 		No No No No No No No No No No No No

West Asia

[edit]
LGBT rights in: Same-sex sexual activity Recognition of same-sex unions Same-sex marriage Adoption by same-sex couples LGBT people allowed to serve openly in military? Anti-discrimination laws concerning sexual orientation Laws concerning gender identity/expression
Abkhazia 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.[24] 		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[34] Un­known
Armenia Armenia Yes Yes Legal since 2003
+ UN decl. sign.[24] 		No No No No Constitutional ban since 2015[35][36] No No LGBT individuals may adopt, but not same-sex couples. No No [37] No No No No
Azerbaijan Azerbaijan Yes Yes Legal since 2000[24] No No No No No No No No No No No No
Bahrain Bahrain Yes Yes Legal since 1976[24] 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.[38]
Cyprus Cyprus Yes Yes Legal since 1998
+ UN decl. sign.[24] 		Yes Yes Civil cohabitation since 2015[39] No No No No Yes Yes[40] Yes Yes Bans some anti-gay discrimination[41] Yes Yes Forbids some discrimination based on gender identity.[42]
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.[24][43] 		No No No No No No No No No No No No
Georgia (country) Georgia Yes Yes Legal since 2000
+ UN decl. sign.[24] 		No No No No Constitutional ban since 2018 No No Un­known Yes Yes Bans all anti-gay discrimination[44] Yes Yes Requires sterilization and sex reassignment surgery for change[45]
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)[46]. For women, 100 lashes for women of mature sound mind and if consenting. Death penalty offense after fourth conviction.[24] 		No No No No No No No No No No Yes Yes Legal gender recognition legal if accompanied by a medical intervention[47]
Iraq Iraq No No Re-criminalized in 2024.[48] 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)[49]
+ UN decl. sign.[24][50] 		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,[51] but in practice not possible in nearly every case[52] Yes Yes Since 1993; Includes transgender people[53] Yes Yes Bans all anti-gay discrimination[54][55][56] No No Almost full recognition of gender's ID without a surgery or medical intervention (Excluding changing gender and name in birth certificate) ;[57] equal employment opportunity law bars discrimination based on gender identity[58][59][60]
Jordan Jordan Yes Yes Legal[24] No No No No No No Un­known No No Yes Yes Allowed since 2014[61]
Kuwait Kuwait
  • No No Male illegal
  • Penalty: Fines or up to 6-year prison sentence.
  • Yes Yes Female always legal[24][62]
 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.[63] 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[64]
Northern Cyprus Northern Cyprus
(Disputed territory) 		Yes Yes Legal since 2014[65][66][24] No No No No No No No No Yes Yes Bans all anti-gay discrimination[65][66] Yes Yes Legal, requires surgery for change[67]
Oman Oman No No Illegal
Penalty: Fines and prison sentence up to 3 years (only enforced when dealing with "public scandal").[24] 		No No No No No No No No No No No No Laws against forms of gender expression.
State of Palestine Palestine
 West Bank:
Yes Yes Legal[24]
Gaza:
No consensus on legal applicability of British 1936 Sexual offences provisions to homosexual conduct[68][69][70][71] 		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[24] Death penalty for Muslims. 		No No No No No No No No No No No No
Saudi Arabia Saudi Arabia
[24] 		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[24] 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[75]
United Arab Emirates United Arab Emirates
  • No No Illegal (unenforced): Prosecution only on complaint of husband or (male) legal guardian[76][77]
  • Penalty: Max – no upper limit, sentence at courts' discretion
  • Min. – 6 months' imprisonment[76][78]
 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.[79][80] Laws used against forms of gender expression.[81]
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.[24] 		No No No No No No No No No No No No

South Asia

[edit]
LGBT rights in: Same-sex sexual activity Recognition of same-sex unions Same-sex marriage Adoption by same-sex couples LGBT people allowed to serve openly in military? Anti-discrimination laws concerning sexual orientation Laws concerning gender identity/expression
Afghanistan Afghanistan No No No Illegal
Penalty: Death penalty[82] 		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).[24][83] 		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[84]
Bhutan Bhutan Yes Yes Legal since 2021[85] 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.[24] 		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[86] No No/Yes Yes symboic live-In relationships exist [87] 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.[88][89][90] 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[91][90]
Maldives Maldives No No Illegal (codified in 2014)
Penalty: Up to 8 years imprisonment, house arrest, lashings and fines. (unenforced)[92] LGBTQ welcomed in tourist islands [93] 		No No No No No No No No No No No No
Nepal Nepal Yes Yes Legal since 2007
+ UN decl. sign.[24] 		No No No No No No Yes Yes Since 2007[94] Yes Yes/No No Limited protection since 2015[95] No No Change to third gender "O" legal since 2007, unable to change to male or female[96]
Pakistan Pakistan No No Illegal since 1862
Penalty: 2 years to life sentence (Occasionally enforced).[24][97] 		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[98]
Sri Lanka Sri Lanka No No Illegal since 1885
Penalty: Up to 10 years imprisonment with fines.[24] (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

[edit]
LGBT rights in: Same-sex sexual activity Recognition of relationships Same-sex marriage Adoption by same-sex couples LGBT people allowed to serve openly in military? Anti-discrimination laws concerning sexual orientation Laws concerning gender identity/expression
China China Yes Yes Legal since 1997[24] No No/Yes Yes "Legal guardianship" since 2017 No No No No Yes Yes can openly serve
No No open displays of affection [99][100] 		YesYes Court has in some cases protected LGBT workers from employment discrimination.[101]
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.[102][103]

Hong Kong Hong Kong Yes Yes Legal since 1991[24] 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[104] The central government of China is responsible for the defense of Hong Kong.[105] 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.[106]
Japan Japan Yes Yes Legal since 1882
+ UN decl. sign.[24] 		No No * Symbolic recognition in some jurisdictions. No No Proposed in 2023[107] No No Yes Yes The Japan Self-Defense Forces allow gay people to enlist.[108] No No nationwide protections
Yes Yes some cities ban some anti-gay discrimination[24] 		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.[24] 		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.[109]
No No open displays of LGBT attitudes. 		No No No No
South Korea South Korea Yes Yes Legal
+ UN decl. sign.[24] 		No No No No Proposed in 2023[110] 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[111] [112] Legal since 2019[113][114][115] Yes Yes Stepchild adoption since 2019
Yes Yes Joint adoption legal since 2023[116] 		Yes Yes Yes Yes Constitutionally bans all anti-gay discrimination from government[117]; several laws banning anti-gay discrimination regarding education and employment.[118][119] Yes Yes Transgender people allowed to change legal gender, but only after sex reassignment surgery.[a]

Southeast Asia

[edit]
LGBT rights in Same-sex sexual activity Recognition of relationships Same-sex marriage Adoption by same-sex couples LGBT people allowed to serve openly in military? Anti-discrimination laws concerning sexual orientation Laws concerning gender identity/expression
Aceh Aceh (autonomous territory of Indonesia) No No Illegal
Penalty: 100 strokes of the cane or 8 years in prison[121] 		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.[122] 		No No No No No No No No No No Laws prohibit forms of gender expression.
Cambodia Cambodia Yes Yes Legal[24] No No/Yes Yes Partnerships recognized in certain cities No No Constitutional ban since 1993 No No Un­known No No No No[123]
East Timor East Timor Yes Yes Legal since 1975
+ UN decl. sign.[24] 		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.[124] Un­known
Indonesia Indonesia Yes Yes Legal (except in Aceh)[24][125] 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.[126] Yes Yes Transgender people allowed to change legal gender, but only after sex reassignment surgery.
Laos Laos Yes Yes Legal[24] 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.[24][127] 		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[128] Forms of gender expression are criminalized.
Myanmar Myanmar No No Illegal since 1886
Penalty: Up to 20 years in prison (unenforced).[24][129] 		No No No No No No No No No No No No
Philippines Philippines Yes Yes Legal
+ UN decl. sign.[130][24][131][132] [b] 		No No (Pending) [130] No No (Pending) [133] No No LGBT individuals may adopt, but not same-sex couples[134][133] Yes Yes Since 2009 Yes Yes/No No Bans some anti-gay discrimination in certain cities and provinces,[135] including the City of Manila,[136]Cebu City,[137] Quezon City,[138] and Davao City;[139]
Nationwide anti-bullying law for basic education students.[140] 		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 2022 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.[141] Yes Yes Yes Yes Protections against anti-gay discrimination, harassment and violence[142] 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.[24] 		No Yes Yes Pending for 2025[20][143][144] Yes Yes Pending for 2025[20] Yes Yes Since 2005 [145] Yes Yes Bans all anti-gay discrimination No No[143][146]

Yes Yes Anti-discrimination protections for gender expression.[127]

Vietnam Vietnam Yes Yes Legal[24]
+ UN decl. sign.[24] 		No No No No No No LGBT individuals may adopt, not same-sex couples[147] 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[148][149]

See also

[edit]

Notes

[edit]
  1. ^ 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[120] 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.
  2. ^ Except for the settlements Marawi and M'lang.

References

[edit]
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