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How Many Countries Is It Illegal To Be Gay
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Unfortunately, there are still 71 countries where it is illegal to be LGBTQ+ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer/questioning).
According to The Independent, these countries range from those with advanced economies and cosmopolitan societies to those that are deeply conservative with oppressive laws. The list includes nations in Africa and Asia, as well as several Caribbean states.
The most severe punishments for same-sex relations include the death penalty or imprisonment for life. Some countries also enforce corporal punishment or fines for homosexuality or harsher sentences for people engaging in homosexual activity than heterosexual ones. There are also some countries that permit only civil unions between same-sex couples rather than allowing marriage equality.
LGBTQ+ rights vary state by state. In the United States of America, Obergefell v Hodges made marriage a civil right across all 50 US states on 26 June 2015. However, even so discrimination against LGBTQ+ people still remains an issue throughout parts of the US and its territories: In 28 states it is legal to fire someone from their job if they identify as LGBTIAQ+.
It’s important to remember that global LGBTQ+ rights are far from universal and many people around the world still face systemic oppression and harsh punishments due solely to their sexual orientation or gender identity. If you are travelling overseas make sure to do your research before leaving and take into account any restrictions regarding sexuality when packing accordingly.
LGBT rights around the world
LGBT rights around the world vary greatly. There are more than 70 countries, including numerous African and Caribbean nations, where it is illegal to be LGBTQ+ or have different sexual orientations. In these places, homosexuality is punishable by imprisonment (sometimes even death) and simply being gay can lead to ostracism and familial rejection.
That said, in some countries acceptance of gayness is on the rise. Europe has been a leader in this regard for decades with many countries now legally recognizing same-sex marriage, protecting LGBT people from discrimination in employment or educational access, and decriminalizing sodomy laws.
But there’s still a long way to go in terms of equality for LGBT individuals in many parts of the world. Thankfully, organizations like the Human Rights Campaign exist whose mission is to fight for equal rights no matter where someone lives so that all individuals can live free from fear regardless of who they love.
Breakdown of current global laws and policies surrounding LGBT rights
There are currently 69 countries across the world in which it is illegal to be gay or engage in same-sex activities. If a person is LGBT and living in one of these countries, they can face long prison sentences – anywhere from six months to life imprisonment.
Topped by eight nations (Mauritania, Sudan, Saudi Arabia, Yemen, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Afghanistan and Iran), where homosexuality carries the death penalty for either men or women. Other countries with particularly strict laws punishing same-sex activity – even up to 14 years in jail – include Ethiopia, Somalia, India and Indonesia. Additionally, many governments take active steps to oppress non-heteronormative people in a bid to limit their visibility and silence those advocating for rights.
In an effort to create visibility around these issues and promote particular initiatives such as LGBT education promotion campaigns overseas or urgent action appeals against injustice, there has been an impactful rise in global initiatives that have pushed local governments further away from regressive legislation surrounding LGBT rights.
List of countries with laws prohibiting same-sex sexual activity
Sadly, there is still a long list of countries in which same-sex sexual activity is illegal. In some countries, even the mere existence of LGBT+ identities can be grounds for persecution.
Here’s a rundown of some major countries that have laws prohibiting same-sex sexual activities:
• Algeria
• Afghanistan
Overview of penalties imposed on homosexuals in these countries
Unfortunately, it is illegal to be homosexual in more than 70 countries around the world. And not all of these countries are just making it illegal; they are also imposing severe penalties on those who engage in same-sex relationships.
In some of these countries, simply being suspected of being homosexual can lead to imprisonment, corporal punishment (due to alleged “sodomy”), and even death sentences. In other countries, anti-homosexual laws are rarely enforced or used as justification for discrimination and persecution against homosexuals.
These kinds of laws violate fundamental human rights, such as freedom from discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity and expression, personal autonomy including the right to privacy and health security, and non-interference with religious beliefs or associations. They also contribute to distrust in authorities by reinforcing social divisions, contributing to stigmatisation and a culture of violence.
Predicting future changes in LGBT law reform
As LGBT rights continue to gain acceptance around the world, predicting future changes in LGBT law reform will be essential in order to truly understand the current legal situation in many countries. While it is impossible to predict with certainty about the future of LGBT legal rights, tracking recent trends can help us to gain insight into potential areas for improvement or change.
For example, there has been progress made towards legalizing same-sex marriage in many countries and regions, but the pace of reform is slow and often hindered by cultural norms and belief systems held within governments and societies as a whole. Additionally, much work remains to ensure that transgender individuals are not discriminated against across jurisdictions.
As such, predicting where legislative reforms will occur is difficult but necessary for understanding how we can make meaningful progress in protecting the rights of LGBT citizens throughout the world. With continual research into past legal developments as well as monitoring current global movements, we may be able to identify opportunities for proactively pushing for reforms that continue the advancement of LGBT rights.