Compare LGBT Rights in Costa Rica & Panama

Equality Index ?
67 / 100
37 / 100
Legal Index ?
86 / 100
44 / 100
Public Opinion Index ?
49 / 100
30 / 100
Law
Homosexual activityLegal
Since 2002
Legal
Since 2007
Same-sex marriageLegal
Since 2020
Banned
Since 1972
Censorship of LGBT IssuesNo censorshipNo censorship
Right to change legal genderLegal, no restrictions
Since 2018
Legal, but requires surgery
Since 2006
Legal recognition of non-binary genderAmbiguous
Since 2022
Not legally recognized
LGBT discriminationIllegal in some contexts
Since 2015
No protections
LGBT employment discriminationSexual orientation only
Since 2016
No protections
LGBT housing discriminationNo protectionsNo protections
Since 1972
Same-sex adoptionLegal
Since 2020
Illegal
Since 2021
Serving openly in militaryN/AN/A
Blood donations by MSMsLegalBanned (indefinite deferral)
Conversion therapyNot bannedNot banned
Equal age of consentEqualEqual
Since 2008
Public Opinion
Support for same-sex marriage (North and South America)
(AmericasBarometer, 2023)
36% Approve
0%
12% Approve
0%
Approval of equal rights for gender minorities (North and South America)
(AmericasBarometer, 2023)
55% Approve
0%
35% Approve
0%
Perceptions of local area as a "good place" for gay and lesbian people
(Gallup, June 21, 2023)
62% Good Place
0%
45% Good Place
0%
Support for same-sex marriage (North and South America)
(AmericasBarometer, 2016-2017)
35% Approve
65% Disapprove
22% Approve
78% Disapprove
Acceptance of gay people in public office (North and South America)
(AmericasBarometer, 2016-2017)
57% Approve
44% Disapprove
38% Approve
62% Disapprove
Support for same-sex marriage
(ILGA / RIWI, October 2016)
33% Yes
40% No
Region not surveyed
Support for same-sex marriage (Latin America)
(PEW Research Center, October 2013–February 2014)
29% Favor
61% Oppose
23% Favor
72% Oppose
Acceptance of homosexual behavior (Latin America)
(PEW Research Center, October 2013–February 2014)
13% Morally acceptable
69% Morally wrong
8% Morally acceptable
83% Morally wrong
Perceptions of local area as a "good place" for gay and lesbian people
(Gallup, 2013)
61% Good place
33% Not a good place
45% Good place
45% Not a good place
Full DetailsFull Details

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