Compare LGBT Rights in South Africa & Eswatini

Equality Index ?
72 / 100
23 / 100
Legal Index ?
87 / 100
23 / 100
Public Opinion Index ?
58 / 100
22 / 100
Law
Homosexual activityLegal
Since 1998
Male illegal, female legal
Since 2018
Same-sex marriageLegal
Since 2006
Banned
Censorship of LGBT IssuesNo censorshipNo censorship
Right to change legal genderLegal, but requires medical diagnosis
Since 2004
Illegal
Legal recognition of non-binary genderNot legally recognizedNot legally recognized
LGBT discriminationIllegal
Since 1996
No protections
Since 1907
LGBT employment discriminationSexual orientation and gender identity
Since 1996
No protections
Since 1907
LGBT housing discriminationSexual orientation and gender identity
Since 1996
No protections
Since 1907
Same-sex adoptionLegal
Since 2010
Single only
Since 1968
Serving openly in militaryLegal
Since 1996
N/A
Blood donations by MSMsLegal
Since 2014
Legal
Conversion therapyNot bannedNot banned
Equal age of consentEqual
Since 2007
Equal
Since 2015
Public Opinion
Perceptions of local area as a "good place" for gay and lesbian people
(Gallup, June 21, 2023)
65% Good Place
0%
22% Good Place
0%
Support of same-sex marriage
(Pew Research Center, Feb. 21, 2023 – April 15, 2023)
38% Favor
59% Oppose
Region not surveyed
Support for same-sex adoption
(Ipsos, February-March 2023)
70% Strongly/somewhat agree
22% Strongly/somewhat disagree
Region not surveyed
Support for same-sex marriage or legal recognition
(Ipsos, February-March 2023)
67% Support marriage or legal recognition
19% Against
Region not surveyed
Views about same-sex couples' parenting
(Ipsos, February-March 2023)
70% Strongly/somewhat agree
23% Strongly/somewhat disagree
Region not surveyed
Perceived prevalence of transgender discrimination
(Ipsos, February-March 2023)
15% Not much/not at all
70% A great deal/fair amount
Region not surveyed
Support for transgender discrimination protection
(Ipsos, February-March 2023)
82% Strongly/somewhat agree
13% Strongly/somewhat disagree
Region not surveyed
Support for teens’ access to gender-affirming care
(Ipsos, February-March 2023)
70% Strongly/somewhat agree
21% Strongly/somewhat disagree
Region not surveyed
Support for trans access to facilities matching gender identity
(Ipsos, February-March 2023)
58% Strongly/somewhat agree
32% Strongly/somewhat disagree
Region not surveyed
Support for non-binary gender option on official documents
(Ipsos, February-March 2023)
58% Strongly/somewhat agree
31% Strongly/somewhat disagree
Region not surveyed
Support for insurance coverage of gender transition costs
(Ipsos, February-March 2023)
58% Strongly/somewhat agree
29% Strongly/somewhat disagree
Region not surveyed
Views on same-sex marriage or other legal recognition
(Ipsos, April–May, 2021)
71% Support
15% Against
Region not surveyed
Views on same-sex couples' right to adopt
(Ipsos, April–May, 2021)
69% Agree
23% Disagree
Region not surveyed
"Should society accept homosexuality?"
(Pew Research Center, May–October, 2019)
54% Yes
38% No
Region not surveyed
Support for same-sex marriage
(ILGA / RIWI, October 2016)
40% Yes
34% No
Region not surveyed
Acceptance of homosexuals as neighbors
(Afrobarometer, 2014–2016)
67% Tolerate
32% Not tolerate
26% Tolerate
74% Not tolerate
Acceptance of homosexuals as neighbors
(Afrobarometer, 2016–2018)
70% Tolerate
28% Not tolerate
18% Tolerate
81% Not tolerate
Support for gender-affirming surgery
(ERA - LGBTI Equal Rights Association, July-August 2016)
64% Support
28% Oppose
Region not surveyed
Support for same-sex marriage
(ILGA / RIWI, April-June 2014)
31% Yes
50% No
Region not surveyed
Justifiability of homosexuality
(World Values Survey, 2010-2014)
17% Justifiable
45% Not justifiable
Region not surveyed
Acceptance of homosexuals as neighbors
(World Values Survey, 2010-2014)
62% Did not mention homosexuals
38% Mentioned homosexuals
Region not surveyed
"Should society accept homosexuality?"
(Pew Research Center, June, 2013)
32% Yes
61% No
Region not surveyed
Perceptions of local area as a "good place" for gay and lesbian people
(Gallup, 2013)
49% Good place
51% Not a good place
Region not surveyed
Justifiability of homosexuality
(World Values Survey, 2005-2009)
7% Justifiable
65% Not justifiable
Region not surveyed
Acceptance of homosexuals as neighbors
(World Values Survey, 2005-2009)
53% Did not mention homosexuals
45% Mentioned homosexuals
Region not surveyed
Justifiability of homosexuality
(World Values Survey, 2000-2004)
9% Justifiable
60% Not justifiable
Region not surveyed
Acceptance of homosexuals as neighbors
(World Values Survey, 2000-2004)
54% Did not mention homosexuals
46% Mentioned homosexuals
Region not surveyed
Justifiability of homosexuality
(World Values Survey, 1995-1999)
6% Justifiable
67% Not justifiable
Region not surveyed
Acceptance of homosexuals as neighbors
(World Values Survey, 1995-1999)
50% Did not mention homosexuals
50% Mentioned homosexuals
Region not surveyed
Justifiability of homosexuality
(World Values Survey, 1990-1994)
7% Justifiable
74% Not justifiable
Region not surveyed
Justifiability of homosexuality
(World Values Survey, 1981-1984)
5% Justifiable
72% Not justifiable
Region not surveyed
Full DetailsFull Details

Full details about each issue can be found on each region's page. Data missing from the above chart? You can help! Sign up or log in to contribute information to Equaldex!

Share This Comparison