Compare LGBT Rights in China, Japan, South Korea, & Thailand

Equality Index ?
54 / 100
55 / 100
50 / 100
69 / 100
Legal Index ?
42 / 100
58 / 100
60 / 100
69 / 100
Public Opinion Index ?
66 / 100
53 / 100
41 / 100
68 / 100
Homosexual activityLegal
Since 1997
Legal
Since 1881
LegalLegal
Since 1957
Same-sex marriageOther type of partnership
Since 2017
Banned
Since 1947
Foreign same-sex marriages recognized only
Since 2019
Legal
Since 2025
Censorship of LGBT issuesState-enforced
Since 2016
No censorshipNo censorship
Since 2003
No censorship
Right to change legal genderLegal, but requires surgery
Since 1986
Legal, but requires surgery
Since 2022
Legal, no restrictions
Since 2020
Illegal
Gender-affirming careRestrictedLegal, but restricted for minors
Since 1997
RestrictedLegal
Legal recognition of non-binary genderNot legally recognizedNot legally recognizedNot legally recognizedNot legally recognized
LGBT discriminationNo protectionsIllegal in some contexts
Since 2018
Varies by RegionIllegal in some contexts
Since 2015
LGBT employment discriminationNo protectionsVaries by RegionVaries by RegionUnknown
LGBT housing discriminationNo protectionsSexual orientation and gender identity
Since 2003
Varies by RegionGender identity only
Since 2015
Same-sex adoptionSingle onlyAmbiguousIllegalLegal
Since 2025
Intersex infant surgeryNot bannedNot bannedNot bannedNot banned
Serving openly in militaryAmbiguous
Since 1949
Legal
Since 1947
IllegalLegal
Since 2005
Blood donations by MSMsBanned (indefinite deferral)
Since 2012
Banned (6-month deferral)
Since 2011
LegalBanned (indefinite deferral)
Conversion therapyNot bannedNot bannedNot bannedNot banned
Equal age of consentEqual
Since 1997
Equal
Since 1947
EqualEqual
Since 1997
Full DetailsFull DetailsFull DetailsFull Details

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