Compare LGBT Rights in United States & Western Sahara

Equality Index ?
70 / 100
20 / 100
Legal Index ?
84 / 100
20 / 100
Public Opinion Index ?
56 / 100
Not enough data
Law
Homosexual activityLegal
Since 2003
Illegal (other penalty)
Since 1975
Same-sex marriageLegal
Since 2015
Unrecognized
Censorship of LGBT issuesVaries by Region
Since 1987
No censorship
Right to change legal genderVaries by Region
Since 2025
Illegal
Gender-affirming careVaries by Region
Since 2021
N/A
Legal recognition of non-binary genderRecognized
Since 2025
Not legally recognized
Hate crime protectionsSexual orientation and gender identity
Since 2009
Unknown
LGBT discriminationVaries by Region
Since 2015
Unknown
LGBT employment discriminationSexual orientation and gender identity
Since 2020
No protections
LGBT housing discriminationVaries by RegionUnknown
Same-sex adoptionLegal
Since 2017
Unknown
Intersex infant surgeryNot bannedUnknown
Serving openly in militaryLesbians, gays, bisexuals permitted, transgender people banned
Since 2025
Unknown
Blood donations by MSMsLegal
Since 2023
Unknown
Conversion therapyVaries by RegionNot banned
Equal age of consentEqualN/A
Public Opinion
Acceptance of homosexuals as neighbors
(World Values Survey, 2017-2022)
81% Did not mention homosexuals
13% Mentioned homosexuals
Region not surveyed
Justifiability of homosexuality
(World Values Survey, 2017-2022)
44% Justifiable
25% Not justifiable
Region not surveyed
Views on same-sex marriage or other legal recognition
(Ipsos, April–May, 2021)
72% Support
15% Against
Region not surveyed
Views on same-sex couples' right to adopt
(Ipsos, April–May, 2021)
72% Agree
22% Disagree
Region not surveyed
Opinion on same-sex couples as parents
(World Values Survey, 2017-2020)
53% Agree
17% Disagree
Region not surveyed
"Should society accept homosexuality?"
(Pew Research Center, May–October, 2019)
72% Yes
21% No
Region not surveyed
Support for same-sex marriage (North and South America)
(AmericasBarometer, 2016-2017)
61% Approve
39% Disapprove
Region not surveyed
Acceptance of gay people in public office (North and South America)
(AmericasBarometer, 2016-2017)
73% Approve
27% Disapprove
Region not surveyed
Justifiability of homosexuality
(World Values Survey, 2010-2014)
32% Justifiable
31% Not justifiable
Region not surveyed
"Should society accept homosexuality?"
(Pew Research Center, June, 2013)
60% Yes
33% No
Region not surveyed
Perceptions of local area as a "good place" for gay and lesbian people
(Gallup, 2013)
70% Good place
22% Not a good place
Region not surveyed
Full DetailsFull Details

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