Homosexual activity
Being gay is illegal in 60 countries and punishable by death in 9.
Homosexual activity
Homosexual activity refers to consensual sexual activity between individuals of the same sex. While homosexual activity is legal in most countries around the world, there are several countries — mostly in Africa and the Middle East — where it is criminalized to a varying degree. Penalties can range from imprisonment all the way up to death penalty.
Homosexuality is commonly criminalized through sodomy laws (sometimes called a "buggery law" in British territories), which are laws that define sexual acts of crimes. Sodomy laws can sometimes prevent sexual activity between two individuals of the same sex. While some of these laws are not specific to homosexual sex (such as when referring to anal sex), they are usually used to target or criminalize gay people. In practice, these laws are difficult to actually enforce.
In some countries, the language of the criminal codes specifically refers to two men, meaning that lesbian sex is technically legal.
Some sodomy laws and penal codes date back to the 1700s and 1800s. Throughout the 1900s, many countries, US states, and other regions began decriminalizing homosexuality and removing references to homosexuality or sodomy from their criminal codes. This has continued over the past few decades.
Summary
Timeline of homosexual activity
First Countries to Legalize Homosexuality
In 1791, the Kingdom of France became the first country to decriminalize homosexuality.
⚠️ The table below is a preview for logged-in editors. The countries and order listed here may not be 100% correct. Please review and help make corrections. Discuss in Discord if there are bigger issues.AllNorth AmericaSouth AmericaEuropeAfricaAsiaOceania
| Rank | Region | Continent | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | Andorra | Europe | 1791 |
| 2nd | Haiti | North America | 1791 |
| 3rd | France | Europe | September 1791 |
| 4 | Monaco | Europe | June 1793 |
| 5 | Belgium | Europe | 1795 |
| 6 | Netherlands | Europe | 1811 |
| 7 | Dominican Republic | North America | 1822 |
| 8 | Brazil | South America | December 1830 |
| 9 | Bolivia | South America | 1832 |
| 10 | Turkey | Europe | August 1858 |
| 11 | Kosovo | Europe | August 1858 |
| 12 | San Marino | Europe | 1865 |
| 13 | Guatemala | North America | 1871 |
| 14 | Japan | Asia | 1881 |
| 15 | Italy | Europe | 1890 |
| 16 | Suriname | South America | October 1910 |
| 17 | Vatican City | Europe | 1929 |
| 18 | Denmark | Europe | January 1933 |
| 19 | Uruguay | South America | December 1933 |
| 20 | Democratic Republic of the Congo | Africa | January 1940 |
Regions with unknown dates are ommitted. Regions with pending legislations will appear here once the law goes into effect.
Recent & Upcoming Changes
Upcoming Changes
2024
2023
2022
- BarbadosLegalDecember 12
- SingaporeLegalNovember 29
- Saint Kitts and NevisLegalAugust 29
- Antigua and BarbudaLegalJuly 5
2021
- Kābul, AfghanistanIllegal (death penalty as punishment)August 15
- UgandaIllegal (up to life in prison as punishment)May 3
- BhutanLegalFebruary 17
2020
2019
Homosexual activity by Country
Legal
Homosexual activity is legal in 131 regions.
- Asia (21)
- Bahrain 1976
- Bhutan 2021
- Cambodia
- China 1997
- India 2018
- Israel 1963
- Japan 1881
- Jordan 1951
- Kazakhstan 1998
- Kyrgyzstan 1997
- Laos 1990
- Mongolia 2002
- Nepal 2007
- Philippines
- Singapore 2022
- South Korea
- Taiwan 1947
- Tajikistan 1998
- Thailand 1956
- Timor-Leste 1975
- Vietnam
- Europe (49)
- Albania 1995
- Andorra 1791
- Armenia 2003
- Austria 1971
- Azerbaijan 2000
- Belarus 1994
- Belgium 1944
- Bosnia and Herzegovina 2003
- Bulgaria 1968
- Croatia 1977
- Cyprus 1998
- Czech Republic 1962
- Denmark 1933
- Estonia 1992
- Finland 1971
- France 1791
- Georgia 2000
- Germany 1994
- Greece 2015
- Hungary 1961
- Iceland 1940
- Ireland 1993
- Italy 1890
- Kosovo 1994
- Latvia 1992
- Liechtenstein 1989
- Lithuania 1993
- Luxembourg
- Malta 1973
- Moldova 1995
- Monaco 1793
- Montenegro 1977
- Netherlands 1945
- North Macedonia 1996
- Norway 1972
- Poland 1970
- Portugal 1982
- Romania 2001
- San Marino 1865
- Serbia 1994
- Slovakia 1961
- Slovenia 1977
- Spain 1979
- Sweden 1944
- Switzerland 1991
- Turkey 1858
- Ukraine 1991
- United Kingdom 2000
- Vatican City 1929
- North America (18)
- Antigua and Barbuda 2022
- Bahamas 1991
- Barbados 2022
- Belize 2016
- Canada 1969
- Costa Rica 2002
- Cuba 1979
- Dominican Republic 1822
- El Salvador 1974
- Guatemala 1871
- Haiti 1791
- Honduras 1985
- Mexico 2001
- Nicaragua 2007
- Panama 2007
- Saint Kitts and Nevis 2022
- Trinidad and Tobago 2018
- United States 2003
- Africa (23)
- Angola 2019
- Benin
- Botswana 2019
- Burkina Faso
- Cape Verde 2004
- Central African Republic
- Côte d’Ivoire
- Democratic Republic of the Congo 1940
- Djibouti
- Equatorial Guinea 1968
- Gabon 2020
- Guinea-Bissau
- Lesotho 2012
- Madagascar 1972
- Mali 1961
- Mauritius 2023
- Mozambique 2015
- Niger 2006
- Republic of the Congo
- Rwanda
- Sao Tome and Principe 2012
- Seychelles 2016
- South Africa 1998
- Oceania (8)
- Australia 1997
- Federated States of Micronesia
- Fiji 2010
- Marshall Islands 2005
- Nauru 2016
- New Zealand 1986
- Palau 2014
- Vanuatu
- South America (11)
- Argentina 1987
- Bolivia 1832
- Brazil 1830
- Chile 1998
- Colombia 2000
- Ecuador 1997
- Paraguay 1997
- Peru 1991
- Suriname 1910
- Uruguay 1933
- Venezuela 1997
- Antarctica (1)
- Antarctica
Male illegal, female legal
Homosexual activity is male illegal, female legal in 15 regions.
Male illegal, female uncertain
Homosexual activity is male illegal, female uncertain in 2 regions.
Illegal (other penalty)
Homosexual activity is illegal (other penalty) in 1 regions.
- Africa (1)
- Somalia 1991
Illegal (imprisonment as punishment)
Homosexual activity is illegal (imprisonment as punishment) in 29 regions.
Illegal (up to life in prison as punishment)
Homosexual activity is illegal (up to life in prison as punishment) in 4 regions.
- Asia (1)
- Bangladesh 1860
Illegal (death penalty as punishment)
Homosexual activity is illegal (death penalty as punishment) in 9 regions.
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