Current Version
| Region | Azerbaijan |
| Issue | Serving openly in military |
| Status | Don't Ask, Don't Tell |
| Start Date | (unknown) |
| End Date | (none) |
| Description | In Azerbaijan, the military does not have a formal law banning LGBT people, but in practice, sexual orientation and gender identity are treated as sensitive issues. LGBT individuals can only serve safely if they keep their identity hidden. Revealing that one is LGBT can lead to medical disqualification, harassment, or other negative consequences. This creates a de facto “don’t ask, don’t tell” system: the military doesn’t officially inquire about sexual orientation, but being openly LGBT can prevent someone from serving. |
| Sources | https://www.alturi.org/news_items/unfit-for-military-service-how-azerbaijan-stigmatizes-lgbtq-military-personnel/ https://feminism-boell.org/en/2024/03/28/raids-wars-queer-bodies-homeland-azerbaijan |
Revision History (1)
| Original entry | |
|---|---|
| Status | Don't Ask, Don't Tell |
| Start Date | (unknown) |
| End Date | (none) |
| Description | In Azerbaijan, the military does not have a formal law banning LGBT people, but in practice, sexual orientation and gender identity are treated as sensitive issues. LGBT individuals can only serve safely if they keep their identity hidden. Revealing that one is LGBT can lead to medical disqualification, harassment, or other negative consequences. This creates a de facto “don’t ask, don’t tell” system: the military doesn’t officially inquire about sexual orientation, but being openly LGBT can prevent someone from serving. |
| Sources | https://www.alturi.org/news_items/unfit-for-military-service-how-azerbaijan-stigmatizes-lgbtq-military-personnel/ https://feminism-boell.org/en/2024/03/28/raids-wars-queer-bodies-homeland-azerbaijan |