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Public Opinion

Surveys in Bahrain have revealed a prevalence of resistance towards LGBTQ+ rights, but please note that is based on a small number of surveys available in Bahrain.

Views on Homosexuality

(World Values Survey, 2011)
Of Bahraini people said that homosexuality is not justifiable
Of Bahraini people doesn't want to live next to homosexual neighbors

Bahrain is lacking public opinion data.

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History

Homosexual activity in Bahrain

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Homosexual activity in Bahrain is legal.

Current status
Since Mar 20, 1976
Legal
Bahrain may consider homosexuality as "immoral", although homosexual activity is not explicitly illegal.

However there has been documented cases of arrests being made towards homosexual people on virtue of them being homosexuals
Details
Sources:
www.track.unodc.org/LegalLi…
www.gcchumanrights.org/lgbt.html
old.ilga.org/Statehomophobi…
wikiislam.net/wiki/Persecut…
www.hrw.org/video-photos/in…
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Same-sex marriage in Bahrain

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Same-sex marriage in Bahrain is banned.

Current status
Banned
There is no legal recognition of same-sex relationships in Bahrain.
Details
Sources:
old.ilga.org/Statehomophobi…
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Censorship of LGBT issues in Bahrain

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Censorship of LGBT issues in Bahrain is imprisonment as punishment.

Current status
Since Mar 20, 1976
Imprisonment as punishment
Article 355 of Bahrain's Penal Code (1976) brings about a penalty of up to two years in prison and a fine is enforced on individuals who print, import, export, own, possess, carry, or exhibit publications, drawings, pictures, films, symbols, or similar items with the intention of exploiting, distributing, or displaying them if they are deemed to contravene public morals.
Details
Sources:
database.ilga.org/api/downl…
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Right to change legal gender in Bahrain

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Right to change legal gender in Bahrain is ambiguous.

Current status
Since Jan 2, 2014
Ambiguous
Changing gender in Bahrain is very limited.
Details
Sources:
abcnews.go.com/Internationa…
www.state.gov/reports/2023-…
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Gender-affirming care in Bahrain

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Gender-affirming care in Bahrain is restricted.

Current status
Restricted
Bahrain has no publicly available gender affirming healthcare for trans people and such services have been rejected in practice, despite no explicit ban.
Details
Sources:
cairo52.com/countries/Bahrain/
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Legal recognition of non-binary gender in Bahrain

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Legal recognition of non-binary gender in Bahrain is not legally recognized.

Current status
Not legally recognized
Nonbinary, intersex, or gender nonconforming options are not available.
Details
Sources:
www.state.gov/reports/2022-…
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LGBT discrimination in Bahrain

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LGBT discrimination in Bahrain is no protections.

Current status
No protections
Bahrain provides no protections from discrimination to LGBTIQ+ people.
Details
Sources:
www.hrw.org/video-photos/in…
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LGBT employment discrimination in Bahrain

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LGBT employment discrimination in Bahrain is no protections.

Current status
No protections
Bahrain provides no protections to LGBTIQ+ people from discrimination in employment.
Details
Sources:
www.state.gov/reports/2023-…
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LGBT housing discrimination in Bahrain

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LGBT housing discrimination in Bahrain is no protections.

Current status
No protections
There are no protections from discrimination in housing provided to LGBTIQ+ people in Bahrain.
Details
Sources:
www.state.gov/reports/2023-…
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Same-sex adoption in Bahrain

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Same-sex adoption in Bahrain is illegal.

Current status
Illegal
According to The Ministry of Islamic and Justice Affairs, adoption is not possible in Bahrain.
Details
Sources:
www.adoptionservices.org/in…
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Intersex infant surgery in Bahrain

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Intersex infant surgery in Bahrain is unknown.

Current status
Unknown

Serving openly in military in Bahrain

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Serving openly in military in Bahrain is unknown.

Current status
Unknown

Blood donations by MSMs in Bahrain

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Blood donations by MSMs in Bahrain is banned (indefinite deferral).

Current status
Banned (indefinite deferral)
not allowed
Details
Sources:
no source available
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Conversion therapy in Bahrain

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Conversion therapy in Bahrain is not banned.

Current status
Not banned
Conversion therapy is not banned in Bahrain but is not commonly practiced either.
Details
Sources:
www.state.gov/reports/2023-…
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Equal age of consent in Bahrain

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Equal age of consent in Bahrain is equal.

Current status
Since Mar 20, 1976
Equal
A Penal Code was enacted in 1976 which decriminalized same-sex activities. It also stated that the age of consent for same-sex activities would be the same as heterosexuals at 21 years old.
Details
Sources:
www.refworld.org/pdfid/5983…

STATE-SPONSORED HOMOPHOBIA
A WORLD SURVEY OF SEXUAL ORIENTATION LAWS:
CRIMINALISATION, PROTECTION AND RECOGNITION Page 35
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LGBT Rights by Governorate

View the LGBT laws in each individual governorate of Bahrain.

    Equality Index ?
    37 / 100
    Legal Rights
    33 / 100
    Public Opinion
    42 / 100

    Equality Rank

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    #55
    Interest Rank based on Equaldex traffic ?

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    Common queries:
    • Is it illegal to be gay in Bahrain?
    • Is homosexuality legal in Bahrain?
    • Is gay marriage legal in Bahrain?
    Alternative names: Al-Bahrayn (local name)

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