LGBT Rights in Bangladesh

Homosexuality: ⚢
✖ Illegal (up to life in prison as punishment)
Gay Marriage: ⚭
✖ Banned
Censorship: ✖ State-enforced
Changing Gender: Ambiguous
Gender-Affirming Care: ✖ Banned
Non-Binary Gender Recognition: ✔ Recognized
Discrimination: ✖ No protections
Employment Discrimination: ✖ No protections
Housing Discrimination: ✖ No protections
Adoption: ✖ Illegal
Intersex Infant Surgery: Unknown
Military: ✖ Illegal
Donating Blood: Ambiguous
Conversion Therapy: ✖ Not banned
Age of Consent: N/A

💬 Join Equaldex's LGBTQ+ Discord to discuss LGBT rights and chat!

Public Opinion

Suggest Public Opinion Data

In Bangladesh, public opinion seems to reflect a lack of acceptance or understanding of the LGBTQ+ community.

OPPOSE

SUPPORT

Show 3 More

Have you lived in or visited Bangladesh?

Share your experience of being LGBTQ+ in Bangladesh.

Take Survey

History

Homosexual activity in Bangladesh

Homosexual activity in Bangladesh is illegal (up to life in prison as punishment).

Current status

Since Oct 6, 1860

Illegal (up to life in prison as punishment)

Section 377 of the penal code states that "unnatural intersources" with any men women or animal is punishable for up to life in prison.

Details

Same-sex marriage in Bangladesh

Same-sex marriage in Bangladesh is banned.

Current status

Since Oct 6, 1860

Banned

Homosexuality is illegal in Bangladesh, so same-sex relationships are illegal as well.

Details

Censorship of LGBT issues in Bangladesh

Censorship of LGBT issues in Bangladesh is state-enforced.

Current status

State-enforced

Censorship of LGBTQ+ issues in Bangladesh is a significant concern. The country's approach to LGBTQ+ rights is restrictive, and homosexuality is criminalized under Section 377 of the Penal Code. This has led to discrimination, persecution, and limited freedom of expression for the LGBTQ+ community. Civil society organizations have documented cases of censorship and restrictions on LGBTQ+ activism and advocacy.

Details

Right to change legal gender in Bangladesh

Right to change legal gender in Bangladesh is ambiguous.

Current status

Since Nov 11, 2013

Ambiguous federal law

Changes in the sex on legal documents are only allowed for Hijras, Intersex, and Third Gender citizens

Details

Until Nov 11, 2013

Illegal federal law

Until 2013, there was no legal gender recognition provided in Bangladesh.

Details

Gender-affirming care in Bangladesh

Gender-affirming care in Bangladesh is banned.

Current status

Since 1969

Banned

Gender-affirming care is forbidden in Bangladesh. Trans Bangladeshis seeking such treatment often go to India or go through it through unknown doctors with high risks of ailments resulting from it.

Details

Until 1969

Banned

Medical transition is not possible

Details

Legal recognition of non-binary gender in Bangladesh

Legal recognition of non-binary gender in Bangladesh is recognized.

Current status

Since Nov 11, 2013

Recognized

Since 2013, the Bangladeshi government has officially recognized a third gender, known as hijra, which can be legally registered on official documents.

Details

Until Nov 10, 2013

Not legally recognized

Before 2013, Bangladesh did not legally recognize a third gender.

Details

LGBT discrimination in Bangladesh

LGBT discrimination in Bangladesh is no protections.

Current status

No protections

In Bangladesh, neither sexual orientation nor gender identity is a protected class from discrimination.

Details

LGBT employment discrimination in Bangladesh

LGBT employment discrimination in Bangladesh is no protections.

Current status

No protections

In Bangladesh, neither sexual orientation nor gender identity is a protected class from employment discrimination.

Details

LGBT housing discrimination in Bangladesh

LGBT housing discrimination in Bangladesh is no protections.

Current status

No protections

In Bangladesh, neither sexual orientation nor gender identity is a protected class from housing discrimination.

Details

Same-sex adoption in Bangladesh

Same-sex adoption in Bangladesh is illegal.

Current status

Illegal

No laws in place for same sex couples. As well homosexuality is currently illegal.

Details

Intersex infant surgery in Bangladesh

Intersex infant surgery in Bangladesh is unknown.

Current status

Unknown

Serving openly in military in Bangladesh

Serving openly in military in Bangladesh is illegal.

Current status

Illegal

In Bangladesh, you can't openly serve in the military.

Details

Blood donations by MSMs in Bangladesh

Blood donations by MSMs in Bangladesh is ambiguous.

Current status

Ambiguous

no laws in place.

Details

Conversion therapy in Bangladesh

Conversion therapy in Bangladesh is not banned.

Current status

Not banned

Conversion therapy is not banned in Bangladesh and is commonly practiced, usually by parents of LGBTIQ+ children.

Details

Equal age of consent in Bangladesh

Equal age of consent in Bangladesh is n/a.

Current status

N/A

Yes, the age of consent in Bangladesh is equal for both males and females. It is set at 14 years old. This means that individuals who are 14 years or older are considered legally old enough to consent to sexual activities. However, it is important to note that engaging in same-sex sexual activity is illegal in Bangladesh for both males and females. It is always advisable to familiarize yourself with the legal statutes of the country to ensure compliance with the law.

Details