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LGBT Rights in Barbados

    Homosexuality
    ✔ Legal
    Gay Marriage
    ✖ Foreign same-sex marriages recognized only
    Censorship
    ✔ No censorship
    Changing Gender
    ✖ Illegal
    Non-binary gender recognition
    ✖ Not legally recognized
    Discrimination
    ✖ Illegal in some contexts
    Employment Discrimination
    ✖ Sexual orientation only
    Housing Discrimination
    ✖ No protections
    Adoption
    ✖ Single only
    Military
    ✔ Legal
    Donating Blood
    ✔ Legal
    Conversion Therapy
    Ambiguous
    Age of Consent
    ✔ Equal

Public Opinion

Surveys in Barbados have shown mixed views towards LGBTQ+ rights and issues, based on a limited set of sources.

Barbados Surveys

Tolerance for Homosexuality

“Tolerant” or “accepting” of homosexuals
Against discrimination towards homosexuals

Barbados is missing public opinion data.

Help expand our understanding of the public's view on LGBTQ+ issues in Barbados by sharing a link to a survey from a reputable organization.

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History

Homosexual activity in Barbados

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Homosexual activity in Barbados is legal.

Current status
Since Dec 12, 2022
Legal
In December 2022, the courts ruled Barbados' laws against buggery and "gross indecency" were unconstitutional and struck them from the Sexual Offences Act.
Sources:
en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/LGB…~:text=Lesbian%2C%20gay%2C%20bisexual%20and%20transgender,from%20the%20Sexual%20Offences%20Act.
Added by _it4_  ·  1 accurate vote  ·  Report Error  ·  Log

Until Dec 12, 2022
Illegal (up to life in prison as punishment)
The law is rarely, if ever enforced. Decriminalization pending.
Added by James  ·  0 accurate votes  ·  Report Error  ·  Log

Mar 5, 2017–Sep 7, 2018
Male illegal, female legal
10 years to 16 years in prison. Not enforced. it is the next country that activists are working to get homosexuality Decriminalized. Decriminalization pending. Barbados held its first pride parade on July 24, 2018.

Same-sex marriage in Barbados

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Same-sex marriage in Barbados is foreign same-sex marriages recognized only.

Current status
Since Jan 1, 2018
Foreign same-sex marriages recognized only
Legalization required under American Convention on Human Rights. Gay marriage pending. Under 2018 IACHR Ruling.
Added by Ausyk  ·  0 accurate votes  ·  Report Error  ·  Log

Censorship of LGBT Issues in Barbados

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Censorship of LGBT Issues in Barbados is no censorship.

Current status
No censorship
In Barbados, there are no laws restricting the discussion or promotion of LGBTQ+ topics.
Added by equaldex  ·  0 accurate votes  ·  Report Error  ·  Log

Right to change legal gender in Barbados

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Right to change legal gender in Barbados is illegal.

Current status
Illegal
Required to be legalized by American Convention of Human Rights. No laws in place.
Added by Ausyk  ·  0 accurate votes  ·  Report Error  ·  Log

Legal recognition of non-binary gender in Barbados

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

Current status
Not legally recognized
Barbados does not recognize legal gender changes.
Added by Notdog1996  ·  0 accurate votes  ·  Report Error  ·  Log

LGBT discrimination in Barbados

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LGBT discrimination in Barbados is illegal in some contexts.

Current status
Illegal in some contexts
Discrimination is illegal in some contexts.
Added by Ausyk  ·  0 accurate votes  ·  Report Error  ·  Log

LGBT employment discrimination in Barbados

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LGBT employment discrimination in Barbados is sexual orientation only.

Current status
Since Aug 5, 2020
Sexual orientation only
The Employment (Prevention of Discrimination) Act protects against discrimination on grounds of sexual orientation.
Added by Samanthos  ·  0 accurate votes  ·  Report Error  ·  Log

Until Aug 5, 2020
No protections
There are no protections against discrimination against LGBT individuals. The church has a large influence on the island.
Added by Ausyk  ·  0 accurate votes  ·  Report Error  ·  Log

LGBT housing discrimination in Barbados

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LGBT housing discrimination in Barbados is no protections.

Current status
No protections
Added by Ausyk  ·  0 accurate votes  ·  Report Error  ·  Log

Same-sex adoption in Barbados

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Same-sex adoption in Barbados is single only.

Current status
Single only
No laws for same sex couples. As well Homosexuality is currently illegal.
Added by Ausyk  ·  0 accurate votes  ·  Report Error  ·  Log

Serving openly in military in Barbados

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Serving openly in military in Barbados is legal.

Current status
Legal
Not conditions restricting lgbt people serving.
Added by Ausyk  ·  0 accurate votes  ·  Report Error  ·  Log

Blood donations by MSMs in Barbados

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Blood donations by MSMs in Barbados is legal.

Current status
Legal
Added by Ausyk  ·  0 accurate votes  ·  Report Error  ·  Log

Conversion therapy in Barbados

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Conversion therapy in Barbados is ambiguous.

Current status
Ambiguous
Unknown.
Added by Ausyk  ·  0 accurate votes  ·  Report Error  ·  Log

Equal age of consent in Barbados

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Equal age of consent in Barbados is equal.

Current status
Since Dec 12, 2022
Equal
The age of consent of 16 years is equal for everyone.
Added by Samanthos  ·  0 accurate votes  ·  Report Error  ·  Log

1992–Dec 12, 2022
N/A
Homosexuality is illegal.
Added by murrayhawthorne  ·  0 accurate votes  ·  Report Error  ·  Log


LGBT Rights by Parish

View the LGBT laws in each individual parish of Barbados.