- Homosexuality
- ⚢✔ Legal
- Gay Marriage
- ⚭✖ Banned
- Censorship
- ✔ No censorship
- Changing Gender
- ✖ Illegal
- Gender-Affirming Care
- ✖ Restricted
- Non-Binary Gender Recognition
- ✖ Not legally recognized
- Discrimination
- ✖ Illegal in some contexts
- Employment Discrimination
- ✖ Sexual orientation only
- Housing Discrimination
- ✖ No protections
- Adoption
- ✖ Single only
- Intersex Infant Surgery
- Unknown
- Military
- ✖ Illegal
- Donating Blood
- Ambiguous
- Conversion Therapy
- ✖ Not banned
- Age of Consent
- ✔ Equal
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Public Opinion
Recent studies in Barbados indicate significant support for LGBTQ+ rights among the population.
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Homosexual activity in Barbados is legal.
Current status
Since Dec 12, 2022
Legal
In December 2022, Barbados’ High Court ruled that Sections 9 and 12 of the Sexual Offences Act which criminalize buggery and “gross indecency” were unconstitutional, and struck them down.
On May 25th, 2023, 5 months after the oral decision was handed down, the Court released a written document explaining their reasoning for their judgement.
In 2024, Barbados’ Parliament repealed the two defunct sections, 9 and 12.
On May 25th, 2023, 5 months after the oral decision was handed down, the Court released a written document explaining their reasoning for their judgement.
In 2024, Barbados’ Parliament repealed the two defunct sections, 9 and 12.
Illegal (up to life in prison as punishment)
Sections 9 and 12 of Chapter 154 of the Sexual Offences Act criminalized homosexuality.
Section 9 of the Act made buggery a criminal offence, punishable upon conviction by imprisonment for life. Section 12 of the Act made it an offence for a person to commit an act of serious indecency on or towards another person, or to incite another person to commit such an act with them or with someone else, punishable by up to 10 years’ imprisonment.
Section 9 of the Act made buggery a criminal offence, punishable upon conviction by imprisonment for life. Section 12 of the Act made it an offence for a person to commit an act of serious indecency on or towards another person, or to incite another person to commit such an act with them or with someone else, punishable by up to 10 years’ imprisonment.
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.
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.
Gender-affirming care in Barbados is restricted.
Current status
Restricted
There is no access to gender affirming care in Barbados but it is also not explicitly banned.
Legal recognition of non-binary gender in Barbados is not legally recognized.
Current status
Not legally recognized
Barbados does not recognize legal gender changes.
LGBT discrimination in Barbados is illegal in some contexts.
Current status
Illegal in some contexts
Discrimination is illegal in some contexts.
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.
Until Aug 5, 2020
No protections
There are no protections against discrimination against LGBT individuals. The church has a large influence on the island.
LGBT housing discrimination in Barbados is no protections.
Current status
No protections
There are no legal protections against LGBT discrimination in housing.
Same-sex adoption in Barbados is single only.
Current status
Single only
Same-sex couples are unable to adopt children; however, single gay individuals can.
Intersex infant surgery in Barbados is unknown.
Current status
Unknown
Serving openly in military in Barbados is illegal.
Current status
Illegal
The Defense Act (1985) states the following:
Section 70 (Scandalous conduct of officer). Every officer who, being subject to military law under this Act, behaves in a scandalous manner unbecoming the character of an officer is guilty of an offence and shall, on conviction by court-martial, be cashiered.
Section 72 (Disgraceful conduct). Any person who is subject to military law under this Act and is guilty of disgraceful conduct of a cruel, indecent or unnatural kind is, on conviction by court-martial, liable to imprisonment for 2 years or any less punishment provided by this Act.
The law contains legal provisions that may be used against LGBT people.
Section 70 (Scandalous conduct of officer). Every officer who, being subject to military law under this Act, behaves in a scandalous manner unbecoming the character of an officer is guilty of an offence and shall, on conviction by court-martial, be cashiered.
Section 72 (Disgraceful conduct). Any person who is subject to military law under this Act and is guilty of disgraceful conduct of a cruel, indecent or unnatural kind is, on conviction by court-martial, liable to imprisonment for 2 years or any less punishment provided by this Act.
The law contains legal provisions that may be used against LGBT people.
Blood donations by MSMs in Barbados is ambiguous.
Current status
Ambiguous
MSM blood donations are not illegal, however there is a widespread cultural belief that members of the LGBTQ, particularly gay men, are not allowed to donate blood. There is no legislation regarding this matter, and the government does not have a clear policy.
Conversion therapy in Barbados is not banned.
Current status
Not banned
Conversion therapy is currently not banned.
LGBT Rights by Parish
View the LGBT laws in each individual parish of Barbados.
Equality Rank
#92
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Common queries:
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