- Homosexuality
- ⚢✔ Legal
- Gay Marriage
- ⚭✖ Unrecognized
- Censorship
- ✔ No censorship
- Changing Gender
- ✖ Illegal
- Gender-Affirming Care
- ✔ Legal
- Non-Binary Gender Recognition
- ✖ Not legally recognized
- Discrimination
- ✖ Illegal in some contexts
- Employment Discrimination
- ✖ Sexual orientation only
- Housing Discrimination
- ✖ Sexual orientation only
- Adoption
- ✖ Single only
- Intersex Infant Surgery
- Unknown
- Military
- Ambiguous
- Donating Blood
- ✔ Legal
- Conversion Therapy
- ✖ Not banned
- Age of Consent
- ✔ Equal
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Public Opinion
Recent surveys in Belize have revealed a mixed response towards LGBTQ+ rights and issues.
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History
Homosexual activity in Belize is legal.
Current status
Since Aug 10, 2016
Legal
On August 10th 2016, after 6 years of pending the Belizean Supreme Court ruled in favor of Caleb Orosco in the landmark Orozco v Attorney General case. The court struck down Section 53 of the Belize code which criminalized sodomy emphasizing the rights of privacy, equality and dignity which Belizeans possess, in the process also expanding the definiton of sex in the constitution to include sexual orientation. It was the last sodomy law in Central America to be struck down.
Illegal (imprisonment as punishment)
The Section 53 of the Belize Criminal Code states that all kinds of sexual acts, except for the natural sex, are illegal. People found guilty are liable for a 10-year imprisonment. "Every person who has carnal intercourse against the order of nature with any person ... shall be liable to imprisonment for 10 years." Moreover, homosexual immigrants are prohibited an entry to the country.
Same-sex marriage in Belize is unrecognized.
Current status
Since Jan 1, 2003
Unrecognized
The legal system in Belize does not recognise same sex marriages or civil unions.
Censorship of LGBT issues in Belize is no censorship.
Current status
No censorship
In Belize, there are no laws restricting the discussion or promotion of LGBTQ+ topics.
Right to change legal gender in Belize is illegal.
Current status
Illegal
Full legalization required under 2018 IACHR ruling. Legalization pending.
Legal recognition of non-binary gender in Belize is not legally recognized.
Current status
Not legally recognized
No way to change legal gender, including to non-binary.
LGBT discrimination in Belize is illegal in some contexts.
Current status
Illegal in some contexts
The constitution of Belize grants fundamental rights to all Belizeans, forbiding discrimination based on race, place of origin, political opinions, colour, creed or sex and emphasizing all Belizeans are entitled to these fundamental rights regardless of characteristics. With the Orozco v Attorney General (2016) court case that struck down sodomy laws in the nation, the court also emphasized and expanded the definition of sex in the constitution to provide the constitutional right to non-discrimination based on sexual orientation.
LGBT employment discrimination in Belize is sexual orientation only.
Current status
Sexual orientation only
The constitution of Belize grants fundamental rights to all Belizeans, forbiding discrimination based on race, place of origin, political opinions, colour, creed or sex and emphasizing all Belizeans are entitled to these fundamental rights regardless of characteristics. With the Orozco v Attorney General (2016) court case that struck down sodomy laws in the nation, the court also emphasized and expanded the definition of sex in the constitution to provide the constitutional right to non-discrimination based on sexual orientation.
LGBT housing discrimination in Belize is sexual orientation only.
Current status
Sexual orientation only
The constitution of Belize grants fundamental rights to all Belizeans, forbiding discrimination based on race, place of origin, political opinions, colour, creed or sex and emphasizing all Belizeans are entitled to these fundamental rights regardless of characteristics. With the Orozco v Attorney General (2016) court case that struck down sodomy laws in the nation, the court also emphasized and expanded the definition of sex in the constitution to provide the constitutional right to non-discrimination based on sexual orientation.
Same-sex adoption in Belize is single only.
Current status
Single only
No laws in place for same sex couples.
Intersex infant surgery in Belize is unknown.
Current status
Unknown
Serving openly in military in Belize is ambiguous.
Current status
Ambiguous
There are no explicit legal provisions that allow or restrict LGBT people from serving openly in the military
Conversion therapy in Belize is not banned.
Current status
Not banned
According to the ILGA World, there's no ban on conversion therapy in Belize.
Equal age of consent in Belize is equal.
Current status
Since Aug 10, 2016
Equal
The age of consent was equalized when the Supreme Court struck down the sodomy law and granted non-discrimination rights in the constituion under grounds of sexual orientation for LGBT individuals.
LGBT Rights by District
View the LGBT laws in each individual district of Belize.
Equality Rank
#123
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