Regions  ▸  Oceania  ▸  Papua New Guinea

LGBT Rights in Bougainville
Autonomous Region

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Public Opinion

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History

Homosexual activity in Bougainville

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Homosexual activity in Bougainville is male illegal, female legal.

Current status
Since Nov 28, 1899
Male illegal, female legal
Male homosexuality was initially criminalised in Papua New Guinea due to the inheritance of the Queensland Criminal Code in Australia which criminalised such with up to three years in prison in 1899.

Men can receive 3 to 14 years of imprisonment under Criminal Code 1974. The legislation lists homosexuality under "Unnatural Offenses" and "Indecent Practices Between Males."
Details
Sources:
old.ilga.org/Statehomophobi…
www.humandignitytrust.org/c…
digitalcollections.qut.edu.…
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Same-sex marriage in Bougainville

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Same-sex marriage in Bougainville is unrecognized.

Current status
Unrecognized
Marriage is not explicitly defined as occurring between two individuals of opposite sexes. However, it is widely understood to be restricted to heterosexual couples, and same-sex marriages are generally believed to be not permitted in practice.
Details
Sources:
database.ilga.org/papua-new…
www.parliament.gov.pg/image…
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Censorship of LGBT issues in Bougainville

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Censorship of LGBT issues in Bougainville is no censorship.

Current status
No censorship
In Papua New Guinea, there are no laws restricting the discussion or promotion of LGBTQ+ topics.
Details
Sources:
www.state.gov/reports/2023-…
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Right to change legal gender in Bougainville

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Right to change legal gender in Bougainville is illegal.

Current status
Illegal
There is no legal gender recognition provided in Papua New Guinea.
Details
Sources:
www.nationalgeographic.com/…

www.state.gov/reports/2022-…
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Gender-affirming care in Bougainville

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Gender-affirming care in Bougainville is legal.

Current status
Legal
Gender-affirming care is legal in Papua New Guinea but often very expensive.
Details
Sources:
pg.feau.com/article/feminiz…
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Legal recognition of non-binary gender in Bougainville

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

Current status
Not legally recognized
No legal recognition.
Details
Sources:
www.state.gov/reports/2022-…
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LGBT discrimination in Bougainville

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LGBT discrimination in Bougainville is no protections.

Current status
No protections
As male homosexuality is illegal, no protection is available to any members of the LGBTQ+ community.
Details
Sources:
www.state.gov/reports/2023-…
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LGBT employment discrimination in Bougainville

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LGBT employment discrimination in Bougainville is no protections.

Current status
No protections
There are no protections from discrimination in employment provided to LGBTIQ+ people in Papua New Guinea.
Details
Sources:
www.state.gov/reports/2023-…
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LGBT housing discrimination in Bougainville

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LGBT housing discrimination in Bougainville is no protections.

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

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Same-sex adoption in Bougainville is illegal.

Current status
Illegal
Only married couples can adopt in Papua New Guinea. Same-sex marriage is not recognised leaving LGBTIQ+ people with no ability to adopt.
Details
Sources:
travel.state.gov/content/tr…
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Intersex infant surgery in Bougainville

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Intersex infant surgery in Bougainville is not banned.

Current status
Not banned under federal Papua New Guinea law
There is no ban on surgeries performed on intersex infants in Papua New Guinea.
Details
Sources:
www.state.gov/reports/2023-…
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Serving openly in military in Bougainville

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Serving openly in military in Bougainville is don't ask, don't tell.

Current status
Don't Ask, Don't Tell
Although there are no explicit prohibitions on LGBTIQ+ people serving in the military of Papua New Guinea, homosexuality is illegal hindering their ability in practice.
Details
Sources:
www.paclii.org/pg/legis/con…
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Blood donations by MSMs in Bougainville

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Blood donations by MSMs in Bougainville is legal.

Current status
Legal
There are no known bans or restrictions on blood donations from men who have sex with men in Papua New Guinea, in spite of the illegality of homosexuality.
Details
Sources:
path-png.org/wp-content/upl…
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Conversion therapy in Bougainville

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Conversion therapy in Bougainville is not banned.

Current status
Not banned
Conversion therapy is legal and widespread in Papua New Guinea.
Details
Sources:
www.state.gov/reports/2023-…
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Equal age of consent in Bougainville

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Equal age of consent in Bougainville is female equal, male n/a.

Current status
Since Nov 28, 1899
Female equal, male N/A
Anal sex is illegal in Papua new Guinea and therefore it is illegal for males. However oral and other types of sex are legal and the age of consent is 16.
Details
Sources:
sexualrightsdatabase.org/co…
www.humandignitytrust.org/c…
digitalcollections.qut.edu.…
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Equality Index ?
26 / 100
Legal Rights
26 / 100
This region's Equality Index is based on legal rights alone. Please submit survey results that show the public opinion of LGBTQ+ issues in Bougainville to help improve its accuracy.
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Bougainville LGBT Organizations

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Compare Bougainville

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Common queries:
  • Is it illegal to be gay in Bougainville?
  • Is homosexuality legal in Bougainville?
  • Is gay marriage legal in Bougainville?

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