- Homosexuality
- ⚢✔ Legal
- Gay Marriage
- ⚭✔ Legal
- Censorship
- ✔ No censorship
- Changing Gender
- ✔ Legal, surgery not required
- Non-binary gender recognition
- Ambiguous
- Discrimination
- ✖ Illegal in some contexts
- Employment Discrimination
- ✔ Sexual orientation and gender identity
- Housing Discrimination
- ✔ Sexual orientation and gender identity
- Adoption
- ✔ Legal
- Military
- N/A
- Donating Blood
- ✔ Legal
- Conversion Therapy
- ✖ Not banned
- Age of Consent
- ✔ Equal
Suggest Public Opinion Data
Public Opinion
Support for same-sex marriage (North and South America) ?
Ranked #9 out of 29 regions surveyed. (Source: AmericasBarometer, 2016-2017)
(65%) Disapprove
Approve (35%)
Acceptance of Gay People in Public Office (North and South America) ?
Ranked #7 out of 29 regions surveyed. (Source: AmericasBarometer, 2016-2017)
(43.5%) Disapprove
Approve (56.5%)
Perceived Acceptance of Gay People ?
Ranked #21 out of 119 regions surveyed. (Source: Gallup, 2013)
(33%) Not a good place
Good place (61%)
History
Homosexual activity in Costa Rica is legal.
Current status
Since Apr 17, 2002
Since Apr 17, 2002
Legal
Censorship of LGBT Issues in Costa Rica is no censorship.
Current status
No censorship
In Costa Rica, there are no laws restricting the discussion or promotion of LGBTQ+ topics.
Legal recognition of non-binary gender in Costa Rica is ambiguous.
Current status
Since Jun 6, 2022
Since Jun 6, 2022
Ambiguous
Recognized in immigration documents.
LGBT discrimination in Costa Rica is illegal in some contexts.
Current status
Since May 17, 2015
Since May 17, 2015
Illegal in some contexts
In addition to the existing HIV/AIDS law, public workers are now also protected. Within federal agencies, same sex partnerships are also required to be recognized as a family when requesting time off for spousal medical emergencies.
LGBT employment discrimination in Costa Rica is sexual orientation and gender identity.
Current status
Since Jan 1, 1998
Since Jan 1, 1998
Sexual orientation and gender identity
Under the Costa Rican Criminal Code.
LGBT housing discrimination in Costa Rica is sexual orientation and gender identity.
Current status
Since Jan 1, 1998
Since Jan 1, 1998
Sexual orientation and gender identity
Same-sex adoption in Costa Rica is legal.
Current status
Since May 26, 2020
Since May 26, 2020
Legal
Adoption was legalized for gay couples when gay marriage became legal. Single individuals (whether gay or straight) have been allowed to adopt equally before then.
Serving openly in military in Costa Rica is n/a.
Current status
N/A
Costa Rica does not have a military.
Blood donations by MSMs in Costa Rica is legal.
Current status
Legal
No restrictions about gay sex
Conversion therapy in Costa Rica is not banned.
Current status
Not banned
Unknown.
LGBT Rights by Province
View the LGBT laws in each individual province of Costa Rica.
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Costa Rica LGBT Organizations
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Common queries:
- Is it illegal to be gay in Costa Rica?
- Is homosexuality legal in Costa Rica?
- Is gay marriage legal in Costa Rica?