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Public Opinion

Research in attittudes towards LGBTQ+ issues in Dominica have identified a strong opposition to LGBTQ+ rights, reflecting underlying homophobic sentiments, based on a limited set of sources.

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History

Homosexual activity in Dominica

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Homosexual activity in Dominica is legal.

Current status
Since Apr 22, 2024
Legal
Dominica legalized homosexual sex on April 22nd, 2024. The ban on gay relations was overturned after a gay man brought up certain laws to a court, which criminalized homosexual sex, and said the laws violated his constitutional rights. The court then ruled that sections 14 and 16 of the Sexual Offences Act were unconstitutional. Those sections had previously criminalized homosexual sex.
Details
Sources:
www.bbc.com/news/world-lati…
76crimes.com/2024/04/22/ant…
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Apr 22, 1998–Apr 22, 2024
Illegal (imprisonment as punishment)
The 1998 Sexual Offences Act criminalises "gross indecency" with up to 5 years in prison but includes a clause that exempts it if it's between a man and a woman in private. Buggery is also punished with up to 10 years in prison.
Details
Sources:
www.ilo.org/dyn/natlex/docs…
www.dominica.gov.dm/laws/19…
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1873–Apr 21, 1998
Male illegal, female uncertain
Male homosexuality was first criminalised in Dominica in 1873.
Details
Sources:
dominicanewsonline.com/news…
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Same-sex marriage in Dominica

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Same-sex marriage in Dominica is unrecognized.

Current status
Unrecognized
Dominica does not accept the jurisdiction of the Inter-American Court of Human Rights.
Details
Sources:
www.nyulawglobal.org/global…
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Censorship of LGBT issues in Dominica

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Censorship of LGBT issues in Dominica is no censorship.

Current status
No censorship
In Dominica, 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 Dominica

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Right to change legal gender in Dominica is illegal.

Current status
Illegal
There is no legal gender recognition provided in Dominica.
Details
Sources:
www.state.gov/reports/2023-…
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Gender-affirming care in Dominica

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Gender-affirming care in Dominica is unknown.

Current status
Unknown

Legal recognition of non-binary gender in Dominica

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

Current status
Not legally recognized
No legal recognition.
Details
Sources:
database.ilga.org/dominica-lgbti
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LGBT discrimination in Dominica

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LGBT discrimination in Dominica is illegal in some contexts.

Current status
Since Sep 1, 2020
Illegal in some contexts
According to Rule 7(1) of the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court (Sentencing Guidelines) Rules (2019), as adopted by the Commonwealth of Dominica via Statutory Instrument No. 3 (2019), Practice Direction 8E No. 1 (effective from 1 September 2020), Section 5(j) lists murder motivated by the victim’s sexual orientation as one of the exceptionally serious crimes warranting the possibility of life imprisonment for the offender.
Details
Sources:
database.ilga.org/api/downl…
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Until Sep 1, 2020
No protections
No Discrimination protections. Homosexuality is currently illegal.
Details
Sources:
ilga.org/downloads/2017/ILG…


www.hrw.org/report/2018/03/…
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LGBT employment discrimination in Dominica

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LGBT employment discrimination in Dominica is no protections.

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

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LGBT housing discrimination in Dominica is no protections.

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

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Same-sex adoption in Dominica is single only.

Current status
Single only
Only heterosexual couples may jointly adopt in Dominica as same-sex couples have no legal recognition. However, LGBTIQ+ singles can adopt.
Details
Sources:
generisonline.com/understan…
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Intersex infant surgery in Dominica

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Intersex infant surgery in Dominica is not banned.

Current status
Not banned
Surgery on intersex infants is legal in Dominica but not reported.
Details
Sources:
www.state.gov/reports/2023-…
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Serving openly in military in Dominica

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Serving openly in military in Dominica is n/a.

Current status
N/A
Inapplicable since Dominica has no military.
Details
Sources:
www.demilitarisation.org/sp…
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Blood donations by MSMs in Dominica

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Blood donations by MSMs in Dominica is unknown.

Current status
Unknown

Conversion therapy in Dominica

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Conversion therapy in Dominica is not banned.

Current status
Not banned
Conversion therapy is legal but not reported in Dominica.
Details
Sources:
www.state.gov/reports/2023-…
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Equal age of consent in Dominica

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Equal age of consent in Dominica is equal.

Current status
Since Apr 22, 2024
Equal
The ban of homosexuality got strucked down by the Supreme Court, so the age of consent is now equal.
Details
Sources:
www.bbc.com/news/world-lati…
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Until Apr 22, 2024
N/A
Homosexuality is illegal.
Details
Sources:
(See sources listed for homosexual activity.)
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LGBT Rights by Parish

View the LGBT laws in each individual parish of Dominica.

    Equality Index ?
    29 / 100
    Legal Rights
    44 / 100
    Public Opinion
    14 / 100

    Equality Rank

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    #234
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    Common queries:
    • Is it illegal to be gay in Dominica?
    • Is homosexuality legal in Dominica?
    • Is gay marriage legal in Dominica?

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