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Research in attittudes towards LGBTQ+ issues in Ethiopia have identified a strong opposition to LGBTQ+ rights, reflecting underlying homophobic sentiments.

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History

Homosexual activity in Ethiopia

?

Homosexual activity in Ethiopia is illegal (imprisonment as punishment).

Current status
Illegal (imprisonment as punishment)
Homosexuality is illegal in Ethiopia and penalties can range from 10 days to three years, according to the UN Refugee Agency. There is a maximum sentence of 10 years that can be imposed if an offender "uses violence, intimidation or coercion, trickery or fraud, or takes unfair advantage of the victim’s inability to offer resistance."

This status may change soon as several anti-gay organizations are pushing for the death penalty.
Details
Sources:
www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/20…
www.refworld.org/cgi-bin/te…
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Same-sex marriage in Ethiopia

?

Same-sex marriage in Ethiopia is banned.

Current status
Since Jan 1, 2009
Banned
Ethiopia's federal law places a statutory ban on same-sex marriage.
Details
Sources:
tile.loc.gov/storage-servic…
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Until Dec 31, 2008
Unrecognized
Homosexuality is currently illegal.
Details
Sources:
www.humandignitytrust.org/c…
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Censorship of LGBT issues in Ethiopia

?

Censorship of LGBT issues in Ethiopia is state-enforced.

Current status
Since May 9, 2005
State-enforced
Article 640 of the Penal Code (2004) criminalises the possession or dissemination of “grossly indecent material”, including providing information on how to procure them. The Code came into force in 2005.

A wide range of websites is reported to be blocked in Ethiopia, including the websites of LGBTI groups and organisations.
Details
Sources:
wipolex-res.wipo.int/edocs/…
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Right to change legal gender in Ethiopia

?

Right to change legal gender in Ethiopia is illegal.

Current status
Illegal
Ethiopia provides no opportunity for trans people to change their legal gender and they often face persecution.
Details
Sources:
queerintheworld.com/lgbt-ri…
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Gender-affirming care in Ethiopia

?

Gender-affirming care in Ethiopia is restricted.

Current status
Restricted
In Ethiopia, gender-affirming care is not explicitly regulated by law. However, there is limited access to gender-affirming healthcare services due to various factors, including societal stigma, lack of awareness among healthcare providers, and limited resources. Additionally, there are no specific legal protections or regulations regarding gender-affirming treatments or procedures. As a result, individuals seeking gender-affirming care in Ethiopia may face significant challenges in accessing appropriate and comprehensive healthcare services.
Details
Sources:
queerintheworld.com/lgbt-ri…
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Legal recognition of non-binary gender in Ethiopia

?

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

Current status
Not legally recognized
Non-binary identities are not legally recognized.
Details
Sources:
database.ilga.org/ethiopia-lgbti
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LGBT discrimination in Ethiopia

?

LGBT discrimination in Ethiopia is no protections.

Current status
No protections
In Ethiopia, neither sexual orientation nor gender identity is a protected class from discrimination.
Details
Sources:
theadvocatesforhumanrights.…
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LGBT employment discrimination in Ethiopia

?

LGBT employment discrimination in Ethiopia is no protections.

Current status
No protections
In Ethiopia, neither sexual orientation nor gender identity is a protected class from employment discrimination.
Details
Sources:
theadvocatesforhumanrights.…
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LGBT housing discrimination in Ethiopia

?

LGBT housing discrimination in Ethiopia is no protections.

Current status
No protections
In Ethiopia, neither sexual orientation nor gender identity is a protected class from housing discrimination.
Details
Sources:
theadvocatesforhumanrights.…
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Same-sex adoption in Ethiopia

?

Same-sex adoption in Ethiopia is illegal.

Current status
Since Jul 29, 2018
Illegal
Ethiopian law prohibits same-sex couples from adopting a child.
Details
Sources:
dot429.com/articles/1642-co…
travel.state.gov/content/ad…
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Intersex infant surgery in Ethiopia

?

Intersex infant surgery in Ethiopia is not banned.

Current status
Not banned
Not banned in Ethiopia.
Details
Sources:
database.ilga.org/ethiopia-lgbti
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Serving openly in military in Ethiopia

?

Serving openly in military in Ethiopia is illegal.

Current status
Illegal
Details
Sources:
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LGBT_…
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Blood donations by MSMs in Ethiopia

?

Blood donations by MSMs in Ethiopia is banned (indefinite deferral).

Current status
Banned (indefinite deferral)
There is no ban on MSM blood donations. While homosexuality is illegal in Ethiopia, simply because homosexuality is illegal does not automatically mean that msm blood donations are not accepted.
Details
Sources:
www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/20…
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Conversion therapy in Ethiopia

?

Conversion therapy in Ethiopia is not banned.

Current status
Not banned
Conversion therapy is legal and widespread in Ethiopia.
Details
Sources:
cdn.sida.se/app/uploads/202…
www.state.gov/reports/2023-…
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Equal age of consent in Ethiopia

?

Equal age of consent in Ethiopia is n/a.

Current status
N/A
Homosexuality is illegal, so the age of consent does not apply.
Details
Sources:
outrightinternational.org/o…
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LGBT Rights by State

View the LGBT laws in each individual state of Ethiopia.

    Equality Index ?
    10 / 100
    Legal Rights
    7 / 100
    Public Opinion
    13 / 100

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    #80
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    Ethiopia LGBT Organizations

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