Beirut is governed by federal Lebanon law. Learn more
- Homosexuality
- ⚢✖ Male illegal, female legal
- Gay Marriage
- ⚭✖ Banned
- Censorship
- ✖ Imprisonment as punishment
- Changing Gender
- ✖ Legal, but requires surgery
- Gender-Affirming Care
- ✔ Legal
- Non-Binary Gender Recognition
- ✖ Not legally recognized
- Discrimination
- ✖ No protections
- Employment Discrimination
- ✖ No protections
- Housing Discrimination
- ✖ No protections
- Adoption
- ✖ Single only
- Intersex Infant Surgery
- Unknown
- Military
- ✖ Don't Ask, Don't Tell
- Donating Blood
- ✖ Banned (indefinite deferral)
- Conversion Therapy
- ✖ Not banned
- Age of Consent
- N/A
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Public Opinion
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Homosexual activity in Beirut is male illegal, female legal.
Current status
Since Mar 1, 1943
Male illegal, female legal
Article 534 of the Lebanese Penal Code prohibits sexual relations that “contradict the laws of nature”. While the law has been used to penalize homosexuality, it has been successfully challenged in court several times with defendants being acquitted and enforcement is rare. Several courts have also declined to prosecute. Currently, no national law has been passed to repeal Article 534, decriminalize homosexual activity, or clarify the position of the law.
Same-sex marriage in Beirut is banned.
Current status
Banned
In Lebanon, only religious marriages are permitted. 15 separate family laws are in force in Lebanon and are administered by separate religious courts.
The country does not recognize same-sex marriage or any other form of legal partnership for same-sex couples.
The country does not recognize same-sex marriage or any other form of legal partnership for same-sex couples.
Censorship of LGBT issues in Beirut is imprisonment as punishment.
Current status
Since Oct 27, 1943
Imprisonment as punishment
Article 521 of the 1943 Penal Code of Lebanon explicitly criminalises “men disguising themselves as women” with 6 years imprisonment, criminalising the gender expression of trans women and cross dressers.
The Lebanese government has vowed to shut down LGBT organizations, while several films have been banned in the country for LGBT content. Although it is not explicitly illegal to promote homosexuality as many LGBT night clubs and bars exist in the country.
The Lebanese government has vowed to shut down LGBT organizations, while several films have been banned in the country for LGBT content. Although it is not explicitly illegal to promote homosexuality as many LGBT night clubs and bars exist in the country.
Right to change legal gender in Beirut is legal, but requires surgery.
Current status
Since Jan 2016
Legal, but requires surgery
As well as requiring gender reassignment surgery, they must also be unmarried and not have children.
Gender-affirming care in Beirut is legal.
Current status
Legal
Unlike most Middle Eastern countries, there are no legal restrictions on gender affirming care in Lebanon and any treatment with it is considered lawful provided the recipient consents to it.
The main constraints are the lack of availability as trans Lebanese have to go through private institutions as the government does not offer such services. It is often quite costly with it only getting worse due to recent economic crises.
The main constraints are the lack of availability as trans Lebanese have to go through private institutions as the government does not offer such services. It is often quite costly with it only getting worse due to recent economic crises.
Legal recognition of non-binary gender in Beirut is not legally recognized.
Current status
Not legally recognized
Lebanon provides no legal gender recognition to nonbinary people and the process for such only gives the options of male and female.
LGBT discrimination in Beirut is no protections.
Current status
No protections
No protections from discrimination.
LGBT employment discrimination in Beirut is no protections.
Current status
No protections
No protections.
LGBT housing discrimination in Beirut is no protections.
Current status
No protections
There are no protections from discrimination in housing provided to LGBTIQ+ people in Lebanon.
Same-sex adoption in Beirut is single only.
Current status
Single only
Both married and single individuals may adopt in Lebanon. However, Lebanon does not recognize same-sex marriage.
Intersex infant surgery in Beirut is unknown.
Current status
Unknown
Serving openly in military in Beirut is don't ask, don't tell.
Blood donations by MSMs in Beirut is banned (indefinite deferral).
Current status
Banned (indefinite deferral)
Any man who has had sexual contact with another man ever is banned from donating blood.
Conversion therapy in Beirut is not banned.
Current status
Not banned
Homosexuality was declassified as an illness in 2013.
The Lebanese Psychiatric Society, the Lebanese Psychological Association, other professional associations and NGOs have called for banning conversion therapy. To date, it is still legal.
The Lebanese Psychiatric Society, the Lebanese Psychological Association, other professional associations and NGOs have called for banning conversion therapy. To date, it is still legal.
Legal Rights
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Alternative names: Bayrout, Bayrut, Beirut, Beyrout, Beyrouth, Beyrût