Regions  ▸  Africa  ▸  Lesotho

LGBT Rights in Mokhotlong
District

💬 Join Equaldex's LGBTQ+ Discord to discuss LGBT rights and chat!

Public Opinion

Mokhotlong is lacking public opinion data.

Help expand our understanding of the public's view on LGBTQ+ issues in Mokhotlong by sharing a link to a survey from a reputable organization.

Suggest Public Opinion Data

Have you lived in or visited Mokhotlong?

Share your experience of being LGBTQ+ in Mokhotlong.

Take Survey

History

Homosexual activity in Mokhotlong

?

Homosexual activity in Mokhotlong is legal.

Current status
Since Mar 9, 2012
Legal
The Penal Code Act of 2010 decriminalized homosexuality.
Details
Sources:
www.lesotholii.org/ls/legis…
Report error  ·  Log
1884–Mar 9, 2012
Male illegal, female legal
The Roman-Dutch law of the Cape Colony, including the sodomy offence, was applied to Basutoland (as Lesotho was then known) by a proclamation of the British High Commissioner in 1884 (exact date unknown).
Details
Sources:
ilga.org/ilga/en/countries/…
lib.ohchr.org/HRBodies/UPR/…
www.jstor.org/stable/23245418 (page 164-165)
Report error  ·  Log

Same-sex marriage in Mokhotlong

?

Same-sex marriage in Mokhotlong is banned.

Current status
Since Oct 4, 1966
Banned
The common law definition of marriage is “a union of one man with one woman, to the exclusion, while it lasts, of all others”
Details
Sources:
lib.ohchr.org/HRBodies/UPR/…
Report error  ·  Log

Censorship of LGBT issues in Mokhotlong

?

Censorship of LGBT issues in Mokhotlong is no censorship.

Current status
No censorship
In Lesotho, there are no laws restricting the discussion or promotion of LGBTQ+ topics.

However, laws against forgery and fraud could be used to criminalise transgender identity which is rarely granted recognition in the country.
Details
Sources:
theotherfoundation.org/wp-c…
web.archive.org/web/2019012…
Report error  ·  Log

Right to change legal gender in Mokhotlong

?

Right to change legal gender in Mokhotlong is legal, but requires medical diagnosis.

Current status
Since Apr 1, 1975
Legal, but requires medical diagnosis
Article 22 of the Registration of Births and Deaths Act (1973) states that "In the event of a child, after being registered, either by operation or otherwise, changing from a female to a male or from a male to a female and such change is certified by a registered medical practitioner, the district registrar of the district in which the birth is registered shall, with the approval of the registrar and on the application of the parent or guardian of that child, alter the particulars of such child which appear in the births register."

People may also possibly change their legal gender under the National Identity Cards Act 9 of 2011.

However, despite the two laws, there is usually no legal recognition granted in practice.
Details
Sources:
commons.laws.africa/akn/ls/…
commons.laws.africa/akn/ls/…
www.southernafricalitigatio…
lesotholii.org/akn/ls/act/1…
Report error  ·  Log
Until Mar 31, 1975
Illegal
Until 1975, there was no legal gender recognition provided in Lesotho.
Details
Sources:
lesotholii.org/akn/ls/act/1…
Report error  ·  Log

Gender-affirming care in Mokhotlong

?

Gender-affirming care in Mokhotlong is restricted.

Current status
Restricted
Neither sex reassignment surgery nor hormone replacement are available in Lesotho leaving people to go to South Africa for healthcare.
Details
Sources:
www.southernafricalitigatio…
Report error  ·  Log

Legal recognition of non-binary gender in Mokhotlong

?

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

Current status
Not legally recognized
Non-binary identities are not legally recognized in Lesotho.
Details
Sources:
database.ilga.org/lesotho-lgbti
Report error  ·  Log

LGBT discrimination in Mokhotlong

?

LGBT discrimination in Mokhotlong is illegal in some contexts.

Current status
Since 2011
Illegal in some contexts
Section 127(4) of the Children's Protection and Welfare Act 2011 states that "No child may be unfairly discriminated against on the basis of sexual orientation in the selection of a diversion programme, process or option and all children shall have equal access to diversion options.

The Labor Code (2024) bans discrimination based on gender and sexual orientation. It bans violence, harassment and sexual harassment based on gender identity.
Details
Sources:
database.ilga.org/lesotho-lgbti
natlex.ilo.org/dyn/natlex2/…
natlex.ilo.org/dyn/natlex2/…
Report error  ·  Log

LGBT employment discrimination in Mokhotlong

?

LGBT employment discrimination in Mokhotlong is sexual orientation and gender identity.

Current status
Since Apr 2, 2024
Sexual orientation and gender identity under federal Lesotho law
The Labor Code (2024) explicitly bans discrimination based on gender and sexual orientation. It also bans violence, harassment and sexual harassment based on gender identity.
Details
Sources:
natlex.ilo.org/dyn/natlex2/…
Report error  ·  Log
Until Apr 2, 2024
No protections
Until 2024, there were no protections from discrimination in employment provided to LGBTIQ+ people in Lesotho.
Details
Sources:
www.state.gov/reports/2023-…
Report error  ·  Log

LGBT housing discrimination in Mokhotlong

?

LGBT housing discrimination in Mokhotlong is no protections.

Current status
No protections
No protections
Details
Sources:
database.ilga.org/lesotho-lgbti
Report error  ·  Log

Same-sex adoption in Mokhotlong

?

Same-sex adoption in Mokhotlong is illegal.

Current status
Since Oct 4, 1966
Illegal
Single males and same-sex couples cannot adopt
Details
Sources:
lib.ohchr.org/HRBodies/UPR/…
Report error  ·  Log

Intersex infant surgery in Mokhotlong

?

Intersex infant surgery in Mokhotlong is not banned.

Current status
Not banned
Surgery on intersex infants is legal in Lesotho but not reported.
Details
Sources:
www.state.gov/reports/2023-…
Report error  ·  Log

Serving openly in military in Mokhotlong

?

Serving openly in military in Mokhotlong is lesbians, gays, bisexuals permitted, transgender people banned.

Current status
Lesbians, gays, bisexuals permitted, transgender people banned
Not a single country in Africa allows trans military service .
Details
Sources:
www.cbc.ca/news/world/count…
Report error  ·  Log

Blood donations by MSMs in Mokhotlong

?

Blood donations by MSMs in Mokhotlong is unknown.

Current status
Unknown

Conversion therapy in Mokhotlong

?

Conversion therapy in Mokhotlong is not banned.

Current status
Not banned
Conversion therapy is legal in Lesotho but not reported.
Details
Sources:
www.state.gov/reports/2023-…
Report error  ·  Log

Equal age of consent in Mokhotlong

?

Equal age of consent in Mokhotlong is unknown.

Current status
Unknown
Equality Index ?
40 / 100
Legal Rights
52 / 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 Mokhotlong to help improve its accuracy.

Top Contributors

Mokhotlong LGBT Organizations

There are no organizations listed in Mokhotlong. Suggest one

Share Region

Compare Mokhotlong

40

Compare with
Qacha's Nek, Lesotho

40

Compare with
Leribe, Lesotho

40

Compare with
Quthing, Lesotho

40

Compare with
Mafeteng, Lesotho

40

Compare with
Butha-Buthe, Lesotho

40

Compare with
Mohale's Hoek, Lesotho

40

Compare with
Berea, Lesotho

40

Compare with
Thaba-Tseka, Lesotho

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

LGBT Rights in

40

LGBT Rights in
Qacha's Nek

40

LGBT Rights in
Leribe

40

LGBT Rights in
Quthing

40

LGBT Rights in
Mafeteng

40

LGBT Rights in
Butha-Buthe

40

LGBT Rights in
Mohale's Hoek

40

LGBT Rights in
Berea

40

LGBT Rights in
Thaba-Tseka

40

LGBT Rights in
Maseru