Mafeteng is governed by federal Lesotho law. Learn more
- Homosexuality
- ⚢✔ Legal
- Gay Marriage
- ⚭✖ Unrecognized
- Censorship
- ✔ No censorship
- Changing Gender
- ✖ Legal, but requires medical diagnosis
- Gender-Affirming Care
- ✖ Restricted
- Non-Binary Gender Recognition
- ✖ Not legally recognized
- Discrimination
- ✖ Illegal in some contexts
- Employment Discrimination
- ✔ Sexual orientation and gender identity
- Housing Discrimination
- ✖ No protections
- Adoption
- ✖ Single only
- Intersex Infant Surgery
- ✖ Not banned
- Military
- ✔ Legal
- Donating Blood
- ✔ Legal
- Conversion Therapy
- ✖ Not banned
- Age of Consent
- ✔ Equal
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Public Opinion
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Homosexual activity in Mafeteng is legal.
Current status
Since Mar 9, 2012
Same-sex marriage in Mafeteng is unrecognized.
Current status
Unrecognized
There is no legal recognition provided to same-sex couples in Lesotho. However, there is also no explicit ban on marriage.
Censorship of LGBT issues in Mafeteng 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.
However, laws against forgery and fraud could be used to criminalise transgender identity which is rarely granted recognition in the country.
Right to change legal gender in Mafeteng 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.
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.
Gender-affirming care in Mafeteng 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.
Legal recognition of non-binary gender in Mafeteng is not legally recognized.
Current status
Not legally recognized
Non-binary identities are not legally recognized in Lesotho.
LGBT discrimination in Mafeteng is illegal in some contexts.
Current status
Since Jan 5, 2012
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 law came into effect in 2012.
The Labor Code (2024) bans discrimination based on gender and sexual orientation. It bans violence, harassment and sexual harassment based on gender identity.
The Labor Code (2024) bans discrimination based on gender and sexual orientation. It bans violence, harassment and sexual harassment based on gender identity.
LGBT employment discrimination in Mafeteng is sexual orientation and gender identity.
LGBT housing discrimination in Mafeteng is no protections.
Current status
No protections
There are no protections from discrimination in housing provided to LGBTIQ+ people in Lesotho.
Same-sex adoption in Mafeteng is single only.
Current status
Single only
Single males and same-sex couples cannot adopt in Lesotho.
Intersex infant surgery in Mafeteng is not banned.
Current status
Not banned
Surgery on intersex infants is legal in Lesotho but not reported.
Serving openly in military in Mafeteng is legal.
Current status
Legal
There are no known bans or restrictions on LGBTIQ+ people serving in the military of Lesotho.
Blood donations by MSMs in Mafeteng is legal.
Current status
Legal
There are no known bans or restrictions on blood donations from men who have sex with men in Lesotho.
Conversion therapy in Mafeteng is not banned.
Current status
Not banned
Conversion therapy is legal in Lesotho but not reported.
Legal Rights
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This region's Equality Index is based on legal rights alone. Please submit survey results that show the public opinion of LGBTQ+ issues in Mafeteng to help improve its accuracy.
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