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Public Opinion

Public opinion in Maldives has shown a widespread rejection of LGBTQ+ rights, reflecting a critical situation for LGBTQ+ individuals, based on limited public opinion data in Maldives.

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History

Homosexual activity in Maldives

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

Current status
Since Jul 16, 2015
Illegal (imprisonment as punishment)
Since 2015, Maldives’ Penal Code has criminalized both male and female homosexual sex.

Section 411 of the 2014 Penal Code criminalizes same-sex intercourse with up to eight years imprisonment and allows an additional 100 lashes under Sharia law. Section 412 prohibits same-sex sexual contact, also punishable by up to eight years, applying to both men and women.
Details
Sources:
www.law.upenn.edu/live/file…
www.humandignitytrust.org/c…
maldivesindependent.com/pol…
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Until Jul 15, 2015
Illegal (other penalty)
Before 2015, Maldives’ Penal Code did not explicitly criminalize homosexual sex. However, uncodified Sharia law criminalized homosexual acts between men and between women. Men found guilty could be punished with banishment for a period of nine months to one year, or with 10 to 30 lashes. Women found guilty faced house arrest for nine months to one year.
Details
Sources:
www.ohchr.org/sites/default…
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Same-sex marriage in Maldives

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Same-sex marriage in Maldives is banned.

Current status
Since Jul 16, 2015
Banned
Section 410 (a) (8) of Maldives’ 2014 Penal Code states: “A person commits an offense if two persons of the same sex enter into a marriage.”
Details
Sources:
www.law.upenn.edu/live/file…
maldivesindependent.com/pol…
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Until Jul 15, 2015
Unrecognized
Before 2015, the Maldives neither banned nor recognized same-sex marriage.
Details
Sources:
www.humandignitytrust.org/c…
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Censorship of LGBT issues in Maldives

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Censorship of LGBT issues in Maldives is ambiguous.

Current status
Ambiguous
The Maldives does not have any laws explicitly restricting the discussion or promotion of LGBTQ+ topics. However, laws prohibit public statements that are contrary to Islam, threaten the public order, or are libelous.
Details
Sources:
www.refworld.org/reference/…
www.law.upenn.edu/live/file…
database.ilga.org/maldives-lgbti
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Right to change legal gender in Maldives

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Right to change legal gender in Maldives is illegal.

Current status
Illegal
Transgender people are unable to change their legal gender.
Details
Sources:
www.state.gov/reports/2023-…
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Gender-affirming care in Maldives

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Gender-affirming care in Maldives is restricted.

Current status
Restricted
Gender-affirming care is not provided in the Maldives but not explicitly banned.
Details
Sources:
www.topsurgery.ca/blog/coun…
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Legal recognition of non-binary gender in Maldives

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

Current status
Not legally recognized
The option to legally identify as a third gender is not available.
Details
Sources:
www.state.gov/reports/2023-…
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LGBT discrimination in Maldives

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LGBT discrimination in Maldives is no protections.

Current status
No protections
The Maldives provides no protections from discrimination to LGBTIQ+ people.
Details
Sources:
www.state.gov/reports/2023-…
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LGBT employment discrimination in Maldives

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LGBT employment discrimination in Maldives is no protections.

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

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LGBT housing discrimination in Maldives is no protections.

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

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Same-sex adoption in Maldives is n/a.

Current status
N/A
Adoption is prohibited for everyone in the Maldives.
Details
Sources:
travel.state.gov/content/tr…
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Intersex infant surgery in Maldives

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Intersex infant surgery in Maldives is not banned.

Current status
Not banned
The Maldives do not ban “normalization” surgeries performed on intersex infants.
Details
Sources:
database.ilga.org/maldives-lgbti
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Serving openly in military in Maldives

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Serving openly in military in Maldives is unknown.

Current status
Unknown

Blood donations by MSMs in Maldives

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Blood donations by MSMs in Maldives is ambiguous.

Current status
Ambiguous
Men who have sex with men are considered criminals under the law.

Section 2.8 of the National Guideline on Clinical Use of Blood (2022) states that "Prospective donors are assessed for suitability to donate blood depending on their general health, wellbeing, medical history, lifestyle behaviours and any risks pertaining to transfusion transmitted infections."
Details
Sources:
health.gov.mv/storage/uploa…
health.gov.mv/en/department…
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Conversion therapy in Maldives

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Conversion therapy in Maldives is not banned.

Current status
Not banned
The Maldives do not ban conversion therapies that aim to change a person’s sexual orientation or gender identity.
Details
Sources:
ilga.org/downloads/ILGA_Wor… (page 328)
www.state.gov/reports/2023-…
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Equal age of consent in Maldives

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Equal age of consent in Maldives is n/a.

Current status
N/A
Homosexuality is illegal, so there is no legal age of consent.
Details
Sources:
www.humandignitytrust.org/c…
www.ohchr.org/sites/default…
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LGBT Rights by Administrative Atoll

View the LGBT laws in each individual administrative atoll of Maldives.

    Equality Index ?
    6 / 100
    Legal Rights
    5 / 100
    Public Opinion
    8 / 100

    Equality Rank

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    #132
    Interest Rank based on Equaldex traffic ?

    Top Contributors

    1 User Live in Maldives

    Xuxi_LiaKim

    Maldives LGBT Organizations

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    Common queries:
    • Is it illegal to be gay in Maldives?
    • Is homosexuality legal in Maldives?
    • Is gay marriage legal in Maldives?
    Alternative names: Dhivehi Raajje/Maldives (local name)

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