Rakhine is governed by federal Myanmar law. Learn more
- Homosexuality
- ⚢✖ Illegal (imprisonment as punishment)
- Gay Marriage
- ⚭✖ Unrecognized
- Censorship
- ✖ State-enforced
- Changing Gender
- ✖ Illegal
- Gender-Affirming Care
- ✖ Restricted
- Non-Binary Gender Recognition
- ✖ Not legally recognized
- Discrimination
- ✖ No protections
- Employment Discrimination
- ✖ No protections
- Housing Discrimination
- ✖ No protections
- Adoption
- ✖ Single only
- Intersex Infant Surgery
- ✖ Not banned
- Military
- Unknown
- Donating Blood
- ✔ Legal
- Conversion Therapy
- ✖ Not banned
- Age of Consent
- N/A
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Public Opinion
Rakhine is lacking public opinion data.
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Homosexual activity in Rakhine is illegal (imprisonment as punishment).
Current status
Since May 1, 1861
Illegal (imprisonment as punishment)
Section 377 of Myanmar's Penal Code states: "Whoever voluntarily has carnal intercourse against the order of nature with any man, woman or animal shall be punished with transportation for life, or with imprisonment
of either description for a term which may extend to ten years, and shall also be liable to fine."
of either description for a term which may extend to ten years, and shall also be liable to fine."
Censorship of LGBT issues in Rakhine is state-enforced.
Current status
Since Mar 19, 1946
State-enforced
The Police Act of 1945 contains Section 35(c) which criminalises people covering their faces or otherwise disguising themselves between sunset and sunrise “who are unable to give a satisfactory account of himself”. This law has been used arbitrarily to target transgender people in Myanmar for their gender expression.
Additionally, LGBTIQ+ websites have been blocked in 2012.
Since the 2021 coup, the government has been using the guise of anti terrorism laws to arrest LGBT activists and peaceful protesters.
Additionally, LGBTIQ+ websites have been blocked in 2012.
Since the 2021 coup, the government has been using the guise of anti terrorism laws to arrest LGBT activists and peaceful protesters.
Right to change legal gender in Rakhine is illegal.
Current status
Illegal
Myanmar does not allow individuals to change the gender assigned to them at birth.
Legal recognition of non-binary gender in Rakhine is not legally recognized.
Current status
Not legally recognized
Myanmar does not allow individuals to change the gender assigned to them at birth.
LGBT discrimination in Rakhine is no protections.
Current status
No protections
There are no protections from discrimination provided to LGBTIQ+ people in Myanmar.
LGBT employment discrimination in Rakhine is no protections.
Current status
No protections
Myanmar does not provide any protections against employment discrimination for LGBT individuals.
LGBT housing discrimination in Rakhine is no protections.
Current status
No protections
There are no protections from discrimination in housing provided to LGBTIQ+ people in Myanmar.
Same-sex adoption in Rakhine is single only.
Current status
Single only
Adoption criteria in Myanmar only allows for married couples (same sex marriage is not recognised) or single people to adopt.
Intersex infant surgery in Rakhine is not banned.
Current status
Not banned
Myanmar has not banned genital "normalisation" surgeries on intersex infants.
Serving openly in military in Rakhine is unknown.
Current status
Unknown
Blood donations by MSMs in Rakhine is legal.
Current status
Legal
MSMs are not mentioned in Myanmar's blood service's donor eligibility criteria.
Conversion therapy in Rakhine is not banned.
Current status
Not banned
Myanmar law does not currently ban conversion therapy.
Equal age of consent in Rakhine is n/a.
Current status
Since May 1, 1861
N/A
Section 377 of the penal code prohibits same-sex sexual activity.
Legal Rights
12 / 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 Rakhine to help improve its accuracy.
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Rakhine LGBT Organizations
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Common queries:
- Is it illegal to be gay in Rakhine?
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- Is gay marriage legal in Rakhine?
Alternative names: Arakan