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LGBT Rights in Karas Region

Karas is governed by federal Namibia law. Learn more
    Homosexuality
    ✖ Male illegal, female legal
    Gay Marriage
    ✖ Foreign same-sex marriages recognized only
    Censorship
    ✔ No censorship
    Changing Gender
    ✖ Legal, but requires surgery
    Non-binary gender recognition
    ✖ Not legally recognized
    Discrimination
    ✖ Illegal in some contexts
    Employment Discrimination
    ✖ Sexual orientation only
    Housing Discrimination
    ✖ Sexual orientation only
    Adoption
    Ambiguous
    Military
    Ambiguous
    Donating Blood
    ✔ Legal
    Conversion Therapy
    ✖ Not banned
    Age of Consent
    ✔ Equal

Public Opinion

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History

Homosexual activity in Karas

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Homosexual activity in Karas is male illegal, female legal.

A new law will be going into effect soon.
Not yet in effect
Going into effect May 17, 2024
Legal
On November 1, 2023, Windhoek High Court judges Nate Ndauendapo, Shafimana Ueitele and Claudia Claasen announced that they will reserve the judgement on May 17, 2024.
Added by Pizzaslices412653  ·  0 accurate votes  ·  Report Error  ·  Log
Current status
1920–May 17, 2024
Male illegal, female legal
Not enforced. Decriminalization pending. Court plans to decriminalize homosexuality by May 17, 2024.
Added by danlev  ·  0 accurate votes  ·  Report Error  ·  Log

Same-sex marriage in Karas

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Same-sex marriage in Karas is foreign same-sex marriages recognized only.

Current status
Foreign same-sex marriages recognized only
Namibian state does not perform same-sex marriage, however in numerous cases foreign same sex marriages have been recognized and parental rights have even been granted to gay couples looking to adopt.
Added by vviet93  ·  0 accurate votes  ·  Report Error  ·  Log

Censorship of LGBT Issues in Karas

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Censorship of LGBT Issues in Karas is no censorship.

Current status
No censorship
In Namibia, there are no laws restricting the discussion or promotion of LGBTQ+ topics.
Added by equaldex  ·  0 accurate votes  ·  Report Error  ·  Log

Right to change legal gender in Karas

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Right to change legal gender in Karas is legal, but requires surgery.

Current status
Legal, but requires surgery
It was reported in 2015 that applications for change of sex are done on a case-by-case basis and are not problematic, as long as a person can provide medical reports of their sex change, which includes undergoing sex reassignment surgery. Once the application is granted, a transgender person can apply for a new identity document and passport.
Added by Ausyk  ·  0 accurate votes  ·  Report Error  ·  Log

Legal recognition of non-binary gender in Karas

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

Current status
Not legally recognized
There is no legal recognition of non-binary identities in Namibia.
Added by Notdog1996  ·  0 accurate votes  ·  Report Error  ·  Log

LGBT discrimination in Karas

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LGBT discrimination in Karas is illegal in some contexts.

Current status
Since Oct 21, 2021
Illegal in some contexts
"A Namibian court has found that the constitution bans discrimination based on sexual orientation."
Added by DuffdeNecker  ·  0 accurate votes  ·  Report Error  ·  Log

Mar 12, 1990–Oct 21, 2021
No protections
Discrimination is legal (as there are no provisions) and the date provided is the date that the constitution of the country is written. Discrimination protection is only granted for sex, race, social and economic conditions.
Added by vviet93  ·  0 accurate votes  ·  Report Error  ·  Log

LGBT employment discrimination in Karas

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LGBT employment discrimination in Karas is sexual orientation only.

Current status
Since Oct 21, 2021
Sexual orientation only
"A Namibian court has found that the constitution bans discrimination based on sexual orientation."
Section 139 of the Labour Act of 2004 repealed the Labour Act of 1992 which in Section 107 prohibited sexual orientation discrimination.
Added by murrayhawthorne  ·  0 accurate votes  ·  Report Error  ·  Log

LGBT housing discrimination in Karas

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LGBT housing discrimination in Karas is sexual orientation only.

Current status
Since Oct 21, 2021
Sexual orientation only
"A Namibian court has found that the constitution bans discrimination based on sexual orientation."
Added by Ausyk  ·  0 accurate votes  ·  Report Error  ·  Log

Mar 12, 2004–Sep 18, 2017
Sexual orientation and gender identity
just recently added protection
Added by Ausyk  ·  0 accurate votes  ·  Report Error  ·  Log

Same-sex adoption in Karas

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Same-sex adoption in Karas is ambiguous.

Current status
Ambiguous
No laws in place for same sex couples, however recently the Namibian government allowed a same-sex couple legal custody over their child.
Added by Ausyk  ·  0 accurate votes  ·  Report Error  ·  Log

Serving openly in military in Karas

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Serving openly in military in Karas is ambiguous.

Current status
Ambiguous
No known laws prohibit
Added by Ausyk  ·  0 accurate votes  ·  Report Error  ·  Log

Blood donations by MSMs in Karas

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Blood donations by MSMs in Karas is legal.

Current status
Legal
No laws against it
Added by Ausyk  ·  0 accurate votes  ·  Report Error  ·  Log

Conversion therapy in Karas

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Conversion therapy in Karas is not banned.

Current status
Not banned
Unknown.
Added by Ausyk  ·  0 accurate votes  ·  Report Error  ·  Log

Equal age of consent in Karas

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Equal age of consent in Karas is equal.

Current status
Equal
Set age of Consent.
Added by Ausyk  ·  0 accurate votes  ·  Report Error  ·  Log