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Public Opinion

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Recent studies in Nicaragua show a discernible level of opposition to LGBTQ+ rights among the population.

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History

Homosexual activity in Nicaragua

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Homosexual activity in Nicaragua is legal.

Current status
Since Mar 2008
Legal
Nicaragua legalized homosexuality in 2008 after a new penal code was adopted. Under the new penal code, consensual gay sex was not included as a criminal offense.
Details
Sources:
www.thepinknews.com/2007/11…
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Sep 1992–Mar 2008
Illegal (imprisonment as punishment) federal law
In 1992, Nicaragua passed legislation that criminalized “anyone who induces, promotes, propagandises or practices sexual intercourse between persons of the same sex commits the crime of sodomy,” with a punishment of one to three years of imprisonment.
Details
Sources:
www.thepinknews.com/2007/11…
www.amnesty.org/es/wp-conte…
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Same-sex marriage in Nicaragua

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Same-sex marriage in Nicaragua is banned.

Current status
Since Jan 1, 1987
Banned
Article 72 of the 1987 constitution states that marriage is between a man and a woman, effectively banning same-sex marriage in Nicaragua.
Details
Sources:
www.wipo.int/wipolex/en/tex…
www.constituteproject.org/c…
country-studies.com/nicarag…
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Censorship of LGBT issues in Nicaragua

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Censorship of LGBT issues in Nicaragua is no censorship.

Current status
Since Mar 2008
No censorship
Since the repeal of the previous law and that which criminalises same sex sexual activity in Nicaragua, there are no laws restricting the discussion or promotion of LGBTQ+ topics. However, since the 2018 crackdown on student protests, LGBTIQ+ organisations have faced harassment and de facto restrictions from the government.
Details
Sources:
www.state.gov/reports/2023-…
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Sep 1992–Mar 2008
State-enforced federal law
In 1992, the government banned: "anyone who induces, promotes, propagandises or practices sexual intercourse between persons of the same sex".
Details
Sources:
www.thepinknews.com/2007/11…
www.amnesty.org/es/wp-conte…
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Right to change legal gender in Nicaragua

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Right to change legal gender in Nicaragua is illegal.

Current status
Illegal
No laws regarding change of legal gender.
Details
Sources:
www.nationalgeographic.com/…
www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/ar…
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Gender-affirming care in Nicaragua

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Gender-affirming care in Nicaragua is unknown.

Current status
Unknown

Legal recognition of non-binary gender in Nicaragua

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

Current status
Not legally recognized
Non-binary identities are not legally recognized in Nicaragua.
Details
Sources:
www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/ar…
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LGBT discrimination in Nicaragua

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LGBT discrimination in Nicaragua is illegal in some contexts.

Current status
Since May 1, 2008
Illegal in some contexts
Legal measures against LGBT discrimination exist in the workplace (2008) and in health (2014).
Details
Sources:
database.ilga.org/nicaragua-lgbti
www.wipo.int/wipolex/en/tex…
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LGBT employment discrimination in Nicaragua

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LGBT employment discrimination in Nicaragua is sexual orientation only.

Current status
Since May 1, 2008
Sexual orientation only
Article 315 of the Criminal Code (2008) bans employment discrimination based on sexual option.
Details
Sources:
database.ilga.org/api/downl…
freedomhouse.org/report/fre…
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LGBT housing discrimination in Nicaragua

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LGBT housing discrimination in Nicaragua is no protections.

Current status
No protections
According to ILGA laws in force in Nicaragua do not offer protection against LGBT discrimination in housing.
Details
Sources:
database.ilga.org/nicaragua-lgbti
www.amnesty.org/en/wp-conte…
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Same-sex adoption in Nicaragua

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Same-sex adoption in Nicaragua is illegal.

Current status
Illegal
Article 239(a) of the Family Code (2014) establishes that adoption may be requested by a couple consisting of a man and a woman who live together in a marital union or in a stable de facto union.
Details
Sources:
Family Code
legislacion.asamblea.gob.ni…
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Intersex infant surgery in Nicaragua

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Intersex infant surgery in Nicaragua is not banned.

Current status
Not banned
Surgery on intersex infants is legal in Nicaragua but not reported.
Details
Sources:
www.state.gov/reports/2023-…
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Serving openly in military in Nicaragua

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Serving openly in military in Nicaragua is illegal.

Current status
Illegal
The Nicaraguan Army does not allow LGBT people to serve openly.
Details
Sources:
confidencial.digital/opinio…
www.cbc.ca/news/world/count…
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Blood donations by MSMs in Nicaragua

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Blood donations by MSMs in Nicaragua is unknown.

Current status
Unknown

Conversion therapy in Nicaragua

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Conversion therapy in Nicaragua is not banned.

Current status
Not banned
Reportedly, conversion therapy is quite widespread and currently, no ban exists in Nicaragua.
Details
Sources:
www.state.gov/reports/2023-… - Section 6.7
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Equal age of consent in Nicaragua

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Equal age of consent in Nicaragua is equal.

Current status
Since Mar 2008
Equal
Nicaraguan law does not specify a homosexual age of consent and a heterosexual one.
Details
Sources:
legislacion.asamblea.gob.ni…
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Until Mar 2008
N/A
Before the revisions to the penal code, same sex sexual activities were outlawed.
Details
Sources:
www.thepinknews.com/2007/11…
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LGBT Rights by Department

View the LGBT laws in each individual department of Nicaragua.

    Equality Index ?
    39 / 100
    Legal Rights
    41 / 100
    Public Opinion
    37 / 100

    Equality Rank

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    #128
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    Compare Nicaragua

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    LGBT Rights in Central America

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