LGBT Rights in Nord Province

Nord is governed by federal Rwanda law. Learn more
    Homosexuality
    ✔ Legal
    Gay Marriage
    ✖ Banned
    Censorship
    ✔ No censorship
    Changing Gender
    ✖ Illegal
    Gender-Affirming Care
    ✖ Restricted
    Non-Binary Gender Recognition
    ✖ Not legally recognized
    Discrimination
    ✖ Illegal in some contexts
    Employment Discrimination
    ✖ No protections
    Housing Discrimination
    ✔ Sexual orientation and gender identity
    Adoption
    ✖ Illegal
    Intersex Infant Surgery
    Unknown
    Military
    ✖ Lesbians, gays, bisexuals permitted, transgender people banned
    Donating Blood
    ✖ Banned (indefinite deferral)
    Conversion Therapy
    ✖ Not banned
    Age of Consent
    ✔ Equal
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Public Opinion

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History

Homosexual activity in Nord

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Homosexual activity in Nord is legal.

Current status
Legal
Rwanda does not criminalise gay sex, but homophobic attitudes are common throughout the nation.
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Same-sex marriage in Nord

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Same-sex marriage in Nord is banned.

Current status
Since May 26, 2003
Banned
The Constitution of Rwanda, adopted in May 2003, defines marriage as a union between a man and a woman. Article 26 states: "Only civil monogamous marriage between a man and a woman is recognized."
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Until May 26, 2003
Unrecognized
No constitutional ban or statue making gay marriage illegal.
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Censorship of LGBT issues in Nord

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Censorship of LGBT issues in Nord is no censorship.

Current status
No censorship
In Rwanda, there are no laws restricting the discussion or promotion of LGBTQ+ topics.
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Right to change legal gender in Nord

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Right to change legal gender in Nord is illegal.

Current status
Illegal
Changing your legal gender in Rwanda is impossible.
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Gender-affirming care in Nord

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Gender-affirming care in Nord is restricted.

Current status
Since 1986
Restricted
In 1986, Rwanda legalized sterilization, which de facto meant legalizing sex reassignment surgery, however, medical records regarding transsexualism had to be obtained abroad.
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Legal recognition of non-binary gender in Nord

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

Current status
Not legally recognized
There is no legal recognition in Rwanda.
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LGBT discrimination in Nord

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LGBT discrimination in Nord is illegal in some contexts.

Current status
Illegal in some contexts
Sexual orientation under the human rights institute.
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LGBT employment discrimination in Nord

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LGBT employment discrimination in Nord is no protections.

Current status
No protections
According to the ILGA World, discrimination on basis of sexual orientation or gender identity in employment is not explicitly banned.
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LGBT housing discrimination in Nord

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LGBT housing discrimination in Nord is sexual orientation and gender identity.

Current status
Since Jan 1, 1980
Sexual orientation and gender identity
"All Rwandans are born and remain equal in rights and freedoms. General guarantee of equality
Discrimination of any kind or its propaganda based on, inter alia, ethnic origin, family
or ancestry, clan, skin colour or race, sex, region, economic categories, religion or
faith, opinion, fortune, cultural differences, language, economic status, physical or
mental disability or any other form of discrimination are prohibited and punishable
by law."
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Same-sex adoption in Nord

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Same-sex adoption in Nord is illegal.

Current status
Illegal
Homosexuality is legal. No laws in place for same sex couples.
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Intersex infant surgery in Nord

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Intersex infant surgery in Nord is unknown.

Current status
Unknown

Serving openly in military in Nord

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Serving openly in military in Nord is lesbians, gays, bisexuals permitted, transgender people banned.

Current status
Lesbians, gays, bisexuals permitted, transgender people banned
Rwanda, like all other African countries have yet to allow trans service
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Blood donations by MSMs in Nord

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Blood donations by MSMs in Nord is banned (indefinite deferral).

Current status
Banned (indefinite deferral)
MSMs are not eligible to donate blood, due to the Rwandan Blood Transfusion Service having concerns over HIV infection rates.
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Conversion therapy in Nord

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Conversion therapy in Nord is not banned.

Current status
Not banned
According to the ILGA World, there's no ban on conversion therapy in Rwanda.
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Equal age of consent in Nord

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Equal age of consent in Nord is equal.

Current status
Equal
Age of consent is set at 18 years of age, regardless of gender or orientation.
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