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Public Opinion

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History

Homosexual activity in Somalia

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Homosexual activity in Somalia is illegal (death penalty as punishment).

Current status
Since Jun 12, 2012
Illegal (death penalty as punishment) federal law
The Provisional Constitution of Somalia (2012) upheld the preeminence of Sharia law. As such, the possibility of Sharia courts imposing the death penalty for individuals convicted of engaging in homosexual sex is possible.
Details
Sources:
database.ilga.org/api/downl… (Arabic)
www.ohchr.org/sites/default… (joint submission for to fix laws)
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Apr 3, 1964–Jun 12, 2012
Illegal (imprisonment as punishment) federal law
Article 409 of the Somalian Penal Code of 1964, says that sexual intercourse with a partner of the same sex is punishable with an imprisonment of 3 months up to 3 years.
Details
Sources:
www.somalilandlaw.com/Penal…
"www.washingtonpost.com/blog…
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Same-sex marriage in Somalia

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Same-sex marriage in Somalia is banned.

Current status
Since Jan 11, 1975
Banned
The Marriage Law of 1975 states that marriage is defined as a contract between a man and a woman having equal rights and duties with the
object of creating a family.
Details
Sources:
tile.loc.gov/storage-servic…
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Censorship of LGBT issues in Somalia

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Censorship of LGBT issues in Somalia is other punishment.

Current status
Since Apr 3, 1964
Other punishment
Article 402 of the Penal Code (1964) of Somalia prohibits the commission of any “obscene act” while Article 403 prohibits the sale, distribution, and exhibition of any “obscene object”. Article 404 deems acts and objectives as “obscene” where they, in the general opinion, are “offensive to modesty”. Article 409, which criminalises same-sex intimacy, is part of the same chapter on “offences against modesty” in the legislation.
Details
Sources:
www.refworld.org/docid/4bc5…
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Right to change legal gender in Somalia

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Right to change legal gender in Somalia is illegal.

Current status
Illegal
Legally no way to change gender. Crossdressing is illegal in the Sharia ruled controlled territories.
Details
Sources:
ilga.org/country/somalia/law/
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Gender-affirming care in Somalia

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Gender-affirming care in Somalia is banned.

Current status
Banned
Gender-Affirming Care in Somalia is banned
Details
Sources:
queerintheworld.com/lgbt-ri…
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Legal recognition of non-binary gender in Somalia

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

Current status
Not legally recognized federal law
There is no legal gender recognition provided to intersex or nonbinary people in Somalia.
Details
Sources:
travel.state.gov/content/tr…
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LGBT discrimination in Somalia

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LGBT discrimination in Somalia is no protections.

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

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LGBT employment discrimination in Somalia is no protections.

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

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LGBT housing discrimination in Somalia is no protections.

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

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Same-sex adoption in Somalia is unknown.

Current status
Unknown

Intersex infant surgery in Somalia

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Intersex infant surgery in Somalia is not banned.

Current status
Not banned
Unnecessary “normalisation” surgeries on intersex infants are legal in Somalia although there is little information on if they are practiced.
Details
Sources:
www.state.gov/reports/2023-…
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Serving openly in military in Somalia

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Serving openly in military in Somalia is illegal.

Current status
Illegal
LGBT people are currently banned from serving here.
Details
Sources:
Homosexuality is illegal.
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Blood donations by MSMs in Somalia

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Blood donations by MSMs in Somalia is ambiguous.

Current status
Ambiguous
Unknown as homosexuality is illegal.
Details
Sources:
ilga.org/downloads/02_ILGA_…
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Conversion therapy in Somalia

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Conversion therapy in Somalia is not banned.

Current status
Not banned
Widely Performed.
Details
Sources:
www.thefrisky.com/2016-06-2…
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Equal age of consent in Somalia

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Equal age of consent in Somalia is n/a.

Current status
N/A
Due to homosexuality being illegal, there is no age of consent for homosexuals.
Details
Sources:
www.aljazeera.com/features/…
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LGBT Rights by Region

View the LGBT laws in each individual region of Somalia.

    Equality Index ?
    1 / 100
    Legal Rights
    1 / 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 Somalia to help improve its accuracy.

    Equality Rank

    View All
    #95
    Interest Rank based on Equaldex traffic ?

    Top Contributors

    1 User Live in Somalia

    Bashka

    Somalia LGBT Organizations

    There are no organizations listed in Somalia. Suggest one

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    Compare Somalia

    95

    Compare with
    British Indian Ocean Territory

    10

    Compare with
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    16

    Compare with
    Comoros

    37

    Compare with
    Djibouti

    5

    Compare with
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    10

    Compare with
    Ethiopia

    20

    Compare with
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    31

    Compare with
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    Common queries:
    • Is it illegal to be gay in Somalia?
    • Is homosexuality legal in Somalia?
    • Is gay marriage legal in Somalia?
    Alternative names: Soomaaliya (local name)

    LGBT Rights in Eastern Africa

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    12

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