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Public Opinion

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History

Homosexual activity in South Sudan

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Homosexual activity in South Sudan is illegal (imprisonment as punishment).

Current status
Since May 22, 2008
Illegal (imprisonment as punishment)
While an autonomous region of Sudan, South Sudan passed The Penal Code Act, 2008. It removed the death penalty as a punishment for homosexual sex. However, homosexuality is still a crime punishable by imprisonment and possibly a fine.

Article 248 punishes "carnal intercourse against the order of nature" with up to 10 years imprisonment and the possibility of being liable to a fine.
Details
Sources:
www.wipo.int/wipolex/en/leg…
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Jan 31, 1991–May 21, 2008
Illegal (death penalty as punishment)
In 1991, South Sudan was part of Sudan which had punished homosexuality with the death penalty.
Details
Sources:
www.refworld.org/docid/5a84…
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1899–Jan 30, 1991
Legal
While South Sudan was a part of Sudan when it was a colony, the Sudanese Penal Code of 1899 was passed. It criminalized “carnal intercourse against the order of nature” that wasn't consensual. South Sudan had no laws that criminalized consensual homosexual sex.
Details
Sources:
www.hrw.org/report/2008/12/…
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Same-sex marriage in South Sudan

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Same-sex marriage in South Sudan is banned.

Current status
Since Jul 8, 2011
Banned
As homosexuality is a punishable offense, same sex marriage is also not legal
Details
Sources:
www.gurtong.net/LinkClick.a…
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Censorship of LGBT issues in South Sudan

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Censorship of LGBT issues in South Sudan is imprisonment as punishment.

Current status
Since Feb 10, 2009
Imprisonment as punishment
Discussions surrounding LGBTIQ+ topics are heavily restricted and subjected to harassment and violence by both state and non-state actors in South Sudan.

Additionally, the 2008 Penal Code criminalises “any male person who dresses or is attired in the fashion of a woman” in public with three months in prison under Section 379, effectively criminalising the gender expression of trans women and cross dressers.
Details
Sources:
www.state.gov/reports/2023-…
www.warnathgroup.com/wp-con…
www.humandignitytrust.org/c…
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Right to change legal gender in South Sudan

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Right to change legal gender in South Sudan is illegal.

Current status
Illegal
Legally no way to change gender and crossdressing is illegal.
Details
Sources:
2009-2017.state.gov/j/drl/r…
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Gender-affirming care in South Sudan

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Gender-affirming care in South Sudan is restricted.

Current status
Since 1990
Restricted
In 1990, Sudan legalized sterilization, which de facto meant legalizing sex reassignment surgery, however, medical records regarding transsexualism had to be obtained abroad.
Details
Sources:
www.rhsupplies.org/uploads/…
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Legal recognition of non-binary gender in South Sudan

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

Current status
Not legally recognized
Not legally recognized.
Details
Sources:
cdn.sida.se/app/uploads/202…
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LGBT discrimination in South Sudan

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LGBT discrimination in South Sudan is no protections.

Current status
No protections
In South Sudan, neither sexual orientation nor gender identity is a protected class from discrimination.
Details
Sources:
www.state.gov/reports/2023-…
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LGBT employment discrimination in South Sudan

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LGBT employment discrimination in South Sudan is no protections.

Current status
No protections
In South Sudan, neither sexual orientation nor gender identity is a protected class from employment discrimination.
Details
Sources:
www.state.gov/reports/2023-…
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LGBT housing discrimination in South Sudan

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LGBT housing discrimination in South Sudan is no protections.

Current status
No protections
In South Sudan, neither sexual orientation nor gender identity is a protected class from housing discrimination.
Details
Sources:
www.state.gov/reports/2023-…
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Same-sex adoption in South Sudan

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Same-sex adoption in South Sudan is unknown.

Current status
Unknown

Intersex infant surgery in South Sudan

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Intersex infant surgery in South Sudan is not banned.

Current status
Not banned
There is no ban on surgeries performed on intersex infants in South Sudan.
Details
Sources:
database.ilga.org/south-sud…
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Serving openly in military in South Sudan

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Serving openly in military in South Sudan is illegal.

Current status
Since Jul 9, 2011
Illegal
No protection granted as homosexuality is illegal
Details
Sources:
www.gurtong.net/LinkClick.a…
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Blood donations by MSMs in South Sudan

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Blood donations by MSMs in South Sudan is legal.

Current status
Since Jul 2014
Legal
In 2014, South Sudan's Blood Transfusion Services began using the WHO’s generic guidelines. The WHO's generic guidelines do not mention MSM blood donors.
Details
Sources:
www.afro.who.int/news/who-s…
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Conversion therapy in South Sudan

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Conversion therapy in South Sudan is not banned.

Current status
Not banned
Conversion therapy is legal in South Sudan.
Details
Sources:
www.reuters.com/article/us-…
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Equal age of consent in South Sudan

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Equal age of consent in South Sudan is n/a.

Current status
N/A
Homosexuality is currently illegal.
Details
Sources:
(See sources listed for homosexual activity.)
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LGBT Rights by State

View the LGBT laws in each individual state of South Sudan.

    Equality Index ?
    7 / 100
    Legal Rights
    7 / 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 South Sudan to help improve its accuracy.

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    #179
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    • Is homosexuality legal in South Sudan?
    • Is gay marriage legal in South Sudan?

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