LGBT Rights in Trinidad and Tobago

Homosexuality: ⚢
✔ Legal
Gay Marriage: ⚭
✖ Unrecognized
Censorship: ✔ No censorship
Changing Gender: ✖ Illegal
Non-binary gender recognition: ✖ Not legally recognized
Discrimination: ✖ No protections
Employment Discrimination: ✖ No protections
Housing Discrimination: ✖ No protections
Adoption: ✖ Single only
Military: ✔ Legal
Donating Blood: ✖ Banned (3-month deferral)
Conversion Therapy: Ambiguous
Age of Consent: ✔ Equal

Public Opinion

Suggest Public Opinion Data

Recent studies in Trinidad and Tobago indicate societal resistance to LGBTQ+ rights.

OPPOSE

SUPPORT

History

Homosexual activity in Trinidad and Tobago

Homosexual activity in Trinidad and Tobago is legal.

Current status
Since Apr 12, 2018

Legal

Became legal on April 12, 2018. The news is from HRC and Pink news.

Details · Accurate? Yes No

Nov 11, 1986–May 18, 2015

Illegal (imprisonment as punishment)

Anal intercourse between two consenting male adults is punishable by twenty-five (25) years imprisonment.
Anal intercourse committed by a minor is punishable by five (5) years imprisonment.
Serious indecency between two adults of the same sex is punishable by five years imprisonment. ("An act of “serious indecency” is an act, other than
sexual intercourse (whether natural or unnatural), by a person
involving the use of the genital organ for the purpose of arousing
or gratifying sexual desire.")

Details · Accurate? Yes No

Until May 17, 2015

Illegal (imprisonment as punishment)

Most offenses still in effect as per the 1986 law. However, the anal intercourse provision have been removed.

Details · Accurate? Yes No

Until Sep 11, 2013

Illegal (imprisonment as punishment)

Details · Accurate? Yes No

Same-sex marriage in Trinidad and Tobago

Same-sex marriage in Trinidad and Tobago is unrecognized.

Current status
Since Jan 1, 1924

Unrecognized

Details · Accurate? Yes No

Censorship of LGBT Issues in Trinidad and Tobago

Censorship of LGBT Issues in Trinidad and Tobago is no censorship.

Current status

No censorship

In Trinidad and Tobago, there are no laws restricting the discussion or promotion of LGBTQ+ topics.

Details · Accurate? Yes No

Right to change legal gender in Trinidad and Tobago

Right to change legal gender in Trinidad and Tobago is illegal.

Current status

Illegal

Not currently legal.

Details · Accurate? Yes No

Legal recognition of non-binary gender in Trinidad and Tobago

Legal recognition of non-binary gender in Trinidad and Tobago is not legally recognized.

Current status

Not legally recognized

No way to change legal gender, including to non-binary.

Details · Accurate? Yes No

LGBT discrimination in Trinidad and Tobago

LGBT discrimination in Trinidad and Tobago is no protections.

Current status
Since Jan 31, 2001

No protections

The act explicitly states that it "does not include sexual preference or orientation" as a status which may be the basis of discrimination.

Details · Accurate? Yes No

LGBT employment discrimination in Trinidad and Tobago

LGBT employment discrimination in Trinidad and Tobago is no protections.

Current status
Since Jan 31, 2001

No protections

The Equal Opportunity Act covers employment discrimination and explicitly states that it "does not include sexual preference or orientation" as a protected status. Gender identity is not mentioned in the act.

Details · Accurate? Yes No

LGBT housing discrimination in Trinidad and Tobago

LGBT housing discrimination in Trinidad and Tobago is no protections.

Current status
Since Jan 31, 2001

No protections

Provision of housing is addressed by the Equal Opportunity Act which explicitly states that it "does not include sexual preference or orientation" as a protected status. Gender identity is not mentioned in the Act.

Details · Accurate? Yes No

Same-sex adoption in Trinidad and Tobago

Same-sex adoption in Trinidad and Tobago is single only.

Current status
Since Jun 13, 1947

Single only

Spouses and single persons may adopt but the law does not recognise same-sex spouses and favours females as single adopters.

Details · Accurate? Yes No

Jun 13, 1947–Sep 7, 2018

Single only

Homosexuality got legalized in 2018. No laws in place for same sex couples.

Details · Accurate? Yes No

Serving openly in military in Trinidad and Tobago

Serving openly in military in Trinidad and Tobago is legal.

Current status
Since Jun 1, 1962

Legal

Details · Accurate? Yes No

Blood donations by MSMs in Trinidad and Tobago

Blood donations by MSMs in Trinidad and Tobago is banned (3-month deferral).

Current status

Banned (3-month deferral)

According to the Ministry of Health's website, prospective donors who have had male-to-male sexual intercourse are deferred for three (3) months after their last intimate encounter.

Details · Accurate? Yes No

Jan 1, 2017–Sep 19, 2018

Legal

Not banned as far as I know.

Details · Accurate? Yes No

Until -0001

Banned (indefinite deferral)

Men who have had sex with another man are prohibited from blood donation and women who have had sex with a man who has had sex with another man are prohibited for one year from donation.

Details · Accurate? Yes No