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Public Opinion

Public opinion polls in particular regions of Uzbekistan have found that homophobic beliefs persist, based on a limited set of sources.

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History

Homosexual activity in Uzbekistan

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Homosexual activity in Uzbekistan is male illegal, female legal.

Current status
Since Sep 22, 1994
Male illegal, female legal
Article 120 of the penal code states male homosexuality is punishable by 3 years in prison. Female homosexuality is not illegal, but lesbians still face heavy social persecution.
Details
Sources:
web.archive.org/web/2017011…
database.ilga.org/uzbekistan-lgbti
www.state.gov/reports/2023-… - Section 6, paragraph 23
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Mar 7, 1934–Sep 21, 1994
Male illegal, female uncertain
An article under which sodomy was punishable by imprisonment from 5 to 8 years appeared in the Soviet Criminal Code on March 7, 1934 - number 154-a: “Sexual intercourse between a man and a man (sodomy) - imprisonment for a term of three to five years. Sodomy committed with the use of violence or taking advantage of the dependent position of the victim - imprisonment for a term of five to eight years."
Details
Sources:
museumreforms.ru/node/13816
www.gazeta.ru/science/2018/…
www.uscis.gov/archive/resou…
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Same-sex marriage in Uzbekistan

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Same-sex marriage in Uzbekistan is banned.

Current status
Banned
Chapter 14 of the Uzbek constitution declares marriage to be based on "traditional family values".
Details
Sources:
constitution.uz/en/clause/index - Chapter 14
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Censorship of LGBT issues in Uzbekistan

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Censorship of LGBT issues in Uzbekistan is state-enforced.

Current status
State-enforced
In Uzbekistan, there are no known laws restricting the discussion or promotion of LGBTQ+ topics. However, given the country's heavy restrictions on freedom of speech and expression, advocacy for LGBT rights may result in criminal prosecution.

In 2021, an activist blogger who called for homosexuality to be decriminalized was sentenced to three years in jail for 'libel and public insult'.
Details
Sources:
www.google.com/amp/s/www.rf…
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Right to change legal gender in Uzbekistan

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Right to change legal gender in Uzbekistan is legal, but requires medical diagnosis.

Current status
Since Sep 1, 1998
Legal, but requires medical diagnosis
The Family Code states that "correction of civil status records when changing gender is allowed only upon the conclusion of the health authorities". However, there are many reports of healthcare professionals being unwilling to do so.
Details
Sources:
database.ilga.org/api/downl…
www.state.gov/reports/2023-… - Section 6, paragraph 31
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Apr 5, 1972–Aug 30, 1998
Legal, but requires surgery
Under Soviet law, after the fall of the Soviet Union, the regulations were not changed.
Details
Sources:
bigpicture.ru/ya-peredumala…
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Until Apr 4, 1972
Illegal
Legal gender change is impossible
Details
Sources:
bigpicture.ru/ya-peredumala…
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Gender-affirming care in Uzbekistan

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Gender-affirming care in Uzbekistan is legal.

Current status
Legal
Gender-affirming care is not formally regulated in Uzbekistan however there are a plethora of practical challenges to accessing it mostly stigma and lack of available health professionals.
Details
Sources:
tgeu.org/uzbekistans-lgbt-c…
www.state.gov/reports/2023-… - Section 6, paragraph 31
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Legal recognition of non-binary gender in Uzbekistan

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

Current status
Not legally recognized
According to the ILGA's Trans Legal Mapping Report, no non-binary options are available.
Details
Sources:
ilga.org/downloads/ILGA_Wor… (page 108)
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LGBT discrimination in Uzbekistan

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LGBT discrimination in Uzbekistan is no protections.

Current status
No protections
In Uzbekistan, 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 Uzbekistan

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LGBT employment discrimination in Uzbekistan is no protections.

Current status
No protections
In Uzbekistan, 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 Uzbekistan

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LGBT housing discrimination in Uzbekistan is no protections.

Current status
No protections
In Uzbekistan, 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 Uzbekistan

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Same-sex adoption in Uzbekistan is illegal.

Current status
Illegal
No laws in place for same sex couples.
Details
Sources:
ilga.org/downloads/ILGA_Wor…
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Intersex infant surgery in Uzbekistan

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Intersex infant surgery in Uzbekistan is unknown.

Current status
Unknown

Serving openly in military in Uzbekistan

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Serving openly in military in Uzbekistan is illegal.

Current status
Illegal
It is believed that Uzbekistan does not allow LGBTQIA+ people to serve in the military.
Details
Sources:
ilga.org/downloads/02_ILGA_…
www.advocate.com/news/2011/…
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Blood donations by MSMs in Uzbekistan

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Blood donations by MSMs in Uzbekistan is legal.

Current status
Legal
There are no known restrictions on men who have sex with men donating blood in Uzbekistan.
Details
Sources:
hematology.uz/en/en_donor_p…
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Conversion therapy in Uzbekistan

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Conversion therapy in Uzbekistan is not banned.

Current status
Not banned
There are no regulations on the use of conversion therapy in Uzbekistan, and in prisons, it is reported to be required for men convicted of homosexuality to "keep them from similar repeat offenses".
Details
Sources:
www.state.gov/reports/2023-… - Section 6, paragraph 32
ilga.org/downloads/ILGA_Wor… (page 328)
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Equal age of consent in Uzbekistan

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Equal age of consent in Uzbekistan is female equal, male n/a.

Current status
Female equal, male N/A
The age of consent is 16 for all legal sex.
Details
Sources:
www.ageofconsent.net/world/…
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LGBT Rights by Region

View the LGBT laws in each individual region of Uzbekistan.

    Equality Index ?
    21 / 100
    Legal Rights
    23 / 100
    Public Opinion
    18 / 100

    Equality Rank

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    #140
    Interest Rank based on Equaldex traffic ?

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