Western is governed by federal Papua New Guinea law. Learn more
- Homosexuality
- ⚢✖ Male illegal, female legal
- Gay Marriage
- ⚭✖ Unrecognized
- Censorship
- ✔ No censorship
- Changing Gender
- ✖ Illegal
- Gender-Affirming Care
- ✔ Legal
- Non-Binary Gender Recognition
- ✖ Not legally recognized
- Discrimination
- ✖ Illegal in some contexts
- Employment Discrimination
- ✖ No protections
- Housing Discrimination
- ✖ No protections
- Adoption
- ✖ Illegal
- Intersex Infant Surgery
- ✖ Not banned
- Military
- ✖ Don't Ask, Don't Tell
- Donating Blood
- ✔ Legal
- Conversion Therapy
- ✖ Not banned
- Age of Consent
- Female equal, male N/A
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Public Opinion
Western is lacking public opinion data.
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Homosexual activity in Western is male illegal, female legal.
Current status
Since Nov 28, 1899
Male illegal, female legal
Male homosexuality was initially criminalised in Papua New Guinea due to the inheritance of the Queensland Criminal Code in Australia which criminalised such with up to three years in prison in 1899.
Men can receive 3 to 14 years of imprisonment under Criminal Code 1974. The legislation lists homosexuality under "Unnatural Offenses" and "Indecent Practices Between Males."
Men can receive 3 to 14 years of imprisonment under Criminal Code 1974. The legislation lists homosexuality under "Unnatural Offenses" and "Indecent Practices Between Males."
Same-sex marriage in Western is unrecognized.
Current status
Unrecognized
Marriage is not explicitly defined as occurring between two individuals of opposite sexes. However, it is widely understood to be restricted to heterosexual couples, and same-sex marriages are generally believed to be not permitted in practice.
Censorship of LGBT issues in Western is no censorship.
Current status
No censorship
In Papua New Guinea, there are no laws restricting the discussion or promotion of LGBTQ+ topics.
Right to change legal gender in Western is illegal.
Current status
Illegal
There is no legal gender recognition provided in Papua New Guinea.
Gender-affirming care in Western is legal.
Current status
Legal
Gender-affirming care is legal in Papua New Guinea but often very expensive.
Legal recognition of non-binary gender in Western is not legally recognized.
Current status
Not legally recognized
No legal recognition.
LGBT discrimination in Western is illegal in some contexts.
Current status
Since Jan 30, 2013
Illegal in some contexts
There are some protections based on sexual orientation issued by the government:
-National Public Service Gender Equity and Social Inclusion Policy (2013).
-Gender Mainstreaming Guidelines for Project Implementers (2020) issued by the Climate Change and Development Authority.
-Gender Equity and Social Inclusion Policy (2023) issued by the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT).
-Gender Equity and Social Inclusion Policy (2024) issued by the Ministry of Tourism, Art and Culture.
-The Data Governance and Data Protection Policy (2024) issued by the DICT.
-National Public Service Gender Equity and Social Inclusion Policy (2013).
-Gender Mainstreaming Guidelines for Project Implementers (2020) issued by the Climate Change and Development Authority.
-Gender Equity and Social Inclusion Policy (2023) issued by the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT).
-Gender Equity and Social Inclusion Policy (2024) issued by the Ministry of Tourism, Art and Culture.
-The Data Governance and Data Protection Policy (2024) issued by the DICT.
LGBT employment discrimination in Western is no protections.
Current status
No protections
There are no protections from discrimination in employment provided to LGBTIQ+ people in Papua New Guinea.
LGBT housing discrimination in Western is no protections.
Current status
No protections
There are no protections from discrimination in housing provided to LGBTIQ+ people in Papua New Guinea.
Same-sex adoption in Western is illegal.
Current status
Illegal
Only married couples can adopt in Papua New Guinea. Same-sex marriage is not recognised leaving LGBTIQ+ people with no ability to adopt.
Intersex infant surgery in Western is not banned.
Current status
Not banned under federal Papua New Guinea law
There is no ban on surgeries performed on intersex infants in Papua New Guinea.
Serving openly in military in Western is don't ask, don't tell.
Current status
Don't Ask, Don't Tell
Although there are no explicit prohibitions on LGBTIQ+ people serving in the military of Papua New Guinea, homosexuality is illegal hindering their ability in practice.
Blood donations by MSMs in Western is legal.
Current status
Legal
There are no known bans or restrictions on blood donations from men who have sex with men in Papua New Guinea, in spite of the illegality of homosexuality.
Conversion therapy in Western is not banned.
Current status
Not banned
Conversion therapy is legal and widespread in Papua New Guinea.
Equal age of consent in Western is female equal, male n/a.
Current status
Since Nov 28, 1899
Female equal, male N/A
Anal sex is illegal in Papua new Guinea and therefore it is illegal for males. However oral and other types of sex are legal and the age of consent is 16.
Legal Rights
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This region's Equality Index is based on legal rights alone. Please submit survey results that show the public opinion of LGBTQ+ issues in Western to help improve its accuracy.
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Alternative names: Papua West, Western