Expat FAQ

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Where is it safe to live/travel as a homosexual?

Legal recognition of same-sex marriage is a political, social, religious, human rights and civil rights issue around the world. Debates often centre on whether same-sex couples should be allowed marriage, or if the separate principle of civil unions is adequate. More than an emotional issue, the rights of homosexual individuals are connected to concrete issues such as financial (ability to file joint taxes), legal protections (inheritance and hospital visitation rights) and are basic freedoms.

Countries where same-sex marriage is authorized

Countries that have legalized Same-Sex Marriage:

Argentina
Belgium
Canada
Denmark
France (Pending 2013 - under review by the Constitutional court before final validation)
Iceland
Netherlands
New Zealand (same-sex marriage will become law in August 2013)
Norway
Portugal
Spain
South Africa
Sweden
Uruguay (General Assembly passed a bill on April 10th, 2013 to extend marriage rights to same-sex couples and the president has announced his intention to sign it)

In addition, several sub-national jurisdictions allow same-sex couples to marry including parts of Brazil, Mexico, and the United States of America. Bills allowing legal recognition of same-sex marriage have also been proposed, are pending, or have passed in Andorra, Colombia, Finland, Germany, Luxembourg, Nepal, Taiwan, and the United Kingdom. A bit bizarrely, Australia recognizes same-sex marriages only if one partner has had gender reassignment therapy.

Countries where homosexual behaviour is criminalized by law

In some places, basic rights are not only ignored, but just being known as a homosexual can be actively dangerous. It is important o be aware of these threats and conduct yourself accordingly. Laws may include sodomy laws penalizing consensual same-sex sexual activity, anti-lesbianism laws, and higher ages of consent for same-sex activity. Penalties can be severe, including fines, deportation, jail terms, or the death penalty.

There are more than 70 countries (82 if you include political entities such as Gaza/Palestine, the Turkish-controlled northern portion of Cyprus, and Indonesia) where criminal laws exist against sexual activity by lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender or intersex people (LGBTIs).

Africa

Algeria
Angola
Benin
Botswana
Burundi
Cameroon
Comoros
Egypt
Eritrea
Ethiopia
Gambia
Ghana
Guinea
Kenya
Lesotho
Liberia
Libya
Malawi (enforcement of law suspended)
Mauritania
Mauritius
Morocco
Mozambique
Namibia
Nigeria
Sao Tome
Senegal
Seychelles
Sierra Leone
Somalia
South Sudan
Sudan
Swaziland
Tanzania
Togo
Tunisia
Uganda
Zambia
Zimbabwe

Asia & the Middle East

Afghanistan
Bangladesh
Bhutan
Brunei
India (enforcement of law suspended)
Iran
Iraq (no law against homosexual acts, but homophobic violence is unchecked and self-appointed sharia judges reportedly have imposed sentences for homosexual behavior)
Kuwait
Lebanon
Malaysia
Maldives
Myanmar
Oman
Pakistan
Palestine/Gaza Strip
Qatar
Saudi Arabia
Singapore
Sri Lanka
Syria
Turkmenistan
United Arab Emirates
Uzbekistan
Yemen