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This is to show how Indonesia combines their attitude to the positivity/negativity of their laws.

Click on view full grid to see it in comparison to all other countries.

I. Homosexual Activity II. Same sex marriage III. Adoption by same sex couples IV. Protection from discrimination on the basis of sexuality

Indonesia

Embassy

Key Laws & Government Policies

Homosexuality in itself is not illegal in Indonesia, outside of the province of Aceh (which follows Shariah Law) and the City of Palembang. However, many policies and regulations are leveraged as a legal basis to persecute the practice of LGBT rights in Indonesia and virtually no safeguards against discrimination – let alone recognizing LBGT rights – exist.

Homosexual activity:

Criminal Code 495 (Bill): Criminalization of LGBT practice

The latest draft bill states that same-sex relations or sexual relations outside of marriage should be punishable by law. A Working Group in the House of Representatives presented the draft article, which had inputs from leading religious groups such as the MUI. However, this article is currently pending as it has received strong backlash from the public.

News coverage here.

Criminal Code 292: Criminalization of LGBT acts regarding underage individuals

The House of Representatives and the Indonesia Ulema Council (MUI) agreed that same-sex assault should be included in the Criminal Code as a punishable crime. While the draft article currently states that it is only a punishable crime for assault to children under 18 years old, the Indonesia Ulema Council, including Vice Presidential candidate Ma’aruf Amin aims to make it punishable for relations of all ages.

News coverage here.

Indonesia Law No. 44/2008 (commonly used for criminalizing the practice of LGBT rights:

With respect to Pornography; classifies “deviant sexual intercourse” as a component of pornography, defined to include necrophilia, bestiality, oral sex, anal sex, lesbians, and homosexuals.

II.

Same sex marriage:

Not applicable / not legalized.According to Indonesia Law No. 1 1974 on Marriage (UU Perkawinan No. 1974): Marriage is a union between man and woman as a husband and wife

III.

Adoption by same-sex couples:

Government Regulation No. 54/2007 Article 13 on Adoption; same-sex couples are prohibited from adoption.

IV.

Protection from discrimination on the basis of sexuality:

No anti-discrimination law on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity. Indonesia Law No. 39/ 1999 guarantees protection against discriminatory practices based on any ground

Primary decision-makers

I. House of Representatives II. Ministry of Law and Human Rights III. Ministry of Religious Affairs

Indonesia

Embassy

Primary decision-makers

(Govt. Depts. / Ministers)

House of Representatives

Criminal Code 495 (Bill): Criminalization of LGBT practice

Against LGBT rights and have proposed a revised Criminal Code that would criminalize same-sex relationships. Political parties in the Working Group in favour of criminalizing same-sex relationship include Partai Keadilan Sejarah (PKS) and Partai Persatuan Pembangunan (PPP).

II.

Ministry of Law and Human Rights

Minister Yasonna Laoly

In favour of protecting the human rights of LGBT community, and has called for the end of discrimination towards LGBT.

III.

Ministry of Religious Affairs

Minister Lukman Hakim Saifuddin

Minister Lukman has been one of the most supportive Ministers of Religious Affairs towards LGBT rights. He was seen attending an LGBT forum in Indonesia in 2017 and said that the rights of LGBT individuals are also human rights.

Key Laws & Government Policies

Leading Pro- influencers/ advocates

I. Arus Pelangi II. Yuli Rustinawati III. Rocky Gerung IV. Yenny Wahid V. Community Legal Aid Institute VI. Langkah Gaya Nusantara

Indonesia

Embassy

Leading Pro- influencers/advocates

(Groups / Individuals)

Arus Pelangi

Indonesian Federation of the LGBT community that has publicly campaigned for the acceptance of LGBT individuals as equal citizens of Indonesia – including protecting their human rights

II.

Yuli Rustinawati

Head of the Arus Pelangi Foundation. She is a leading LGBT advocate in Indonesia and winner of the Felipa De Sousa Award 2016 from Outright International.

III.

Rocky Gerung

leading Indonesian philosopher, academic and public figure in Indonesia. He is one of the most high-profile ‘indirect’ advocates for LGBT groups in Indonesia, publicly stating that the Government should intervene with the personal affairs of all of its citizens.

IV.

Yenny Wahid

Daughter of former Indonesian President, Abdurahman Wahid and Founder of the Wahid Foundation, Yenny Wahid has often called equal rights of LGBT individuals, stating that LGBT groups is entitled to state protection

Community Legal Aid Institute

Public Defenders’ association that actively participates in legal defence and assistance to protect human rights, regardless of an individual or group’s background, ethnicity, social orientation, religion, race, status, gender and mental health.

VI.

Langkah Gaya Nusantara

Advocacy association that aims to protect the rights of the LGBT community in Indonesia, including their rights to freedom of speech, gender expression and sexual orientation.

Primary decision-makers

Key Laws & Government Policies

I. Aliansi Cinta Keluarga Indonesia II. Nahdlatul Ulama III. Aceh Anti-LGBT Group (GALA)IV. The Indonesian Ulema Council

Indonesia

Embassy

Leading Anti- influencers/advocates

(Groups / Individuals)

Aliansi Cinta Keluarga Indonesia(Alliance of Family Love Indonesia)

(Alliance of Family Love Indonesia) – Created as a response to the increasing pro-LGBT movement in Indonesia. Holds the belief that the exercise of LGBT rights goes against moral and family norms in Indonesia. They submitted a petition to the Supreme Court for the laws in Indonesia to be more clear in criminalising same-sex relationships. .

II.

Nahdlatul Ulama(NU)

NU is the largest Islamic organization in Indonesia. It is independent, has a large voice within political discussion in Indonesia and has been vocal against the LGBT community, calling it a preventable and contagious mental disease.

III.

Aceh Anti-LGBT Group(GALA)

Initially formed in Aceh in 2017, GALA is also supported by extreme Islamic group, Front Pembela Islam (FPI), and was created to fight the rise of LGBT rights in Indonesia, starting with Aceh.

IV.

The Indonesian Ulema Council(MUI)

Including its former leader and current vice presidential candidate, Ma’Aruf Amin, have been outspoken against LGBT, saying that it is not moral in any religion and goes against the Indonesian Constitution.

Leading Pro- influencers/advocates

On-going Pro-advocacy initiatives

Indonesia

Embassy

On-going Pro-advocacy initiatives

Advocacy to prevent discrimination against LGBT communities and to promote equal rights is largely driven by LGBT-focused advocacy groups. As this remains a very sensitive issue in Indonesia, few public figures will openly advocate or support for LGBT rights, particularly religious groups, politicians, public figures/celebrities.
Several LGBT advocate groups, such as Langkah Gaya Nusantara and Arus Pelangi have been advocating for the two Indonesian Presidential candidates to include the protection of minority groups, including the LGBT community, in their presidential programs. While both candidates have said that they will continue to protect minority groups under the Constitution, both admitted that neither has any specific program to protect LGBT communities or other minority groups if elected.
Advocacy to allow those with HIV/AIDS, especially homosexuals, to have access to free antiretroviral medication provided by leading hospitals and the Ministry of Health.

Leading Anti- influencers/advocates

Particularly vulnerable groups

Indonesia

Embassy

Particularly vulnerable groups

LGBT communities living with HIV/AIDS
Transgender individuals, especially those in middle-to-lower social classes are the most vulnerable to physical assault and murder.
The LGBT community living under Shariah law in Aceh, as they are criminalized and subject to physical punishments, including up to 100 whippings in public.

On-going Pro-advocacy initiatives

Key Laws & Government Policies

Indonesia

Embassy

Urgent situations / Impending developments

Petition from the Family Love Alliance (Aliansi Cinta Keluarga)to the Supreme Court to re-evaluate several articles in the Indonesian Criminal Code that would allow each consensual sexual relationship outside of marriage (even of a different sex) to be punishable under law. The petition stated that homosexual behaviour is ‘contagious’ and demanded that Indonesia pass legislation to punish those who had consensual sexual relationships outside of marriage. Despite the clause eventually being scrapped by the Supreme Court, it is often used as the basis, or ‘legal loophole’, for many local governments to include discriminatory legislation in their local jurisdictions.
Human rights concerns – continuing human rights concerns for LGBT individuals in Indonesia, with increasing discrimination and public persecution against the LGBT community, especially in the past two years.
Data from the Legal Aid Institute marks 973 cases of discrimination, persecution and assault across Indonesia in 2017.Almost 75% of these cases involved a transgender victim, followed by 23% of gay men and 3% lesbian women. Cases ranged from curbing freedom of expression (including bans on LGBT-related public discussions and forums), to raids on homes and evictions, arrests at gay nightclubs and murder.
While there is no national legislation that outright criminalizes LGBT practice, regional governments have shifted towards creating local laws that do criminalize the exercise of LGBT practice and rights. In 2018, data shows that at least three regional governments (Bangka Belitung, East Kalimantan and Cianjur) released circulars that were outright discriminatory towards the LGBT community. In addition, there are 45 other regional laws that contain content that negatively targets LGBT communities.
Continued stigma/public perception of a correlation between same-sex relationships and HIV/AIDs.
General public perception and intolerance towards the LBGT community.E.g., in a survey released by the Saiful Mujani Research Center (SMRC) on public perception between 2016-2017, 41.1% of the respondents said that they did not acknowledge that LGBT groups had any human rights.

Key Laws & Government Policies

Egypt

Rome

Citizens -100,953,190 est

Positivity/Negativity of Laws:

ILGA Assessment

Openness to Change:

Plotted on grid

This is to show how Indonesia combines their attitude to the positivity/negativity of their laws.

Click on view full grid to see it in comparison to all other countries.

I. Law on the Combating of Prostitution II. Promotion / Dissemination of Homosexual Slogans

Egypt

Rome

Key Laws & Government Policies

Law on the Combating of Prostitution:

States that whoever incites a person or engages in debauchery or prostitution, be sentenced to jail time

II.

Promotion / Dissemination of Homosexual Slogans:

Government policy against the promotion or dissemination of homosexual slogans

Primary decision-makers

I. Shadia Thabet II. Abdel Fattah al-Sisi III. General Directorate for Protecting Public Morality IV. Ministry of Interior

Egypt

Rome

Primary decision-makers

(Govt. Depts. / Ministers)

Shadia Thabet

An Egyptian lawmaker who wants Egypt to toughen legislation on homosexuals. She has previously said she wants LGBTs to face up to 10 years in prison.

II.

Abdel Fattah al-Sisi

President of Egypt. Since his rise to power in 2013, over 230 gay people have been arrested on the charge of ‘debauchery’.

III.

General Directorate for Protecting Public Morality

An institution that protects public morality. They are known for tracking and spying on the lives of LGBTQ individuals and prosecuting them.

IV.

Ministry of Interior

The ministry responsible for all security-related matters in Egypt. Includes security forces, intelligence, national security, immigration and civil defence.

Key Laws & Government Policies

Leading Pro- influencers/ advocates

I. Article 19 II. Rainbow Egypt III. LGBTQ Egypt IV. Maher Sabry V. Khaled Abol Naga

Egypt

Rome

Leading Pro- influencers/advocates

(Groups / Individuals)

Article 19

A group that monitors digital and surveillance threats and attacks on sexual and gender minority groups through our work with Egyptian civil society and human rights

II.

Rainbow Egypt

An LGBTQI organisation in Egypt. It has activities online and on the ground. Focuses on reaching out to community members from different backgrounds, cities, regions, genders and sexual orientation.

III.

LGBTQ Egypt

A group that aims to raise the voice and awareness of the mistreatment and discrimination against LGBTQ community in Egypt

IV.

Maher Sabry

An Egyptian actor who is a well known gay activist. Along with the help of others, he pioneered gay forums for Egyptian LGBT community on the internet, using the pseudonym "Horus".

Khaled Abol Naga

An Egyptian actor and UNICEF and goodwill ambassador who supports gay rights and often speaks out on the subject.

Primary decision-makers

Key Laws & Government Policies

I. Mohamed Al-Ghaity II. Ahmed Mousa III. Makram Mohammed Ahmed IV. Religious leaders (Muslim & Christian)

Egypt

Rome

Leading Anti- influencers/advocates

(Groups / Individuals)

Mohamed Al-Ghaity

Egyptian TV host. He staunch supporter of Egypt’s government and, based on his past anti-gay comments, apparently shares the government’s hostility towards LGBT rights.

II.

Ahmed Mousa

Egyptian TV anchor. He has a daily talk show where he discusses social and political matters. He is a well-known supporter of the Egyptian government.

III.

Makram Mohammed Ahmed

Head of the Egyptian media council, who is responsible for the ban on the promotion or dissemination of homosexual content across media.

IV.

Religious leaders (Muslim & Christian)

Leading Pro- influencers/advocates

On-going Pro-advocacy initiatives

Egypt

Rome

On-going Pro-advocacy initiatives

Solidarity with Egypt LGBT- A campaign that reaches out to LGBT movements and individuals worldwide about the LGBT issues in Egypt

Leading Anti- influencers/advocates

Particularly vulnerable groups

Egypt

Rome

Particularly vulnerable groups

Local LBGTQ groups make a concerted effort to stay invisible/anonymous due to severe repercussions of being found out and arrested. No single group is more particularly vulnerable.

On-going Pro-advocacy initiatives

Key Laws & Government Policies

Egypt

Rome

Urgent situations / Impending developments

Egypt TV host Mohamed al-Ghiety jailed for interviewing gay man
Egypt screens Red Hot Chili Peppers' concertgoers for LGBT flag

Key Laws & Government Policies

India

Embassy

Citizens -1,367,017,897 est

Positivity/Negativity of Laws:

ILGA Assessment

Openness to Change:

Plotted on grid

This is to show how India combines their attitude to the positivity/negativity of their laws.

Click on view full grid to see it in comparison to all other countries.

I. Homosexual Activity II. Same sex marriage III. Adoption by same sex couples IV. Protection from discrimination on the basis of sexuality

India

Embassy

Key Laws & Government Policies

Homosexuality is no longer illegal in India.

Homosexual activity:

Homosexual activity was initially criminalised under Section 377 the Indian Penal Code, as ‘against the order of nature’. This was deemed to violate Article 14 (Right to Equality) of the Constitution. As of September 6, 2018 it no longer applies to consenting adults of the same sex.

II.

Same sex marriage:

Same sex marriage is not permitted under any of the prevailing civil laws, codified and uncodified. Civil partnerships are also not recognised.

III.

Adoption by same-sex couples:

Adoption by same sex couples is not permitted jointly under any of the prevailing laws such as the Hindu Adoption and Maintenance Act, Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection) Act, personal laws of other religious communities or other civil laws

IV.

Protection from discrimination on the basis of sexuality:

Protection from discrimination under Article 15, Constitution of India. Sexuality has been read into the word ‘sex’ in Article 15.

“Transgender” was recognised as a third gender by the Supreme Court of India in 2014

The states of Kerala and Tamil Nadu instituted measures for the protections of transgender persons in their states by way of the State Policy for Transgenders and a Welfare Board respectively.

Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Bill, 2018 is pending before the Upper House of Parliament.

Primary decision-makers

I. Prime Minister of India II. Ministry of Home Affairs III. Ministry of Law and Justice IV. Ministry of Health and Family Welfare V. Ministry of Women and Child Development

India

Embassy

Primary decision-makers

(Govt. Depts. / Ministers)

Prime Minister of India

Narendra Modi

II.

Ministry of Home Affairs

TBC due to elections

III.

Ministry of Law and Justice

TBC due to elections

IV.

Ministry of Health and Family Welfare

TBC due to elections

Ministry of Women and Child Development

TBC due to elections

Key Laws & Government Policies

Leading Pro- influencers/ advocates

I. Naz Foundation II. Humsafar Trust III. Nazariya IV. Shashi Tharoor V. Shashi Bhushan

India

Embassy

Leading Pro- influencers/advocates

(Groups / Individuals)

Naz Foundation

Naz was one of the original petitioners in the 2001 case for decriminalising homosexuality before the High Court of Delhi.

II.

Humsafar Trust

A voluntary LGBTQ youth initiative and a support group, which functions as an online forum, organizes offline events and facilitates youth access to health and social support.

III.

Nazariya

Organises workshops, events, protests, and sensitisation campaigns around social issues, gender, and sexuality that cater to the youth and reach grassroots level.

IV.

Shashi Tharoor

Member of Parliament who proposed a Private Members’ Bill to decriminalise homosexuality in India

Shashi Bhushan

An activist lawyer who speaks on the issue of gay rights in India

Primary decision-makers

Key Laws & Government Policies

I. Various Political Groups II. Catholic Bishops Conference of India III. All India Organisation of Imams IV. Baba Ramdev V. Yogi Adityanath

India

Embassy

Leading Anti- influencers/advocates

(Groups / Individuals)

Various Political Groups

Such as Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh.and Vishwa Hindu Parishad

II.

Catholic Bishops Conference of India

III.

All India Organisation of Imams

Spoke out against the judgment of the SC decriminalising homosexuality.

IV.

Baba Ramdev

A yoga guru who is deeply influential and advocates for conversion therapy.

Yogi Adityanath

Chief minister of Uttar Pradesh, who has called homosexuality dangerous to social morality.

Leading Pro- influencers/advocates

On-going Pro-advocacy initiatives

India

Embassy

On-going Pro-advocacy initiatives

The State of Kerala has had a State Policy for Transgenders since 2015, however this has often come up short in the face of public opinion against transpersons.
Pride Parades happen in Delhi, Bangalore, Lucknow, Chandigarh, Mumbai to promote their self-affirmation, dignity, equality rights, increase their visibility as a social group, build community, and celebrate sexual diversity and gender variance.
Indian queer film festival – is an annual LGBT event that has been held in Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, Bangalore, Delhi, India since 2010. The film festival screens gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and queer films from India and around the world.
Avadhan Project: to reduce HIV transmission and lower the prevalence of sexually transmitted infections in vulnerable high-risk populations through prevention education and services.

Leading Anti- influencers/advocates

Particularly vulnerable groups

India

Embassy

Particularly vulnerable groups

Sex workers, especially those engaging in same sex activities with men
Transgender persons who are ghettoized and often engage in sex work to make ends meet
LGBTQ persons from lower castes are doubly marginalised and prone to sexual abuse

On-going Pro-advocacy initiatives

Key Laws & Government Policies

India

Embassy

Urgent situations / Impending developments

Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Bill 2018
Lack of healthcare awareness, infrastructure and destigmatization to address some of the medical issues faced by LGBTQ persons
India has the third largest HIV epidemic in the world, with 2.1 million people living with HIV. This is disproportionately concentrated amongst sex workers and men who have sex with men.

Key Laws & Government Policies

Jamaica

Embassy

Citizens -2,905,448 est

Positivity/Negativity of Laws:

ILGA Assessment

Openness to Change:

Awful LGBT legislation, but open political system

Plotted on grid

This is to show how Indonesia combines their attitude to the positivity/negativity of their laws.

Click on view full grid to see it in comparison to all other countries.

I. Homosexual Activity II. Same sex marriage III. Adoption by same sex couples IV. Protection from discrimination on the basis of sexuality

Jamaica

Embassy

Key Laws & Government Policies

Homosexual activity:

Homosexual activity is illegal in Jamaica under Articles 76, 77, 79 of the Offences Against the Person Act of 1864.

II.

Same sex marriage:

Only foreign same-sex marriages are recognized in Jamaica.

III.

Adoption by same-sex couples:

Same-sex couples cannot adopt children jointly.

IV.

Protection from discrimination on the basis of sexuality:

Sexual orientation is not a protected class in the Charter of Fundamental Rights and Freedoms.

Primary decision-makers

I. Ministry of Justice II. Prime Minister III. Jamaica Constabulary Force IV. Commissioner of Police V. Supreme Court of Jamaica

Jamaica

Embassy

Primary decision-makers

(Govt. Depts. / Ministers)

Ministry of Justice

Administers, delivers, and analyses issues of justice and law in Jamaica; can work with civil society, police, healthcare, and other social services to develop integrated approach.

II.

Prime Minister

Andrew Holness

Prime Minister of Jamaica; generally more progressive about LGBT rights and is open to LGBT people serving in his cabinet.

III.

Jamaica Constabulary Force

The official police force of Jamaica; launched a Policy on Diversity in 2011 with J-FLAG to ensure LGBT and other vulnerable groups can safely file police reports.

IV.

Commissioner of Police

Antony Anderson

Jamaica’s 17th Commissioner of Police; responsible for enhancing public security services, and reducing corruption.

Supreme Court of Jamaica

Highest court in Jamaica; has recently seen challenges to the country’s anti-gay laws.

Key Laws & Government Policies

Leading Pro- influencers/ advocates

I. Jamaica Forum for Lesbians, All-Sexuals and Gays (J-FLAG)II. Jamaica AIDS Support for Life III. Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR)IV. Maurice Tomlinson V. Angeline Jackson

Jamaica

Embassy

Leading Pro- influencers/advocates

(Groups / Individuals)

Jamaica Forum for Lesbians, All-Sexuals and Gays (J-FLAG)

Jamaica’s leading LBBT rights organization, J-FLAG is committed to promoting social change, empowering the LGBT community, and building tolerance and acceptance of LGBT people

II.

Jamaica AIDS Support for Life

Dedicated to preserving dignity and rights of people living with/affected by HIV/AIDS and to fight the spread by providing education and other interventions to promote change

III.

Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR)

An autonomous organ of the Organization of American States, IACHR is headquartered in Washington, DC and meets regularly to examine human rights violations in the hemisphere

IV.

Maurice Tomlinson

Tomlinson is a Jamaican lawyer, gay rights activist, and educator and was awarded for defending human rights and dignity of LGBTI people around the world

Angeline Jackson

Jackson is an LGBT human rights activist, HIV/AIDS educator, and former Executive Director of Quality of Citizenship Jamaica

Primary decision-makers

Key Laws & Government Policies

I. Jamaica Coalition for a Healthy Society II. Jamaica CAUSE (Churches Action Uniting Society for Emancipation)III. Love March Movement IV. Lawyers’ Christian Fellowship

Jamaica

Embassy

Leading Anti- influencers/advocates

(Groups / Individuals)

Jamaica Coalition for a Healthy Society

Envisions a Jamaica in which Judeo-Christian values nourish and enrich the social, spiritual, physical, emotional and mental health of the society

II.

Jamaica CAUSE (Churches Action Uniting Society for Emancipation)

Stands for the biblical worldview as the ideal foundation for nation-building and human flourishing

III.

Love March Movement

Christian-based organization dedicated to representing “Christ’s view” on sexual sin and purity, family based on marriage, and monogamous, hetero-sexual union.

IV.

Lawyers’ Christian Fellowship

Association of legal professionals that promote the gospel, defend laws grounded in Christian values and uphold Biblical principles in the administration of law and justice

Leading Pro- influencers/advocates

On-going Pro-advocacy initiatives

Jamaica

Embassy

On-going Pro-advocacy initiatives

Dwayne’s House: Shelter dedicated to holistic needs of LGBTI youth including providing food, clothing, psycho-social intervention, counselling, and reintegration
PRIDE in Action: Implements empowerment and support activities with LGBTQ youth to reduce isolation and provide safe support systems.
Caribbean Vulnerable Communities (CVC): Coalition of community leaders and NGOs working with Caribbean populations especially vulnerable to HIV infection

Leading Anti- influencers/advocates

Particularly vulnerable groups

Jamaica

Embassy

Particularly vulnerable groups

Gay men
Homeless LGBT youth
People with HIV/AIDS

On-going Pro-advocacy initiatives

Key Laws & Government Policies

Jamaica

Embassy

Urgent situations / Impending developments

No urgent situations or impending developments

Key Laws & Government Policies

Nigeria

Rome

Citizens -200,347,253 est

Positivity/Negativity of Laws:

ILGA Assessment

Openness to Change:

Plotted on grid

This is to show how Nigeria combines their attitude to the positivity/negativity of their laws.

Click on view full grid to see it in comparison to all other countries.

I. Homosexual Activity II. Same sex marriage III. Adoption by same sex couples IV. Protection from discrimination on the basis of sexuality

Nigeria

Rome

Key Laws & Government Policies

Homosexual activity:

Homosexual activity is illegal in Nigeria under Nigeria: Criminal Code Act Chapter 21: Offences against Morality

II.

Same sex marriage:

Same Sex Marriage (Prohibition) Act, 2013

III.

Adoption by same-sex couples:

Adoption is not allowed by same-sex couples according to the U.S. Embassy in Nigeria

IV.

Protection from discrimination on the basis of sexuality:

No active laws protecting against LGBT discrimination

Primary decision-makers

I. Federal Ministry of Justice II. The Honourable Attorney-General of the Federation/Minister of Justice III. Nigeria Police Force IV. Inspector-General of Police V. The President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria VI. National Human Rights Commission

Nigeria

Rome

Primary decision-makers

(Govt. Depts. / Ministers)

Federal Ministry of Justice

The federal ministry in charge or prosecution of crimes including Criminal Code Act Chapter 21 against homosexual activity.

II.

The Honourable Attorney-General of the Federation/Minister of Justice

Abubakar Malami

The head of the federal ministry of justice and chief law enforcement officer of the country.

III.

Nigeria Police Force

The federal police force of Nigeria which enforces the laws of the country and is considered one of the most corrupt parts of the government.

IV.

Inspector-General of Police

Mohammed Abubakar Adamu

The head of the federal police force of Nigeria

The President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria

Muhammadu Buhari

Former military leader and current President of Nigeria.

VI.

National Human Rights Commission

A commission created in 1995 to promote, protect, and enforce human rights within Nigeria.

Key Laws & Government Policies

Leading Pro- influencers/ advocates

I. International Centre for Reproductive Health and Sexual Rights (INCRESE)II. The Initiative for Equal Rights (TIERS)III. Executive Director of the Initiative for Equal Rights IV. International Centre for Advocacy on Rights to Health

Nigeria

Rome

Leading Pro- influencers/advocates

(Groups / Individuals)

International Centre for Reproductive Health and Sexual Rights(INCRESE)

The International Centre for Sexual Reproductive Rights (INCRESE), is a not-for-profit NGO aiming to create an enabling environment for expanded access to sexual reproductive rights and health information and services.

II.

The Initiative for Equal Rights(TIERS)

An initiative to promote and facilitate access to sexual health and other rights for sexual minorities, through policy advocacy, research and service provision in Nigeria.

III.

Executive Director of the Initiative for Equal Rights

Xeenarh Mohammed

IV.

International Centre for Advocacy on Rights to Health

Provides medical and legal services to people with HIV/AIDS regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity.

Primary decision-makers

Key Laws & Government Policies

I. Christian Association of Nigeria

Nigeria

Rome

Leading Anti- influencers/advocates

(Groups / Individuals)

Christian Association of Nigeria

An umbrella organization containing multiple Christian denominations in Nigeria.

Leading Pro-influencers/advocates

On-going Pro-advocacy initiatives

Nigeria

Rome

On-going Pro-advocacy initiatives

TIERs physical and virtual libraries
An initiative by TIERs to open up physical and digital libraries with books and resources on LGBTI issues.
Annual symposium on “Human Rights, Sexuality and the Law”
The 4th annual symposium that explores human rights issues for sexual minorities and other underrepresented people in Nigeria.
Capacity building in the area of sexual and reproductive rights
An initiative by the International Centre for Sexual Reproductive Rights to build up structures to help women and sexual minorities throughout Nigeria.
TIERs community wellness centers
A community wellness center in Ogba and Lekki that provides safe spaces for networking, safer sex commodities pick-up, and HIV counselling and testing services.

Leading Anti- influencers/advocates

Particularly vulnerable groups

Nigeria

Rome

Particularly vulnerable groups

People with HIV/AIDS

On-going Pro-advocacy initiatives

Key Laws & Government Policies

Nigeria

Rome

Urgent situations / Impending developments

No urgent situations or impending developments

Key Laws & Government Policies

Russia

Embassy

Citizens -143,903,305 est

Positivity/Negativity of Laws:

ILGA Assessment

Openness to Change:

Plotted on grid

This is to show how Russia combines their attitude to the positivity/negativity of their laws.

Click on view full grid to see it in comparison to all other countries.

I. Homosexual Activity II. Same sex marriage III. Adoption by same sex couples IV. Protection from discrimination on the basis of sexuality

Russia

Embassy

Key Laws & Government Policies

Homosexual activity:

Homosexual activity is legal in Russia, but on June 29, 2013 Russia passed a law banning “propaganda of non-traditional sexual relations” under Russia’s Code of Administrative Law Violations

II.

Same sex marriage:

Same sex marriage is not legal under the Family Code of the Russian Federation, 1995

III.

Adoption by same-sex couples:

Adoption is legal for single people only

IV.

Protection from discrimination on the basis of sexuality:

No active laws protecting against discrimination

Primary decision-makers

I. The State Duma II. Chairman of the State Duma III. Police of Russia, under the Ministry of Internal Affairs IV. General of the Police of the Russian Federation V. High Commission for Human Rights in Russia VI. High Commissioner for Human Rights in Russia

Russia

Embassy

Primary decision-makers

(Govt. Depts. / Ministers)

The State Duma

The lower house of the Federal Assembly of Russia, responsible for passing the anti-propaganda law in 2013.

II.

Chairman of the State Duma

Vyacheslav Viktorovich Volodin

The 10th chairman of the State Duma.

III.

Police of Russiaunder the Ministry of Internal Affairs

Responsible for thwarting violence against LGBTI, especially during protests or parades.

IV.

General of the Police of the Russian Federation

Vladimir Alexandrovich Kolokoltsev

The head of the police department in Russia, responsible for all police task forces across the country.

High Commission for Human Rights in Russia

Aims to protect the civil rights and freedoms of people in Russia.

VI.

High Commissioner for Human Rights in Russia

Tatiana Moskalkova

The representative of the High Commission for Human Rights in Russia, responsible for overseeing that all civil rights and freedoms are met for all individuals.

Key Laws & Government Policies

Leading Pro- influencers/ advocates

I. Russian LGBT Network II. Children-404 III. Gayrussia.ru

Russia

Embassy

Leading Pro- influencers/advocates

(Groups / Individuals)

Russian LGBT Network

led by Igor Kochetkov

An interregional, human rights NGO that promotes equal rights and respect for human dignity regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity by developing initiatives, advocacy groups, and providing social and legal services.

II.

Children-404

An online community established by Lena Klimova which is dedicated to sharing the stories of LGBTI teens and serve as a place for them to discuss LGBTI issues and offer support.

III.

Gayrussia.ru

LGBTI organization based in Moscow that has organized Moscow Pride and Slavic Pride and actively tracks and reveals homophobia of various Russian politicians.

Primary decision-makers

Key Laws & Government Policies

I. Night Wolves II. Russian Orthodox Church, Patriarch Kirill of Moscow III. United Russia IV. Communist Party of the Russian Federation

Russia

Embassy

Leading Anti- influencers/advocates

(Groups / Individuals)

Night Wolves

A nationalist biker gang with close ties to the Kremlin that has protested against the West and LGBTI issues.

II.

Russian Orthodox Church,Patriarch Kirill of Moscow

Patriarch Kirill, head of church, has made comments in the past tying same-sex marriage to signs of the apocalypse.

III.

United Russia

Ruling party in Russia that passed the Russian anti-propaganda law unanimously in the Duma.

IV.

Communist Party of the Russian Federation

Listed as one of the largest anti-LGBTI political parties in Russia.

Leading Pro-influencers/advocates

On-going Pro-advocacy initiatives

Russia

Embassy

On-going Pro-advocacy initiatives

Gay activists protest at World Cup with ‘hidden’ rainbow flag
Activists from all over the world came together at the World Cup to wear colourful jerseys that represented the LGBTI flag and took photos in tourist areas.

Leading Anti- influencers/advocates

Particularly vulnerable groups

Russia

Embassy

Particularly vulnerable groups

People with HIV/AIDS
People in the military, gay men in the military

On-going Pro-advocacy initiatives

Key Laws & Government Policies

Russia

Embassy

Urgent situations / Impending developments

The Ministry of Health is planning on spending 30% less on HIV treatments this year than last year. Community of People living with HIV called out the organization, stating that they are not purchasing the most effective HIV treatments or allocating them efficiently.

Key Laws & Government Policies

Israel

Advocate

Citizens -8,519,377 est

Positivity/Negativity of Laws:

ILGA Assessment

Openness to Change:

Plotted on grid

This is to show how Israel combines their attitude to the positivity/negativity of their laws.

Click on view full grid to see it in comparison to all other countries.

I. Homosexual activity II. Same sex marriage III. Adoption by same sex couples IV. Protection from discrimination on basis of sexuality

Israel

Advocate

Key Laws & Government Policies

Homosexual activity:

Israel Penal Law was amended in 1988 to decriminalize homosexual relations.

II.

Same sex marriage:

Not recognized official or by local religious authorities, as Israeli law only recognizes religious-based marriage (no civil marriage at all).In 2006, the Supreme Court ruled that same-sex marriage performed in a country where it is legal must be registered in the Israeli Ministry of Interior “for statistical purposes” but stopping short of being recognized officially.

III.

Adoption by same sex couples:

There is no coherent policy in support of this, in the absence of clear legislation on this front. Adoption rights for same-sex couples have been granted by district courts and the Supreme Court on a case-by-case basis. Inone notable instance in December 2018 , the Supreme Court ruled that the Ministry of Interior cannot effuse to write adoptive parents’ name on a child’s birth certificate.

IV.

Protection from discrimination on basis of sexuality:

EMPLOYMENT (EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES) LAW, 1988: Prohibits discrimination of LGTB in employment.

Israel: Prohibition of Discrimination in Products, Services, and Entry into Public Places, 2000: Prohibits discrimination of LGBT Tin any privately-owned place giving service to the public

Primary decision-makers

I. Prime Minister’s Office II. The Knesset [Parliament]III. Ministry of the Interior IV. Ministry of Justice V. Ministry of Social Affairs and Social Services VI. Supreme Court

Israel

Advocate

Primary decision-makers

(Govt. Depts. / Ministers)

Prime Minister’s Office

Prime Minister(Benjamin Netanyahu)

II.

The Knesset[Parliament]

Speaker of the Knesset (Yuli Edelstein)

III.

Ministry of the Interior

Minister of Interior (Aryeh Deri)

IV.

Ministry of Justice

Minister of Justice (Amir Ohana)

Ministry of Social Affairs and Social Services

(Position currently vacant)

VI.

Supreme Court

Chief Justice (Esther Hayut)

Key Laws & Government Policies

Leading Pro- influencers/ advocates

I. Parliamentary Front II. Civil Society Front III. Municipal Level Front

Israel

Advocate

Leading Pro- influencers/advocates

(Groups / Individuals)

There are three broad fronts advocating for LGBT policy and influencing public opinion.

Parliamentary Front

Israel’s parliament has become a central forum in recent years for fostering tolerance of LGBT. Members of the 120-person Knesset established the legislature’s Lobby for the LGBT Community which features members of both the coalition and opposition. It successfully vouched for the Knesset to commemorate an annual LGBT Rights Day , beginning in 2016. In addition, several of the large political parties have formed their own internal caucuses for LGBT rights. It is worth highlighting two individual MKs who are considered influential in advancing LGBT rights:

Minister of Justice Amir Ohana: Israel’s first LGBT individual to hold a ministerial portfolio, Ohana is a member of Likud party.
Member of Knesset Itzik Shmuli: The third-highest member of the center-left electoral bloc Labor-Gesher, Shmuli is an openly gay Member of Knesset who was first elected in 2015. Shmuli led large-scale demonstrations against the 2018 surrogacy over its lack of inclusion of single-sex male couples.

II.

Civil Society Front

Israel is home to a number of NGOs advocating for LGBT rights, both at the societal and political levels. Three notable groups in the civil society space are worth mentioning:

The Aguda - The Association for LGBTQ Equality in Israel : An umbrella organization for the LGBT community in Israel, on the forefront of promoting the welfare of the community, equal rights, favourable legislation, societal tolerance. The group also publishes regular reports on homophobia and discrimination faced by members of the community in various arenas of society.
The Association for Civil Rights in Israel (ACRI) : A leading civil liberties organization that prioritizes LGBT advocacy among its chief causes. Has petitioned Ministry of Interior and court system on behalf of same-sex couples, city pride marches, etc.
Israel Gay Youth (IGY): : Founded in 2002, IGY is the only nationwide organization addressing the well-being of LGBT youth and has emerged as the largest LGBT organization overall in the country. The organization runs programs for at-risk LGBT youth, a track for a post-high school year of volunteer service, and social groups that offer safe spaces for LGBT individual – including special groups dedicated to those from minority populations such as the ultra-Orthodox, Arabs, Ethiopians, and the disabled.

III.

Municipal Level Front

The Tel Aviv Municipality: As Tel Aviv is Israel’s undisputed centre of LGBT activity and culture the city government plays an outsized national role in advocating for the community. The Municipality sponsors the city’s internationally-renowned annual Pride festivities in allocates roughly USD 1 million per year in programs benefiting the population. In similar vein, the municipality of Haifa, Israel’s third-largest city, supported the opening of an LGBT community center.

Primary decision-makers

Key Laws & Government Policies

I. Jewish Home-National Union Bloc II. Shas political party / Minister of Interior Aryeh Deri III. United Torah Judaism political party / MK Mordecai Gafni IV. Noam political party / Hazon social movement

Israel

Advocate

Leading Anti- influencers/advocates

(Groups / Individuals)

Jewish Home-National Union Bloc

A bloc of two nationalist and religious parties, the main actors on the LGBTQ front include:

Minister of Education Rafael (Rafi) Peretz: Peretz drew broad-based criticism for remarks in July 2019 that endorsed conversion therapy as effective. A national outcry included condemnation of his remarks by Prime Minister Netanyahu.
Minister of Transport Bezalel Smotrich: Smotrich has called himself a “proud homophobe” and made other disparaging remarks towards the community. He has condemned the holding of pride marches and accused LGBTQ organizations of exercising undue influence on the media to silence those who share his views.

II.

Shas political party / Minister of Interior Aryeh Deri

Representing ultra-Orthodox Jews of Middle Eastern background the Shas party publicly employs anti-LGBT rhetoric, including in the two election campaigns of 2019. In his capacity as Minister of the Interior, Shas party head Aryeh Deri has sparred with the legal system over petitions to recognize same-sex adoptions in specific cases.

III.

United Torah Judaism political party / MK Mordecai Gafni

Gafni represents ultra-Orthodox Israelis of Eastern European descent. The party holds anti-LGBTQ positions, which it says are based on traditional Jewish religious values that oppose homosexual behaviour. The party’s opposition to applying the Surrogacy Law for same-sex male couples is a key reason why this provision of the amended law did not pass a Knesset vote.

IV.

Noam political party / Hazon social movement

Noam is a right-wing nationalist and religious party deems LGBTQ behaviour as “abnormal” and campaigned in the September 2019 repeat elections on an almost exclusively anti-LGBTQ platform. The party’s associated ideological social movement Hazon (“Vision”) continues to operate, striving to influence public opinion to negatively view LGBT behaviour and lifestyle.

Leading Pro- influencers/advocates

On-going Pro-advocacy initiatives

Israel

Advocate

On-going Pro-advocacy initiatives

Pink Economy/LGBT Tourism:The Israeli government and LGBT NGO community have both tried to brand Israel as an attractive LGBT tourist destination, focused around LGBT nightlife and culture in Tel Aviv. Crucial to this effort is the annual Pride Month in June, which includes the centrepiece Pride Parade that draws thousands of foreign tourists. This branding effort has been labelled as “pinkwashing ” by some critics of Israeli policy in the Palestinian Territories.
Transgenders in the Israeli Military: The LGBT community advocates for respect and tolerance of transgendered enlistee for Israel’s mostly-mandatory military service. Some transgendered soldiers have reported facing homophobia and transphobia.

Leading Anti- influencers/advocates

Particularly vulnerable groups

Israel

Advocate

Particularly vulnerable groups

Nationwide vulnerability: While the majority of Israelis appear tolerant towards the LGBT community, an annual report in 2018 on LGBT incidents by the leading NGO in the community a 54 percent jump in the number of reported homophobic incidents over the previous year.
Transgenders: The same 2018 report found that transgenders were the target of 24% of online harassment and threats, despite constituting a far lower percentage of the overall LGBT community.
Those from a religious background: Those from traditional religious backgrounds often contend with opposition in their communities from those who believe their lifestyle to violate religious teachings.
LGBT Palestinians residing in Israel: An unspecified number of LGBT Palestinian residents of the West Bank live in Israel, due to persecution faced within the semi-autonomous Palestinian Authority (PA).

On-going Pro-advocacy initiatives

Key Laws & Government Policies

Israel

Advocate

Urgent situations / Impending developments

Amending the Surrogacy Law: The approved law’s July 2018 iteration was criticized for not allowing same-sex male couples to bear children through a surrogate. The government would like
Same-Sex Marriage: as part of a broader legislation push on recognizing civil marriage performed outside of the framework of religious authorities, there could be a bill to officially recognize same-sex marriage performed in the country. Previous bills sponsored by centrist and left-wing opposition Members of Knesset, however, have been voted down.
Same-Sex Adoption: This legislation would attempt to provide a legal framework for the currently unregulated realm of same-sex adoption.
Banning Conversion Therapy: While the Ministry of Health issued a warning in 2014 against this practice, it is still legal under Israeli law. Past proposed legislation to ban the practice were not approved by Knesset.

Key Laws & Government Policies

Kenya

Rome

Citizens -52,573,973 est

Positivity/Negativity of Laws:

ILGA Assessment

Openness to Change:

Plotted on grid

This is to show how Kenya combines their attitude to the positivity/negativity of their laws.

Click on view full grid to see it in comparison to all other countries.

I. Homosexual activity II. Same sex marriage III. Adoption by same sex couples IV. Protection from discrimination on basis of sexuality

Kenya

Rome

Key Laws & Government Policies

Homosexual activity:

Illegal (imprisonment as punishment).

Articles 162, 163 and 165 of the Kenyan Penal Code prohibits homosexuality and offender is punishable by from 5 to 14 years in prison.

II.

Same sex marriage:

Not recognized.

The Marriage Act - Chapter 150 references man and wife only.

III.

Adoption by same sex couples:

Illegal.

Chapter 141, Section 158 3(c) of Kenya's The Children Act states that homosexuals may not adopt children.

IV.

Protection from discrimination on basis of sexuality:

As homosexuality is currently illegal, discrimination against LGBT persons is legal.

Primary decision-makers

I. President of Kenya II. Attorney General of Kenya III. National Assembly IV. Senate of Kenya

Kenya

Rome

Primary decision-makers

(Govt. Depts. / Ministers)

President of Kenya

Uhuru Kenyatta

II.

Attorney General of Kenya

Paul Kihara Kariuki

III.

National Assembly

IV.

Senate of Kenya

Key Laws & Government Policies

Leading Pro- influencers/ advocates

I. Gay and Lesbian Coalition of Kenya (GALCK)II. Kenya National Commission on Human Rights III. George Barasa IV. Jonah Chinga

Kenya

Rome

Leading Pro- influencers/advocates

(Groups / Individuals)

Gay and Lesbian Coalition of Kenya (GALCK)

II.

Kenya National Commission on Human Rights

III.

George Barasa

Kenyan gospel singer

IV.

Jonah Chinga

LGBT Activist from Kenya

Primary decision-makers

Key Laws & Government Policies

I. President of Kenya II. The Most Rev Alfred Rotich III. Gerald Walterfang IV. Senator Irungu Kang'ata

Kenya

Rome

Leading Anti- influencers/advocates

(Groups / Individuals)

President of Kenya

Uhuru Kenyatta

II.

The Most Rev Alfred Rotich

Catholic bishop.

III.

Gerald Walterfang
Kenya Christian Professionals Forum

IV.

Senator Irungu Kang'ata

Jubilee Party.

Leading Pro- influencers/advocates

On-going Pro-advocacy initiatives

Kenya

Rome

On-going Pro-advocacy initiatives

Kenya’s High Court upheld the anti-homosexuality law in May 2019.
The National Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission (NGLHRC) continues to push for anti-homosexuality laws to be scrapped and will appeal the recent High Court ruling.

Leading Anti- influencers/advocates

Particularly vulnerable groups

Kenya

Rome

Particularly vulnerable groups

HIV-positive men and transgender women
LGBT refugees in Kenya

On-going Pro-advocacy initiatives

Key Laws & Government Policies

Kenya

Rome

Urgent situations / Impending developments

No major developments following High Court ruling in May 2019, upholding Kenya’s anti-homosexuality laws.

Key Laws & Government Policies

Morocco

Rome

Citizens -36,471,769 est

Positivity/Negativity of Laws:

ILGA Assessment

Openness to Change:

Plotted on grid

This is to show how morocco combines their attitude to the positivity/negativity of their laws.

Click on view full grid to see it in comparison to all other countries.

I. Homosexual activity II. Same sex marriage III. Adoption by same sex couples IV. Protection from discrimination on basis of sexuality

Morocco

Rome

Key Laws & Government Policies

Homosexual activity:

Article 489 of the Penal Code of Morocco criminalises "lewd or unnatural acts with an individual of the same sex"; sanctions include a jail sentence ranging from 6 months to 3 years and a fine ranging from 200 to 1,200 dirhams.

II.

Same sex marriage:

There is no legal recognition for same-sex marriage and adoption by same sex couples.

III.

Adoption by same sex couples:

There is no legal recognition for same-sex marriage and adoption by same sex couples.

IV.

Protection from discrimination on basis of sexuality:

There is no law against discrimination or harassment on the basis of sexuality

Primary decision-makers

I. The King II. The Minister of Justice III. The Parliament

Morocco

Rome

Primary decision-makers

(Govt. Depts. / Ministers)

The King

Mohamed VI

II.

The Minister of Justice

Mohamed Ben Abdelkader

III.

The Parliament

Key Laws & Government Policies

Leading Pro- influencers/ advocates

I. Kif Kif II. Collectif Aswat III. National Council of Human Rights IV. Abdellah Taïa

Morocco

Rome

Leading Pro- influencers/advocates

(Groups / Individuals)

There are three broad fronts advocating for LGBT policy and influencing public opinion.

Kif Kif

NGO registered in Spain.

II.

Collectif Aswat

Non-registered NGO.

III.

National Council of Human Rights

Government body.

IV.

Abdellah Taïa

Moroccan homosexual writer.

Primary decision-makers

Key Laws & Government Policies

Morocco

Rome

Leading Anti- influencers/advocates

(Groups / Individuals)

I. Religious authorities

Religious authorities

Leading Pro- influencers/advocates

On-going Pro-advocacy initiatives

Morocco

Rome

On-going Pro-advocacy initiatives

In the context of the revision of the Penal Code, several actions were undertaken, such as the“Hors-la-loi” Manifesto published by the Collectif 490 calling for the end of criminalisation of nonmarital sexual relations and abortion (the link with same-sex relations is indirect but real as this calls for greater sexual freedom) or the Memorandum sent to the Parliament by the National Council for Human Rights (governmental body) calling for the greater individual freedom, including the annulment of Article 489.
Abdellah Taïa, a famous Moroccan homosexual writer, called for the end of criminalisation of homosexuality in French media in 2019.
Mithly, a LGBT magazine, is edited by Kif-Kif since 2010 and tolerated by the Moroccan Authorities.

Leading Anti- influencers/advocates

Particularly vulnerable groups

Morocco

Rome

Particularly vulnerable groups

Men considered as deviants – homosexuals and transgender population – are particularly targeted as they embody “homosexuality” in the public opinion. However, female same-sex relations seem to receive little attention.

On-going Pro-advocacy initiatives

Key Laws & Government Policies

Morocco

Rome

Urgent situations / Impending developments

As of October 2019, a revision of the Penal Code, that could annul Article 489, therefore making homosexual acts legal, is being discussed in the Parliament.

Key Laws & Government Policies

Qatar

Rome

Citizens -2,849,232 est

Positivity/Negativity of Laws:

ILGA Assessment

Openness to Change:

Plotted on grid

This is to show how qatar combines their attitude to the positivity/negativity of their laws.

Click on view full grid to see it in comparison to all other countries.

I. Homosexual activity II. Same sex marriage III. Adoption by same sex couples IV. Protection from discrimination on basis of sexuality

Qatar

Rome

Key Laws & Government Policies

Homosexual activity:

Not legal.

Act 11 of the 2004 Penal Code. Female and male same-sex relations are prohibited by Articles 281 and 284 respectively. The penalty for engaging in same-sex sexual relations with consenting persons over the age of 16 is seven years imprisonment.

Article 258 of Qatar’s legal code condemns any man who “copulates with a male,” imposing a term of seven years in prison.

II.

Same sex marriage:

Not legal.

III.

Adoption by same sex couples:

Not legal.

IV.

Protection from discrimination on basis of sexuality:

No protections.

Article 296 of Qatar’s legal code condemns to prison anyone who is engaged in “leading, instigating or seducing a male in any way to commit sodomy.”

Section 47 of the 1979 Press and Publications law, which bans publication of “any printed matter that is deemed contrary to the ethics, violates the morals or harms the dignity of the people or their personal freedoms.”

Primary decision-makers

I. Emir of Qatar II. The Council of Ministers

Qatar

Rome

Primary decision-makers

(Govt. Depts. / Ministers)

Emir of Qatar

Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani

II.

The Council of Ministers

The Council of Ministers, which is the supreme executive authority in the country, can initiate legislation but the Emir has final say on all matters.

Key Laws & Government Policies

Leading Pro- influencers/ advocates

Qatar

Rome

Leading Pro- influencers/advocates

(Groups / Individuals)

I. The press II. FIFA

The press

Very limited in light of Article 296 of Qatar’s legal code and Section 47 of the 1979 Press and Publications law.

In June 2019, the AJ+ Twitter account, run by Al Jazeera (based in Qatar), posted an interview with the cast of “Queer eye” to celebrate Pride Month.

II.

FIFA

FIFA’s (Fédération Internationale de Football Association) Human Rights Policy states that discrimination of any kind “is strictly prohibited and punishable by suspension or expulsion.”

Qatar will host the 2022 FIFA World Cup.

FIFA now requires countries applying to host the World Cup to uphold minimum standards for human rights, including non-discrimination based on sexual orientation

Primary decision-makers

Key Laws & Government Policies

Qatar

Rome

Leading Anti- influencers/advocates

(Groups / Individuals)

I. The press

The press

There is exceptionally limited debate in favour of LGBTQ+ rights and thus limited demand for voices arguing against those rights.

Qatar is ranked 125 out of 180 on the Reporters Without Borders World Press Freedom Index.

Article 296 of Qatar’s legal code and Section 47 of the 1979 Press and Publications law all mitigate against open discussion.

Dar Al Sharq, the private publishing house for The New York Times in Qatar censors all content regarding LGBTQ when being published and distributed in Qatar, simply leaving an empty section where the story would be with a sentence stating “exceptionally removed from the Doha edition”.

Leading Pro- influencers/advocates

On-going Pro-advocacy initiatives

Qatar

Rome

On-going Pro-advocacy initiatives

N/A

Leading Anti- influencers/advocates

Particularly vulnerable groups

Qatar

Rome

Particularly vulnerable groups

LGBTQ+ individuals in Qatar are all vulnerable in some way. Social standing and influence provide some level of de facto protection to those with the necessary connections or means. Foreigners retain some moderate advantage over Qatari nationals in this regard. Male homosexuals are a specifically noted group within legislation, e.g. Articles 258 and 296. Therefore, gay men from Qatari’s from lower social strata are perhaps the most vulnerable group, amongst all the LGBTQ+ groups at risk.

On-going Pro-advocacy initiatives

Key Laws & Government Policies

Qatar

Rome

Urgent situations / Impending developments

Qatar will host the 2022 FIFA World Cup and is being pushed to comply with FIFA’s requirements around human rights.

Key Laws & Government Policies

Saudi Arabia

Rome

Citizens -34,458,270 est

Positivity/Negativity of Laws:

ILGA Assessment

Openness to Change:

Plotted on grid

This is to show how saudiarabia combines their attitude to the positivity/negativity of their laws.

Click on view full grid to see it in comparison to all other countries.

I. Homosexual activity II. Same sex marriage III. Adoption by same sex couples IV. Protection from discrimination on basis of sexuality

Saudi Arabia

Rome

Key Laws & Government Policies

Homosexual activity:

Illegal under Sharia law. (https://www.equaldex.com/region/saudi-arabia)

II.

Same sex marriage:

Illegal under Sharia law. (https://www.equaldex.com/region/saudi-arabia)

III.

Adoption by same sex couples:

Illegal under Sharia law. (https://www.equaldex.com/region/saudi-arabia)

IV.

Protection from discrimination on basis of sexuality:

No protections. (https://www.equaldex.com/region/saudi-arabia)

Please note that Saudi does not have a penal code. While there are regulations governing commerce etc, Sharia law dictates social issues including homosexuality (https://www.saudiembassy.net/basic-law-governance)

Primary decision-makers

I. HRH Crown Prince II. Minister of Justice III. Supreme Judicial Council IV. Minister of Interior V. Committee for the Promotion of Virtue and the Prevention of Vice VI. Council of Ministers

Saudi Arabia

Rome

Primary decision-makers

(Govt. Depts. / Ministers)

HRH Crown Prince

Mohammad bin Salman

II.

Minister of Justice

Dr. Walid bin Mohammed Al-Samaani

III.

Supreme Judicial Council

IV.

Minister of Interior

Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud Al Saud

Committee for the Promotion of Virtue and the Prevention of Vice

*This committee is associated with the Saudi religious police who have lost a lot of their power over recent years because of a more progressive Council of Ministers.

VI.

Council of Ministers

Key Laws & Government Policies

Leading Pro- influencers/ advocates

Saudi Arabia

Rome

Leading Pro- influencers/advocates

(Groups / Individuals)

I. Salman Aldukheil

Salman Aldukheil

Besides Salman, there are no public groups or advocates as pro-LGBTQ advocates/activists would be jailed, at a minimum.

Primary decision-makers

Key Laws & Government Policies

I. Committee for the Promotion of Virtue and the Prevention of Vice

Saudi Arabia

Rome

Leading Anti- influencers/advocates

(Groups / Individuals)

Committee for the Promotion of Virtue and the Prevention of Vice

There are not public groups or advocates against LGBTQ rights. Instead, the government makes and enforces all decisions. Some provinces in the Kingdom are also more conservative than others and will enforce Sharia law more regularly.

Leading Pro- influencers/advocates

On-going Pro-advocacy initiatives

Saudi Arabia

Rome

On-going Pro-advocacy initiatives

N/A

Leading Anti- influencers/advocates

Particularly vulnerable groups

Saudi Arabia

Rome

Particularly vulnerable groups

All groups involved in the LGBTQ scene can be considered vulnerable. As there is no penal code and Saudi operates on the basis of Sharia law for these situations, an individual caught participating in homosexual activities could either be forgiven or receive a death penalty depending purely on who catches them and luck. li
Activists without the backing of a foreign government or a powerful foreign group are extremely vulnerable.

On-going Pro-advocacy initiatives

Key Laws & Government Policies

Saudi Arabia

Rome

Urgent situations / Impending developments

Vision 2030: As Saudi implements a number of reforms, social reforms may become necessary as KSA opens up to a global tourist and business market. There are no plans as of now to relax any LGBTQ rules, but the Kingdom is attempting to become more progressive overall.
Visit Saudi Tourism push: Similarly, Saudi is now open to tourism. There are no plans to relax LGBTQ rules because of this, but it is an area to watch as tourism grows and social rules in KSA may be unable to keep up with the influx of tourism.
Special economic zones: A number of the new gigaprojects in Saudi will be special economic zones. While LGBTQ rights are not mentioned as part of the perks of the SEZs, this is another area to watch.

None of these developments are LGBTQ-specific, but new trends in reforms in the Kingdom could potentially lead to more relaxed laws around LGBTQ issues down the road.

Key Laws & Government Policies

Turkey

Embassy

Citizens -83,429,615 est

Positivity/Negativity of Laws:

ILGA Assessment

Openness to Change:

Plotted on grid

This is to show how Indonesia combines their attitude to the positivity/negativity of their laws.

Click on view full grid to see it in comparison to all other countries.

I. Homosexual activity II. Same sex marriage III. Adoption by same sex couples IV. Protection from discrimination on basis of sexuality

Turkey

Embassy

Key Laws & Government Policies

Homosexual activity:

There are no constitutional protections for sexual orientation or characteristics. Homosexuality is not illegal. No laws banning homosexuality.

The Turkish Criminal Code “Offenses Against Public Morality” Clause and Penal Code Article 226 criminalizing “Unnatural Acts,” are often used to prosecute members of the LGBTQ+ community.

Article 125 of the Civil Servants Code prohibits behavior that is “immoral or against dignity” for any government servant, with this Article often applied to LGBTQ+ civil servants.

II.

Same sex marriage:

The Turkish Civil Code covers only cover binary genders and heterosexual marriage. Same-sex marriage is unrecognized in Turkey.

III.

Adoption by same sex couples:

Single adoptions are allowed under certain circumstances.

Assisted reproduction is legal only for married couples.

IV.

Protection from discrimination on basis of sexuality:

2015 Constitutional Court ruling that reference to members of the LGBTQ+ community as “perverts” constitutes hate speech.

Turkish Penal Code Article 216 criminalizes hostility (generally – no reference to LGBTQ+ community).

The Turkish Civil Code covers only cover binary genders.

Istanbul Agreement, European Council 2011, Acknowledgement of Certain Relationship Rights and Protections from Violence (Articles 9 and 12).

LGBTQ+ public events are often defined as “unlawful assemblies and marches” with arrests made based on attendance at such events or “not dispersing despite warning” according to Law No. 2911 (Law on Assemblies and Demonstrations).

Homosexuals are banned from military service under Regulation No. 19291 (1986), with homosexuality defined by the Armed Forces as a “Psychosexual Disorder” according to the 1968 DSM-II.

Transgendered individuals have been legally allowed to change their gender since 1988. Article 40 of the Turkish Civil Code allows gender reassignment surgery if specific conditions are met. Those who have undergone surgery may legally change their name, receive a new National Identification Card, and marry an individual of the opposite gender from their newly assigned gender.

Transgendered individuals are often fined for “Disturbing the Peace” simply for appearing in public under the Law on Misdemeanors.

Primary decision-makers

I. Public bodies II. President III. Minister of Interior IV. AK Party Mayorships and Provincial Security Directorates V. Republic of Turkey, Grand National Assembly, Human Rights Monitoring Commission VI. Minister of Family, Labor, and Social Services VII. Republic of Turkey Ministry of Justice Department of Human Rights

Turkey

Embassy

Primary decision-makers

(Govt. Depts. / Ministers)

Public bodies

The Turkish government has no public body, budget, or plan associated with LGBTQ+ rights or protections

II.

President

Recep Erdogan

III.

Minister of Interior

Suleyman Soylu

IV.

AK Party Mayorships and Provincial Security Directorates

Former Mayor of Istanbul (before summer 2019 elections)

Mayor of Ankara (prohibited all LGBTQ+ activity) and the Ankara Provincial Security Directorate

Republic of Turkey, Grand National Assembly, Human Rights Monitoring Commission

VI.

Minister of Family, Labor, and Social Services

Zehra Zumrut Selcuk

VII.

Republic of Turkey Ministry of JusticeDepartment of Human Rights

Key Laws & Government Policies

Leading Pro- influencers/ advocates

I. KAOS GL II. CRD and CRD Ozgur Gur III. Pink Life LGBTT Solidarity Association IV. Lambdaistanbul LGBTT Solidarity Association V. Black Pink Triangle Izmir Association VI. Social Policies, Gender Identity and Sexual Orientation Studies Association (SPoD)VII. Republican People’s Party (CHP)VIII. Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP)

Turkey

Embassy

Leading Pro- influencers/advocates

(Groups / Individuals)

KAOS GL

Kaos Gay and Lesbian Cultural Research and Solidarity Association, founded in 1994.

II.

CRD and CRD Ozgur Gur

Civil Rights Defenders (CRD) and CRD Ozgur Gur (leading LGBTQ+ activist and CRD Partner).

III.

Pink Life LGBTT Solidarity Association

IV.

Lambdaistanbul LGBTT Solidarity Association

Black Pink Triangle Izmir Association

VI.

Social Policies, Gender Identity and Sexual Orientation Studies Association (SPoD)

VII.

Republican People’s Party (CHP)

VIII.

Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP)

Primary decision-makers

Key Laws & Government Policies

I. The Turkish government II. BPP and Saadet Party III. Yeni Akit Newspaper IV. Nationalist Youth Group Alperen Hearths

Turkey

Embassy

Leading Anti- influencers/advocates

(Groups / Individuals)

The Turkish government

TheTurkish governmenthas obstructed relevant public events in the last three years.

II.

BPP and Saadet Party

Great Unity Party (BBP) and Saadet Party (particularly certain Youth Groups).

III.

Yeni Akit Newspaper

IV.

Nationalist Youth Group Alperen Hearths

Leading Pro- influencers/advocates

On-going Pro-advocacy initiatives

Turkey

Embassy

On-going Pro-advocacy initiatives

Istanbul Gay Pride Parade (despite bans and police violence), which became the largest such event in 2011 in the Muslim world.
LGBTI-Friendly Municipality Protocol.
LGBTI+ Rights Commissions of Turkish Bar Associations (Diyarbakir, Izmir, Ankara, Samsung).
Proposed legislation related to broader recognition of rights by various CHP representatives .

Leading Anti- influencers/advocates

Particularly vulnerable groups

Turkey

Embassy

Particularly vulnerable groups

Transgendered community (as a whole in all Turkish cities).
LGBTQ+ community members in rural areas.
LGBTQ+ members of the civil service and security forces.

On-going Pro-advocacy initiatives

Key Laws & Government Policies

Turkey

Embassy

Urgent situations / Impending developments

According to reports, Police violence at public events (Violence at Istanbul Gay Pride Parade).
Banning of LGBTQ+ public events (Istanbul Gay Pride Parade banned by government since 2015).
Continued honor killings of LGBTQ+ family or community members.
Blocking of relevant websites by Turkey’s Information and Communication Technologies Authority (BTK).

Key Laws & Government Policies

United Arab Emirates

Rome

Citizens -9,770,529 est

Positivity/Negativity of Laws:

ILGA Assessment

Openness to Change:

Plotted on grid

This is to show how unitedarabemirates combines their attitude to the positivity/negativity of their laws.

Click on view full grid to see it in comparison to all other countries.

I. Homosexual activity II. Same sex marriage III. Adoption by same sex couples IV. Protection from discrimination on basis of sexuality

United Arab Emirates

Rome

Key Laws & Government Policies

Homosexual activity:

Male illegal, female uncertain.

Article 354 of the Federal Penal Code states: "Whoever commits rape on a female or sodomy with a male shall be punished by death."

The United Arab Emirates have replaced the penalties for homosexuality with jail terms and fines and there are no recorded cases of the death penalty being incurred for “consensual sodomy”.

Article 80 of the Abu Dhabi Penal Code (Arabic only) prohibits “personal intercourse contrary to nature” with penalties of imprisonment for up to fourteen years.

Article 177 of the Dubai Penal Code criminalises consensual sodomy with penalties of imprisonment for up to ten years.

Female homosexuality too is considered “Haram” as per the Sharia Law but there is no specific punishment (Dubai-based Islamic scholar Shaikh Ahmad Al Qubaisi). Link

II.

Same sex marriage:

Not legal.

III.

Adoption by same sex couples:

Not legal.

IV.

Protection from discrimination on basis of sexuality:

No protections.

Primary decision-makers

I. Prime Minister and Minister of Defence II. Cabinet Member and Minister of Tolerance III. Ministry of Social Affairs

United Arab Emirates

Rome

Primary decision-makers

(Govt. Depts. / Ministers)

Prime Minister and Minister of Defence

His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum.

II.

Cabinet Member and Minister of Tolerance

His Excellency Sheikh Nahayan Mabarak Al Nahayan.

Tolerance Initiatives do not mention LGBTQ+ individuals or rights.

III.

Ministry of Social Affairs

Key Laws & Government Policies

Leading Pro- influencers/ advocates

I. Advocacy groups and orgnisations

United Arab Emirates

Rome

Leading Pro- influencers/advocates

(Groups / Individuals)

There are three broad fronts advocating for LGBT policy and influencing public opinion.

Advocacy groups and orgnisations

Advocacy for LGBTQ+ rights in the UAE is very limited. Twitter accounts such as UAE LGBT Rights exist but are infrequent and not necessarily run from within the UAE. Advocacy groups such as Detained In Dubai exist but their sites are not accessible from with the UAE.

Primary decision-makers

Key Laws & Government Policies

I. Ministry of Social Affairs II. Minister of Justice

United Arab Emirates

Rome

Leading Anti- influencers/advocates

(Groups / Individuals)

Ministry of Social Affairs

In 2009 the Ministry of Social Affairs ran a campaign called “Excuse me, I’m a girl,” which looked to “protect” society from women who dress, behave and talk like men.

II.

Minister of Justice

Mohammed bin Nukhaira Al Dhahiri, Minister of Justice, Islamic Affairs and Auqaf (Endowments) 2005: “There will be no room for homosexual and queer acts in the UAE. Our society does not accept queer behaviour, either in word or in action”.

Leading Pro- influencers/advocates

On-going Pro-advocacy initiatives

United Arab Emirates

Rome

On-going Pro-advocacy initiatives

There are no public advocacy initiatives for LGBTQ+ rights in the UAE.

Leading Anti- influencers/advocates

Particularly vulnerable groups

United Arab Emirates

Rome

Particularly vulnerable groups

The LGBTQ+ community in the UAE is vulnerable across the board. Foreigners and those with wealth can exist if they behave with discretion but this does not equate to freedom. UAE LGBTQ+ nationals are at risk legally and within their family groups, especially those from lower income, lower status, more traditional backgrounds.

On-going Pro-advocacy initiatives

Key Laws & Government Policies

United Arab Emirates

Rome

Urgent situations / Impending developments

None.

Key Laws & Government Policies