LGBT rights in Bhutan

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LGBT rights in Bhutan Bhutan
Bhutan
Bhutan
Same-sex sexual activity legal? Illegal[1]
Discrimination protections No
Family rights
Recognition of
relationships
No
Adoption No

Homosexuality is illegal in Bhutan in the penal code of Bhutan (Art. 213 & 214) and is punishable with a prison sentence from between one month to less than one year.[1]

There are reportedly no known cases of anyone having ever been charged with this petty misdemeanor. Little is known about gay life in Bhutan, as Bhutanese culture does not share the typical western view of heterosexuality and homosexuality. Some people have even called it an openly bisexual society, though this is disputed.[2]

Bhutan Observer, one of the country's main weekly newspapers, has written quite a few articles on LGBT issues and these articles have elicited a lot of interest making them the most commented articles on the papers website.[3] Kuensel the government supported newspaper has referred to gays as being the "Third Gender" in an article discussing HIV programs targeted towards gay men[4]

Recognition of same-sex couples [edit]

Currently, Bhutan does not provide any form of legal recognition for same-sex couples.

See also [edit]

Notes [edit]

  1. ^ a b State-sponsored Homophobia A world survey of laws prohibiting same sex activity between consenting adults
  2. ^ Bhutan, Asia
  3. ^ Wangmo, Phuntsho (2008-12-19). "How Gay Are Bhutanese Gays?". Bhutan Observer online. Retrieved 2011-10-15. 
  4. ^ Pelden, Sonam (2011-11-28). "Healthcare for the third gender". Kuensel online. Retrieved 2011-11-28.