LGBTQ rights in East Timor
LGBTQ rights in East Timor  | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Status | Legal since 1975[1] |
| Discrimination protections | No |
| Family rights | |
| Recognition of relationships | No |
Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) persons in East Timor may face legal challenges not experienced by non-LGBT residents. Both male and female same-sex sexual activity is legal in East Timor, but same-sex couples and households headed by same-sex couples are not eligible for the same legal protections available to opposite-sex married couples.[1]
Law regarding same-sex sexual activity
The age of consent in East-Timor is 14, per Article 177. However, sex acts with an adolescent aged 14–15 years are illegal if an adult practices them with the adolescent by "taking advantage of the inexperience" of that adolescent. (Article 178).[2]
Article 177. Sexual abuse of a minor 1. Any person who practices vaginal, anal or oral coitus with a minor aged less than 14 years is punishable with 5 to 20 years imprisonment. 2. Any person who practices any act of sexual relief with a minor aged less than 14 years is punishable with 5 to 15 years imprisonment.
Article 178. Sexual acts with an adolescent Any person who, being an adult and apart from situations provided in this section, practices any relevant sexual act with a minor aged between 14 and 16 years, taking advantage of the inexperience of the same, is punishable with up to 5 years imprisonment.
Discrimination protections
There is no legal protection based on sexual orientation or gender identity. There was a clause against discrimination based on sexual orientation included in the original draft of the Timorese Constitution but it was voted out by 52 out of 88 MPs before the constitution took effect in 2002.[3]
However, since 2009, bias on the basis of sexual orientation is considered to be an aggravating circumstance in the case of crimes (alongside ethnicity, gender, religion, disability, etc.).[4]
Summary table
| Same-sex sexual activity legal |  Since 1975
|
| Equal age of consent | Since 1975
|
| Anti-discrimination laws in employment only | 
|
| Anti-discrimination laws in the provision of goods and services |
|
| Anti-discrimination laws in all other areas (Incl. indirect discrimination, hate speech) |
|
| Hate crimes include sexual orientation |
|
| Same-sex marriages |
|
| Recognition of same-sex couples |
|
| Step-child adoption by same-sex couples |
|
| Joint adoption by same-sex couples |
|
| Gays and lesbians allowed to serve openly in the military | 
|
| Right to change legal gender |
|
| Access to IVF for lesbians |
|
| Commercial surrogacy for gay male couples |
|
| MSMs allowed to donate blood |
|
See also
References
HIV-AIDS and Homophobia in Timor-Leste Timor Leste Red Cross excludes homosexuals from HIV-AIDS Reduction Program
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