Jump to content

LGBT rights in Kiribati

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This is an old revision of this page, as edited by Upjav (talk | contribs) at 20:05, 1 December 2015 (oxford comma, outlaws > outlaw). The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.

LGBTQ rights in Kiribati
StatusMale illegal
Female legal[citation needed]
PenaltyUp to 14 years in prison (not enforced)
Discrimination protectionsNo
Family rights
Recognition of relationshipsNo
AdoptionNo

Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender persons (LGBT) persons may face social disadvantages in Kiribati. Male homosexuality is illegal in Kiribati. Female homosexuality is legal, but lesbians may face violence and discrimination.

Constitution

The Constitution of Kiribati outlaws any sexual acts between people of the same sex.

The Penal Code sections 153, 154, and 155 outlaw anal intercourse regardless of sex.[1]

Unnatural Offences 153. Any person who- (a) commits buggery with another person or with an animal; or (b) permits a male person to commit buggery with him or her, shall be guilty of a felony, and shall be liable to imprisonment for 14 years.

Attempts to commit unnatural offences and indecent assaults 154. Any person who attempts to commit any of the offences it specified in the last preceding section, or who is guilty of any assault with intent to commit the same, or any indecent assault upon any male person shall be guilty of a felony, and shall be liable to imprisonment for 7 years.

Indecent practices between males 155. Any male person who, whether in public or private, commits any act of gross indecency with another male person, or procures another male person to commit any act of gross indecency with him, or attempts to procure the commission of any such act by any male person with himself or with another male person, whether in public or private, shall be guilty of a felony, and shall be liable to imprisonment for 5 years.

Summary table

Same-sex sexual activity legal No For male (Penalty: Up to 14 years imprisonment; not enforced) / Yes For female
Equal age of consent No For male / Yes For female
Anti-discrimination laws in employment only No
Anti-discrimination laws in the provision of goods and services No
Anti-discrimination laws in all other areas (Incl. indirect discrimination, hate speech) No
Same-sex marriages No
Recognition of same-sex couples No
Step-child adoption by same-sex couples No
Joint adoption by same-sex couples No
Gays and lesbians allowed to serve openly in the military Has no military
Right to change legal gender No
Access to IVF for lesbians No
Commercial surrogacy for gay male couples No
MSMs allowed to donate blood No

References