LGBT rights in Tuvalu
LGBT rights in Tuvalu | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Status | Male illegal, female legal |
| Penalty | Up to 14 years in prison (not enforced) |
| Discrimination protections | No |
| Family rights | |
| Recognition of relationships | No |
| Adoption | No |
Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people in Tuvalu may face challenges not faced by non-LGBT people. Homosexual male sex is illegal in Tuvalu. Sections 153, 154 and 155 of the Penal Code outlaw homosexual intercourse.[1][2]
Tuvalu is home to a significant transgender population. People, who were assigned male at birth, but live and behave as women are called pinapinaaine, and historically had certain societal roles, such as basket weaving. They were also known for their talent to elaborate dance ceremonies.[3] Nowadays, the pinapinaaine are still often seen in Tuvalu.
In 2011, Tuvalu signed the "joint statement on ending acts of violence and related human rights violations based on sexual orientation and gender identity" at the United Nations, condemning violence and discrimination against LGBT people.[4]
History
Tuvalu, much like the rest of Polynesia, used to be very tolerant of same-sex relationships and transgender people before the arrival of the Europeans and Christianity. Bisexuality was also quite commonplace among the islands, as many island kings kept both male and female partners in their royal huts for intimate relations.[3]
Legality of same-sex sexual activity
According to the United States Department of State, there were no reports of prosecution of consenting adults under these provisions.[5] The age of consent for heterosexual and lesbian sex is 15.
Penal Code
- Section 153: Unnatural offences
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.
- Section 154: Attempts to commit unnatural offences and indecent assault
Any person who attempts to commit any of the offences 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.
- Section 155: Indecent practices between males
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.
Statistics
According to a 2005 study, about 14% of young Tuvaluan men between the age of 15 and 24 had had sex with a male partner sometime in their lives.[3]
Summary table
| Same-sex sexual activity legal |  (For males)/ (For females)
|
| Equal age of consent | (For males)/ (For females)
|
| 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) |
|
| Same-sex marriages |
|
| Recognition of same-sex couples |
|
| Stepchild adoption by same-sex couples |
|
| Joint adoption by same-sex couples |
|
| LGBT people allowed to serve openly in the military | Has no 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
- ^ Tuvalu Penal Code
- ^ GlobalGayz Archived 11 July 2011 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ a b c "Global AIDS Progress Report of Tuvalu" (PDF). Ministry of Health Tuvalu. 2016. Retrieved 29 November 2017.
- ^ "Over 80 Nations Support Statement at Human Rights Council on LGBT Rights » US Mission Geneva". Geneva.usmission.gov.
- ^ TUVALU 2013 HUMAN RIGHTS REPORT
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