LGBT rights in Papua New Guinea

LGBT rights in Papua New Guinea

Same-sex sexual activity legal? Male illegal, female legal
Penalty:
 Up to 14 years imprisonment (not enforced)
Gender identity/expression –

Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) persons in Papua New Guinea face legal challenges not experienced by non-LGBT residents. Male same-sex sexual activity is prohibited by Section 210 of the Papua New Guinea Penal Code. Those caught engaging in anal sex can get punished with up to fourteen years imprisonment. Other same-sex sexual acts can be punished with up to three years imprisonment.[1] Papua New Guinea has a traditional Christian society.[2] In 2011, the government informed the United Nations that it will not decriminalise homosexuality.[3]

According to the United States Department of State, there were no reports of prosecutions in 2012 directed at LGBT persons.[4] However, the department reported that LGBT persons in 2012 were "vulnerable to societal stigmatization".[4]

LGBT persons have reported facing "discrimination in their daily lives, and often struggle to find jobs".[5] PNG former Member of Parliament Dame Carol Kidu in 2012 described gay Papua New Guineans as being forced to live lives of secrecy, and called unsuccessfully on the government to decriminalise homosexuality.[2] Prime Minister Peter O'Neill explained that there were "strong feelings" against homosexuality in the country, which was "yet to accept such sexual openness".[2]

Summary table

Same-sex sexual activity legal For male / For female
Equal age of consent / For female
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
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

  1. ↑ State-sponsored Homophobia A world survey of laws prohibiting same sex activity between consenting adults
  2. 1 2 3 "Gay PNG citizens face discrimination", Special Broadcasting Service (video), 11 September 2012
  3. ↑ "Homosexuality to remain illegal in Samoa, Solomon Islands and PNG", Radio Australia, 21 October 2011
  4. 1 2 "2012 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices - Papua New Guinea", United States Department of State
  5. ↑ "No end in sight to PNG’s anti-gay laws", Special Broadcasting Service, 11 September 2012


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