| LGBT rights in Dominica | |
|---|---|
Dominica |
|
| Same-sex sexual activity legal? | Illegal[1] |
|
Penalty:
|
10 years (buggery), 5 years (other acts)[1] |
| Gender identity/expression | - |
Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) persons in Dominica face legal challenges not experienced by non-LGBT residents. Both male and female same-sex sexual activity is illegal[1] in Dominica.
According to Article 14 of the Sexual Offences Act from 1998, anyone caught perpetrating an act of gross indecency can be punished with imprisonment of up to 5 years.[2] Article 15 punishes anal sex (regardless of whether with men or women) with a prison sentence of up to 10 years, or in some cases can lead to internment in a mental asylum. Article 16 states the punishment for attempted anal sex is imprisonment of up to 4 years.[2]
From 1995 to 2000, 35 people were arrested for the criminal offense of buggery.[3]
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