| LGBT rights in Guyana | |
|---|---|
Guyana |
|
| Same-sex sexual activity legal? | Illegal (not enforced) |
|
Penalty:
|
10 years prison (buggery) to life in prison (anal sex). |
| Gender identity/expression | - |
| Recognition of relationships |
No recognition of same-sex relationships |
| Discrimination protections | None |
According to the penal code of Guyana, "gross indecency" committed by a man upon another man, either in public or private, will be punished with imprisonment for up to 2 years.[1]:§ 352[2]:1217 For attempted anal sex ("buggery") the punishment is 10 years, and for anal sex, imprisonment for life is possible.[1]:§ 353-354[2]:1217 Guyana is the only country in South America where homosexual acts are still illegal.[3][4]
In December 2000, the Guyanese Parliament unanimously approved an amendment to the Constitution which would (in part) prohibit discrimination for reasons of sexual orientation, but the efforts of religious leaders prior to the March 2001 elections caused President Jagdeo to deny it his assent.[5] A new amendment containing only the sexual orientation clause was put before Parliament in 2003.[5]
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