LGBT rights in the Faroe Islands
| LGBT rights in the Faroe Islands | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Same-sex sexual activity legal? |
Legal since 1933, age of consent equalized in 1988 |
| Gender identity/expression | Transsexual persons allowed to change legal gender |
| Military service | Denmark is responsible for defence |
| Discrimination protections | Sexual orientation protections |
| Family rights | |
| Recognition of relationships | No |
| Adoption | No |
Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) persons in the Faroe Islands may face legal challenges not experienced by non-LGBT residents. Both male and female same-sex sexual activity is legal in the Faroe Islands, but same-sex couples and households headed by same-sex couples are not eligible for the same legal protections available to opposite-sex married couples.
Law regarding same-sex sexual activity
Same-sex sexual activity has been legal in the Faroe Islands since 1933 when it was decriminalized in Denmark. At that time the age of consent was set at 18 for same-sex relations. Then in 1988, the age of consent became gender-neutral and equal at 15.[1]
Recognition of same-sex relationships
The Faroe Islands does not recognize same-sex unions.
In 2012, Denmark legalised same-sex marriage, however the law did neither affect the Faroe Islands nor Greenland.
A bill to allow same-sex marriage was to be submitted to the Løgting after 29 July 2013, at the opening of the parliamentary session. A May 2013 Gallup survey found that 68% favoured civil marriage for same-sex couples, with 27% against and 5% undecided.[2][3]
A set of bills to extend Danish same-sex marriage legislation to the Faroe Islands was submitted to the Løgting on 20 November 2013. These bills do not include the possibility for same-sex couples to have a legally valid church wedding. If approved, they would enter into force on 1 April 2014.[4][5][6]
Discrimination protections and hate crimes
Discrimination against gays and lesbians on the islands is rare but became a hot topic in 2006 after Rasmus Rasmussen, a 25-year-old openly gay musician and popular radio host, allegedly was assaulted by five men in Tórshavn, the capital.[7]
On 15 December 2006, in a 17–15 vote, Faroese legislators included the words "sexual orientation" in the islands' anti-discrimination law.[8][9]
Summary table
| Same-sex sexual activity legal |  |
| Equal age of consent | |
| Anti-discrimination laws in employment | |
| Anti-discrimination laws in the provision of goods and services | |
| Anti-discrimination laws in all other areas (incl. indirect discrimination, hate speech) | |
| Same-sex marriage(s) |  |
| Recognition of same-sex couples | |
| Adoption by same-sex couples | |
| Gays allowed to serve in the military | Denmark is responsible for defence |
| Right to change legal gender | |
| Access to IVF for lesbians | |
| MSMs allowed to donate blood | [10] |
See also
References
- ↑ Faroe Pride
- ↑ Poll: 68% approve of equal marriage in the Faroe Islands
- ↑ Large majority agrees with civil marriage for homosexuals
- ↑ (Faroese) 51/2013 Uppskot til ríkislógartilmæli um at seta í gildi fyri Føroyar partar av broytingum í hjúnabandslógini og rættarvirknaðarlógini við tilhoyrandi skjølum
- ↑ (Faroese) 52/2013 Uppskot til ríkislógartilmæli um broyting í rættargangslógini fyri Føroyar
- ↑ (Faroese) 53/2013 Uppskot til ríkislógartilmæli um broyting í “Anordning om ikrafttræden for Færøerne af lov om ægteskabs indgåelse og opløsning”
- ↑ Homophobia "perfectly legal" in Faroe Islands
- ↑ Island Chain Votes To Ban Discrimination Against Gays
- ↑ §266b
- ↑ http://lgbt.fo/?page_id=376
External links
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