LGBT rights in the Solomon Islands

LGBT rights in Solomon Islands

Same-sex sexual activity legal? Illegal[1]
Penalty:
 Up to 14 years
Gender identity/expression –
Family rights

Lesbian, gay bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) rights in Solomon Islands are limited, with same-sex sexual activity being illegal since its criminalisation in the 1880s.[1][2]

Engaging in anal sex acts with another person is punishable by up to 14 years imprisonment under Section 160, Chapter 26 of the Penal Code of Solomon Islands. Attempting anal intercourse can be punished by up to seven years imprisonment. Acts of "gross indecency", even in private, can be punished with five years imprisonment.[1] However, the United States Department of State reported that there were no reports in 2010,[3] 2011,[4] 2012,[5] or 2013[6] of arrests or prosecutions directed at LGBT people.

The Law Reform Commission proposed legalising gay and lesbian status in December 2008, but the move was strongly opposed.[7] The government told the United Nations in 2011 that it had no intention of decriminalising homosexuality.[8]

Summary table

Same-sex sexual activity legal (Penalty: Up to 14 years imprisonment)
Equal age of consent
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 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

  1. 1 2 3 State-sponsored Homophobia A world survey of laws prohibiting same sex activity between consenting adults
  2. ↑ "Where is it illegal to be gay?". BBC News. Retrieved 23 February 2014.
  3. ↑ http://www.state.gov/documents/organization/160102.pdf
  4. ↑ http://www.state.gov/documents/organization/186519.pdf
  5. ↑ "2012 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices - Solomon Islands", United States Department of State
  6. ↑ http://www.state.gov/documents/organization/220442.pdf
  7. ↑ Sireheti, Joanna, "Strong Public Opposition to Idea on Legalising Gay and Lesbian Status," Solomon Times Online, 23 December 2008
  8. ↑ "Homosexuality to remain illegal in Samoa, Solomon Islands and PNG", Radio Australia, 21 October 2011


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