LGBT rights in Transnistria

LGBT rights in Transnistria

Location of  LGBT rights in Transnistria  (green)

in Europe  (dark grey)   [Legend]

Same-sex sexual activity legal? Legal since 2002
Gender identity/expression -
Military service -
Discrimination protections None
Family rights
Recognition of
relationships
None
Adoption -

Lesbian, gay, bisexuals, and transgender (LGBT) persons in Transnistria may face legal challenges not experienced by non-LGBT residents. The Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic (PMR) is an unrecognised breakaway state with its own judicial system. For the legal situation for LGBT individuals in Moldova, which Transnistria is recognised by most states as belonging to, see LGBT rights in Moldova.

Law regarding same-sex sexual activity

Consensual same-sex sexual activity is legal in Transnistria, despite many foreign sources say that it is illegal. Article 131 of the Criminal Code of Transnistria that came into force in June 2002, states that committing sodomy, lesbianism and sexual intercourse with a person under the age of sixteen is illegal. However, the article does not state that committing 'sodomy and lesbianism' above 16 is illegal. All the other articles related to sex crimes, such as sexual assault and coercion to perform sexual acts, have listed '(heterosexual) sexual intercourse, sodomy and lesbianism' in the same category. There are no other articles in the Criminal Code of Transistria that have laws that are separated in penalizing same-sex sexual activity, or committing 'sodomy and lesbianism.'[1]

Despite this, LGBT individuals are subject to governmental and societal discrimination.[2]

Recognition of same-sex unions

Transnistria does not recognize same-sex unions. The Code of Marriage and Family that came into force in 2002 states that marriage is voluntary martial union between a man and a woman. The Code does not recognize other types of partnership for both opposite-sex and same-sex couples other than marriage.[3]

Summary table

Same-sex sexual activity legal (Since 2002)
Equal age of consent (Since 2002)
Anti-discrimination laws in employment only (Proposed)
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
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

This article is issued from Wikipedia - version of the Saturday, April 11, 2015. The text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share Alike but additional terms may apply for the media files.