Countries where homosexuality is illegal

The International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association, or ILGA, lists the following 78 (plus 4) countries with criminal laws against sexual activity by lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender or intersex people (LGBTIs).

The total is 82 if you include political entities such as Gaza/Palestine, the Turkish-controlled northern portion of Cyprus, and Indonesia, where two large provinces outlaw homosexual acts.

The total is 76-plus countries, according to a list from the St. Paul’s Foundation for International Reconciliation.

Homosexuality in Africa

Algeria, Angola, Benin, Botswana, Burundi, Cameroon, Comoros, Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Kenya, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Malawi(enforcement of law suspended), Mauritania, Mauritius, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia, Nigeria, Sao Tome, Senegal, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Swaziland, Tanzania, Togo, Tunisia, Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe,

Homosexuality in Asia,including the Middle East

Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Brunei, Iran, Kuwait, Lebanon, Malaysia, Maldives, Myanmar, Oman, Pakistan, Palestine/Gaza Strip, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Syria, Turkmenistan, United Arab Emirates, Uzbekistan, Yemen,

Two Asian/Middle Eastern countries are listed separately by the ILGA under the heading “Legal status of homosexual acts unclear or uncertain”:

In Iraq, there is no law against homosexual acts, but homophobic violence is unchecked and self-appointed sharia judges reportedly have imposed sentences for homosexual behavior.

In India, enforcement of the law against homosexual activity has been suspended by court action.

Homosexuality in Americas

Antigua & Barbuda, Barbados, Belize, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, St Kitts & Nevis, St Lucia, St Vincent & the Grenadines, Trinidad & Tobago,

Homosexuality in Oceania

Cook Islands,

Indonesia(Aceh Province and South Sumatra), Kirbati, Nauru, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu,

Homosexuality in Europe

Northern Cyprus,

Also in Europe and worth mentioning but not on a list of countries with laws against homosexuality are:

Russia, where several cities and regions have laws that prohibit discussion of homosexuality in the presence of minors;

Ukraine, which has considered, but so far has not adopted a similar law against “gay propaganda.”