Was it ever illegal go be gay

Countries are coloured and categorised by their most anti-gay or pro-equality laws. “Being gay” (same-sex activity and partnership) used to be illegal in the U.S. and the U.K., and being gay is still illegal in many parts of the world. So, where is it illegal to be gay?

Last year, India reinstated a year-old colonial-era law criminalising gay sex. Navratilova unhappy at IOC gay stance. Where a country falls into two contradictory categories this is reflected in the key. Even where homosexuality is legal, many countries treat those in same-sex relationships differently, such as having an unequal age of consent or a ban on marriage.

Where countries have varied laws, this is noted in the rollover text when available on your device. In its Database, the International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association (ILGA) found that homosexuality is criminalized in 62 of UN member states, while two UN member states, Iraq and Egypt, criminalize it de facto but not in legislation.

Nigeria, which already bans gay relationships, also recently outlawed same-sex marriages, gay groups and shows of same-sex public affection. No gay people in Sochi, says mayor. For more information on gay rights, visit the UN's Free and Equal campaign website , external.

Was it Illegal to “Be Gay”? Read the full notes. Uganda gays face life in prison. Did you know that as recently as the early s, some states still had laws criminalizing same-sex relationships? Kenyan author on his gay disclosure. Note: Where possible, former colonies have been referenced by their current name.

Olympic host Russia also introduced controversial legislation in June that prescribes fines for anyone giving information about homosexuality to people under In , the timeline's starting point, homosexuality was illegal in countries. Putin cautions gay visitors to Sochi.

In many places where anti-discrimination laws exist, gay people continue to be persecuted by state authorities and wider society. In Russia, host of the Sochi Winter Olympics, a law banning the promotion of "non-traditional" sexuality to unders was introduced last year.

After a period of criminalisation before the French Revolution in , the trend towards decriminalisation gathered pace - particularly in the s and s. The map and key show legal status only and do not reflect day-to-day experiences. In , the Plymouth Colony wrote a sim­ple list of “ Capitall offens­es lyable (sic) to death” that includ­ed sodomy, trea­son, witch­craft, arson, rape, mur­der, bes­tial­i­ty, and adul­tery.

They are coloured by their most anti-gay or pro-equality laws on a scale of red to blue. Fears over new Nigeria anti-gay laws. For more information on the data behind the map and timeline, see our full notes on the data. During the last years, an increasing number of countries have decriminalised same-sex relationships.

Russia seeks to calm Sochi gay fears. Explore the map of UN member states below to find out. Notes on the data: The map shows an overview of the legal status of gay people living in UN member states. Audio, Kenyan author on his gay disclosure. Millions of people continue to live in places that outlaw same-sex relationships and prosecute people for being gay.

Which countries allow same-sex marriages? In five countries and in parts of two others, homosexuality is still punishable with the death penalty, while a further 70 imprison citizens because of their sexual orientation. The first colo­nial set­tlers in North America passed laws pun­ish­ing gay sex with the death penal­ty.

However, some countries are moving in the opposite direction, introducing punitive new laws and strengthening existing penalties. The details are complex. From courageous court cases to impactful legislation, this article dives into the timeline, victories, and struggles that paved the way toward equality.

Is “Being Gay” Still Illegal?