LGBT rights in Eswatini
Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people in Eswatini have limited legal rights. According to Rock of Hope, a Swati LGBT advocacy group, "there is no legislation recognising LGBTIs or protecting the right to a non-heterosexual orientation and gender identity and as a result [LGBT people] cannot be open about their orientation or gender identity for fear of rejection and discrimination". Homosexuality is illegal in Eswatini, though this law is in practice unenforced. According to the 2021 Human Rights Practices Report from the US Department of State, "there has never been an arrest or prosecution for consensual same-sex conduct."
LGBT rights in Eswatini | |
|---|---|
| Status |
|
| Gender identity | No |
| Military | No |
| Discrimination protections | No |
| Family rights | |
| Recognition of relationships | No recognition of same-sex unions |
| Adoption | No |
Despite the absence of legal enforcement against same-sex sexual activity, LGBT people in Eswatini regularly face societal discrimination and harassment, including violence. As such, most choose to remain in the closet or move to neighbouring South Africa.
However, Eswatini has a higher than average tolerance of LGBT people compared to most other African countries. Eswatini's first pride parade was held in June 2018.