LGBT rights in the Middle East
Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people generally have limited or highly restrictive rights in most parts of the Middle East, and are open to hostility in others. Sex between men is illegal in 9 of the 18 countries that make up the region. It is punishable by death in five of these 18 countries. The rights and freedoms of LGBT citizens are strongly influenced by the prevailing cultural traditions and religious mores of people living in the region – particularly Islam.
LGBT rights in the Middle East | |
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Same-sex marriage done abroad recognized Civil unions, same-sex marriage done abroad recognized Homosexuality is legal Anti-propaganda law Prison unenforced Punishable by prison Death penalty unenforced Enforced death penalty | |
| Status | Legal in: Turkey, Israel, Egypt (de jure), Jordan, West Bank, Lebanon (de facto), Cyprus, Northern Cyprus, Bahrain, Iraq (de jure), Kuwait (for females) Illegal in: Syria, Egypt (de facto), Gaza Strip, Iran, Iraq (de facto), Lebanon (de jure), Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Oman, United Arab Emirates, Yemen, Kuwait (for males) |
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All same-sex activity is legal in Cyprus, Northern Cyprus, Israel, Jordan, and Turkey.
Male same-sex activity is illegal and punishable by imprisonment in Kuwait, Egypt, Oman and Syria. It is also punishable by death in Iran, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates. In Yemen and the Gaza Strip, the punishment might differ between death and imprisonment depending on the act committed.