LGBTQ rights in Bangladesh
LGBTQ rights in Bangladesh | |
|---|---|
| Legal status | Illegal |
| Penalty | Life imprisonment for same-sex sexual activity |
| Gender identity | Third gender recognised since 2013, restrictions for transgender people |
| Military | No |
| Discrimination protections | No |
| Family rights | |
| Recognition of relationships | No |
| Adoption | No |
Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) people in Bangladesh face widespread social and legal challenges not experienced by non-LGBTQ people.
Homosexuality is illegal and criminalised under Bangladeshi law, which is inherited from the colonial British Indian government's Section 377 of 1860. According to the law, the punishment for engaging in same-sex sexual activities is up to life imprisonment. Though rarely enforced, it is used to arrest, harass and extort individuals based on their sexual orientation.
In 2014, hijras gained official third gender recognition codified by the Cabinet of Bangladesh, with voter lists offering third gender options and hijra candidates running for government positions, though other communities of transgender people remain unrecognised.
Homosexuality is widely disapproved in Bangladesh with no legal protections against discrimination. Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer-identifying individuals frequently report harassment, discrimination, abuse, and violence for their gender identity and sexual orientation. While hijras are generally more accepted and have historically held culturally important roles, they also face severe discrimination and unequal access to various social services like housing and health care.