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