LGBT rights in Antigua and Barbuda
| LGBT rights in Antigua and Barbuda | |
|---|---|
|
| |
| Same-sex sexual activity legal? | Illegal |
Penalty: | Up to 15 years imprisonment |
| Family rights | |
| Recognition of relationships | No |
Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) persons in Antigua and Barbuda face legal challenges not experienced by non-LGBT citizens. Same-sex sexual acts are illegal in Antigua and Barbuda.
Law regarding same-sex sexual activity
Two sections of the Sexual Offences Act, 1995 relate to same-sex sexual acts:
Section 12. (1) A person who commits buggery is guilty of an offence and is liable on conviction to imprisonment -
(a) for life, if committed by an adult on a minor;
(b) for fifteen years, if committed by an adult on another adult;
(c) for five years, if committed by a minor.
(2) In this section "buggery" means sexual intercourse per anum by a male person with a male person....[1]
Section 15. (1) A person who commits an act of serious indecency on or towards another is guilty of an offence and is liable on conviction to imprisonment -
(a) for ten years, if committed on or towards a minor under sixteen years of age;
(b) for five years, if committed an or towards a person sixteen years of age of more....
* * * *
(3) An act of "serious indecency" is an act, other than sexual intercourse (whether natural or unnatural), by a person involving the use of the genital organ for the purpose of arousing or gratifying sexual desire.[1]
"Repeat Offenders" of buggery also get placed on the Sex Offenders Register for the remainder of their life.[2]
Summary table
| Same-sex sexual activity legal |  (Penalty: Up to 15 years imprisonment) |
| Equal age of consent | |
| Anti-discrimination laws in employment only | |
| Anti-discrimination laws in the provision of goods and services | |
| Anti-discrimination laws in all other areas (Incl. indirect discrimination, hate speech) | |
| Same-sex marriages | |
| Recognition of same-sex couples | |
| Step-child adoption by same-sex couples | |
| Joint adoption by same-sex couples | |
| Gays and lesbians allowed to serve openly in the military | |
| Right to change legal gender | |
| Access to IVF for lesbians | |
| Commercial surrogacy for gay male couples | |
| MSMs allowed to donate blood | |
See also
- Politics of Antigua and Barbuda
- LGBT rights in the Commonwealth of Nations
- LGBT rights in the Americas
- LGBT rights by country or territory
References
- 1 2 Sexual Offences Act
- ↑ Ottosson, Daniel (May 2009). "State-sponsored Homophobia: A world survey of laws prohibiting same sex activity between consenting adults" (PDF). International Lesbian and Gay Association (ILGA). pp. Page 13. Retrieved 19 May 2009.
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