LGBTQ rights in Turks and Caicos Islands | |
---|---|
Status | Legal since 2001, unequal age of consent |
Gender identity | No |
Military | Yes |
Discrimination protections | Yes, sexual orientation only |
Family rights | |
Recognition of relationships | No recognition of same-sex couples |
Adoption | No |
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Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) persons in the British Overseas Territory of the Turks and Caicos Islands face legal challenges not experienced by non-LGBTQ residents. Same-sex sexual activity has been legal in the Turks and Caicos Islands since 2001, and discrimination based on sexual orientation is constitutionally banned. [1]
Same-sex sexual acts were expressly decriminalised under the United Kingdom's Caribbean Territories (Criminal Law) Order, 2000, which took effect on 1 January 2001. [2]
The law received considerable local media coverage. The two largest newspapers (one of each belongs to the two largest political parties) described the law as "an affront to our country" and "the sissy law". [3]
The age of consent is higher for male (18) than it is for female (16). [4]
Same-sex marriages and civil unions are not legal in the Turks and Caicos Islands. Only opposite-sex marriage is constitutionally protected as Article 10 of the Constitution reads:
Article 16 of the Constitution bans discrimination based on sexual orientation: [5]
The Turks and Caicos Islands are considered a safe destination for LGBT tourists. LGBT people tend to face no discrimination issues in resorts and very touristic areas. [6] Most Turks and Caicos inhabitants are quite tolerant of same-sex relationships. [3] Several gay-themed cruise ships have also been allowed to port in the islands. [3]
There are no known gay rights organisations in the Turks and Caicos Islands. Several government education programmes on HIV/AIDS have reached out to gay men, though. [3]
Homophobia in the Turks and Caicos Islands is mostly religious-based. [3] Following the passage of Proposition 8 in California, several religious preachers called on same-sex marriage to be constitutionally banned in island law. Religious groups have also opposed greater awareness and prevention of HIV/AIDS, erroneously claiming that straight men and women cannot get infected. [3]
Same-sex sexual activity legal | (Since 2001) |
Equal age of consent | (Proposed) |
Anti-discrimination laws in employment | (Since 2011) |
Anti-discrimination laws in the provision of goods and services | (Since 2011) |
Anti-discrimination laws in all other areas (incl. indirect discrimination, hate speech) | (Since 2011) |
Same-sex marriages | |
Recognition of same-sex couples | |
Stepchild adoption by same-sex couples | |
Joint adoption by same-sex couples | |
LGBT people allowed to serve openly in the military | (UK responsible for defence) |
Right to change legal gender | |
Access to IVF for lesbians | |
Commercial surrogacy for gay male couples | (Banned for heterosexual couples as well) |
MSMs allowed to donate blood |
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