Country Overview
Bahamas
At a glance
Same-sex Relations for Men Legal Throughout the Country?
Same-sex Relations for Women Legal Throughout the Country?
Legal Gender Recognition Possible?
LGBTI Orgs Able to Register?
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While same-sex relations are not criminalized in the Bahamas, there are also no explicit anti-discrimination protections for LGBTIQ people in any legislation. Police are unresponsive to LGBTIQ victims of hate crimes, resulting in an underreporting of hate crimes and a tense relationship between LGBTIQ people and the police. The Protestant and Catholic Churches have opposed the recognition of the human rights of LGBTIQ people. They play a strong cultural role in the Bahamas, influencing norms around gender and sexuality. LGBTIQ people have been subjected to threats, violent attacks, discrimination, harassment, and social stigmatization. Despite these challenges, LGBTIQ people have experienced increased visibility and more acceptance in recent years.
Global Impact
Sub-Saharan Africa
Outright supports LGBTIQ organizations in Sub-Saharan Africa and works with mainstream human rights organizations to respect human rights and influence positive changes in laws, policies, attitudes and beliefs that cause discrimination against LGBTIQ people.
United Nations
Our work at the United Nations centers around advocating for the advancement of the rights of LGBTIQ people.
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Our work in the Americas continues to build on the fundamental and positive transformation of human rights protections in recent years. We partner with groups in the Caribbean that focus on ending gender-based violence and eradicating discrimination against trans people.
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