Country Overview
Latvia
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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Although same-sex sexuality is legal in Latvia, LGBTIQ people have minimal legal protections. Same-sex couples may register their relationships as civil unions, but the constitution of Latvia defines marriage as being between a man and a woman, and same-sex couples cannot jointly adopt. Transgender people may change their legal gender markers, but this requires medical intervention. Public opinion about LGBTIQ people is conservative, and the visibility of LGBTIQ people is low. Anti-LGBTIQ organizations and political parties have spoken out against equal rights for LGBTIQ people. Media often depicts LGBTIQ people negatively and with harmful stereotypes, and very few prominent figures openly identify as LGBTIQ. Pride marches have been banned on bases including “public morality” and public safety, and when they have been held, they are often protested.
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 Asia promotes acceptance of sexual and gender diversity at all levels of society.
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In the Middle East and North Africa, we partner with local groups in various countries as part of our international solidarity work. We also work with our local partners on different topics through capacity building, advocacy, research and holistic security.
Europe and Central Asia
Outright International partners with activists to fight for an end to human rights violations based on sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression in Europe and Central Asia, where most of our work involves emergency responses to harassment, discrimination, violence, and most recently, Russia’s brutal and expanded invasion of Ukraine.
Americas
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.
Pacific
Our work in the Pacific aims to increase the visibility of activists, respond to human rights emergencies, and actively bridge local, regional, and international activism to achieve equality and justice.
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Human Rights Research
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