Country Overview
Tonga
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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The Criminal Offences Act of Tonga outlaws same-sex sexual activity between men and between women, prescribing a maximum penalty of 10 years imprisonment. However, there is no evidence that the law has been enforced in recent years. Cross-dressing is illegal in Tonga under laws inherited from the former British Empire. Tongan society is socially conservative and religious, and LGBTIQ Tongans can face discrimination and social stigma. The Tongan Government requires all religious references on broadcast media to conform to mainstream Christian values. Traditionally, Tongan culture has been supportive of transgender people in the form of the fakaleiti, also known as the fakafefine, which literally means “like a lady.” The fakaleiti are people who were assigned male at birth whose dress and behavior align with feminine gender roles. However, the rise in conservatism and religious fanaticism has contributed to discrimination and stigma against the fakaleiti, despite their being an integral part of Tongan culture.
*Outright research indicates that the bodily autonomy of intersex people is not respected and protected in this country.
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