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, prescribing a maximum penalty of 10 years imprisonment, although there is no evidence of the law being enforced in recent years. Still, LGBTIQ Tongans can face discrimination and social stigma. Tonga recognizes gender diversity in relation to fakaleitī, or leitī, who are assigned male at birth and take on a feminine gender role. Although fakaleitī play a specific cultural role in Tonga, they can still experience discrimination and family rejection. The Tonga Leitis Association works to ensure health, equality, and respect for people of diverse sexualities, gender identities, gender expressions, and sex characteristics in Tonga.
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