Country Overview
Bhutan
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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In 2021, following King Druk Gyalpo’s assent to the parliamentary vote, Bhutan amended sections 213 and 214 of the Penal Code, which criminalized “unnatural sex,” thereby decriminalizing consensual same-sex sexual acts between adults across the country. Although there is tolerance and acceptance across governmental agencies and society, the country has not enacted a specific gender recognition policy recognizing trans individuals in a legal manner. A cumbersome medical certificate is required, which is a barrier to self-determined legal gender recognition, and a form must be submitted to the Department of Civil Registration and Census. While discrimination and violence against LGBTIQ persons still occur in the country, the nation is becoming more and more tolerant towards sexual and gender diversity, partly due to the advocacy and awareness campaigns by LGBTIQ activists. LGBTIQ organizations can legally register, although activists report that the process is lengthy and burdensome.
*Outright research indicates that the bodily autonomy of intersex people is not respected and protected in this country.
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