Jordan

In 1951, Jordan abolished a colonial-era ban on same-sex relations, and in 2013, it criminalized honor killings, which may target LGBTIQ people. Transgender people have been allowed to change their legal gender markers in some cases, although there is no clear legal pathway. Jordan allows gender-affirming surgery for intersex individuals but criminalizes such procedures for transgender individuals under Article 8 of the Medical and Health Liability Law (25) of 2018. Jordan’s Cybercrime Law (17) of 2023 criminalizes the “creation, promotion, instigation, or support of immorality” online, posing a potential threat to LGBTIQ people. Public decency laws provide legal cover for police and government officials to arbitrarily arrest LGBTIQ Jordanians and shut down events associated with sexual and gender diversity. 

There have been numerous reports of discrimination and violence against LGBTIQ people, often with little legal recourse. Hate speech by politicians is rife, and media depiction of LGBTIQ people is often negative. Public opinion about LGBTIQ people is predominantly negative. According to a 2019 survey, only seven percent of people in Jordan believed that “homosexuality” should be accepted. Despite these challenges, Jordan has many unofficial LGBTIQ organizations that organize activities and build support. As a result, Jordanian LGBTIQ people have experienced increasing visibility and acceptance.

*Outright research indicates bodily autonomy of intersex people is not respected and protected.