39 Commonwealth nations still have anti-LGBTI laws

Among the 53 nations in the Commonwealth of countries that formerly belonged to the British Empire, the following 39 still have anti-homosexuality laws, which first were imposed by the British. Worldwide, 79+ countries have anti-homosexuality laws.

The following list includes links to this blog’s coverage of them.

Africa

1. Botswana
2. Cameroon
3. Ghana
4. Kenya
5. Malawi (enforcement of law suspended)
6. Namibia
7. Nigeria
8. Seychelles. Seychelles does not prosecute anyone under their anti-sodomy law, has promised to repeal it, but has not yet done so. A same-sex wedding was conducted in Seychelles on June 13, 2015, on British territory (the British high commissioner’s residence). Seychelles laws currently have no provision for marriage equality.
9. Sierra Leone
10. Swaziland
11. Tanzania
12. Uganda
13. Zambia

Lesotho was formerly on the list, but it has adopted a new Penal Code that apparently eliminates the nation’s former common-law crime of sodomy.

Asia

1. Bangladesh
2. Brunei
3. India
4. Malaysia
5. Maldives
6. Pakistan
7. Singapore
8. Sri Lanka

Americas

See Also

Africa Pride 2024 will celebrate love in the face of hatred and homophobia

1. Antigua & Barbuda
2. Barbados
3. Belize
4. Dominica (But see “Dominica leader: No enforcement of anti-gay law.”)
5. Grenada
6. Guyana
7. Jamaica
8. St Kitts & Nevis
9. St Lucia
10. St Vincent & the Grenadines
11. Trinidad & Tobago

Oceania

1. Kirbati
2. Nauru
3. Papua New Guinea
4. Samoa
5. Solomon Islands
6. Tonga
7. Tuvalu

Former members of the Commonwealth

These African nations — formerly part of the British Empire — have maintained anti-homosexuality laws but have withdrawn from the Commonwealth:

• The Gambia (withdrew in 2013)
• Zimbabwe (withdrew in 2003)

Related articles

• Commonwealth: Maybe talk about LGBTI rights in 2018? (December 2015, 76crimes.com)
• Protesters seek to end LGBTI repression in Commonwealth (November 2015, 76crimes.com)
• Activists to U.K.: Fight harder vs. global LGBT persecution (June 2015, 76crimes.com)
• Queen honors LGBTI leader seeking change in Barbados (January 2015, 76crimes.com)
• ‘Umbrellas of Love’ for Commonwealth’s LGBT outcasts (July 2014, 76crimes.com)
• India turns back the clock, restores anti-gay law (December 3013, 76crimes.com)
• Homosexuality illegal in 41 out of 53 Commonwealth countries – report (November 2013, The Guardian)
•  The 42 Commonwealth Nations where being gay can land you in prison (August 2013, Pink News)