Censorship of LGBT issues

Several regions make it illegal to discuss, promote, or teach LGBTQ+ topics.

DATE

Censorship of LGBT issues

Censorship of LGBTQ+ issues involves the suppression, restriction, or regulation of information, media, and public discourse related to LGBTQ+ rights and identities. This type of censorship can occur through governmental laws, social policies, or even corporate decisions and is typically justified by authorities as a measure to protect public morals or national values. However, such censorship often leads to significant human rights violations, stifling freedom of expression and the right to information.

In many countries, censorship manifests in the banning of books, films, websites, and articles that discuss LGBTQ+ themes or advocate for LGBTQ+ rights. Educational content on LGBTQ+ topics can also be restricted under laws that proponents claim protect minors. For instance, "anti-propaganda" laws in some countries prohibit any positive mention of non-heteronormative relationships in materials accessible to children, severely limiting LGBTQ+ visibility and awareness.

The effects of this censorship are profound, contributing to the marginalization and stigmatization of LGBT individuals by perpetuating ignorance and misinformation. Activists and international human rights organizations continue to challenge these oppressive practices, pushing for a world where information on all identities is accessible, allowing for a more inclusive and educated society.

Summary

119
No censorship
119 regions (60%)
No censorship
70
Censorship exists
70 regions (35%)
Censorship exists
9
Varied, unclear, or unknown laws
9 regions (5%)
Varied, unclear, or unknown laws
Europe
82%
LEGAL EQUALITY
No censorship
41 regions (82%)
Censorship exists
8 regions (16%)
Varied, unclear, or unknown laws
1 regions (2%)
Oceania
79%
LEGAL EQUALITY
No censorship
11 regions (79%)
Censorship exists
2 regions (14%)
Varied, unclear, or unknown laws
1 regions (7%)
South America
67%
LEGAL EQUALITY
No censorship
8 regions (67%)
Censorship exists
2 regions (17%)
Varied, unclear, or unknown laws
2 regions (17%)
North America
87%
LEGAL EQUALITY
No censorship
20 regions (87%)
Censorship exists
1 regions (4%)
Varied, unclear, or unknown laws
2 regions (9%)
Africa
43%
LEGAL EQUALITY
No censorship
23 regions (43%)
Censorship exists
31 regions (57%)
Varied, unclear, or unknown laws
regions (0%)
Asia
36%
LEGAL EQUALITY
No censorship
16 regions (36%)
Censorship exists
26 regions (59%)
Varied, unclear, or unknown laws
2 regions (5%)

Timeline of censorship of lgbt issues

Number of countries to prevent censorship over the past 61 years.

Recent Changes

2026

2025

2024

Censorship of LGBT issues by Country

No censorship

Censorship of LGBT issues is no censorship in 119 regions.

  1. Asia (16)
  2. Bhutan
  3. Cambodia 1979
  4. Israel
  5. Japan
  6. Laos
  7. Mongolia
  8. Nepal
  9. Philippines
  10. South Korea 2003
  11. Sri Lanka
  12. Taiwan
  13. Tajikistan
  14. Thailand
  15. Timor-Leste
  16. Turkmenistan
  17. Vietnam
  18. Europe (41)
  19. Albania
  20. Andorra
  21. Armenia
  22. Austria 1998
  23. Belgium
  24. Bosnia and Herzegovina
  25. Croatia
  26. Cyprus
  27. Czechia
  28. Denmark
  29. Estonia
  30. Finland 1999
  31. France
  32. Germany
  33. Greece 2016
  34. Iceland
  35. Ireland
  36. Italy 1943
  37. Kosovo
  38. Latvia
  39. Liechtenstein
  40. Lithuania 2024
  41. Luxembourg
  42. Malta
  43. Monaco
  44. Montenegro
  45. Netherlands
  46. North Macedonia
  47. Norway
  48. Poland 2025
  49. Portugal
  50. Romania 2020
  51. San Marino
  52. Serbia
  53. Slovakia
  54. Slovenia
  55. Spain
  56. Sweden
  57. Switzerland
  58. Ukraine
  59. United Kingdom 2003
  60. North America (20)
  61. Antigua and Barbuda
  62. Bahamas 2007
  63. Barbados
  64. Belize
  65. Canada
  66. Costa Rica
  67. Cuba 1997
  68. Dominica
  69. Dominican Republic
  70. Grenada
  71. Guatemala
  72. Haiti
  73. Honduras
  74. Jamaica
  75. Nicaragua 2008
  76. Panama
  77. Saint Kitts and Nevis
  78. Saint Lucia
  79. Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
  80. Trinidad and Tobago
  81. Africa (23)
  82. Angola
  83. Benin
  84. Botswana
  85. Cape Verde
  86. Chad
  87. Comoros
  88. Gabon
  89. Ghana
  90. Guinea
  91. Guinea-Bissau
  92. Lesotho
  93. Liberia
  94. Madagascar
  95. Mauritius
  96. Mozambique 1988
  97. Namibia 1990
  98. Niger
  99. Republic of the Congo
  100. Rwanda
  101. Sao Tome and Principe
  102. Seychelles
  103. Sierra Leone
  104. South Africa 1990
  105. Oceania (11)
  106. Federated States of Micronesia
  107. Fiji
  108. Kiribati
  109. Marshall Islands
  110. Nauru
  111. New Zealand
  112. Palau
  113. Papua New Guinea
  114. Solomon Islands
  115. Tuvalu
  116. Vanuatu
  117. South America (8)
  118. Bolivia
  119. Chile 1988
  120. Colombia
  121. Ecuador
  122. Guyana 2018
  123. Suriname
  124. Uruguay 1985
  125. Venezuela 1997

State-enforced

Censorship of LGBT issues is state-enforced in 29 regions.

  1. Asia (10)
  2. Bangladesh 2024
  3. China 2016
  4. Kuwait 2022
  5. Kyrgyzstan 2023
  6. Myanmar 1946
  7. North Korea 2009
  8. Singapore 1989
  9. Syria 1949
  10. Uzbekistan 2021
  11. Yemen 1990
  12. Europe (4)
  13. Azerbaijan 2017
  14. Bulgaria 2024
  15. Georgia 2024
  16. Turkey 2015
  17. North America (1)
  18. El Salvador 2024
  19. Africa (11)
  20. Côte d’Ivoire 2019
  21. Democratic Republic of the Congo 1940
  22. Djibouti 1995
  23. Equatorial Guinea 2019
  24. Eritrea
  25. Eswatini 1907
  26. Ethiopia 2005
  27. Kenya 2012
  28. Morocco 1962
  29. Sudan 1991
  30. Tanzania 1981
  31. Oceania (1)
  32. Samoa 2013
  33. South America (2)
  34. Paraguay 2017
  35. Peru 2024

Fine as punishment

Censorship of LGBT issues is fine as punishment in 1 regions.

  1. Africa (1)
  2. Burundi 2009

Other punishment

Censorship of LGBT issues is other punishment in 2 regions.

  1. Europe (1)
  2. Vatican City
  3. Africa (1)
  4. Somalia 1964

Imprisonment as punishment

Censorship of LGBT issues is imprisonment as punishment in 37 regions.

  1. Asia (15)
  2. Afghanistan 2021
  3. Bahrain 1976
  4. Brunei 2013
  5. India 2026
  6. Indonesia 2008
  7. Iraq 2023
  8. Jordan 1960
  9. Kazakhstan 2025
  10. Lebanon 1943
  11. Malaysia 2013
  12. Oman 1984
  13. Pakistan 2016
  14. Qatar 2004
  15. Saudi Arabia
  16. United Arab Emirates 1987
  17. Europe (3)
  18. Belarus 2020
  19. Hungary 2025
  20. Russia 2023
  21. Africa (18)
  22. Algeria 1982
  23. Burkina Faso 2025
  24. Cameroon 2010
  25. Central African Republic 2010
  26. Egypt 1937
  27. Gambia 2013
  28. Libya 1953
  29. Malawi 2015
  30. Mali 2004
  31. Mauritania 1983
  32. Nigeria 2013
  33. Senegal 1965
  34. South Sudan 2009
  35. Togo 2015
  36. Tunisia 2004
  37. Uganda 2023
  38. Zambia 1930
  39. Zimbabwe 1967
  40. Oceania (1)
  41. Tonga 1978

Death penalty as punishment

Censorship of LGBT issues is death penalty as punishment in 1 regions.

  1. Asia (1)
  2. Iran 1987

Varied, unclear, or unknown laws

Data on censorship of lgbt issues is unclear, not applicable, or missing in 9 regions.

  1. Asia (2)
  2. Maldives Ambiguous
  3. Palestine Varies by Region
  4. Europe (1)
  5. Moldova Varies by Region
  6. North America (2)
  7. Mexico Varies by Region
  8. United States Varies by Region
  9. Oceania (1)
  10. Australia Varies by Region
  11. South America (2)
  12. Argentina Varies by Region
  13. Brazil Varies by Region
  14. Antarctica (1)
  15. Antarctica N/A

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