Current Version
| Region | Bhutan |
| Issue | LGBT discrimination |
| Status | Illegal in some contexts |
| Start Date | 2018 |
| End Date | (none) |
| Description | The Information, Communications and Media Act of Bhutan (2018) protects sexual orientation as “Sensitive Personal Data or Information”. Section 8.2(i) of the Bhutan Filming Regulation 2025, reads: "The tone and content of programming shall not in any way incite discrimination, hatred or violence against any individual or identifiable group based on race, national or ethnic origin, religion, gender, sexual orientation, age, disability, marital or family status, or political affiliation." |
| Sources | The Information, Communications and Media Act. Article 464(89)(d) https://samsn.ifj.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/ICMActofBhutan2018.pdf Bhutan Filming Regulation 2025 https://www.bicma.gov.bt/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Bhutan-Filming-Regulation-2025.pdf https://web.archive.org/web/20180421053151/https://www.state.gov/documents/organization/277523.pdf |
Revision History (5)
| Old Value | New Value (Current) | |
|---|---|---|
| Description | The Information, Communications and Media Act of Bhutan (2018) protects sexual orientation as “Sensitive Personal Data or Information”. | The Information, Communications and Media Act of Bhutan (2018) protects sexual orientation as “Sensitive Personal Data or Information”. Section 8.2(i) of the Bhutan Filming Regulation 2025, reads: "The tone and content of programming shall not in any way incite discrimination, hatred or violence against any individual or identifiable group based on race, national or ethnic origin, religion, gender, sexual orientation, age, disability, marital or family status, or political affiliation." |
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| Sources | The Information, Communications and Media Act. Article 464(89)(d) https://samsn.ifj.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/ICMActofBhutan2018.pdf https://web.archive.org/web/20180421053151/https://www.state.gov/documents/organization/277523.pdf | The Information, Communications and Media Act. Article 464(89)(d) https://samsn.ifj.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/ICMActofBhutan2018.pdf Bhutan Filming Regulation 2025 https://www.bicma.gov.bt/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Bhutan-Filming-Regulation-2025.pdf https://web.archive.org/web/20180421053151/https://www.state.gov/documents/organization/277523.pdf |
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| Old Value | New Value | |
|---|---|---|
| Value | No protections | Illegal in some contexts |
| Start Date | (unknown) | 2018 |
| Description | No protection exists for sexual orientation and gender identity under the current constitution. | The Information, Communications and Media Act of Bhutan (2018) protects sexual orientation as “Sensitive Personal Data or Information”. |
Show Difference | ||
| Sources | https://web.archive.org/web/20180421053151/https://www.state.gov/documents/organization/277523.pdf | The Information, Communications and Media Act. Article 464(89)(d) https://samsn.ifj.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/ICMActofBhutan2018.pdf https://web.archive.org/web/20180421053151/https://www.state.gov/documents/organization/277523.pdf |
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edited by beeurd. Adding source (old one was broken). Also couldn't find a source for the existing date.
Helpful?
0 | Old Value | New Value | |
|---|---|---|
| Start Date | Dec 14, 2006 | (unknown) |
| Sources | http://www.bhutanaudit.gov.bt/About%20Us/Mandates/Constitution%20of%20Bhutan%202008.pdf | https://web.archive.org/web/20180421053151/https://www.state.gov/documents/organization/277523.pdf |
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| Old Value (Original) | New Value | |
|---|---|---|
| Description | No protection exists for sexual orientation and gender identity under the current constitution. In addition, homosexuality is still currently illegal. | No protection exists for sexual orientation and gender identity under the current constitution. |
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| Original entry | |
|---|---|
| Status | No protections |
| Start Date | Dec 14, 2006 |
| End Date | (none) |
| Description | No protection exists for sexual orientation and gender identity under the current constitution. In addition, homosexuality is still currently illegal. |
| Sources | http://www.bhutanaudit.gov.bt/About%20Us/Mandates/Constitution%20of%20Bhutan%202008.pdf |
Reports (2)
- Newer law has been passed "Same-sex sexual activity was decriminalized in Bhutan on February 17, 2021."
- Status is not correct