Entry #5441: Homosexual activity in Guyana

Current Version

Region	Guyana
Issue	Homosexual activity
Status	Male illegal, female legal
Start Date	1893
End Date	(none)
Description	Section 354 of the Guyana Criminal Law (Offences) Act of 1893 states “Everyone who commits buggery, either with a human being or with any other living creature, shall be guilty of felony and liable to imprisonment for life.” Buggery is also known as anal sexual intercourse. This law generally goes unenforced however LGBT people still regularly face discrimination and violence. Decriminalization pending.
Sources	https://database.ilga.org/api/downloader/download/1/GY%20-%20LEG%20-%20Criminal%20Law%20(Offences)%20Act%20(1893)%20-%20OR(en).pdf https://www.humandignitytrust.org/country-profile/guyana/ https://caribbean.loopnews.com/content/guyana-urged-repeal-colonial-era-laws-against-same-sex-couples

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Revision History (29)

Nov 3, 2024

edited by Pizzaslices412653. Unenforced law, most likely to be repealed

Helpful?

	Old Value	New Value (Current)
Description	Section 354 of the Guyana Criminal Law (Offences) Act of 1893 states “Everyone who commits buggery, either with a human being or with any other living creature, shall be guilty of felony and liable to imprisonment for life.” Buggery is also known as anal sexual intercourse. This law generally goes unenforced however LGBT people still regularly face discrimination and violence.	Section 354 of the Guyana Criminal Law (Offences) Act of 1893 states “Everyone who commits buggery, either with a human being or with any other living creature, shall be guilty of felony and liable to imprisonment for life.” Buggery is also known as anal sexual intercourse. This law generally goes unenforced however LGBT people still regularly face discrimination and violence. Decriminalization pending.
Description	Show Difference Section 354 of the Guyana Criminal Law (Offences) Act of 1893 states “Everyone who commits buggery, either with a human being or with any other living creature, shall be guilty of felony and liable to imprisonment for life.” Buggery is also known as anal sexual intercourse. This law generally goes unenforced however LGBT people still regularly face discrimination and violence. Decriminalization pending.
Sources	https://database.ilga.org/api/downloader/download/1/GY%20-%20LEG%20-%20Criminal%20Law%20(Offences)%20Act%20(1893)%20-%20OR(en).pdf https://www.humandignitytrust.org/country-profile/guyana/	https://database.ilga.org/api/downloader/download/1/GY%20-%20LEG%20-%20Criminal%20Law%20(Offences)%20Act%20(1893)%20-%20OR(en).pdf https://www.humandignitytrust.org/country-profile/guyana/ https://caribbean.loopnews.com/content/guyana-urged-repeal-colonial-era-laws-against-same-sex-couples
Sources	Show Difference https://database.ilga.org/api/downloader/download/1/GY%20-%20LEG%20-%20Criminal%20Law%20(Offences)%20Act%20(1893)%20-%20OR(en).pdf https://www.humandignitytrust.org/country-profile/guyana/ https://database.ilga.org/api/downloader/download/1/GY%20-%20LEG%20-%20Criminal%20Law%20(Offences)%20Act%20(1893)%20-%20OR(en).pdf https://www.humandignitytrust.org/country-profile/guyana/ https://caribbean.loopnews.com/content/guyana-urged-repeal-colonial-era-laws-against-same-sex-couples

Jul 22, 2024

edited by Unknownmiles. Reverting to revision #39724: you only need to put de criminalization pending

Helpful?

	Old Value	New Value
Description	Section 354 of the Guyana Criminal Law (Offences) Act of 1893 states “Everyone who commits buggery, either with a human being or with any other living creature, shall be guilty of felony and liable to imprisonment for life.” Buggery is also known as anal sexual intercourse. This law generally goes unenforced however LGBT people still regularly face discrimination and violence. Decriminalization pending.	Section 354 of the Guyana Criminal Law (Offences) Act of 1893 states “Everyone who commits buggery, either with a human being or with any other living creature, shall be guilty of felony and liable to imprisonment for life.” Buggery is also known as anal sexual intercourse. This law generally goes unenforced however LGBT people still regularly face discrimination and violence.
Description	Show Difference Section 354 of the Guyana Criminal Law (Offences) Act of 1893 states “Everyone who commits buggery, either with a human being or with any other living creature, shall be guilty of felony and liable to imprisonment for life.” Buggery is also known as anal sexual intercourse. This law generally goes unenforced however LGBT people still regularly face discrimination and violence. Decriminalization pending.

Jul 22, 2024

edited by Pizzaslices412653. Decriminalization pending

Helpful?

	Old Value	New Value
Description	Section 354 of the Guyana Criminal Law (Offences) Act of 1893 states “Everyone who commits buggery, either with a human being or with any other living creature, shall be guilty of felony and liable to imprisonment for life.” Buggery is also known as anal sexual intercourse. This law generally goes unenforced however LGBT people still regularly face discrimination and violence.	Section 354 of the Guyana Criminal Law (Offences) Act of 1893 states “Everyone who commits buggery, either with a human being or with any other living creature, shall be guilty of felony and liable to imprisonment for life.” Buggery is also known as anal sexual intercourse. This law generally goes unenforced however LGBT people still regularly face discrimination and violence. Decriminalization pending.
Description	Show Difference Section 354 of the Guyana Criminal Law (Offences) Act of 1893 states “Everyone who commits buggery, either with a human being or with any other living creature, shall be guilty of felony and liable to imprisonment for life.” Buggery is also known as anal sexual intercourse. This law generally goes unenforced however LGBT people still regularly face discrimination and violence. Decriminalization pending.

Apr 28, 2024

edited by Unknownmiles. Updating description, changing year to the year of the act, changing status to make illegal female legal because only buggery is mentioned in the criminal act and adding two new links. One link being the link to the criminal act and the other showing that the law is not enforced

Helpful?

	Old Value	New Value
Value	Male illegal, female uncertain	Male illegal, female legal
Start Date	May 1, 2016	1893
Description	15 years to life in prison. Not enforced. Decriminailzation pending. Supported by President. Trinidad and Tobago just legalized Homosexuality. UK is helping to decriminalize homosexuality here. Required legalization under IACHR 2018 Ruling.	Section 354 of the Guyana Criminal Law (Offences) Act of 1893 states “Everyone who commits buggery, either with a human being or with any other living creature, shall be guilty of felony and liable to imprisonment for life.” Buggery is also known as anal sexual intercourse. This law generally goes unenforced however LGBT people still regularly face discrimination and violence.
Description	Show Difference 15 years to life in prison. Not enforced. Decriminailzation pending. Supported by President. Trinidad and Tobago just legalized Homosexuality. UK is helping to decriminalize homosexuality here. Required legalization under IACHR 2018 Ruling. Section 354 of the Guyana Criminal Law (Offences) Act of 1893 states “Everyone who commits buggery, either with a human being or with any other living creature, shall be guilty of felony and liable to imprisonment for life.” Buggery is also known as anal sexual intercourse. This law generally goes unenforced however LGBT people still regularly face discrimination and violence.
Sources	https://winnipeg.ctvnews.ca/group-seeks-signatures-to-decriminalize-homosexuality-in-ghana-1.3537151 https://ilga.org/downloads/02_ILGA_State_Sponsored_Homophobia_2016_ENG_WEB_150516.pdf https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/gay-lesbian-bisexual-relationships-illegal-in-74-countries-a7033666.html	https://database.ilga.org/api/downloader/download/1/GY%20-%20LEG%20-%20Criminal%20Law%20(Offences)%20Act%20(1893)%20-%20OR(en).pdf https://www.humandignitytrust.org/country-profile/guyana/
Sources	Show Difference https://winnipeg.ctvnews.ca/group-seeks-signatures-to-decriminalize-homosexuality-in-ghana-1.3537151 https://ilga.org/downloads/02_ILGA_State_Sponsored_Homophobia_2016_ENG_WEB_150516.pdf https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/gay-lesbian-bisexual-relationships-illegal-in-74-countries-a7033666.html https://database.ilga.org/api/downloader/download/1/GY%20-%20LEG%20-%20Criminal%20Law%20(Offences)%20Act%20(1893)%20-%20OR(en).pdf https://www.humandignitytrust.org/country-profile/guyana/

Sep 18, 2022

edited by Pizzaslices412653

Helpful?

	Old Value	New Value
Value	Male illegal, female legal	Male illegal, female uncertain

Reports (1)
Sources are invalid or broken "Source mentions "Ghana", which is not "Guyana"."
Jan 7, 2024

Feb 12, 2022

edited by bubblyara

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	Old Value	New Value
End Date	Sep 6, 2018	(none)

Sep 19, 2018

edited by Ausyk

Helpful?

	Old Value	New Value
Description	2 years in prison. Not enforced. Decriminailzation pending. Supported by President. Trinidad and Tobago just legalized Homosexuality. UK is helping to decriminalize homosexuality here. Required legalization under IACHR 2018 Ruling.	15 years to life in prison. Not enforced. Decriminailzation pending. Supported by President. Trinidad and Tobago just legalized Homosexuality. UK is helping to decriminalize homosexuality here. Required legalization under IACHR 2018 Ruling.
Description	Show Difference 2 years in prison. Not enforced. Decriminailzation pending. Supported by President. Trinidad and Tobago just legalized Homosexuality. UK is helping to decriminalize homosexuality here. Required legalization under IACHR 2018 Ruling. 15 years to life in prison. Not enforced. Decriminailzation pending. Supported by President. Trinidad and Tobago just legalized Homosexuality. UK is helping to decriminalize homosexuality here. Required legalization under IACHR 2018 Ruling.

Reports (2)
Newer law has been passed 
Sep 6, 2021
Newer law has been passed 
Sep 6, 2021

Sep 3, 2018

edited by Ausyk

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	Old Value	New Value
End Date	Aug 20, 2018	Sep 6, 2018

Aug 20, 2018

edited by Ausyk

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	Old Value	New Value
End Date	Aug 8, 2018	Aug 20, 2018

Aug 11, 2018

edited by Ausyk

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	Old Value	New Value
End Date	Jul 20, 2018	Aug 8, 2018

Jul 20, 2018

edited by Ausyk

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	Old Value	New Value
End Date	Jul 18, 2018	Jul 20, 2018

Jul 18, 2018

edited by Ausyk

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	Old Value	New Value
End Date	Jul 7, 2018	Jul 18, 2018

Jul 7, 2018

edited by Ausyk

Helpful?

	Old Value	New Value
End Date	Jun 30, 2018	Jul 7, 2018
Description	2 years in prison. Not enforced. Decriminailzation pending. Supported by President. Trinidad and Tobago just legalized Homosexuality. UK is helping to decriminalize homosexuality here.	2 years in prison. Not enforced. Decriminailzation pending. Supported by President. Trinidad and Tobago just legalized Homosexuality. UK is helping to decriminalize homosexuality here. Required legalization under IACHR 2018 Ruling.
Description	Show Difference 2 years in prison. Not enforced. Decriminailzation pending. Supported by President. Trinidad and Tobago just legalized Homosexuality. UK is helping to decriminalize homosexuality here. Required legalization under IACHR 2018 Ruling.

Jun 30, 2018

edited by Ausyk

Helpful?

	Old Value	New Value
End Date	Jun 26, 2018	Jun 30, 2018
Description	2 years to life in prison. Not enforced. Decriminailzation pending. Supported by President. Trinidad and Tobago just legalized Homosexuality. UK is helping to decriminalize homosexuality here.	2 years in prison. Not enforced. Decriminailzation pending. Supported by President. Trinidad and Tobago just legalized Homosexuality. UK is helping to decriminalize homosexuality here.
Description	Show Difference 2 years to life in prison. Not enforced. Decriminailzation pending. Supported by President. Trinidad and Tobago just legalized Homosexuality. UK is helping to decriminalize homosexuality here.

Jun 26, 2018

edited by Ausyk

Helpful?

	Old Value	New Value
Value	Illegal (imprisonment as punishment)	Male illegal, female legal
End Date	Jun 23, 2018	Jun 26, 2018
Sources	https://winnipeg.ctvnews.ca/group-seeks-signatures-to-decriminalize-homosexuality-in-ghana-1.3537151 https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/gay-lesbian-bisexual-relationships-illegal-in-74-countries-a7033666.html	https://winnipeg.ctvnews.ca/group-seeks-signatures-to-decriminalize-homosexuality-in-ghana-1.3537151 https://ilga.org/downloads/02_ILGA_State_Sponsored_Homophobia_2016_ENG_WEB_150516.pdf https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/gay-lesbian-bisexual-relationships-illegal-in-74-countries-a7033666.html
Sources	Show Difference https://winnipeg.ctvnews.ca/group-seeks-signatures-to-decriminalize-homosexuality-in-ghana-1.3537151 https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/gay-lesbian-bisexual-relationships-illegal-in-74-countries-a7033666.html https://winnipeg.ctvnews.ca/group-seeks-signatures-to-decriminalize-homosexuality-in-ghana-1.3537151 https://ilga.org/downloads/02_ILGA_State_Sponsored_Homophobia_2016_ENG_WEB_150516.pdf https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/gay-lesbian-bisexual-relationships-illegal-in-74-countries-a7033666.html

Jun 23, 2018

edited by Ausyk

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	Old Value	New Value
End Date	Jun 13, 2018	Jun 23, 2018

Jun 13, 2018

edited by Ausyk

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	Old Value	New Value
End Date	Jun 1, 2018	Jun 13, 2018
Sources	https://winnipeg.ctvnews.ca/group-seeks-signatures-to-decriminalize-homosexuality-in-ghana-1.3537151	https://winnipeg.ctvnews.ca/group-seeks-signatures-to-decriminalize-homosexuality-in-ghana-1.3537151 https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/gay-lesbian-bisexual-relationships-illegal-in-74-countries-a7033666.html
Sources	Show Difference https://winnipeg.ctvnews.ca/group-seeks-signatures-to-decriminalize-homosexuality-in-ghana-1.3537151 https://winnipeg.ctvnews.ca/group-seeks-signatures-to-decriminalize-homosexuality-in-ghana-1.3537151 https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/gay-lesbian-bisexual-relationships-illegal-in-74-countries-a7033666.html

Jun 1, 2018

edited by Ausyk

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	Old Value	New Value
End Date	May 3, 2018	Jun 1, 2018

May 3, 2018

edited by Ausyk

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	Old Value	New Value
End Date	Apr 22, 2018	May 3, 2018

Apr 22, 2018

edited by Ausyk

Helpful?

	Old Value	New Value
End Date	Apr 19, 2018	Apr 22, 2018
Description	2 years to life in prison. Not enforced. Decriminailzation pending. Supported by President. Trinidad and Tobago just legalized Homosexuality.	2 years to life in prison. Not enforced. Decriminailzation pending. Supported by President. Trinidad and Tobago just legalized Homosexuality. UK is helping to decriminalize homosexuality here.
Description	Show Difference 2 years to life in prison. Not enforced. Decriminailzation pending. Supported by President. Trinidad and Tobago just legalized Homosexuality. UK is helping to decriminalize homosexuality here.

Apr 19, 2018

edited by Ausyk

Helpful?

	Old Value	New Value
End Date	Apr 12, 2018	Apr 19, 2018
Description	2 years to life in prison. Not enforced. Decriminailzation pending. Supported by President.	2 years to life in prison. Not enforced. Decriminailzation pending. Supported by President. Trinidad and Tobago just legalized Homosexuality.
Description	Show Difference 2 years to life in prison. Not enforced. Decriminailzation pending. Supported by President. Trinidad and Tobago just legalized Homosexuality.

Apr 13, 2018

edited by Ausyk

Helpful?

	Old Value	New Value
End Date	Mar 14, 2018	Apr 12, 2018
Description	2 years to life in prison. Not enforced. Locals are trying to get homosexuality decriminalized.	2 years to life in prison. Not enforced. Decriminailzation pending. Supported by President.
Description	Show Difference 2 years to life in prison. Not enforced. Locals are trying to get homosexuality decriminalized. Decriminailzation pending. Supported by President.

Mar 20, 2018

edited by Ausyk

Helpful?

	Old Value	New Value
Description	2 years to life in prison. Not enforced.	2 years to life in prison. Not enforced. Locals are trying to get homosexuality decriminalized.
Description	Show Difference 2 years to life in prison. Not enforced. Locals are trying to get homosexuality decriminalized.
Sources	https://lgbt-rights-hrw.silk.co/	https://winnipeg.ctvnews.ca/group-seeks-signatures-to-decriminalize-homosexuality-in-ghana-1.3537151
Sources	Show Difference https://lgbt-rights-hrw.silk.co/ https://winnipeg.ctvnews.ca/group-seeks-signatures-to-decriminalize-homosexuality-in-ghana-1.3537151

Mar 14, 2018

edited by Ausyk

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	Old Value	New Value
End Date	Sep 20, 2017	Mar 14, 2018

Sep 23, 2017

edited by Ausyk

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	Old Value	New Value
Description	2 years to life in prison.	2 years to life in prison. Not enforced.

Sep 20, 2017

edited by Ausyk

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	Old Value	New Value
End Date	Sep 12, 2017	Sep 20, 2017
Description	Up to life in prison. not enforced	2 years to life in prison.

Sep 12, 2017

edited by Ausyk

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	Old Value	New Value
End Date	Aug 11, 2017	Sep 12, 2017

Aug 11, 2017

edited by Ausyk

Helpful?

	Old Value (Original)	New Value
Start Date	(unknown)	May 1, 2016
End Date	Feb 11, 2017	Aug 11, 2017
Description	Two years to life under buggery law.	Up to life in prison. not enforced

Feb 11, 2017

created by Ausyk

Helpful?

	Original entry
Status	Illegal (imprisonment as punishment)
Start Date	(unknown)
End Date	Feb 11, 2017
Description	Two years to life under buggery law.
Sources	https://lgbt-rights-hrw.silk.co/