Dhaka is governed by federal Bangladesh law. Learn more
- Homosexuality
- ⚢✖ Illegal (up to life in prison as punishment)
- Gay Marriage
- ⚭✖ Banned
- Censorship
- ✖ State-enforced
- Changing Gender
- ✔ Legal, no restrictions
- Gender-Affirming Care
- ✖ Restricted
- Non-Binary Gender Recognition
- ✔ Recognized
- Discrimination
- ✖ No protections
- Employment Discrimination
- ✖ No protections
- Housing Discrimination
- ✖ No protections
- Adoption
- ✖ Illegal
- Intersex Infant Surgery
- Unknown
- Military
- ✖ Illegal
- Donating Blood
- Ambiguous
- Conversion Therapy
- ✖ Not banned
- Age of Consent
- N/A
💬 Join Equaldex's LGBTQ+ Discord to discuss LGBT rights and chat!
Public Opinion
Dhaka is lacking public opinion data.
Help expand our understanding of the public's view on LGBTQ+ issues in Dhaka by sharing a link to a survey from a reputable organization.
Suggest Public Opinion DataHistory
Homosexual activity in Dhaka is illegal (up to life in prison as punishment).
Current status
Since Oct 6, 1860
Illegal (up to life in prison as punishment)
Section 377 of the penal code states that "unnatural intersources" with any men women or animal is punishable for up to life in prison.
Same-sex marriage in Dhaka is banned.
Current status
Since Oct 6, 1860
Banned
Homosexuality is illegal in Bangladesh, so same-sex relationships are illegal as well.
Censorship of LGBT issues in Dhaka is state-enforced.
Current status
State-enforced
Censorship of LGBTQ+ issues in Bangladesh is a significant concern. The country's approach to LGBTQ+ rights is restrictive, and homosexuality is criminalized under Section 377 of the Penal Code. This has led to discrimination, persecution, and limited freedom of expression for the LGBTQ+ community. Civil society organizations have documented cases of censorship and restrictions on LGBTQ+ activism and advocacy.
Right to change legal gender in Dhaka is legal, no restrictions.
Current status
Since Nov 11, 2013
Legal, no restrictions
Changes in the sex on legal documents are only allowed for Hijras, Intersex, and Third Gender citizens
Gender-affirming care in Dhaka is restricted.
Current status
Since 1969
Restricted
In 1969, Bangladesh legalized sterilization, which de facto meant legalizing sex reassignment surgery, however, medical records regarding transsexualism had to be obtained abroad.
Until 1969
Banned
Medical transition is not possible
Legal recognition of non-binary gender in Dhaka is recognized.
Current status
Since Nov 11, 2013
Recognized
The Bangladeshi government has acknowledged a third gender (hijra), and is allowed to be legally registered as a gender.
LGBT discrimination in Dhaka is no protections.
Current status
No protections
LGBTQ+ personel in Bangladesh face extreme discrimination with no protections.
LGBT employment discrimination in Dhaka is no protections.
Current status
No protections
No protections since homosexuality is illegal.
LGBT housing discrimination in Dhaka is no protections.
Current status
No protections
no protections.
Same-sex adoption in Dhaka is illegal.
Current status
Illegal
No laws in place for same sex couples. As well homosexuality is currently illegal.
Serving openly in military in Dhaka is illegal.
Current status
Illegal
In Bangladesh, you can't openly serve in the military.
Blood donations by MSMs in Dhaka is ambiguous.
Current status
Ambiguous
no laws in place.
Conversion therapy in Dhaka is not banned.
Current status
Not banned
Under a poll by ILGA a huge percentage of bangladeshians would try conversion therapy on someone who is lgbt. Homosexuality is still currently illegal.
Equal age of consent in Dhaka is n/a.
Current status
N/A
Yes, the age of consent in Bangladesh is equal for both males and females. It is set at 14 years old. This means that individuals who are 14 years or older are considered legally old enough to consent to sexual activities. However, it is important to note that engaging in same-sex sexual activity is illegal in Bangladesh for both males and females. It is always advisable to familiarize yourself with the legal statutes of the country to ensure compliance with the law.
Legal Rights
23 / 100
This region's Equality Index is based on legal rights alone. Please submit survey results that show the public opinion of LGBTQ+ issues in Dhaka to help improve its accuracy.
Top Contributors
- Clara 5 contributions
- omalpau 5 contributions
- danlev 3 contributions
- JordanB3047 2 contributions
- chae 2 contributions
- vviet93 1 contribution
- Muhammadaji2022 1 contribution
- equaldex 1 contribution
- Pizzaslices412653 1 contribution
Dhaka LGBT Organizations
There are no organizations listed in Dhaka. Suggest one
Share Region
Compare Dhaka
Common queries:
- Is it illegal to be gay in Dhaka?
- Is homosexuality legal in Dhaka?
- Is gay marriage legal in Dhaka?