LGBT Rights in Barbados

Homosexuality: ⚢
✔ Legal
Gay Marriage: ⚭
✖ Unrecognized
Censorship: ✔ No censorship
Changing Gender: ✖ Illegal
Gender-Affirming Care: ✔ Legal
Non-Binary Gender Recognition: ✖ Not legally recognized
Discrimination: ✖ Illegal in some contexts
Employment Discrimination: ✖ Sexual orientation only
Housing Discrimination: ✖ No protections
Adoption: ✖ Single only
Intersex Infant Surgery: Unknown
Military: ✔ Legal
Donating Blood: ✔ Legal
Conversion Therapy: ✖ Not banned
Age of Consent: ✔ Equal

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Public Opinion

Suggest Public Opinion Data

Recent studies in Barbados indicate significant support for LGBTQ+ rights among the population.

Tolerance and acceptance of homosexuals

(CADRES, 2016)

Self-described as “tolerant” or “accepting” of homosexuals.

Discrimination toward homosexuals

(CADRES, 2016)

Against discrimination toward homosexuals

What does the word Homosexual mean to you?

(CADRES, 2004)

Two men

Two women

A person who likes the same-sex

How would you feel about having a homosexual as a child?

(CADRES, 2004)

23%

Wouldn't mind

59%

Prefer not

How would you feel about having a homosexual as a family member?

(CADRES, 2004)

42%

Wouldn't mind

42%

Prefer not

How would you feel about having a homosexual as a teacher?

(CADRES, 2004)

47%

Wouldn't mind

40%

Prefer not

How would you feel about having a homosexual as a public official?

(CADRES, 2004)

50%

Wouldn't mind

37%

Prefer not

How would you feel about having a homosexual as a friend?

(CADRES, 2004)

53%

Wouldn't mind

34%

Prefer not

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History

Homosexual activity in Barbados

Homosexual activity in Barbados is legal.

Current status

Since Dec 12, 2022

Legal

In December 2022, Barbados High Court ruled that laws which criminalize buggery and "gross indecency" were unconstitutional, and struck them down from the Sexual Offences Act.

Details

Feb 13, 1992–Dec 12, 2022

Illegal (up to life in prison as punishment)

Sections 9 and 12 of Chapter 154 of the Sexual Offences Act criminalized homosexuality.

Section 9 of the Act made buggery a criminal offence, punishable upon conviction by imprisonment for life. Section 12 of the Act made it an offence for a person to commit an act of serious indecency on or towards another person, or to incite another person to commit such an act with them or with someone else, punishable by up to 10 years’ imprisonment.

Details

Same-sex marriage in Barbados

Same-sex marriage in Barbados is unrecognized.

Current status

Unrecognized

There is no legal recognition of same sex couples in the Barbados.

Details

Censorship of LGBT issues in Barbados

Censorship of LGBT issues in Barbados is no censorship.

Current status

No censorship

In Barbados, there are no laws restricting the discussion or promotion of LGBTQ+ topics.

Details

Right to change legal gender in Barbados

Right to change legal gender in Barbados is illegal.

Current status

Illegal

Required to be legalized by American Convention of Human Rights. No laws in place.

Details

Gender-affirming care in Barbados

Gender-affirming care in Barbados is legal.

Current status

Since 2000

Legal

In 2000, Barbados adopted the ICD-10 classification, which contains codes for diagnosing transsexualism in adulthood and childhood, which authorize the initiation of medical transition.

Details

1979–2000

Legal, but restricted for minors

In 1979, Barbados adopted the ICD-9 classification, which included codes allowing for the diagnosis of transsexualism in adults.

Details

Until 1979

Banned

Medical transition is not possible

Details

Legal recognition of non-binary gender in Barbados

Legal recognition of non-binary gender in Barbados is not legally recognized.

Current status

Not legally recognized

Barbados does not recognize legal gender changes.

Details

LGBT discrimination in Barbados

LGBT discrimination in Barbados is illegal in some contexts.

Current status

Illegal in some contexts

Discrimination is illegal in some contexts.

Details

LGBT employment discrimination in Barbados

LGBT employment discrimination in Barbados is sexual orientation only.

Current status

Since Aug 5, 2020

Sexual orientation only

The Employment (Prevention of Discrimination) Act protects against discrimination on grounds of sexual orientation.

Details

Until Aug 5, 2020

No protections

There are no protections against discrimination against LGBT individuals. The church has a large influence on the island.

Details

LGBT housing discrimination in Barbados

LGBT housing discrimination in Barbados is no protections.

Current status

No protections

There are no legal protections against LGBT discrimination in housing.

Details

Same-sex adoption in Barbados

Same-sex adoption in Barbados is single only.

Current status

Single only

Same-sex couples are unable to adopt children; however, single gay individuals can.

Details

Intersex infant surgery in Barbados

Intersex infant surgery in Barbados is unknown.

Current status

Unknown

Serving openly in military in Barbados

Serving openly in military in Barbados is legal.

Current status

Legal

Not conditions restricting lgbt people serving.

Details

Blood donations by MSMs in Barbados

Blood donations by MSMs in Barbados is legal.

Current status

Legal

MSM blood donations are not illegal, however there is a widespread cultural belief that members of the LGBTQ, particularly gay men, are not allowed to donate blood. There is no legislation regarding this matter, and the government does not have a clear policy.

Details