Beirut is governed by federal Lebanon law. Learn more
- Homosexuality
- ⚢Ambiguous
- Gay Marriage
- ⚭✖ Unrecognized
- Censorship
- Ambiguous
- Changing Gender
- ✖ Legal, but requires surgery
- Gender-Affirming Care
- ✔ Legal
- Non-Binary Gender Recognition
- ✖ Not legally recognized
- Discrimination
- ✖ No protections
- Employment Discrimination
- ✖ No protections
- Housing Discrimination
- ✖ No protections
- Adoption
- ✖ Single only
- Intersex Infant Surgery
- Unknown
- Military
- ✖ Don't Ask, Don't Tell
- Donating Blood
- ✖ Banned (indefinite deferral)
- Conversion Therapy
- ✖ Not banned
- Age of Consent
- N/A
💬 Join Equaldex's LGBTQ+ Discord to discuss LGBT rights and chat!
Public Opinion
Beirut is lacking public opinion data.
Help expand our understanding of the public's view on LGBTQ+ issues in Beirut by sharing a link to a survey from a reputable organization.
Suggest Public Opinion DataHistory
Homosexual activity in Beirut is ambiguous.
Current status
Since Mar 1, 1943
Ambiguous
Note: Technically illegal, although enforcement is ambiguous.
Article 534 of the Lebanese Penal Code prohibits sexual relations that “contradict the laws of nature”.
While the law has been used to penalize homosexuality, it has been successfully challenged in court several times with defendants being acquitted. Several courts have also declined to prosecute.
Currently no national law has been passed to repeal Article 534, decriminalize homosexual activity, or clarify the position of the law.
Article 534 of the Lebanese Penal Code prohibits sexual relations that “contradict the laws of nature”.
While the law has been used to penalize homosexuality, it has been successfully challenged in court several times with defendants being acquitted. Several courts have also declined to prosecute.
Currently no national law has been passed to repeal Article 534, decriminalize homosexual activity, or clarify the position of the law.
Same-sex marriage in Beirut is unrecognized.
Current status
Unrecognized
Same-sex marriage is not currently legal in Lebanon. The country does not recognize same-sex marriage or any other form of legal partnership for same-sex couples. There have been some calls for the legalization of same-sex marriage in Lebanon, but the issue remains controversial and there has been no significant movement towards changing the current legal status of same-sex marriage in the country.
Censorship of LGBT issues in Beirut is ambiguous.
Current status
Ambiguous
The Lebanese government has vowed to shut down LGBT organizations, while several films have been banned in the country for LGBT content. Although it is not explicitly illegal to promote homosexuality as many LGBT night clubs and bars exist in the country.
Right to change legal gender in Beirut is legal, but requires surgery.
Current status
Since Jan 2016
Legal, but requires surgery
As well as requiring gender reassignment surgery, they must also be unmarried and not have children.
Legal recognition of non-binary gender in Beirut is not legally recognized.
Current status
Not legally recognized
No recognition
LGBT discrimination in Beirut is no protections.
Current status
No protections
No protections from discrimination.
LGBT employment discrimination in Beirut is no protections.
Current status
No protections
No protections.
LGBT housing discrimination in Beirut is no protections.
Current status
No protections
No discrimination protections in housing. Full housing discrimination protection pending.
Same-sex adoption in Beirut is single only.
Current status
Single only
Both married and single individuals may adopt in Lebanon. However, Lebanon does not recognize same-sex marriage.
Intersex infant surgery in Beirut is unknown.
Current status
Unknown
Serving openly in military in Beirut is don't ask, don't tell.
Blood donations by MSMs in Beirut is banned (indefinite deferral).
Current status
Banned (indefinite deferral)
Sexual contact with another male, even once.
Conversion therapy in Beirut is not banned.
Legal Rights
21 / 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 Beirut to help improve its accuracy.
Top Contributors
- GeorgieTheOrgie 28 contributions
- beeurd 10 contributions
- danlev 8 contributions
- Pizzaslices412653 5 contributions
- omalpau 3 contributions
- Markissik 2 contributions
- maddyksf 2 contributions
- LGBTsoutheastasian 2 contributions
- XabBG 2 contributions
- CHR0LL0PH0BICCC 2 contributions
Beirut LGBT Organizations
There are no organizations listed in Beirut. Suggest one
Share Region
Compare Beirut
Common queries:
- Is it illegal to be gay in Beirut?
- Is homosexuality legal in Beirut?
- Is gay marriage legal in Beirut?
Alternative names: Bayrout, Bayrut, Beirut, Beyrout, Beyrouth, Beyrût