Maseru is governed by federal Lesotho law. Learn more
- Homosexuality
- ⚢✔ Legal
- Gay Marriage
- ⚭✖ Banned
- Censorship
- ✔ No censorship
- Changing Gender
- ✖ Legal, but requires medical diagnosis
- Gender-Affirming Care
- ✖ Restricted
- Non-Binary Gender Recognition
- ✖ Not legally recognized
- Discrimination
- ✖ Illegal in some contexts
- Employment Discrimination
- ✔ Sexual orientation and gender identity
- Housing Discrimination
- ✖ No protections
- Adoption
- ✖ Illegal
- Intersex Infant Surgery
- ✖ Not banned
- Military
- ✖ Lesbians, gays, bisexuals permitted, transgender people banned
- Donating Blood
- Unknown
- Conversion Therapy
- ✖ Not banned
- Age of Consent
- Unknown
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Public Opinion
Maseru is lacking public opinion data.
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Suggest Public Opinion DataHistory
Homosexual activity in Maseru is legal.
Same-sex marriage in Maseru is banned.
Current status
Since Oct 4, 1966
Banned
The common law definition of marriage is “a union of one man with one woman, to the exclusion, while it lasts, of all others”
Censorship of LGBT issues in Maseru is no censorship.
Current status
No censorship
In Lesotho, there are no laws restricting the discussion or promotion of LGBTQ+ topics.
Right to change legal gender in Maseru is legal, but requires medical diagnosis.
Current status
Since Apr 1, 1975
Legal, but requires medical diagnosis
Article 22 of the Registration of Births and Deaths Act (1973) states that "In the event of a child, after being registered, either by operation or otherwise, changing from a female to a male or from a male to a female and such change is certified by a registered medical practitioner, the district registrar of the district in which the birth is registered shall, with the approval of the registrar and on the application of the parent or guardian of that child, alter the particulars of such child which appear in the births register."
People may also possibly change their legal gender under the National Identity Cards Act 9 of 2011.
However, despite the two laws, there is usually no legal recognition granted in practice.
People may also possibly change their legal gender under the National Identity Cards Act 9 of 2011.
However, despite the two laws, there is usually no legal recognition granted in practice.
Gender-affirming care in Maseru is restricted.
Current status
Since 1994
Restricted
In 1994, Lesotho legalized sterilization, which de facto meant legalizing sex reassignment surgery, however, medical records regarding transsexualism had to be obtained abroad.
However, neither sex reassignment surgery nor hormone replacement is available in Lesotho leaving people to go to South Africa for healthcare.
However, neither sex reassignment surgery nor hormone replacement is available in Lesotho leaving people to go to South Africa for healthcare.
Legal recognition of non-binary gender in Maseru is not legally recognized.
Current status
Not legally recognized
Non-binary identities are not legally recognized in Lesotho.
LGBT discrimination in Maseru is illegal in some contexts.
Current status
Since 2011
Illegal in some contexts
Section 127(4) of the Children's Protection and Welfare Act 2011 states that "No child may be unfairly discriminated against on the basis of sexual orientation in the selection of a diversion programme, process or option and all children shall have equal access to diversion options.
The Labor Code (2024) bans discrimination based on gender and sexual orientation. It bans violence, harassment and sexual harassment based on gender identity.
The Labor Code (2024) bans discrimination based on gender and sexual orientation. It bans violence, harassment and sexual harassment based on gender identity.
LGBT employment discrimination in Maseru is sexual orientation and gender identity.
LGBT housing discrimination in Maseru is no protections.
Current status
No protections
No protections
Same-sex adoption in Maseru is illegal.
Current status
Since Oct 4, 1966
Illegal
Single males and same-sex couples cannot adopt
Intersex infant surgery in Maseru is not banned.
Current status
Not banned
Surgery on intersex infants is legal in Lesotho but not reported.
Serving openly in military in Maseru is lesbians, gays, bisexuals permitted, transgender people banned.
Current status
Lesbians, gays, bisexuals permitted, transgender people banned
Not a single country in Africa allows trans military service .
Blood donations by MSMs in Maseru is unknown.
Current status
Unknown
Conversion therapy in Maseru is not banned.
Current status
Not banned
Conversion therapy is legal in Lesotho but not reported.
Legal Rights
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This region's Equality Index is based on legal rights alone. Please submit survey results that show the public opinion of LGBTQ+ issues in Maseru to help improve its accuracy.
Top Contributors
- Nathan 8 contributions
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- brennen 3 contributions
- vviet93 2 contributions
- Markissik 2 contributions
- Notdog1996 2 contributions
- Unknownmiles 2 contributions
- robertshippey 1 contribution
- JordanB3047 1 contribution
- Pizzaslices412653 1 contribution
Maseru LGBT Organizations
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Common queries:
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