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Public Opinion

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History

Homosexual activity in Transnistria

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Homosexual activity in Transnistria is legal.

Current status
Since Jun 1, 2002
Legal
Consensual same-sex sexual activity is legal in Transnistria, despite many foreign sources saying that it is illegal. Article 131 of the Criminal Code of Transnistria that came into force in June 2002, states that committing sodomy, lesbianism and sexual intercourse with a person under the age of sixteen is illegal. However, the article does not state that committing 'sodomy and lesbianism' above 16 is illegal. All the other articles related to sex crimes, such as sexual assault and coercion to perform sexual acts, have listed '(heterosexual) sexual intercourse, sodomy and lesbianism' in the same category. There are no other articles in the Criminal Code of Transnistria that have laws that are separated in penalizing same-sex sexual activity, or committing 'sodomy and lesbianism.'
Jul 10, 1995–May 31, 2002
Male illegal, female legal
Although Moldova decriminalised homosexuality in 1995, it remained illegal in the breakaway territory of Transnistria until 2002.
Mar 7, 1934–Jul 9, 1995
Male illegal, female legal under federal Moldova law
An article under which sodomy was punishable by imprisonment from 5 to 8 years appeared in the Soviet Criminal Code on March 7, 1934 - number 154-a: “Sexual intercourse between a man and a man (sodomy) - imprisonment for a term of three to five years. Sodomy committed with the use of violence or taking advantage of the dependent position of the victim - imprisonment for a term of five to eight years."

Same-sex marriage in Transnistria

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Same-sex marriage in Transnistria is unrecognized.

Current status
Unrecognized
There is no legal recognition provided for same-sex couples in Transnistria.
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Censorship of LGBT issues in Transnistria

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Censorship of LGBT issues in Transnistria is imprisonment as punishment.

Current status
Since Feb 12, 2024
Imprisonment as punishment
Any public expression of support or sympathy for members of the LGBT community could be punishable by fines, arrest, or even imprisonment. A bill banning “propaganda of homosexuality” was submitted to the TMR’s “Supreme Council” on February 12, 2024. Its authors claim that the purpose of the law is to protect “traditional family values” and “the moral health of the nation. Absurdly, they even dared to claim that the law does not violate human rights but only regulates the field of education and information.
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Until Feb 12, 2024
State-enforced
Even before the 2024 law, the Transnistrian government censored LGBTIQ+ topics. In October 2016, a woman was called in by authorities to prevent her exhibition from raising awareness of LGBTIQ+ issues in the region.
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Right to change legal gender in Transnistria

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Right to change legal gender in Transnistria is illegal.

Current status
Since Aug 25, 1991
Illegal
There is no process for legal gender recognition in Transnistria.
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Apr 5, 1972–Aug 24, 1991
Legal, but requires surgery
Transnistria was part of the Soviet Union during 1972 when the first sex change was performed and a trans man was granted legal gender recognition after completing surgery. The law on gender recognition was not carried over to Transnistria in 1991.
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Until Apr 5, 1972
Illegal under federal Moldova law
Moldova was a member of the Soviet Union in 1972 and before then legal gender recognition was not provided.
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Gender-affirming care in Transnistria

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Gender-affirming care in Transnistria is restricted.

Current status
Restricted
In many parts of the former Soviet Union, the rights of transgender people are often restricted, and specific medical care for gender transition can be very difficult to obtain as in Transnistria as it is very limited there.
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Legal recognition of non-binary gender in Transnistria

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

Current status
Not legally recognized
There is no recognition provided to intersex or non-binary people in Transnistria.
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LGBT discrimination in Transnistria

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LGBT discrimination in Transnistria is no protections.

Current status
No protections
There are no protections from discrimination provided to LGBTIQ+ people in Transnistria.
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LGBT employment discrimination in Transnistria

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LGBT employment discrimination in Transnistria is no protections.

Current status
No protections
There are no protections from discrimination in employment provided to LGBTIQ+ people in Transnistria.
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LGBT housing discrimination in Transnistria

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LGBT housing discrimination in Transnistria is no protections.

Current status
No protections
There are no protections from discrimination in housing provided to LGBTIQ+ people in Transnistria.
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Same-sex adoption in Transnistria

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Same-sex adoption in Transnistria is unknown.

Current status
Unknown

Intersex infant surgery in Transnistria

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Intersex infant surgery in Transnistria is not banned.

Current status
Not banned under federal Moldova law
There is no official ban on unnecessary sex reassignment operations in infants in Moldova.
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Serving openly in military in Transnistria

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Serving openly in military in Transnistria is unknown.

Current status
Unknown

Blood donations by MSMs in Transnistria

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Blood donations by MSMs in Transnistria is unknown.

Current status
Unknown

Conversion therapy in Transnistria

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Conversion therapy in Transnistria is not banned.

Current status
Not banned
Conversion therapy is legal in Transnistria.
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Equal age of consent in Transnistria

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Equal age of consent in Transnistria is equal.

Current status
Since Jun 1, 2002
Equal
The age of consent for both homosexual and heterosexual intercourse is 16 in Transnistria.
Jul 10, 1995–May 31, 2002
Female equal, male N/A
Unlike the rest of Moldova, male homosexuality remained illegal in Transnistria until 2002.
Until Jul 9, 1995
Female equal, male N/A under federal Moldova law
Until 1995, male homosexuality was illegal in Moldova.
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