Rafah is governed by federal Palestine law. Learn more
- Homosexuality
- ⚢Varies by Region
- Gay Marriage
- ⚭✖ Unrecognized
- Censorship
- Varies by Region
- Changing Gender
- Ambiguous
- 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
- ✖ Not banned
- Military
- N/A
- Donating Blood
- ✖ Banned (indefinite deferral)
- Conversion Therapy
- ✖ Not banned
- Age of Consent
- Varies by Region
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Public Opinion
Rafah is lacking public opinion data.
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Homosexual activity in Rafah is varies by region.
Current status
Since Jan 1, 1951
Varies by Region
Homosexuality remains taboo in Palestinian territories.
Mixed Legality:
- West Bank (Partially still occupied by Israel): Legal since 1951
In 2022, the brutal killing of Ahmad Abu Murkhiyeh, a gay Palestinian man who had sought asylum in Israel, ignited shock and sparked discussions about LGBTQ+ safety and rights within Palestinian territories.
In August 2019, the Palestinian Authority police banned the LGBTQ+ rights group Al Qaws from holding events in the West Bank, sparking debate on Palestinian social media and drawing attention in Israel. Al Qaws, which advocates for sexual and gender diversity in a largely conservative society, condemned the intimidation and called for a focus on addressing broader issues like occupation.
Mixed Legality:
- West Bank (Partially still occupied by Israel): Legal since 1951
In 2022, the brutal killing of Ahmad Abu Murkhiyeh, a gay Palestinian man who had sought asylum in Israel, ignited shock and sparked discussions about LGBTQ+ safety and rights within Palestinian territories.
In August 2019, the Palestinian Authority police banned the LGBTQ+ rights group Al Qaws from holding events in the West Bank, sparking debate on Palestinian social media and drawing attention in Israel. Al Qaws, which advocates for sexual and gender diversity in a largely conservative society, condemned the intimidation and called for a focus on addressing broader issues like occupation.
Same-sex marriage in Rafah is unrecognized.
Current status
Since 1994
Unrecognized
In the areas administrated by the Palestinian Authority and the Gaza Strip, same-sex marriage is unrecognized.
Censorship of LGBT issues in Rafah is varies by region.
Current status
Since 2019
Varies by Region
The Palestinian Police Authorities in the West Bank banned the activities of queer and feminist rights organization Al Qaws as requested by residents in report of 'suspicious' activities, however, this law was later retired following internacional backlash. On the Gaza strip, there is no information about the topic.
Right to change legal gender in Rafah is ambiguous.
Current status
Ambiguous
In the occupied west bank yes, unclear in Area A.
Legal recognition of non-binary gender in Rafah is not legally recognized.
Current status
Not legally recognized
There are no laws legally recognizing non-binary genders.
LGBT discrimination in Rafah is no protections.
Current status
Since 1992
No protections
In the areas administrated by the palestinian authority and the gaza strip, there is no protections for lgbt personel. For Israeli citizens in the Occupied West Bank; Employment, Hate Speech and Good & Services Discriminations covered.
LGBT employment discrimination in Rafah is no protections.
Current status
No protections
In the areas controlled by the Palestinian authority and the Gaza strip,there is no protections for LGBTQ+ personel.For Israeli Citizens in the Occupied West Bank.
LGBT housing discrimination in Rafah is no protections.
Current status
No protections
In the areas controlled by the Palestinian authority and the Gaza strip,there is no protections for LGBTQ+ personel. For Israeli citizens in the Occupied West Bank.
Same-sex adoption in Rafah is single only.
Current status
Single only
There are no laws in place regarding adoption for same-sex couples.
Intersex infant surgery in Rafah is not banned.
Current status
Not banned
Not banned in Palestine.
Serving openly in military in Rafah is n/a.
Current status
N/A
The state of palestine doesn't have a military, however LGBT personel are not asked about their sexuality to serve the national police of Palestine.
Blood donations by MSMs in Rafah is banned (indefinite deferral).
Current status
Banned (indefinite deferral)
Illegal, homosexuals can't donate blood in palestine (except
for Israeli citizens).
for Israeli citizens).
Conversion therapy in Rafah is not banned.
Current status
Since 2014
Not banned
Conversion Theraphy is partially banned in the Occupied West Bank for Israeli Citizens but in the Gaza Strip and the areas of West Bank under the Palestinian Authorities there is no ban towards conversion theraphy for LGBT people.
Equal age of consent in Rafah is varies by region.
Current status
Varies by Region
In the West Bank, the age of consent is equal for both males and females (18 years). In the Gaza Strip, it is unequal for males.
Legal Rights
39 / 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 Rafah to help improve its accuracy.
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Rafah LGBT Organizations
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