Est is governed by federal Rwanda law. Learn more
- Homosexuality
- ⚢✔ Legal
- Gay Marriage
- ⚭✖ Banned
- Censorship
- ✔ No censorship
- Changing Gender
- ✖ Illegal
- Gender-Affirming Care
- ✖ Restricted
- Non-Binary Gender Recognition
- ✖ Not legally recognized
- Discrimination
- ✖ No protections
- Employment Discrimination
- ✖ No protections
- Housing Discrimination
- ✖ No protections
- Adoption
- ✖ Illegal
- Intersex Infant Surgery
- Unknown
- Military
- Ambiguous
- Donating Blood
- ✖ Banned (indefinite deferral)
- Conversion Therapy
- ✖ Not banned
- Age of Consent
- ✔ Equal
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Public Opinion
Est is lacking public opinion data.
Help expand our understanding of the public's view on LGBTQ+ issues in Est by sharing a link to a survey from a reputable organization.
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Homosexual activity in Est is legal.
Current status
Legal
Rwanda does not criminalise gay sex, but homophobic attitudes are common throughout the nation.
Same-sex marriage in Est is banned.
Current status
Since May 26, 2003
Banned
The Constitution of Rwanda, adopted in May 2003, defines marriage as a union between a man and a woman. Article 26 states: "Only civil monogamous marriage between a man and a woman is recognized."
Until May 26, 2003
Unrecognized
No constitutional ban or statue making gay marriage illegal.
Censorship of LGBT issues in Est is no censorship.
Current status
No censorship
In Rwanda, there are no laws restricting the discussion or promotion of LGBTQ+ topics.
Right to change legal gender in Est is illegal.
Current status
Illegal
Changing your legal gender in Rwanda is impossible.
Legal recognition of non-binary gender in Est is not legally recognized.
Current status
Not legally recognized
There is no legal recognition in Rwanda.
LGBT discrimination in Est is no protections.
Current status
No protections
There are no legal provisions that explicitly ban discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity.
Law relating to the Protection of Personal Data and Privacy (Law 58 of 2021) defines sensitive personal data as information revealing a person’s sexual life.
Law relating to the Protection of Personal Data and Privacy (Law 58 of 2021) defines sensitive personal data as information revealing a person’s sexual life.
LGBT employment discrimination in Est is no protections.
Current status
No protections
According to the ILGA World, discrimination on basis of sexual orientation or gender identity in employment is not explicitly banned.
LGBT housing discrimination in Est is no protections.
Current status
No protections
There are no legal provisions that explicitly ban discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity. Articule 16 of the Constitution protects equality under the law.
Same-sex adoption in Est is illegal.
Current status
Illegal
Homosexuality is legal. No laws in place for same sex couples.
Serving openly in military in Est is ambiguous.
Current status
Ambiguous
Law No. 64/2024 Governing the Rwanda Defence Force and Ministerial Order no. 01/Minadef/2012 Establishing the Disciplinary Code in the Rwanda Defence Forces do not specifically exclude LGBT people from serving. However, they include provisions relating to morality and unethical behaviour as grounds for dismissal, prohibitions and serious offences.
Blood donations by MSMs in Est is banned (indefinite deferral).
Current status
Banned (indefinite deferral)
MSMs are not eligible to donate blood, due to the Rwandan Blood Transfusion Service having concerns over HIV infection rates.
Conversion therapy in Est is not banned.
Current status
Not banned
According to the ILGA World, there's no ban on conversion therapy in Rwanda.
Equal age of consent in Est is equal.
Current status
Equal
Age of consent is set at 18 years of age, regardless of gender or orientation.
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 Est to help improve its accuracy.
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Est LGBT Organizations
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