Regions  ▸  Africa  ▸  Saint Helena

LGBT Rights in Saint Helena
Geographical Entities

💬 Join Equaldex's LGBTQ+ Discord to discuss LGBT rights and chat!

Public Opinion

Saint Helena is lacking public opinion data.

Help expand our understanding of the public's view on LGBTQ+ issues in Saint Helena by sharing a link to a survey from a reputable organization.

Suggest Public Opinion Data

Have you lived in or visited Saint Helena?

Share your experience of being LGBTQ+ in Saint Helena.

Take Survey

History

Homosexual activity in Saint Helena

?

Homosexual activity in Saint Helena is unknown.

Current status
Unknown

Same-sex marriage in Saint Helena

?

Same-sex marriage in Saint Helena is legal.

Current status
Since Dec 2017
Legal
In December of 2017, the St Helena Council passed, in a 9-2 vote, a bill permitting same-sex marriage.
Details
Sources:
www.sainthelena.gov.sh/wp-c…
www.thepinknews.com/2019/01…
www.thepinknews.com/2017/12…
Report error  ·  Log
1851–Dec 2017
Unrecognized
Following a local dispute regarding marriages between the Governor and the local Archbishops over whether non-Anglican marriages should be conducted, it was prescribed into law through the Marriage Ordinances of 1851 that did not permit gay marriage. The Act did not explicitly ban gay marriage but rather referred to "the parties to marriage" and was interpreted as not allowing same-sex marriage.
Details
Sources:
sainthelenaisland.info/wedd…
www.sainthelena.gov.sh/2017…
Report error  ·  Log
Until 1851
Ambiguous
While the island was governed by a loose local administration and the British East India Company, marriages were largely unregulated. Although same-sex marriages were technically not banned, it is not believed that any took place, as they likely would not have been accepted by the church or the governor.
Details
Sources:
sainthelenaisland.info/wedd…
Report error  ·  Log

Censorship of LGBT issues in Saint Helena

?

Censorship of LGBT issues in Saint Helena is no censorship.

Current status
No censorship
In Saint Helena, there are no laws restricting the discussion or promotion of LGBTQ+ topics.
Details
Report error  ·  Log

Right to change legal gender in Saint Helena

?

Right to change legal gender in Saint Helena is legal, but requires medical diagnosis.

Current status
Since Apr 4, 2005
Legal, but requires medical diagnosis
Per the UK Gender Recognition Act 2004 (in effect 2005) one may go before a gender recognition panel. The requirements are as follows:
1. Must be 18 years of age
2. Must have a gender-dysphoria diagnosis
3. Must intend "to continue to live in the acquired gender until death"
4. Has lived in the acquired gender for at least 2 years.
5. If married: must acquire the consent of the spouse.

If approved then one is granted a gender recognition certificate and may change the gender marker on legal documents.
Details
Sources:
www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpg…
database.ilga.org/api/downl…
Report error  ·  Log

Gender-affirming care in Saint Helena

?

Gender-affirming care in Saint Helena is unknown.

Current status
Unknown

Legal recognition of non-binary gender in Saint Helena

?

Legal recognition of non-binary gender in Saint Helena is unknown.

Current status
Unknown

LGBT discrimination in Saint Helena

?

LGBT discrimination in Saint Helena is illegal.

Current status
Since Jul 8, 2009
Illegal
Details
Sources:
www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi…
Report error  ·  Log

LGBT employment discrimination in Saint Helena

?

LGBT employment discrimination in Saint Helena is unknown.

Current status
Unknown

LGBT housing discrimination in Saint Helena

?

LGBT housing discrimination in Saint Helena is unknown.

Current status
Unknown

Same-sex adoption in Saint Helena

?

Same-sex adoption in Saint Helena is legal.

Current status
Since Jan 2017
Legal
Since 2010, St Helena has allowed anyone to adopt but same-sex couples have only enjoyed marriage rights since December 2017 meaning before this only single same-sex couples could adopt.
Details
Sources:
www.sainthelena.gov.sh/wp-c…
Report error  ·  Log
Mar 1, 2010–Jan 2017
Single only
The welfare of children ordinance 2008 allows anyone to adopt but before 2017, same-sex couples could not marry.
Details
Sources:
www.sainthelena.gov.sh/wp-c…
Report error  ·  Log

Intersex infant surgery in Saint Helena

?

Intersex infant surgery in Saint Helena is unknown.

Current status
Unknown

Serving openly in military in Saint Helena

?

Serving openly in military in Saint Helena is n/a.

Current status
N/A
As they are a British overseas territory, St Helena is defended by the British Armed Forces.
Details
Sources:
commonslibrary.parliament.u…
www.britannica.com/place/Sa…
Report error  ·  Log

Blood donations by MSMs in Saint Helena

?

Blood donations by MSMs in Saint Helena is unknown.

Current status
Unknown

Conversion therapy in Saint Helena

?

Conversion therapy in Saint Helena is unknown.

Current status
Unknown

Equal age of consent in Saint Helena

?

Equal age of consent in Saint Helena is unknown.

Current status
Unknown
Equality Index ?
93 / 100
Legal Rights
93 / 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 Saint Helena to help improve its accuracy.

Top Contributors

Saint Helena LGBT Organizations

There are no organizations listed in Saint Helena. Suggest one

Share Region

Compare Saint Helena

93

Compare with
Tristan da Cunha, Saint Helena

93

Compare with
Ascension, Saint Helena

Common queries:
  • Is it illegal to be gay in Saint Helena?
  • Is homosexuality legal in Saint Helena?
  • Is gay marriage legal in Saint Helena?

LGBT Rights in

93

LGBT Rights in
Tristan da Cunha

93

LGBT Rights in
Ascension