Saint James is governed by federal Jamaica law. Learn more
    Homosexuality
    ⚢
    ✖ Male illegal, female legal
    Gay Marriage
    ⚭
    ✖ Banned
    Censorship
    ✔ No censorship
    Changing Gender
    ✖ Illegal
    Gender-Affirming Care
    ✔ Legal
    Non-Binary Gender Recognition
    ✖ Not legally recognized
    Discrimination
    ✖ Illegal in some contexts
    Employment Discrimination
    ✖ Sexual orientation only
    Housing Discrimination
    ✖ No protections
    Adoption
    ✖ Single only
    Intersex Infant Surgery
    Unknown
    Military
    ✔ Legal
    Donating Blood
    Ambiguous
    Conversion Therapy
    Ambiguous
    Age of Consent
    N/A
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Public Opinion

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History

Homosexual activity in Saint James

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Homosexual activity in Saint James is male illegal, female legal.

Current status
Since Jan 1, 1864
Male illegal, female legal
Under The Offences Against the Person Act (1864) (Article 76) Female same-sex encounters are not explicitly outlawed. However, all individuals are prohibited from buggery (anal sex) with another individual. The punishment for buggery is up to 10 years imprisonment, with hard labor.
Details
Sources:
vertic.org/media/National%2…
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Same-sex marriage in Saint James

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Same-sex marriage in Saint James is banned.

Current status
Since Apr 7, 2011
Banned
In April of 2011, Jamaica's Parliament passed The Charter of Fundamental Rights and Freedoms Act (2011) which explicitly banned same-sex marriage and any other kind of union to be recognized in Jamaica.
Details
Sources:
japarliament.gov.jm/attachm…
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Censorship of LGBT issues in Saint James

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Censorship of LGBT issues in Saint James is no censorship.

Current status
No censorship
In Jamaica, there are no laws restricting the discussion or promotion of LGBTQ+ topics.
Details
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Right to change legal gender in Saint James

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Right to change legal gender in Saint James is illegal.

Current status
Illegal
A person's gender identity is not legally recognized in Jamaica. For all official purposes, gender assigned at birth overrules gender identity. One does not have the right to change their legal gender.
Details
Sources:
unaids.org/en/resources/pre…
issuu.com/transwaveja/docs/…
issuu.com/transwaveja/docs/…
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Gender-affirming care in Saint James

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Gender-affirming care in Saint James is legal.

Current status
Since 2000
Legal
In 2000, Jamaica adopted the ICD-10 classification, which contains codes for diagnosing transsexualism in adulthood and childhood, which authorize the initiation of medical transition.
Details
Sources:
ourworldindata.org/grapher/…
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Legal, but restricted for minors
In 1980, Jamaica adopted the ICD-9 classification, which included codes allowing for the diagnosis of transsexualism in adults.
Details
Sources:
ourworldindata.org/grapher/…
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Legal recognition of non-binary gender in Saint James

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

Current status
Not legally recognized
Missing non-binary options.
Details
Sources:
yardflex.com/2016/02/sex-ch…
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LGBT discrimination in Saint James

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LGBT discrimination in Saint James is illegal in some contexts.

Current status
Since 2008
Illegal in some contexts
Some protections from harassment based on sexual orientation in schools.
Details
Sources:
jcf.gov.jm/wp-content/uploa… (page 99)
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Aug 16, 1962–2008
No protections
Homosexuality is currently illegal. As well no discrimination protection exist in the criminal code.
Details
Sources:
oas.org/en/iachr/docs/pdf/J…
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LGBT employment discrimination in Saint James

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LGBT employment discrimination in Saint James is sexual orientation only.

Current status
Since 2004
Sexual orientation only
Section 13(1)(9) of the Staff Orders for the Public Service (2004) requires that public service employees shall be treated fairly and equitably without discrimination based on sexual orientation.
Details
Sources:
ilga.org/downloads/ILGA_Wor… (page 224)
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Aug 6, 1962–2004
No protections
People are being killed for being perceived gay.
Details
Sources:
listverse.com/2013/12/30/10…
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LGBT housing discrimination in Saint James

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LGBT housing discrimination in Saint James is no protections.

Current status
Since Aug 6, 1962
No protections
Homosexuality is illegal there. A cop in Jamaica said that conditions for lgbt were improving.
Details
Sources:
ilga.org/downloads/02_ILGA_…
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Same-sex adoption in Saint James

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Same-sex adoption in Saint James is single only.

Current status
Since Oct 6, 2017
Single only
Full Legalization under the 2018 IACHR Ruling. No laws in place for same sex couples.
Details
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Intersex infant surgery in Saint James

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Intersex infant surgery in Saint James is unknown.

Current status
Unknown

Serving openly in military in Saint James

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Serving openly in military in Saint James is legal.

Current status
Legal
No laws criminalizing or restricting service.
Details
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Blood donations by MSMs in Saint James

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Blood donations by MSMs in Saint James is ambiguous.

Current status
Ambiguous
There are no known laws against MSM's donating blood, however gay couples are often turned away from donating.
Details
Sources:
jasforlife.org/wp-content/u…
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Conversion therapy in Saint James

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Conversion therapy in Saint James is ambiguous.

Current status
Ambiguous
Unknown.
Details
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Equal age of consent in Saint James

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Equal age of consent in Saint James is n/a.

Current status
N/A
Homosexuality is illegal.
Details
Sources:
(See sources listed for homosexual activity.)
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Equality Index ?
25 / 100
Legal Rights
32 / 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 James to help improve its accuracy.

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

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