Samarqand is governed by federal Uzbekistan law. Learn more
    Homosexuality
    ⚢
    ✖ Male illegal, female legal
    Gay Marriage
    ⚭
    ✖ Banned
    Censorship
    Ambiguous
    Changing Gender
    ✖ Legal, but requires medical diagnosis
    Gender-Affirming Care
    ✔ Legal
    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
    ✖ Illegal
    Donating Blood
    ✖ Banned (indefinite deferral)
    Conversion Therapy
    ✖ Not banned
    Age of Consent
    Female equal, male N/A
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Public Opinion

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History

Homosexual activity in Samarqand

?

Homosexual activity in Samarqand is male illegal, female legal.

Current status
Since Sep 22, 1994
Male illegal, female legal
Article 120 of the penal code states male homosexuality is punishable by 3 years in prison. Female homosexuality is not illegal, but lesbians still face heavy social persecution.
Details
Sources:
web.archive.org/web/2017011…
database.ilga.org/uzbekistan-lgbti
www.state.gov/reports/2023-… - Section 6, paragraph 23
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Same-sex marriage in Samarqand

?

Same-sex marriage in Samarqand is banned.

Current status
Since Sep 22, 1994
Banned
As homosexuality is illegal, same sex union is also illegal by default.
Details
Sources:
www.legislationline.org/dow…
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Censorship of LGBT issues in Samarqand

?

Censorship of LGBT issues in Samarqand is ambiguous.

Current status
Ambiguous
In Uzbekistan, there are no known laws restricting the discussion or promotion of LGBTQ+ topics. However, given the country's heavy restrictions on freedom of speech and expression, advocacy for LGBT rights may result in criminal prosecution.

In 2021, an activist blogger who called for homosexuality to be decriminalized was sentenced to three years in jail for 'libel and public insult'.
Details
Sources:
www.google.com/amp/s/www.rf…
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Right to change legal gender in Samarqand

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

Current status
Since Sep 1, 1998
Legal, but requires medical diagnosis
The Family Code states that "correction of civil status records when changing gender is allowed only upon the conclusion of the health authorities". However, there are many reports of healthcare professionals being unwilling to do so.
Details
Sources:
database.ilga.org/api/downl…
www.state.gov/reports/2023-… - Section 6, paragraph 31
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Apr 5, 1972–Sep 1, 1998
Legal, but requires surgery
Under Soviet law, after the fall of the Soviet Union, the regulations were not changed.
Details
Sources:
bigpicture.ru/ya-peredumala…
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Until Apr 5, 1972
Illegal
Legal gender change is impossible
Details
Sources:
bigpicture.ru/ya-peredumala…
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Gender-affirming care in Samarqand

?

Gender-affirming care in Samarqand is legal.

Current status
Legal
Gender-affirming care is not formally regulated in Uzbekistan however there are a plethora of practical challenges to accessing it mostly stigma and lack of available health professionals.
Details
Sources:
tgeu.org/uzbekistans-lgbt-c…
www.state.gov/reports/2023-… - Section 6, paragraph 31
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Legal recognition of non-binary gender in Samarqand

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

Current status
Not legally recognized
According to the ILGA's Trans Legal Mapping Report, no non-binary options are available.
Details
Sources:
ilga.org/downloads/ILGA_Wor… (page 108)
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LGBT discrimination in Samarqand

?

LGBT discrimination in Samarqand is no protections.

Current status
No protections
The anti-discrimination provision in the constitution does not mention LGBTQIA+ people therefore allowing discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity.
Details
Sources:
www.gov.uz/en/constitution/#a1836
www.state.gov/reports/2023-… - Section 6, paragraph 29
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LGBT employment discrimination in Samarqand

?

LGBT employment discrimination in Samarqand is no protections.

Current status
No protections
There are no discrimination protections for LGTBQIA+ people.
Details
Sources:
www.state.gov/reports/2023-… - Section 6, paragraph 29
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LGBT housing discrimination in Samarqand

?

LGBT housing discrimination in Samarqand is no protections.

Current status
No protections
There are no discrimination protections for LGTBQIA+ people.
Details
Sources:
www.state.gov/reports/2023-… - Section 6, paragraph 29
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Same-sex adoption in Samarqand

?

Same-sex adoption in Samarqand is illegal.

Current status
Illegal
No laws in place for same sex couples.
Details
Sources:
ilga.org/downloads/ILGA_Wor…
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Intersex infant surgery in Samarqand

?

Intersex infant surgery in Samarqand is unknown.

Current status
Unknown

Serving openly in military in Samarqand

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Serving openly in military in Samarqand is illegal.

Current status
Illegal
It is believed that Uzbekistan does not allow LGBTQIA+ people to serve in the military.
Details
Sources:
ilga.org/downloads/02_ILGA_…
www.advocate.com/news/2011/…
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Blood donations by MSMs in Samarqand

?

Blood donations by MSMs in Samarqand is banned (indefinite deferral).

Current status
Banned (indefinite deferral)
not allowed
Details
Sources:
www.redcrescent.uz/newse5.html
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Conversion therapy in Samarqand

?

Conversion therapy in Samarqand is not banned.

Current status
Not banned
There are no regulations on the use of conversion therapy in Uzbekistan and in prisons it is reported to be required for men convicted of homosexuality.
Details
Sources:
www.state.gov/reports/2023-… - Section 6, paragraph 32
ilga.org/downloads/ILGA_Wor… (page 328)
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Equal age of consent in Samarqand

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Equal age of consent in Samarqand is female equal, male n/a.

Current status
Female equal, male N/A
Age of consent is 16 however male anal sex is illegal.
Details
Sources:
www.ageofconsent.net/world/…
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Equality Index ?
19 / 100
Legal Rights
20 / 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 Samarqand to help improve its accuracy.
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Samarqand LGBT Organizations

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Common queries:
  • Is it illegal to be gay in Samarqand?
  • Is homosexuality legal in Samarqand?
  • Is gay marriage legal in Samarqand?
Alternative names: Samarqand, Samarķand, Samarkand, Samarkand

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