San José is governed by federal Costa Rica law. Learn more
- Homosexuality
- ⚢✔ Legal
- Gay Marriage
- ⚭✔ Legal
- Censorship
- ✔ No censorship
- Changing Gender
- ✔ Legal, no restrictions
- Gender-Affirming Care
- ✔ Legal
- Non-Binary Gender Recognition
- ✔ Recognized
- Discrimination
- ✖ Illegal in some contexts
- Employment Discrimination
- ✖ Sexual orientation only
- Housing Discrimination
- ✖ No protections
- Adoption
- ✔ Legal
- Intersex Infant Surgery
- ✖ Not banned
- Military
- N/A
- Donating Blood
- ✔ Legal
- Conversion Therapy
- ✖ Not banned
- Age of Consent
- ✔ Equal
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Public Opinion
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Homosexual activity in San José is legal.
Censorship of LGBT issues in San José is no censorship.
Current status
No censorship
In Costa Rica, there are no laws restricting the discussion or promotion of LGBTQ+ topics.
Legal recognition of non-binary gender in San José is recognized.
Current status
Since Jun 1, 2018
Recognized
In 2018, the Costa Rican government introduced a third gender option, X, for passports, allowing individuals who do not identify as exclusively male or female to have legal documentation that reflects their gender identity. This makes Costa Rica one of the most progressive countries in Latin America when it comes to recognizing non-binary and X gender marker identities.
LGBT discrimination in San José is illegal in some contexts.
Current status
Since May 17, 2015
Illegal in some contexts
In addition to the existing HIV/AIDS law, public workers are now also protected. Within federal agencies, same sex partnerships are also required to be recognized as a family when requesting time off for spousal medical emergencies.
LGBT employment discrimination in San José is sexual orientation only.
LGBT housing discrimination in San José is no protections.
Current status
No protections
According to ILGA, laws in force in Costa Rica do not offer protection against LGBT discrimination in housing.
Same-sex adoption in San José is legal.
Current status
Since May 26, 2020
Legal
Adoption was legalized for gay couples when gay marriage became legal. Single individuals (whether gay or straight) have been allowed to adopt equally before then.
Intersex infant surgery in San José is not banned.
Current status
Not banned
There's no ban on intersex infant surgery in Costa Rica
Serving openly in military in San José is n/a.
Current status
N/A
Costa Rica does not have a military.
Blood donations by MSMs in San José is legal.
Current status
Since Aug 1, 2007
Legal
After many years of activism, Costa Rica lifted the ban on gay and bisexual men donating blood. The ban had originally been put in place due to fear of HIV-AIDS.
Banned (indefinite deferral)
Costa Rica banned gays from donating blood with Executive Decree 19933-S. The Degree was published in the Sept. 13, 1990 edition of the official government newspaper, La Gaceta. The order specifically identified gay men, sex workers, intravenous drug users and others as “high risk” for blood donation, citing concerns about HIV-AIDS.
Conversion therapy in San José is not banned.
Current status
Not banned
Unknown.
Equal age of consent in San José is equal.
Current status
Equal under federal Costa Rica law
Age of Consent in Costa Rica it's 15 years, and it's equal regardless of sexual orientation or gender.
Legal Rights
83 / 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 San José to help improve its accuracy.
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San José LGBT Organizations
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