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According to recent survey data available, societal resistance to LGBTQ+ rights in Sao Tome and Principe is noticeable.

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History

Homosexual activity in Sao Tome and Principe

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Homosexual activity in Sao Tome and Principe is legal.

Current status
Since 2012
Legal
A new Penal Code was adopted in 2012 removing previous punishments.
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Sep 16, 18862012
Illegal (other penalty)
Inherited from Portuguese colonial era (amended in 1954). Articles 70 and 71(4°) provide for the imposition of
security measures on people who habitually practice
acts against nature. The security measures may include:
a bond of good behavior, being put on probation for a
certain period, or even internment in a workhouse or
agricultural colony (from 6 months to 3 years).
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Same-sex marriage in Sao Tome and Principe

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Same-sex marriage in Sao Tome and Principe is unrecognized.

Current status
Unrecognized
There is no legal recognition of same-sex marriage provided in São Tomé and Principe.
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Censorship of LGBT issues in Sao Tome and Principe

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Censorship of LGBT issues in Sao Tome and Principe is no censorship.

Current status
No censorship
In Sao Tome and Principe, there are no laws restricting the discussion or promotion of LGBTQ+ topics.
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Right to change legal gender in Sao Tome and Principe

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Right to change legal gender in Sao Tome and Principe is illegal.

Current status
Illegal
No laws allow trans people to legally change their gender in São Tomé and Principe.
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Gender-affirming care in Sao Tome and Principe

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Gender-affirming care in Sao Tome and Principe is unknown.

Current status
Unknown

Legal recognition of non-binary gender in Sao Tome and Principe

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Legal recognition of non-binary gender in Sao Tome and Principe is not legally recognized.

Current status
Not legally recognized
Legal documents are only permitted to have the gender options "M" and "F"
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LGBT discrimination in Sao Tome and Principe

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LGBT discrimination in Sao Tome and Principe is illegal in some contexts.

Current status
Illegal in some contexts
Article 130(2)(d) of the Penal Code (2012) aggravates the crime of homicide when motivated by hatred towards the sexual orientation of the victim.
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LGBT employment discrimination in Sao Tome and Principe

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LGBT employment discrimination in Sao Tome and Principe is sexual orientation only.

Current status
Since 2019
Sexual orientation only
The Labour Code passed in 2019 in Sao Tome and Principe confers the right to equality in employment to persons regardless of sexual orientation.
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LGBT housing discrimination in Sao Tome and Principe

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LGBT housing discrimination in Sao Tome and Principe is unknown.

Current status
Unknown

Same-sex adoption in Sao Tome and Principe

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Same-sex adoption in Sao Tome and Principe is unknown.

Current status
Unknown

Intersex infant surgery in Sao Tome and Principe

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Intersex infant surgery in Sao Tome and Principe is unknown.

Current status
Unknown

Serving openly in military in Sao Tome and Principe

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Serving openly in military in Sao Tome and Principe is lesbians, gays, bisexuals permitted, transgender people banned.

Current status
Lesbians, gays, bisexuals permitted, transgender people banned
Trans people cannot serve in this country as of 2023
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Blood donations by MSMs in Sao Tome and Principe

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Blood donations by MSMs in Sao Tome and Principe is unknown.

Current status
Unknown

Conversion therapy in Sao Tome and Principe

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Conversion therapy in Sao Tome and Principe is not banned.

Current status
Not banned
According to the ILGA, there's no ban of conversion therapy.
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Equal age of consent in Sao Tome and Principe

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Equal age of consent in Sao Tome and Principe is unknown.

Current status
Unknown


LGBT Rights by District

View the LGBT laws in each individual district of Sao Tome and Principe.