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Research in attittudes towards LGBTQ+ issues in Tanzania have identified a strong opposition to LGBTQ+ rights, reflecting underlying homophobic sentiments.

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History

Homosexual activity in Tanzania

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Homosexual activity in Tanzania is illegal (up to life in prison as punishment).

Current status
Since Jul 1, 1998
Illegal (up to life in prison as punishment)
Section 16 of the Sexual Offences Special Provisions Act (1998) amended Section 154 of the Code to aggravate the penalty for "carnal knowledge against the order of nature”, raising it to "imprisonment for life and in any case to imprisonment for a term of not less than 30 years".
Details
Sources:
www.refworld.org/docid/3ae6…
www.hsph.harvard.edu/popula…
sgdatabase.unwomen.org/uplo…
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Jan 1, 1930–Jul 1, 1998
Illegal (imprisonment as punishment)
Section 154 of the Penal Code of Tanzania (1930) punished “carnal knowledge against the order of nature” with imprisonment for up to 14 years. Section 155 made attempting to commit such acts punishable by 7 years in prison.
Details
Sources:
www.un.org/depts/los/LEGISL…
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Same-sex marriage in Tanzania

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Same-sex marriage in Tanzania is banned.

Current status
Since Feb 12, 1971
Banned
Article 9(1) in The Law of Marriage Act defines marriage as a voluntary union of a man and a woman.
Details
Sources:
rita.go.tz/eng/laws/History…
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Censorship of LGBT issues in Tanzania

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Censorship of LGBT issues in Tanzania is state-enforced.

Current status
Since 1981
State-enforced federal law
Tanzania has a history of enforcing strict laws against the LGBT community. Same-sex sexual activity is illegal and can be punished by imprisonment. The government has also taken steps to restrict LGBT rights organizations and their activities. Public attitudes towards the LGBT community in Tanzania can be quite hostile, which contributes to a challenging environment for individuals who identify as LGBT. It's important to stay informed about the current situation and exercise caution when discussing or engaging in LGBT-related issues in Tanzania.

The 1981 Penal Code criminalises selling, distributing or exhibiting "materials that are tending to corrupt morals" in Article 175 which is often used to censor LGBTIQ+ topics.
Details
Sources:
76crimes.com/2022/09/13/tan…
web.archive.org/web/2021080…
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Right to change legal gender in Tanzania

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Right to change legal gender in Tanzania is illegal.

Current status
Illegal
No laws in place. Tanzania does not recognize transgender people.
Details
Sources:
www.nationalgeographic.com/…
cdn.sida.se/app/uploads/202…
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Gender-affirming care in Tanzania

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Gender-affirming care in Tanzania is restricted.

Current status
Since 1994
Restricted
In 1994, Tanzania legalized sterilization, which de facto meant legalizing sex reassignment surgery, however, medical records regarding transsexualism had to be obtained abroad.
Details
Sources:
www.rhsupplies.org/uploads/…
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Legal recognition of non-binary gender in Tanzania

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

Current status
Not legally recognized
As Tanzania does not recognize gender changes, non-binary self-identification is defacto not recognized.
Details
Sources:
cdn.sida.se/app/uploads/202…
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LGBT discrimination in Tanzania

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LGBT discrimination in Tanzania is illegal in some contexts.

Current status
Since Mar 16, 2018
Illegal in some contexts
There is limited protection against hate speech based on sexual preference.

Section 11(2)(d) of The Electronic and Postal Communications (Radio and Television Broadcasting Content) Regulations 2018 reads: "A licensee shall not broadcast any matter which incites or perpetuates hatred or vilify any person or section of the community on account of race, ethnicity, nationality, gender, sexual preference, age, disability, religion or culture of that person or section of the community."
Details
Sources:
www.tcra.go.tz/uploads/docu…
www.tcra.go.tz/documents/re…
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LGBT employment discrimination in Tanzania

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LGBT employment discrimination in Tanzania is unknown.

Current status
Unknown

LGBT housing discrimination in Tanzania

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LGBT housing discrimination in Tanzania is unknown.

Current status
Unknown

Same-sex adoption in Tanzania

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Same-sex adoption in Tanzania is illegal.

Current status
Illegal
You have to be married to adopt, and same-sex marriage is illegal.
Details
Sources:
rita.go.tz/eng/laws/History…
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Intersex infant surgery in Tanzania

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Intersex infant surgery in Tanzania is unknown.

Current status
Unknown

Serving openly in military in Tanzania

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Serving openly in military in Tanzania is illegal.

Current status
Since Jan 1, 1998
Illegal
Homosexuality is currently illegal in Tanzania
Details
Sources:
www.refworld.org/docid/3ae6…

www.hsph.harvard.edu/popula…

sgdatabase.unwomen.org/uplo…
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Blood donations by MSMs in Tanzania

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

Current status
Banned (indefinite deferral)
The Blood Donor Assessment and Selection Guideline issued by the Ministry of Health and the National Blood Transfusion Service (NBTS) of Tanzania states that male homosexuals or bisexuals are high-risk groups and should not donate.
Details
Sources:
www.nbts.go.tz/who-can-donate
www.nbts.go.tz/storage/app/…
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Conversion therapy in Tanzania

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Conversion therapy in Tanzania is not banned.

Current status
Not banned
Conversion therapy is not banned.
Details
Sources:
database.ilga.org/tanzania-lgbti
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Equal age of consent in Tanzania

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Equal age of consent in Tanzania is n/a.

Current status
N/A
Homosexuality is illegal in Tanzania.
Details
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LGBT Rights by Region

View the LGBT laws in each individual region of Tanzania.

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    14 / 100

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    #173
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    Compare Tanzania

    95

    Compare with
    British Indian Ocean Territory

    8

    Compare with
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    Compare with
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    Compare with
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    Compare with
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    Common queries:
    • Is it illegal to be gay in Tanzania?
    • Is homosexuality legal in Tanzania?
    • Is gay marriage legal in Tanzania?

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