💬 Join Equaldex's LGBTQ+ Discord to discuss LGBT rights and chat!

Public Opinion

Suggest Public Opinion Data

Recent studies in Trinidad and Tobago indicate societal resistance to LGBTQ+ rights.

Show 5 More

Have you lived in or visited Trinidad and Tobago?

Share your experience of being LGBTQ+ in Trinidad and Tobago.

Take Survey

History

Homosexual activity in Trinidad and Tobago

?

Homosexual activity in Trinidad and Tobago is illegal (imprisonment as punishment).

Current status
Since Mar 25, 2025
Illegal (imprisonment as punishment)
In 2025, the Trinidad and Tobago Court of Appeal reinstated the laws that criminalize homosexuality. The penalty is 5 years imprisonment, not 25 years as it had been before the laws were struck down.
Details
Sources:
76crimes.com/2025/03/27/tal…
Report error  ·  Log
Apr 12, 2018–Mar 25, 2025
Legal
On April 12th, the High Court of Justice ruled the ban on same-sex sexual activity unconstitutional and it was therefore overturned.
Details
Sources:
www.pinknews.co.uk/2018/04/…
www.hrw.org/news/2018/04/13…
Report error  ·  Log
Nov 11, 1986–Apr 12, 2018
Illegal (imprisonment as punishment)
Anal intercourse between two consenting male adults is punishable by twenty-five (25) years imprisonment.
Anal intercourse committed by a minor is punishable by five (5) years imprisonment.
Serious indecency between two adults of the same sex is punishable by five years imprisonment. ("An act of “serious indecency” is an act, other than
sexual intercourse (whether natural or unnatural), by a person
involving the use of the genital organ for the purpose of arousing
or gratifying sexual desire.")
Details
Sources:
rgd.legalaffairs.gov.tt/law…
Report error  ·  Log

Same-sex marriage in Trinidad and Tobago

?

Same-sex marriage in Trinidad and Tobago is unrecognized.

Current status
Since Jan 1, 1924
Unrecognized
Details
Sources:
rgd.legalaffairs.gov.tt/law…
rgd.legalaffairs.gov.tt/law…
rgd.legalaffairs.gov.tt/law…
rgd.legalaffairs.gov.tt/law…
Report error  ·  Log

Censorship of LGBT issues in Trinidad and Tobago

?

Censorship of LGBT issues in Trinidad and Tobago is no censorship.

Current status
No censorship
In Trinidad and Tobago, there are no laws restricting the discussion or promotion of LGBTQ+ topics.
Details
Sources:
www.state.gov/reports/2023-…
Report error  ·  Log

Right to change legal gender in Trinidad and Tobago

?

Right to change legal gender in Trinidad and Tobago is illegal.

Current status
Illegal
Not currently legal.
Details
Sources:
www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/ar…
Report error  ·  Log

Gender-affirming care in Trinidad and Tobago

?

Gender-affirming care in Trinidad and Tobago is legal.

Current status
Legal
Gender affirming care is provided in Trinidad and Tobago, including hormone replacement therapy and sex reassignment surgery.
Details
Sources:
www.ohchr.org/sites/default…
Report error  ·  Log

Legal recognition of non-binary gender in Trinidad and Tobago

?

Legal recognition of non-binary gender in Trinidad and Tobago is not legally recognized.

Current status
Not legally recognized
No way to change legal gender, including to non-binary.
Details
Sources:
www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/ar…
Report error  ·  Log

LGBT discrimination in Trinidad and Tobago

?

LGBT discrimination in Trinidad and Tobago is illegal in some contexts.

Current status
Since 2004
Illegal in some contexts
There is limited protection based on sexual orientation under the Mediation Act 2004, and as “sensitive personal information” under the Data Protection Act, 2011.
Details
Sources:
www.commonlii.org/tt/legis/…

ttcsirt.gov.tt/wp-content/u…

rgd.legalaffairs.gov.tt/Law…
Report error  ·  Log

LGBT employment discrimination in Trinidad and Tobago

?

LGBT employment discrimination in Trinidad and Tobago is no protections.

Current status
No protections
The Equal Opportunity Act covers employment discrimination and explicitly states that it "does not include sexual preference or orientation" as a protected status. Gender identity is not mentioned in the act.
Details
Sources:
rgd.legalaffairs.gov.tt/Law…
Report error  ·  Log

LGBT housing discrimination in Trinidad and Tobago

?

LGBT housing discrimination in Trinidad and Tobago is no protections.

Current status
No protections
Provision of housing is addressed by the Equal Opportunity Act which explicitly states that it "does not include sexual preference or orientation" as a protected status. Gender identity is not mentioned in the Act.
Details
Sources:
rgd.legalaffairs.gov.tt/Law…
Report error  ·  Log

Same-sex adoption in Trinidad and Tobago

?

Same-sex adoption in Trinidad and Tobago is single only.

Current status
Since Jun 13, 1947
Single only
Spouses and single persons may adopt but the law does not recognise same-sex spouses and favours females as single adopters.
Details
Sources:
rgd.legalaffairs.gov.tt/Law…
Report error  ·  Log

Intersex infant surgery in Trinidad and Tobago

?

Intersex infant surgery in Trinidad and Tobago is unknown.

Current status
Unknown

Serving openly in military in Trinidad and Tobago

?

Serving openly in military in Trinidad and Tobago is legal.

Current status
Since Jun 1, 1962
Legal
Details
Sources:
rgd.legalaffairs.gov.tt/law…
www.ttdf.mil.tt/df_hq/careers.html
Report error  ·  Log

Blood donations by MSMs in Trinidad and Tobago

?

Blood donations by MSMs in Trinidad and Tobago is banned (less than 6-month deferral).

Current status
Since May 11, 2023
Banned (less than 6-month deferral)
The FDA changed its rules on men who have sex with men donating blood to a three-month deferral period in May of 2023
Details
Sources:
health.gov.tt/blood-donatio…
trinidadexpress.com/opinion…
Report error  ·  Log
Until May 10, 2023
Banned (indefinite deferral)
Before the FDA changed its policies in 2023, it was largely unclear what deferral periods were used, with reports ranging from 1 year to indefinite.
Details
Sources:
web.archive.org/web/2015091…
trinidadexpress.com/opinion…
Report error  ·  Log

Conversion therapy in Trinidad and Tobago

?

Conversion therapy in Trinidad and Tobago is not banned.

Current status
Not banned
Conversion therapy is not banned.
Details
Sources:
database.ilga.org/trinidad-…
Report error  ·  Log

Equal age of consent in Trinidad and Tobago

?

Equal age of consent in Trinidad and Tobago is equal.

Current status
Since Apr 12, 2018
Equal
Since decriminalization of homosexuality in 2018, the age of consent has been equal.
Details
Sources:
(See sources listed for homosexual activity.)
Report error  ·  Log

LGBT Rights by Region

View the LGBT laws in each individual region of Trinidad and Tobago.

    Equality Index ?
    29 / 100
    Legal Rights
    29 / 100
    Public Opinion
    28 / 100

    Equality Rank

    View All
    #75
    Interest Rank based on Equaldex traffic ?

    Top Contributors

    1 User Live in Trinidad and Tobago

    katetheporcupine

    Trinidad and Tobago LGBT Organizations

    Suggest an organization

    Share Region

    LGBT Trinidad and Tobago Flag
    LGBT Trinidad and Tobago Flag

    Compare Trinidad and Tobago

    65

    Compare with
    Anguilla

    32

    Compare with
    Antigua and Barbuda

    59

    Compare with
    Aruba

    33

    Compare with
    Bahamas

    57

    Compare with
    Barbados

    63

    Compare with
    British Virgin Islands

    100

    Compare with
    Caribbean Netherlands,

    90

    Compare with
    Cayman Islands

    Common queries:
    • Is it illegal to be gay in Trinidad and Tobago?
    • Is homosexuality legal in Trinidad and Tobago?
    • Is gay marriage legal in Trinidad and Tobago?

    LGBT Rights in Caribbean

    65

    LGBT Rights in
    Anguilla

    32

    LGBT Rights in
    Antigua and Barbuda

    33

    LGBT Rights in
    Bahamas

    57

    LGBT Rights in
    Barbados

    63

    LGBT Rights in
    British Virgin Islands

    100

    LGBT Rights in
    Caribbean Netherlands

    76

    LGBT Rights in
    Cuba

    77

    LGBT Rights in
    Curaçao

    37

    LGBT Rights in
    Dominican Republic

    20

    LGBT Rights in
    Grenada

    61

    LGBT Rights in
    Guadeloupe

    27

    LGBT Rights in
    Haiti

    22

    LGBT Rights in
    Saint Lucia

    11

    LGBT Rights in
    Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

    79

    LGBT Rights in
    Sint Maarten

    100

    LGBT Rights in
    U.S. Virgin Islands