The age of consent in China is 14 for both same-sex and opposite sex couples.

The “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy targets homosexuals and bisexuals; they cannot openly identify as LGBTQIA+ whilst simultaneously serving in the Chinese military due to bans. Transgender people are banned from serving in the Chinese military.

Nationwide.

Nationwide.

Only for gender identity and expression.

Nationwide.

nationwide.

Nationwide.

Nationwide.

Nationwide.

Nationwide.

Only for gender identity and expression.

Nationwide.

In all areas.

Nationwide.

Only for gender identity and expression.

only for gender identity and expression.

Only gender identity and expression.

No known anti-discrimination protections exist for sexual orientation or gender identity.

After the Communist Party led by Mao Zedong came to power in 1949, they "stamped out anything they deemed deviant or decadent." During the 1960's and 70's, which was during the Cultural Revolution, gay people were subjected to public humiliation and long prison terms.

Article 208 of the Penal Code (1949) prohibits "offensive public utterances" in writing, graphics, images, and other forms of expression. Before the civil war, it was reported that films with LGBT content were censored. In June 2022, it was reported that Syria's Directorate of Internal Trade and Consumer Protection confiscated around 600 rainbow kites as their designs were similar to the pride flag and therefore "indicating homosexuality". Various articles of Law No. 93 (1958) allow the Ministry to appoint or remove board members, disallow political participation, foreign funding, and allow the registration to be rescinded at will. Further, Article 35 allows any Board decision to be suspended “if it deems it to be against the law, the public order or morals”. This legal framework appears to pose severe barriers to the formal registration and the operation of an organisation working on sexual and gender diversity issues.

Same-sex marriage or civil unions are not legal

Article 520 of the Penal Code (1949) criminalizes “unnatural sexual intercourse.” Potential imprisonment of up to 3 years. Not enforced by regime. In 2003 Syria, at the UN Commission on Human Rights, voted to postpone a draft UN resolution on human rights and sexual orientation. The vote was 24 to 17. The draft resolution was to bring the Commission to express its deep concern at the occurrence of human rights violations worldwide against people on the basis of their sexual orientation; Stress that human rights and fundamental freedoms are the birthright of all human beings and that the universal character of these rights and freedoms is indisputable; and call on all States to promote and protect the fundamental rights of all persons, regardless of their sexual orientation.

Some secondary sources claim it is a "Don't Ask Don't Tell" situation. But, based on a North Korean propaganda film from the year 2000, male homosexuality may be against the law in the military, including for prisoners of war. Information is extremely limited, because North Korea heavily censors LGBT content. However there are sources that claim that during the compulsory 10 year military service homosexual acts between men are very common.

Censorship topics are all controlled by the government

Because sexual orientation as a concept does not appear in North Korea law, there is no legal prohibition of discrimination by state and nonstate actors based on sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or sex characteristics.

There are no specific laws in North Korea that criminalize homosexuality. There are, however, claims that it is de facto illegal, but this has no official backing. (Date shown is the date of North Korean statehood.) While punishment is rare, it was reported by Free North Korea Radio that in September 2011 North Korea executed a lesbian couple for being influenced by capitalism and bringing corruption of public morals. However, this report has never been confirmed to be true. Finally, even though de jure homosexuality is not prohibited, de facto there were some cases of punishment for LGBT people

In South Korea, same-sex marriage is neither prohibited nor legally recognized.

The age of consent in Israel is 16 for male-male, female-female, and male-female sex.

Unsure of date. Date shown represents ratification of the Taiwanese Constitution. The age of consent in Taiwan is 16 (sixteen).

Unsure of date which reflects the ratification of the current constitution of the Republic of China (Taiwan). Taiwanese criminal code treats sexual acts between same-sex partners in private as equal to heterosexual sex acts performed in private.

Homosexuality got legalized in 2018. No laws in place for same sex couples.

Spouses and single persons may adopt but the law does not recognise same-sex spouses and favours females as single adopters.

The national age of consent is equal for both same-sex couples and opposite-sex couples. Cities and prefectures may set higher ages of consent.

Japan has a Self Defense Force in place of a traditional military. There is no specific policy either banning or encouraging LGBT participation in the Self Defense Forces. Research by Sabine Fruhstuck has shown that many Japanese do not object to open LGBT service in the military provided it does not interfere with their performance.

The Law on Adoption passed on April 1, 1947 (including the amendments from 1965) allowed only "incomplete adoption" where the adopted child was not granted all the rights of a legitimate child. Adopters could be both individuals and spouses.

Canadian, British, Polish, Dutch, and American troops liberated the Netherlands during WW2 on this day.

Canadian, British, Polish, Dutch, and American troops liberated the Netherlands during WW2 on this day.

On May 1st, 1945 the Fijian Penal Code of 1945 went into effect and outlawed homosexual sex. In Article 175 (a) it states that any person who has carnal knowledge (sexual intercourse) of any person against the order of nature is guilty of a felony, and is liable to imprisonment for fourteen years, with or without corporal punishment.

The 1932 law came into force in Poland again after World War II, but it included homosexual prostitution as a punishable offense. Homosexuality in Poland was fully decriminalized only in 1970.

Belgium was liberated in September of 1944. Belgian civil law reverted back to pre-war laws.

Homosexual activity has been legal in Sweden since 1944.

Up to 3 years in prison. Not enforced.

Note: Technically illegal, although enforcement is ambiguous. Article 534 of the Lebanese Penal Code prohibits sexual relations that “contradict the laws of nature”. While the law has been used to penalize homosexuality, it has been successfully challenged in court several times with defendants being acquitted. Several courts have also declined to prosecute. Currently no national law has been passed to repeal Article 534, decriminalize homosexual activity, or clarify the position of the law.

Some symbolic civil unions are recognized in select regions though no full and meaningful recognition is given.

The Swiss Penal Code introduced in 1942 allowed same sex acts between adults (above 20 years old), but punished homosexual intercourse with people between 16 and 20 years old (while allowing heterosexual acts)

Under the Shah's rule, the last monarch of the Pahlavi dynasty, homosexuality was criminalised, though it was mostly tolerated even to the point of allowing news coverage of a mock same-sex wedding between two men.

The International Lesbian and Gay Association states that homosexuals are not allowed to serve in the Kenya Defence Forces, however, it's unclear if this is a written law and if so, when this law was passed.

According with the Brazilian Penal Code of 1940, the age of consent about sexual intercourse between two or more people is the same for heterosexual and homosexual couples, 14 years old for the participants.

The Icelandic parliament decriminalizes homosexuality; removing the provision of the law that made homosexuality illegal.

Belgium was under German occupation during World War II and thus Paragraph 175 was in effect.

During the German occupation of the Netherlands during World War II homosexuality was criminalized by Paragraph 175.

Homosexuality is legal in the DRC.

Lithuania was absorbed by the USSR in 1940. An article under which sodomy was punishable by imprisonment from 5 to 8 years existed in the Soviet Criminal Code from March 7, 1934 - number 154-a: “Sexual intercourse between a man and a man (sodomy) - imprisonment for a term of three to five years. Sodomy committed with the use of violence or taking advantage of the dependent position of the victim - imprisonment for a term of five to eight years."

Same-sex sexual activity between males in Soviet Estonia was illegal and punishable under paragraph 118 of the penal code