LGBT rights in Oman

Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people in Oman face significant challenges not experienced by non-LGBT residents.[2] Homosexuality in the Sultanate of Oman is illegal according to §§, 33 and 223 of the penal code and can be punished with a prison sentence up to three years. In Oman, it is said that cases only get to court if "public scandal" is involved.[1]

LGBT rights in Oman
Oman
StatusIllegal: Islamic Sharia Law is applied[1] Only enforced in cases of "public scandal".
PenaltyUp to 3 years to life imprisonment and fines
Gender identityNo
MilitaryNo
Discrimination protectionsNone
Family rights
Recognition of relationshipsNo recognition of same-sex unions.
AdoptionNo

Living conditions

In September 2013, it was announced that all Gulf Cooperative Countries had agreed to discuss a proposal to devise a "gay test" intended to single out gay foreigners and prevent them from entering any of the countries.[3][4] However, it has been suggested that concern for hosting 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, and fears for controversy in a case that football fans would have been screened, made officials backtrack the plans and insist that it was a mere proposal.[5]

LGBT rights movement in Oman

Like in other Gulf countries, advocacy for LGBT rights in Oman is a criminal act; activists use social media with an alias to protect their identities with very rare exceptions.

Summary table
Same-sex sexual activity legal No (Up to 3 years to life imprisonment and fines, only enforced if public scandal is involved)
Equal age of consent No
Anti-discrimination laws in employment only No
Anti-discrimination laws in the provision of goods and services No
Anti-discrimination laws in all other areas (incl. indirect discrimination, hate speech) No
Same-sex marriages No
Recognition of same-sex couples No
Step-child adoption by same-sex couples No
Joint adoption by same-sex couples No
Gays and lesbians allowed to serve openly in the military No
Conversion therapy banned No
Right to change legal gender No Laws against men dressing as women and vice versa.
Access to IVF for lesbians No
Commercial surrogacy for gay male couples No
MSMs allowed to donate blood No

See also

References
  1. "State-sponsored Homophobia A world survey of laws prohibiting same sex activity between consenting adults" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 20 October 2016. Retrieved 31 December 2014.
  2. "Oman". Human Dignity Trust. Retrieved 25 August 2023.
  3. "Gulf Cooperation Countries to test, detect then ban gays from entering their countries". LGBTWeekly.com. Archived from the original on 8 October 2013. Retrieved 6 February 2018.
  4. Cavan Sieczkowski (10 September 2013). "Gulf Countries Propose Test To 'Detect' Gays, Ban Them From Entering". Huffington Post. Retrieved 14 August 2015.
  5. "Kuwaiti authorities arrest 23 'cross-dressers and homosexuals'". Middle East Eye. 13 February 2015. Retrieved 31 May 2016.


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