LGBTQ rights in the Marshall Islands

LGBTQ rights in the Marshall Islands
Marshall Islands
StatusLegal since 2005[1]
Gender identityNo[2]
MilitaryHas no military
Discrimination protectionsProtections for sexual orientation and gender identity
Family rights
Recognition of relationshipsNo
AdoptionNo

Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people in the Marshall Islands may face legal challenges not experienced by non-LGBTQ residents. Same-sex sexual activity has been legal in the Marshall Islands since 2005, and discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity has been outlawed in all areas since 2019.[3] Despite this, households headed by same-sex couples are not eligible for the same legal protections available to opposite-sex married couples, as same-sex marriage and civil unions are not recognized.

The Human Truth Foundation has listed the Marshall Islands at rank 88 for LGBT rights. This was similar to other Pacific nations, such as Palau (86), Nauru (87) and Micronesia (90).[4]

In 2011, the Marshall Islands signed the "joint statement on ending acts of violence and related human rights violations based on sexual orientation and gender identity" at the United Nations, condemning violence and discrimination against LGBT people.[5]

  1. ^ State-sponsored Homophobia A world survey of laws prohibiting same sex activity between consenting adults Archived 17 July 2013 at the Wayback Machine
  2. ^ Cite error: The named reference star was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  3. ^ Cite error: The named reference equality was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  4. ^ LGBT Rights Across the World, Which are the Best and Worst Countries?
  5. ^ "Over 80 Nations Support Statement at Human Rights Council on LGBT Rights » US Mission Geneva". Geneva.usmission.gov.