LGBTQ rights in Brunei

LGBTQ rights in Brunei
Location in Brunei
StatusIllegal since 1906 (as a British Protectorate)[1]
Penalty
    • De facto: 7 years' imprisonment, 30 lashes
    • (for married men)[2][3][4]
  • De jure: Death by stoning (for married men; in abeyance by moratorium)[5][6][7]
Gender identity
  • No official recognition.
  • Sex reassignment surgery is illegal
MilitaryNo
Discrimination protectionsNo protections
Family rights
Recognition of relationshipsNo recognition of same-sex unions
AdoptionNo

Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people in Brunei face legal challenges not experienced by non-LGBTQ residents. Both male and female expressions of homosexuality are illegal in Brunei. Sexual activity between men is de jure liable to capital punishment, with de facto lesser penalties of imprisonment and whipping applied; sex between women is punishable by caning or imprisonment. The sultanate applied a moratorium on the death penalty in 2019, which was still in effect as of May 2023.[5] The moratorium could be revoked at any time.[6][7][2][3][4]

OutRight Action International has described Brunei as "the country that has the most worrisome state of rights for LGBT people in Southeast Asia". LGBT Bruneians feel the need to remain very discreet about their sexual orientation.[8]

The Brunei Project, established in 2015, seeks to promote human rights, including religious freedom, free speech, and LGBT rights in Brunei through social media. The group organised a private community event in 2016, celebrating Brunei's first "International Day Against Homophobia" event.[9]

  1. ^ Cite error: The named reference multi was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  2. ^ a b Tan, Yvette (3 April 2019). "Brunei implements stoning to death under anti-LGBT laws". BBC News.
  3. ^ a b Robertson, Holly (2 April 2019). "Brunei enacts Islamic laws to punish gay sex with stoning to death — here's what you need to know". ABC News.
  4. ^ a b Walden, Max; Robertson, Holly (8 May 2019). "Brunei won't impose death penalty for gay sex — but it's still illegal: Why has Brunei suddenly backflipped on death penalty for gay sex?". ABC News.
  5. ^ a b Cite error: The named reference oirf was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  6. ^ a b Cite error: The named reference AFP was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  7. ^ a b "HRW Letter to President Joe Biden Re: Human Rights and the US-ASEAN Special Summit". Human Rights Watch. 9 May 2022.
  8. ^ Cite error: The named reference huffington was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  9. ^ Welcome to IDAHOT Newbies!