LGBT rights in Qatar | |
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Status | Illegal since 1938:[1]: 30 Sharia (Islamic law) may be applied |
Penalty | Up to 7 years imprisonment (de jure: death penalty, unenforced) |
Gender identity | No |
Military | No |
Discrimination protections | No protections |
Family rights | |
Recognition of relationships | No recognition of same-sex relationships |
Adoption | No |
Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people in Qatar experience legal persecution.[2][3] Sexual acts between males are illegal in Qatar, with punishment for both Muslims and non-Muslims of up to three years in prison. For Muslims duly convicted in the sharia courts, a judicial sentence of capital punishment for homosexuality is a possibility, though it has never been imposed.[4][5] Abuse such as beatings and torture, and forced "conversion therapy" have also been used by police and other authorities.[6][7] There is no explicit corresponding prohibition of consensual sex between women,[8] although sharia disallows sexual activity outside of marriage.[4]
Prevailing cultural mores in Qatar view homosexuality and cross-dressing negatively.[9] The Qatari government does not recognise same-sex marriage or civil partnerships, nor does it allow people in Qatar to campaign for LGBT rights.
In November 2008 British performer George Michael performed at a successful concert in Qatar,[10] making him the first openly gay musician to perform in Qatar.[11]
On 4 February 2024, a dual British-Mexican citizen, was arrested in Qatar after falling victim to a police-led Grindr fake profile. According to his brother, he had been denied the right to a lawyer and had been forced to sign documents in Arabic without a translator to assist him. He also stated that the man had also been prevented access to antiretroviral medicines he needed to be able to live with HIV.[12]
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