LGBTQ rights in Asia
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Laws governing lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) rights are complex in Asia, and acceptance of LGBTQ people varies. Same-sex behavior is illegal in 21 Asian countries. The behavior is punishable by death in Afghanistan, Brunei, Iran, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Yemen.[1] Same-sex behavior is also punishable by imprisonment in 14 other Asian countries, such as Iraq, Kuwait, Malaysia, Oman and Syria.[2][3] In addition, LGBT people also face extrajudicial executions from non-state actors such as the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant and Hamas in the Gaza Strip.[4][5] While egalitarian relationships have become more frequent in recent years, they remain rare.[3][6][7]
Legal statusLegal, with an equal age of consent, in 29 out of 50 states
Legal, with an equal age of consent, in 7 territories
Legal, with an equal age of consent, in 7 territories
Gender identityLegal in 23 out of 50 states
Legal in 1 territory
Legal in 1 territory
MilitaryAllowed in 9 out of 50 states
Allowed in 2 territories
Allowed in 2 territories
Discrimination protectionsProtected in 14 out of 50 states
Protected in 4 territories
Protected in 4 territories
LGBTQ rights in Asia | |
|---|---|
| |
| Legal status | Legal, with an equal age of consent, in 29 out of 50 states Legal, with an equal age of consent, in 7 territories |
| Gender identity | Legal in 23 out of 50 states Legal in 1 territory |
| Military | Allowed in 9 out of 50 states Allowed in 2 territories |
| Discrimination protections | Protected in 14 out of 50 states Protected in 4 territories |
| Family rights | |
| Recognition of relationships | Recognized in 5 out of 50 states Recognized in 4 territories |
| Restrictions | Same-sex marriage constitutionally banned in 5 out of 50 states |
| Adoption | Legal in 2 out of 50 states |
Historical discrimination towards homosexuality in much of the region include the ban on homosexual acts enforced by Genghis Khan in the Mongol Empire, which made male homosexuality punishable by death.[8][9] The Fatawa-e-Alamgiri of the Mughal Empire (descended from the Mongol Empire) mandated a common set of punishments for homosexuality, which could include 50 lashes for a slave, 100 for a free infidel, or death by stoning for a Muslim,[10][11][12][13][14][15][16] whereas the Yuan Dynasty (descended from the Mongol Empire) implemented a crackdown on homosexuality in China that was continued by the Ming Dynasty.[17][18]
Many Asian countries, including Russia, have collectivist cultures, wherein aggression is generally accepted by society if it is used to protect the family honor. Homosexuality is generally considered to be dishonorable, so homophobic aggression in the name of protecting family honor is common.[19]
The two Asian jurisdictions which nationally recognize same-sex marriage include Taiwan and Thailand.[20][21] In 2019, a survey by The Economist found 45% of respondents in the Asia-Pacific believed that same-sex marriage is inevitable in the region, while 31% of respondents disagreed. Furthermore, three-quarters of those surveyed reported a more open climate for LGBT rights compared to three years ago. Of those reporting an improving climate for LGBT people, 38% cited a change in policies or laws. Meanwhile, 36% said coverage of LGBT issues in mainstream media was a major factor. The top reasons cited for diminishing openness was anti-LGBT advocacy by religious institutions.[22][23]
Same-sex sexual activity legal
Marriage performed
Marriage recognized
Other type of partnership
Unregistered cohabitation
No recognition of same-sex couples
Ambiguous
Restriction on freedom of expression, not enforced
Severe restriction of association with arrests or detention
Same-sex sexual activity illegal
Prison, not enforced
Prison
Death penalty on books, not enforced
Enforced death penalty
Legislation by country or territory
This table:
North Asia
| LGBT rights in: | Same-sex sexual activity | Recognition of same-sex unions | Same-sex marriage | Adoption by same-sex couples | LGBT people allowed to serve openly in military? | Anti-discrimination laws concerning sexual orientation | Laws concerning gender identity/expression |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Russia |
 Yes Fully legal nationwide since 1993[24][25](de-facto illegal in Chechnya) |
 No |
No Constitution limits marriage to opposite-sex couples since 2020 |
No |
Yes[26] |
No |
No Gender change has not been legal since 2023[27] |
Central Asia
| LGBT rights in: | Same-sex sexual activity | Recognition of same-sex unions | Same-sex marriage | Adoption by same-sex couples | LGBT people allowed to serve openly in military? | Anti-discrimination laws concerning sexual orientation | Laws concerning gender identity/expression |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Kazakhstan |
Yes Legal since 1998[25] |
No |
No |
No |
Yes Since 2022[28] |
No |
Yes[29] |
 Kyrgyzstan |
Yes Legal since 1998[25] |
No |
No Constitutional ban since 2016[30] |
No |
 Ambiguous |
No |
Yes Requires sex reassignment surgery[31][29] |
 Tajikistan |
Yes Legal since 1998[25] |
No |
No |
No |
Ambiguous |
No |
Yes Requires sex reassignment surgery[32][29] |
 Turkmenistan |
No Male illegal since 1927 Penalty: up to 2 years imprisonment. Yes Female always legal[33] |
No |
No |
No |
No |
No |
No |
 Uzbekistan |
No Male illegal since 1926 Penalty: up to 3 years imprisonment. Yes Female always legal[33] |
No |
No Constitutional ban since 2023.[34] |
No |
No |
No |
No |
West Asia
| LGBT rights in: | Same-sex sexual activity | Recognition of same-sex unions | Same-sex marriage | Adoption by same-sex couples | LGBT people allowed to serve openly in military? | Anti-discrimination laws concerning sexual orientation | Laws concerning gender identity/expression |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Abkhazia(Disputed territory) |
Yes Legal |
No |
No |
No |
Ambiguous |
No |
Ambiguous |
 Akrotiri and Dhekelia(Overseas Territory of the United Kingdom) |
Yes Legal since 2000 + UN decl. sign.[25] |
Yes Civil partnerships since 2005 |
Yes Legal since 2014 |
Ambiguous |
Yes UK responsible for defence |
Yes Bans some anti-gay discrimination[35] |
Ambiguous |
 Armenia |
Yes Legal since 2003 + UN decl. sign.[25] |
No |
No Constitutional ban since 2015[36][37] |
No LGBT individuals may adopt, but not same-sex couples. |
No [38] |
No |
No |
 Azerbaijan |
Yes Legal since 2000[25] |
No |
No |
No |
No |
No |
No |
 Bahrain |
Yes Legal since 1976[25] |
No |
No |
No |
No |
No |
Yes Transgender people allowed to change legal gender, but only after sex reassignment surgery.[39] |
 Cyprus |
Yes Legal since 1998 + UN decl. sign.[25] |
Yes Civil cohabitation since 2015[40] |
No |
No |
Yes[41] |
Yes Bans some anti-gay discrimination[42] |
Yes Forbids some discrimination based on gender identity.[43] No Gender change is not legal. |
 Georgia |
Yes Legal since 2000 + UN decl. sign.[25] |
No |
No Constitutional ban since 2018 |
No |
Ambiguous |
Yes Bans all anti-gay discrimination[44] |
No |
 Iran |
 No Illegal Penalty: 74 lashes for immature men and death penalty for mature men (although there are documented cases of minors executed because of their sexual orientation)[45]. For women, 100 lashes for women of mature sound mind and if consenting. Death penalty offense after fourth conviction.[25] |
No |
No |
No |
No |
No |
Yes Sex reassignment surgery has been permitted since 1987.[46][47] |
 Iraq |
No Re-criminalized in 2024.[48] Penalty: Prison sentence between 10 and 15 years. |
No |
No |
No |
No |
No |
No |
 Israel |
Yes Legal since 1963 (de facto), 1988 (de jure)[49] + UN decl. sign.[25][50] |
Yes Unregistered cohabitation since 1994. |
No/ Yes Foreign same-sex marriages are recognized and recorded in the population registry |
Yes Permitted by law since 2008.[51] But in practice gay couples were put at the end of the queue for adoption, until the Supreme Court forbade this discrimination in 2023.[52] Legal adoptions by gay couples began in practice in 2025.[53] |
Yes Since 1993; Includes transgender people[54] |
Yes Bans all anti-gay discrimination[55][56][57] |
Yes Full recognition of gender's ID with or without a surgery or medical intervention;[58][59][60] equal employment opportunity law bars discrimination based on gender identity[61][62][63] |
 Jordan |
Yes Legal[25] |
No |
No |
No |
Ambiguous |
No |
Yes Allowed since 2014[64] |
 Kuwait |
No |
No |
No |
No |
No |
No | |
 Lebanon |
Ambiguous Ambiguous. Illegal under Article 534 of the Penal Code. Some judges have ruled not to prosecute individuals based on the law, however, this has not been settled by the Supreme Court and thus homosexuality is still illegal.[66] However, a 2017 court ruling claims that it is legal, but the law against it is still in place. Penalty: Up to 1 year imprisonment (unenforced). |
No |
No |
No |
No |
No |
Yes Legal gender change allowed, but sex reassignment surgery required[67] |
 Northern Cyprus(Disputed territory) |
Yes Legal since 2014[68][69][25] |
No |
No |
No |
No |
Yes Bans all anti-gay discrimination[68][69] |
Yes Legal, requires surgery for change[70] |
 Oman |
No Illegal Penalty: Fines and prison sentence up to 3 years (only enforced when dealing with "public scandal").[25] |
No |
No |
No |
No |
No |
No Laws against forms of gender expression. |
 Palestine |
West Bank: Yes Legal[25] Gaza: No consensus on legal applicability of British 1936 Sexual offences provisions to homosexual conduct[71][72][73][74] |
West Bank: No[75] Gaza: No[75] |
No[75] |
No (can only be done by a single individual, not couples)[75] |
(Palestine does not have a military)[75] |
(but in employment only in some contexts)[75] but in regard to provision of goods and services or in all other areas (incl. indirect discrimination, hate speech)[75] |
No right to change legal gender but and gender-affirming care was restricted previously to intersex people, not available due to destruction from Gaza war[75] |
 Qatar |
No Illegal Penalty: Fines, up to 7 years imprisonment[25] Death penalty for Muslims. |
No |
No |
No |
No |
No |
No |
 Saudi Arabia |
|
No |
No |
No |
No |
No |
No Laws against forms of gender expression. |
 South Ossetia(Disputed territory) |
Yes Legal |
No |
No |
No |
Ambiguous |
No |
Ambiguous |
 Syria |
No Illegal since 1949 Penalty: Up to 3 years imprisonment. |
No |
No |
No |
No |
No |
Yes Transgender people allowed to change legal gender |
 Turkey |
Yes Legal since 1858[25] |
No |
No |
No LGBT individuals may adopt, but not same-sex couples. |
No |
No |
Yes Requires sterilisation and sex reassignment surgery for change[79] |
 United Arab Emirates |
No Illegal Penalty: Maximum: Capital punishment[80] Minimum: Lashings, imprisonment and fines |
No |
No |
No |
No |
No |
No Sex reassignment surgery severely restricted to limited circumstances (mainly physical intersex traits), highly regulated by the state.[81][82] Laws used against forms of gender expression.[83] |
 Yemen |
No Illegal (codified in 1994) Penalty: Unmarried men punished with 100 lashes of the whip or a maximum of one year of imprisonment, stoning for adultery is not enforced. Women punished up to three years of imprisonment.[25] |
No |
No |
No |
No |
No |
No |
South Asia
| LGBT rights in: | Same-sex sexual activity | Recognition of same-sex unions | Same-sex marriage | Adoption by same-sex couples | LGBT people allowed to serve openly in military? | Anti-discrimination laws concerning sexual orientation | Laws concerning gender identity/expression |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Afghanistan |
No Illegal Penalty: Death penalty[84] |
No |
No |
No |
No |
No |
No |
 Bangladesh |
No Illegal since 1862 Penalty: 10 years to life imprisonment (Occasionally enforced).[25][85] |
No |
No |
No |
No |
No |
Yes A third gender option (hijra) besides male and female is available for a certain sect of third genders[86] |
 Bhutan |
Yes Legal until 2004, again since 2021[87] |
No |
No |
No |
No |
Yes Bans some anti-gay discrimination |
Yes Transgender people allowed to change legal gender without surgery |
 British Indian Ocean Territory(Overseas Territory of the United Kingdom) |
Yes Legal since 2001 + UN decl. sign.[25] |
Yes Civil partnerships since 2005 |
Yes Legal since 2014 |
Ambiguous |
Yes UK responsible for defense |
Ambiguous |
Ambiguous |
 India |
Yes Legal since 2009–2013, again since 2018[88] |
No |
No |
No |
No |
Yes Bans some anti-gay discrimination |
Yes A third gender option (hijra) besides male and female is available; transgender people have a constitutional right to change gender, only after medical/surgical intervention[89] |
 Maldives |
No Illegal (codified in 2014) Penalty: Up to 8 years imprisonment, house arrest, lashings and fines. (unenforced)[90] LGBTQ welcomed in tourist islands.[91] |
No |
No |
No |
No |
No |
No |
 Nepal |
Yes Legal since 2007 + UN decl. sign.[25] |
No |
No |
No |
Yes Since 2007[92] |
Yes Constitutional protections since 2015[93] |
No Change to third gender "O" legal since 2007, unable to change to male or female[94] |
 Pakistan |
No Illegal since 1862 Penalty: 2 years to life sentence (Occasionally enforced).[25][95] |
No |
No |
No |
No |
Yes Transphobia illegal
|
Yes Right to change gender; transgender and intersex citizens have legal protections from all discrimination and harassment[96] |
 Sri Lanka |
No Illegal since 1885 Penalty: Up to 10 years imprisonment with fines.[25] (Ruled unenforceable by the Supreme Court) Legalization proposed |
No |
No |
No |
No |
Yes Bans some anti-gay discrimination |
Yes Transgender people allowed to change legal gender without surgery |
East Asia
| LGBT rights in: | Same-sex sexual activity | Recognition of relationships | Same-sex marriage | Adoption by same-sex couples | LGBT people allowed to serve openly in military? | Anti-discrimination laws concerning sexual orientation | Laws concerning gender identity/expression |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 China |
Yes Legal since 1997[25] |
No |
No |
No |
Yes can openly serve No open displays of affection [97][98] |
Yes Court has in some cases protected LGBT workers from employment discrimination.[99]
No protection codified in law |
Yes
legal gender change possible since 2002. Since 2022, legal gender change allowed with only partial sex reassignment surgery. Difficulty remains to change gender information on diplomas and degrees.[100][101] |
 Hong Kong |
Yes Legal since 1991[25] |
No/ Yes Same-sex marriages registered overseas for government benefits and taxation, and limited recognition of local cohabiting partners |
No |
Yes/ No Stepchild adoption since 2021 [102] |
The central government of China is responsible for the defense of Hong Kong.[103] | Yes Bans some anti-gay discrimination (government discrimination only) |
Yes Following a legal decision, may change gender marker after partial sex reassignment surgery.[104] |
 Japan |
Yes Legal since 1882 + UN decl. sign.[25] |
No * Symbolic recognition in some jurisdictions. |
No Proposed in 2023[105] |
No |
Yes The Japan Self-Defense Forces allows gay people to enlist.[106] |
No nationwide protections Yes some cities ban some anti-gay discrimination[25] |
Yes Transgender people allowed to change legal gender, but only after sex reassignment surgery |
 Macau |
Yes Legal since 1996 |
No |
No |
No |
The central government of China is responsible for the defence of Macau. | Yes Bans some anti-gay discrimination |
Ambiguous |
 Mongolia |
Yes Legal since 1993 + UN decl. sign.[25] |
No |
No Constitutional ban since 1992 |
No |
Yes (Only LGB)[107] |
Yes Bans all anti-gay discrimination |
Yes Transgender people allowed to change legal gender but only after sex reassignment surgery |
 North Korea |
Yes Legal[citation needed] |
No[citation needed] |
No[citation needed] |
No[citation needed] |
Yes can serve with 10-year celibacy required for all soldiers.[108] No open displays of LGBT attitudes.[citation needed] |
No[citation needed] |
No[citation needed] |
 South Korea |
Yes Legal + UN decl. sign.[25] |
No |
No Proposed in 2023[109] |
No |
No |
No nationwide protections Yes Protection from discrimination varies by jurisdiction in some areas, including Seoul |
Yes Transgender people allowed to change legal gender but usually requires sex reassignment surgery |
 Taiwan |
Yes Legal[110] |
[111] |
Legal since 2019[112][113][114] |
Yes Stepchild adoption since 2019 Yes Joint adoption legal since 2023[115] |
Yes |
Yes Constitutionally bans all anti-gay discrimination from government[116]; several laws banning anti-gay discrimination regarding education and employment.[117][118] |
Yes Transgender people allowed to change legal gender, but only after sex reassignment surgery.[a] |
Southeast Asia
| LGBT rights in | Same-sex sexual activity | Recognition of relationships | Same-sex marriage | Adoption by same-sex couples | LGBT people allowed to serve openly in military? | Anti-discrimination laws concerning sexual orientation | Laws concerning gender identity/expression |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Brunei |
No Illegal since 1908 Penalty: Death by stoning (in abeyance, de jure), 7 year imprisonment and 100 lashes for men (de facto). Caning and 10 years prison for women.[120] |
No |
No |
No |
No |
No |
Laws prohibit forms of gender expression. |
 Cambodia |
Yes Legal[25] |
No/ Yes Partnerships recognized in certain cities |
No Constitutional ban since 1993 |
No |
Ambiguous |
No |
No[121] |
 Indonesia |
Ambiguous Not criminalized in private relationship. Illegal under morality laws and Aceh[122] Penalty: Up to 1.5 years imprisonment[123] |
No |
No |
No LGBT individuals may adopt, but not same-sex couples |
No Not explicitly prohibited by Law (de jure), Illegal (de facto) |
Ambiguous Circular letter bans hate speech based on sexual orientation but enforcement inconsistent and discrimination is active.[124][125][126] |
Yes Transgender people allowed to change legal gender, but only after sex reassignment surgery. |
 Laos |
Yes Legal[25] |
No |
No |
No |
Ambiguous |
No |
Ambiguous |
 Malaysia |
No Federal criminal law: Illegal since 1871, up to 20 years imprisonment and caning for anal sex (male/male or male/female);[25][127]  Uncertain for lesbian sex.[b] NoState shariah law: Gay sex or lesbian sex, or both, are illegal for Muslims in all states and federal territories, except in Pahang.[c] |
No |
No |
No LGBT individuals may adopt, but not same-sex couples |
No |
No |
No Generally impossible to change gender. Gender changes was briefly recognized as fundamental rights in a 2014 court ruling,[128][129] but was overturned by the apex court in 2015.[130] Forms of gender expression are criminalized for Muslims under state shariah law.[131] |
 Myanmar |
No Illegal since 1886 Penalty: Up to 10 years in prison (unenforced).[25][132] |
No |
No |
No |
No |
Yes/ No Bans some anti-gay discrimination (limited)[133][need quotation to verify] |
No |
 Philippines |
Yes Legal + UN decl. sign.[134][25][135][136] [d] |
No (Pending) [134] |
No (Pending) [137] |
No LGBT individuals may adopt, but not same-sex couples[138][137] |
Yes Since 2009 |
Yes/ No Bans some anti-gay discrimination in certain cities and provinces,[139] including the City of Manila,[140]Cebu City,[141] Quezon City,[142] and Davao City;[143] Nationwide anti-bullying law for basic education students.[144] |
No Generally impossible to change legal gender. However in Cagandahan vs Philippines, allowed an intersex man to change his legal gender from female to male. |
 Singapore |
Yes Legal since 2007 (de facto), 2022 (de jure) |
No |
No Constitutional ban since 2023[145] |
Ambiguous, a gay Singaporean man with a male partner in 2018 won an appeal in court to adopt a child that he fathered through a surrogate.[146] |
Yes |
Yes Protections against anti-gay discrimination, harassment and violence[147] |
Yes Transgender people allowed to change legal gender, but only after sex reassignment surgery |
 Thailand |
Yes Legal since 1956 + UN decl. sign.[25] |
Yes Since 2025 |
Yes Since 2025[21][148][149] |
Yes Since 2025[21] |
Yes Since 2005 [150] |
Yes Bans all anti-gay discrimination |
No[148][151]
|
 Timor-Leste |
Yes Legal since 1975 + UN decl. sign. |
No |
No |
Yes LGBT individuals may adopt but same-sex couples can not adopt |
Ambiguous |
Yes Bans some anti gay discrimination, Hate crime protections since 2009.[152] |
Ambiguous |
 Vietnam |
Yes Legal[25] + UN decl. sign.[25] |
No |
No |
No LGBT individuals may adopt, not same-sex couples[153] |
Yes Irrespective of one's sexual orientation |
Yes Bans some anti-gay discrimination |
Yes Gender changes recognized and officially practised since 2017[154][155] |
Public opinion
Indicates the country/territory has legalized same-sex marriage nationwide
Indicates that same-sex marriage rights are pending
Indicates that the country has civil unions or registered partnerships
Indicates that same-sex sexual activity is illegal
| Country or territory | Pollster | Year | For | Against | Neutral[e] | Margin of error |
Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Armenia |
Pew Research Center | 2015 | 3% | 96% | 1% | ±3% | [156][157] |
| Cambodia |
Pew Research Center | 2023 | 57% | 42% | 1% | [158] | |
| China |
Ipsos | 2021 | 43% | 19% | - | [citation needed] | |
| Georgia |
Women’s Initiatives Supporting Group | 2021 | 10% (12%) |
75% (88%) |
15% | [159] | |
| Hong Kong |
Pew Research Center | 2023 | 58% | 40% | 2% | [158] | |
| India |
Pew Research Center | 2023 | 53% |
43% | 4% | ±3.6% | [160] |
| Indonesia |
Pew Research Center | 2023 | 5% | 92% | 3% | ±3.6% | [160] |
| Israel |
Pew Research Center | 2023 | 36% | 56% | 8% | ±3.6% | [160] |
| Japan |
Kyodo News | 2023 | 64% (72%) |
25% (28%) |
11% | [161] | |
| Asahi Shimbun | 2023 | 72% (80%) |
18% (20%) |
10% | [162] | ||
| Ipsos | 2023 | 38% | 40% [31% support some rights] |
22% not sure | ±3.5% | [163] | |
| Pew Research Center | 2023 | 68% |
26% | 6% | ±2.75% | [158] | |
| Kazakhstan |
Pew Research Center | 2016 | 7% | 89% | 4% | - | [164][157] |
| Malaysia |
Pew Research Center | 2023 | 17% | 82% | 1% | [158] | |
| Philippines |
SWS | 2018 | 22% | 61% | 16% | [165] | |
| Russia |
Ipsos | 2021 | 17% | 52% | - | [citation needed] | |
| Singapore |
Ipsos | 2023 | 32% |
50% [23% support some rights] |
19% | ±3.5% | [163] |
| Pew Research Center | 2023 | 45% | 51% | 4% | [158] | ||
| South Korea |
Ipsos | 2023 | 35% |
42% [18% support some rights] |
23% not sure | ±3.5% | [163] |
| Pew Research Center | 2023 | 41% | 56% | 3% | [158] | ||
| Sri Lanka |
Pew Research Center | 2023 | 23% | 69% | 8% | [158] | |
| Taiwan |
CNA | 2023 | 63% | 37% | [166] | ||
| Pew Research Center | 2023 | 45% |
43% | 12% | [158] | ||
| Thailand |
Ipsos | 2023 | 55% |
29% [18% support some rights] |
16% not sure | ±3.5% | [163] |
| Pew Research Center | 2023 | 60% | 32% | 8% | [158] | ||
| Turkey |
Ipsos | 2023 | 20% |
52% [22% support some rights] |
28% not sure | ±3.5% [f] | [163] |
| Vietnam |
Pew Research Center | 2023 | 65% | 30% | 5% | [158] |
See also
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Notes
- In Taiwan, gender change is not explicitly stated in any law; instead it is permitted by an executive order published by the Ministry of the Interior, which dictates that sex reassignment surgeries are required before gender change. In 2021 a judgement by the Taipei High Administrative Court[119] ruled that the executive order above was unconstitutional and therefore the defendant (district household registration office) must allow the plaintiff to change their gender. The judgement was finalized since the defendant did not appeal. However, since rulings in Taiwan are generally not precedential, said judgement only applies to the plaintiff and does not bind other cases nor the executive branch.
- There are no provision that specifically criminalise lesbian sex under Malaysia's federal criminal law, and there is no known case of lesbian being charged for lesbian sex under Section 377D of the Penal Code. See LGBTQ rights in Malaysia § Federal criminal law for details.
- See LGBTQ rights in Malaysia § State Shariah law for details. Some state shariah law criminalising same-sex intercourse have also been nullified by the Federal Court of Malaysia due to conflicts with federal law and the Malaysian Constitution.
- Also comprises: Don't know; No answer; Other; Refused.
- [+ more urban/educated than representative]