Censorship of LGBT Issues
Several regions make it illegal to discuss, promote, or teach LGBTQ+ topics.
Censorship of LGBT Issues
Censorship of LGBTQ+ issues involves the suppression, restriction, or regulation of information, media, and public discourse related to LGBTQ+ rights and identities. This type of censorship can occur through governmental laws, social policies, or even corporate decisions and is typically justified by authorities as a measure to protect public morals or national values. However, such censorship often leads to significant human rights violations, stifling freedom of expression and the right to information.
In many countries, censorship manifests in the banning of books, films, websites, and articles that discuss LGBTQ+ themes or advocate for LGBTQ+ rights. Educational content on LGBTQ+ topics can also be restricted under laws that proponents claim protect minors. For instance, "anti-propaganda" laws in some countries prohibit any positive mention of non-heteronormative relationships in materials accessible to children, severely limiting LGBTQ+ visibility and awareness.
The effects of this censorship are profound, contributing to the marginalization and stigmatization of LGBT individuals by perpetuating ignorance and misinformation. Activists and international human rights organizations continue to challenge these oppressive practices, pushing for a world where information on all identities is accessible, allowing for a more inclusive and educated society.
Summary
Timeline of censorship of lgbt issues
Recent & Upcoming Changes
Upcoming Changes
2024
- GhanaImprisonment as punishmentFebruary 29
- El SalvadorState-enforcedFebruary 28
- KazakhstanState-enforcedFebruary 13
2023
- RussiaOther punishmentNovember 30
- ChechnyaImprisonment as punishmentNovember 30
- North CarolinaState-enforcedAugust 16
- KyrgyzstanFine as punishmentAugust 14
- IowaState-enforcedJuly 1
- UgandaImprisonment as punishmentMay 29
- TennesseeState-enforcedApril 1
- ArkansasState-enforcedMarch 14
2022
Censorship of LGBT Issues by Country
No censorship
Censorship of LGBT Issues is no censorship in 137 regions.
- Asia (16)
- Bhutan
- Cambodia
- India
- Israel
- Japan
- Laos
- Maldives
- Mongolia
- Myanmar
- Nepal
- Philippines
- Sri Lanka
- Taiwan
- Thailand
- Timor-Leste
- Vietnam
- Europe (42)
- Albania
- Andorra
- Armenia
- Austria
- Azerbaijan
- Belgium
- Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Bulgaria 1990
- Croatia
- Cyprus
- Czech Republic
- Denmark
- Estonia
- Finland
- France
- Georgia
- Germany
- Greece
- Iceland
- Ireland
- Italy
- Kosovo
- Latvia
- Liechtenstein
- Luxembourg
- Malta
- Moldova
- Monaco
- Montenegro
- Netherlands
- North Macedonia
- Norway
- Poland 2020
- Portugal
- Romania
- San Marino
- Serbia
- Slovenia
- Spain
- Sweden
- Switzerland
- United Kingdom 2003
- North America (21)
- Antigua and Barbuda
- Bahamas
- Barbados
- Belize
- Canada
- Costa Rica
- Cuba
- Dominica
- Dominican Republic
- Grenada
- Guatemala
- Haiti
- Honduras
- Jamaica
- Mexico
- Nicaragua
- Panama
- Saint Kitts and Nevis
- Saint Lucia
- Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
- Trinidad and Tobago
- Africa (32)
- Angola
- Benin
- Botswana
- Burkina Faso
- Cape Verde
- Chad
- Comoros
- Equatorial Guinea
- Eswatini
- Gabon
- Gambia
- Guinea
- Guinea-Bissau
- Lesotho
- Liberia
- Madagascar
- Malawi
- Mauritius
- Mozambique
- Namibia
- Niger
- Republic of the Congo
- Rwanda
- Sao Tome and Principe
- Senegal
- Seychelles
- Sierra Leone
- South Africa
- South Sudan
- Togo
- Zambia
- Zimbabwe
- Oceania (14)
- Australia
- Federated States of Micronesia
- Fiji
- Kiribati
- Marshall Islands
- Nauru
- New Zealand
- Palau
- Papua New Guinea
- Samoa
- Solomon Islands
- Tonga
- Tuvalu
- Vanuatu
- Antarctica (1)
- Antarctica
State-enforced
Censorship of LGBT Issues is state-enforced in 29 regions.
- Asia (17)
- Bahrain
- Bangladesh
- Brunei
- China
- Indonesia
- Kazakhstan 2024
- Kuwait 2022
- Malaysia
- North Korea 1948
- Oman
- Qatar
- Singapore 2022
- South Korea
- Syria 1949
- Tajikistan
- Turkmenistan 2022
- Uzbekistan
- North America (1)
- El Salvador 2024
- South America (1)
- Paraguay 2017
Fine as punishment
Censorship of LGBT Issues is fine as punishment in 4 regions.
- Asia (1)
- Kyrgyzstan 2023
- Africa (1)
- Burundi
Imprisonment as punishment
Censorship of LGBT Issues is imprisonment as punishment in 16 regions.
No data, no laws, N/A, or ambiguous
Data on censorship of lgbt issues is unclear, not applicable, or missing in 8 regions.
- North America (1)
- United States
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