Pakistan gay rights

Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer people in Pakistan face legal and social difficulties and persecution compared to non-LGBTQ persons. The Pakistani Penal Code of , originally developed under the British Raj, criminalises sodomy with possible penalties of prison sentences from two years to a life sentence and fines.

Pakistan is a predominantly conservative country with a complicated stance on LGBT rights. Local LGBT individuals continue to face challenges due to a mix of British law and Islamic law present in the country’s Penal Code. Same-sex sexual activity has remained criminalized since , significantly impacting the lives of LGBT locals. LGBT Rights in Pakistan: homosexuality, gay marriage, gay adoption, serving in the military, sexual orientation discrimination protection, changing legal gender, donating blood, age of consent, and more.

In a country where LGBTQIA+ individuals often face significant challenges, Pride Pakistan stands as a beacon of hope and resilience. This community network, consisting of diverse groups and members from across Pakistan, is dedicated to advocating for the rights, awareness, and education of LGBTQIA+ individuals. For more detailed information on the protection of LGBTQI+ rights in Pakistan, visit the Pakistan ILGA World Database.

Legal Gender Recognition Possible? In contrast, transgender people, locally known as khawaja sara, are seen in a more complex way, both as bearers of good fortune and as outcasts. Consequently, their human rights are protected to a somewhat greater degree. The Transgender Person Protection of Rights Act of allows anyone whose gender does not conform to their sex assigned at birth to change their legal gender based on self-determination.

The act further enshrines protection from discrimination in housing, employment, voting, and education. Nevertheless, social exclusion, harassment, and stigmatization of khawaja sira, transgender, intersex, and gender nonconforming Pakistanis persist despite these legal protections. Activists have appealed this judgment, and the law continues to offer temporary protection to transgender people in the country while the appeal process unfolds.

During the elections, three trans candidates ran for provincial and national seats. One of them, Nayab Ali, had her candidacy challenged in court. Our work in Asia promotes acceptance of sexual and gender diversity at all levels of society. In the Southwest Asia and North Africa, we partner with local groups in various countries as part of our international solidarity work.

We also work with our local partners on different topics through capacity building, advocacy, research and holistic security. Our work in the Americas continues to build on the fundamental and positive transformation of human rights protections in recent years. We partner with groups in the Caribbean that focus on ending gender-based violence and eradicating discrimination against trans people. Our work in the Pacific aims to increase the visibility of activists, respond to human rights emergencies, and actively bridge local, regional, and international activism to achieve equality and justice.

Since , we have partnered with activists from all over the world to produce hundreds of groundbreaking reports. Country Overview Pakistan. View more for this country:.

pakistan lgbt population

View this region. Asia Our work in Asia promotes acceptance of sexual and gender diversity at all levels of society. Southwest Asia and North Africa In the Southwest Asia and North Africa, we partner with local groups in various countries as part of our international solidarity work. Americas Our work in the Americas continues to build on the fundamental and positive transformation of human rights protections in recent years.

Pacific Our work in the Pacific aims to increase the visibility of activists, respond to human rights emergencies, and actively bridge local, regional, and international activism to achieve equality and justice. Global View this region. Human Rights Research Since , we have partnered with activists from all over the world to produce hundreds of groundbreaking reports.

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