Homosexuality in Antigua and Barbuda

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Geographical location of Antigua and Barbuda

In Antigua and Barbuda, homosexuality is prohibited by law for both men and women. The law against homosexuals was only renewed in 1995 and is supported by large parts of the religious-conservative population.

illegality

In Antigua and Barbuda , under Section 12 of the Sexual Offences Act of 1995 , anal intercourse is punishable by imprisonment for up to 15 years. Section 15 provides for a punishment for all other same-sex sexual acts between men, as well as between women, with imprisonment of up to five years. The law condemns any form of “serious fornication ” against others that is defined as an “act, other than sexual intercourse, in which a person uses a sexual organ for the purpose of arousal or to satisfy sexual desire” . ( "An act of serious indecency is an act, other than sexual intercourse, by a person involving the use of genital organ for the purpose of arousing or gratifying sexual desire." ) Only consensual acts between a man and a woman over the age of 16 and married couples. This clearly anti-homosexual law was not introduced until 1995 to criminalize homosexuality.

Recognition of same-sex couples

Same-sex couples are not recognized either through registered partnerships or same-sex marriage .

Social situation

Antigua and Barbuda, as in almost all former British colonies in the Caribbean , have discriminatory laws and homophobic practices that prevent homosexual people from accessing health services. The island nation's government has been repeatedly urged by human rights activists to reduce stigma and discrimination against people with a different sexual orientation and to take a stand against homophobia by signing a recent UN declaration on the rights of homosexuals. In addition to the disappointment that Antigua and Barbuda did not sign the declaration signed by 85 states, the fact that the country's population is becoming increasingly intolerant of the rights of gays, lesbians and transsexuals is also deplored.

Violent assaults against homosexuals, as in Jamaica or the Bahamas, are not known.

See also

Web links

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ ILGA : ILGA State-Sponsored Homophobia Report ( Memento July 3, 2014 in the Internet Archive ), accessed April 27, 2012
  2. ↑ See UNHCR report
  3. ↑ antiguaobserver.com: Sir Clare decries country's non-signing of Gay Rights Declaration , April 13, 2011 ( Memento of the original of April 23, 2011 in the Internet Archive ) Info: The archive link was inserted automatically and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. @1@ 2Template: Webachiv / IABot / www.antiguaobserver.com