Homosexuality in St. Kitts and Nevis

Geographical location of St. Kitts and Nevis

Homosexuality is illegal for men in St. Kitts and Nevis . The law against gays and state-sponsored homophobia is supported by large parts of the religious-conservative population.

illegality

On St. Kitts and Nevis , anal intercourse is punished under Section 56 of the Offences Against the Person Act ( including heterosexual anal intercourse ) with a prison sentence of up to 10 years, with or without forced labor. Section 57 provides for punishment for all other same-sex sexual acts between men in prison for up to 4 years, with or without forced labor. Lesbian sexual acts, on the other hand, are legal.

Recognition of same-sex couples

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

Social situation

In St. Kitts and Nevis, as in almost all former British colonies in the Caribbean , discriminatory laws and homophobic practices prevail that prevent homosexual people from having access to 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. Representatives from St. Kitts and Nevis said at the tenth session of the Human Rights Council in Switzerland in 2011 that the problem in the island federation was controversial, but there was no plan to criminalize sexual relations between adults according to Sections 56 and 57 cancel. “... the government of St. Kitts and Nevis has no mandate from the people to do this. Indeed, there is strong opposition to repeal. But despite its existence on paper, there has been no known private persecution of sexual acts between responsible adults in recent years, ” said Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Delano Bart.

See also

• Laws on homosexuality

Individual evidence

1. ^ UNHCR : Saint Kitts and Nevis: The situation of homosexuals; state protection and availability of support groups
2. ↑ South Florida Caribbean News: St. Kitts and Nevis has no mandate to repeal homosexuality laws ( Memento of the original from July 16, 2011 in the Internet Archive ) Info: The archive link was automatically inserted and not yet checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. , accessed April 28, 2012