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Country Overview

Saint Lucia

At a glance

Same-sex Relations for Men Legal Throughout the Country?

No

Same-sex Relations for Women Legal Throughout the Country?

No

Legal Gender Recognition Possible?

No

LGBTI Orgs Able to Register?

Yes

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Saint Lucia’s Penal Code criminalizes “buggery”  and “serious indecencies.” Though these laws are rarely enforced, they contribute to the pervasive antipathy toward LGBTIQ people in Saint Lucia. LGBTIQ people experience discrimination in employment, housing, healthcare, and education, despite the existence of a law protecting citizens from employment discrimination. Saint Lucia’s “buggery” laws are currently being challenged at the High Court of Justice.

LGBTIQ people are vulnerable to violence, harassment, and social stigmatization. LGBTIQ visibility and activism have increased in the last decade, even as some Christian groups continue to campaign against the human rights of LGBTIQ people. In the past, religious leaders and politicians have been at the forefront of perpetuating misinformation about LGBTIQ individuals, although recently, some have started taking a public stand in support of the human rights of LGBTIQ people. Representation in the media is mixed but with a growing prevalence of curious, neutral, and even positive representation.

Notably, social protections for LGBTIQ people are expanding. A new Domestic Violence Act was passed in 2022, containing gender-neutral language and permitting persons in same-sex relationships to apply for protection orders and access support services. This Domestic Violence Act is the most progressive and inclusive gender-based violence legislation in the English-speaking Caribbean.

 

Global Impact

Sub-Saharan Africa

Outright supports LGBTIQ organizations in Sub-Saharan Africa and works with mainstream human rights organizations to respect human rights and influence positive changes in laws, policies, attitudes and beliefs that cause discrimination against LGBTIQ people.

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United Nations

Our work at the United Nations centers around advocating for the advancement of the rights of LGBTIQ people.

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Asia

Our work in Asia promotes acceptance of sexual and gender diversity at all levels of society.

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Middle East and North Africa

In the Middle East 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.



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Europe and Central Asia

Outright International partners with activists to fight for an end to human rights violations based on sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression in Europe and Central Asia, where most of our work involves emergency responses to harassment, discrimination, violence, and most recently, Russia’s brutal and expanded invasion of Ukraine.

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Americas

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.

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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.

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Human Rights Research

Since 1990, we have partnered with activists from all over the world to produce hundreds of groundbreaking reports.

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