Country Overview
Palestinian Territories
At a glance
Same-sex Relations for Men Legal Throughout the Country?
Same-sex Relations for Women Legal Throughout the Country?
Legal Gender Recognition Possible?
LGBTI Orgs Able to Register?
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In Palestine, the legality of same-sex sexual activity is mixed. In the West Bank, same-sex sexual activity between men was decriminalized in 1951, while in Gaza, under the British colonial-era criminal code, same-sex sexual activity can be interpreted as illegal. In 2019, Palestinian police banned LGBTIQ groups from hosting events and activities in the West Bank, although this decision was later rescinded due to backlash. There have been reports of violence and discrimination against LGBTIQ people in recent years, and Palestinian authorities have also reportedly failed to intervene in or investigate LGBTIQ-phobic incidents. One major LGBTIQ civil society group is called alQaws, and it identifies itself as an anti-colonial and queer feminist organization that works against sexual and gender-based oppression at all levels of society.
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.
United Nations
Our work at the United Nations centers around advocating for the advancement of the rights of LGBTIQ people.
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Our work in Asia promotes acceptance of sexual and gender diversity at all levels of society.
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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.
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.
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.
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
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Human Rights Research
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