Gay Travel Advisories

Sexual acts between consenting adult males are criminalized in regions throughout the world. Please be aware of the following country and region-specific information:

• Asia
  • Afghanistan
  • Bahrain
  • Bangladesh
  • Bhutan
  • Brunei Darussalam
  • Gaza
  • Indonesia

    Legal Code Summary

    Aceh Regulation No. 6/2014 (regional) & South Sumatra Provincial Ordinance No.13/2002 on the Eradication of Immoral Behaviour (regional)

    Legal Code Text

    Aceh - “The law stipulates a punishment of 100 lashes and/or up to approximately eight years in prison. The regulation applies to local residents and to foreigners in the province for the crime of Liwat (male penetration) and Musahaqah (female same-sex sexual activity) in article 63 and 64.”

    South Sumatra - “Ordinance classifies and penalises same sex relations as “immoral behaviour.”

    ILGA Analysis & Notes

    A new national Criminal Code (signed 2 Jan. 2023, in force from January 2026) does not explicitly criminalise private consensual same-sex acts but introduces Articles 406 and 414, using 'decency'/'obscene act' language that explicitly references same-sex relationships when conducted in public. Several dozen local bylaws (e.g. Bogor City, Garut Regency) separately target 'LGBT activities' at the municipal level.

    Sources

    1. Text of the law is available at: http://www.unhcr.org/refworld/country,,,LEGISLATION,TMP,4562d8cf2,3ffbcee24,0.html
    2. See ‘Special Report: Indonesia - Exchanging Pluralism For An Islamist State’, available at: http://pancasilaislam.blogspot.sg/2012/10/special-report-indonesia-exchanging.html

    2023-2024 Legal Developments

    The 1952 Penal Code has no provision criminalising private consensual same-sex acts. However, a new national Criminal Code, signed 2 Jan. 2023 and taking effect January 2026, introduces Article 406 ('violations of decency in public,' explicitly naming same-sex 'homosexual and lesbian' relationships, up to 1 year) and Article 414 ('obscene/lewd acts' in public, up to 1 year 6 months) -- vague-language provisions that legal commentators expect to be used against same-sex conduct that becomes public.

  • Iran
  • Iraq
  • Kuwait
  • Kyrgyzstan
  • Lebanon
  • Malaysia
  • Maldives
  • Myanmar
  • Oman
  • Pakistan
  • Qatar
  • Saudi Arabia
  • Singapore
  • South Korea
  • Sri Lanka
  • Syria
  • Turkmenistan
  • United Arab Emirates
  • Uzbekistan
  • Yemen
• Africa
• Latin America & Caribbean
• Europe
• Oceania