In a major step forward for the country’s LGBTQ community, the parliament of Bhutan has voted to decriminalise same-sex sexual activity.

The relevant provisions of Bhutan’s penal code were section 213 and section 214. These provisions referred to ‘unnatural’ sex, which had been interpreted as including same-sex encounters.

“Homosexuality will not be considered as unnatural sex now…” member of parliament Ugyen Wangdi told Reuters after the vote.

The King of Bhutan will need to assent to the parliament’s decision before the changes will become law.

What’s life like for LGBTQ people in Bhutan?

What’s life like for LGBTQ people in Bhutan? Let’s take a look at some of the key equality indicators.

Is homosexuality legal in Bhutan?

As soon as the King of Bhutan gives royal assent to the recent vote by the country’s parliament, same-sex sexual activity will no longer be criminalised.

While there has been a penalty of imprisonment in place if convicted of gay sex, this hasn’t been policed or enforced for some time.

Are there anti-discrimination protections in place for LGBTQ people in Bhutan?

There are no specific provisions that protect LGBTQ people from discrimination on the basis of sexuality.

Is there Marriage Equality in Bhutan?

There’s not currently any legal recognition of same-sex relationships in Bhutan, but there are moves to amend the legislation that covers marriage so that is gender neutral. If this can be implemented, it would effectively deliver Marriage Equality to Bhutan.

What’s life like for LGBTQ people in Bhutan?

It’s not particularly straightforward to look at LGBTQ equality in Bhutan through a western lens – there’s a sense that the way that Bhutan society understands sexuality doesn’t necessarily align with how it is viewed in other countries.

But it’s clear that Bhutan has more work to do in aligning its laws with the international human rights framework that recognises the importance of an explicit commitment to LGBTQ equality.