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

Is homosexuality legal in the Dominican Republic?

Yes. Homosexuality was decriminalised in 1822.The age-of-consent is equal.

Are there anti-discrimination protections for LGBTQ people in the Dominican Republic?

No. There are no anti-discrimination protections that prohibit discrimination on the grounds of sexuality.

Is there Marriage Equality in the Dominican Republic?

No. There is no legal recognition of same-sex relationships.The country’s constitution was amended in 2010 to explicitly limit marriage to opposite-sex couples.

The Dominican Republic is legally bound by the 2018 Inter-American Court of Human Rights ruling, which held that same-sex marriage is a human right protected by the American Convention on Human Rights. This has not yet translated into reality for LGBTQ people in the Dominican Republic.

What’s life like for LGBTQ people in the Dominican Republic?

The Dominican Republic is a socially conservative country. The Catholic Church plays a strong role in shaping public opinion.

Homophobia is widely present.

Attitudes are however gradually changing, and the Dominican Republic appears to be becoming a more welcoming and accepting place in relation to LGBTQ people.