LGBT_rights_in_Saint_Kitts_and_Nevis

LGBT rights in Saint Kitts and Nevis

LGBT rights in Saint Kitts and Nevis

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Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people in Saint Kitts and Nevis face legal challenges not experienced by non-LGBT residents. In 2022, Saint Kitts and Nevis rescinded its criminalization of homosexuality. However, the national penal code does not address discrimination or harassment on the account of sexual orientation or gender identity, nor does the law recognize same sex unions in any form, whether it be marriage or partnerships. Households headed by same-sex couples are also not eligible for any of the same rights given to opposite-sex married couples.

Quick Facts Status, Gender identity ...

Legality of same-sex sexual activity

Recognition of same-sex unions in the Lesser Antilles and Puerto Rico
  Same-sex marriage
  Binding domestic court ruling establishing same-sex marriage, but marriage is not yet provided for
  Other type of partnership
  Unregistered cohabitation
  No recognition of same-sex couples
  Constitutional ban on same-sex marriage
  Same-sex sexual activity illegal but penalties not enforced
  Island subject to IACHR ruling

Following a ruling of the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court on 29 August 2022, consensual same-sex intercourse between adult males, in private, is no longer illegal in Saint Kitts and Nevis.[1]

Previously, Sections 56 and 57 of the "Offences Against the Person Act" criminalized same-sex sexual activity.[2] The Court ruled that the sections violated the Saint Kitts and Nevis constitutional provisions guaranteeing a right to privacy and freedom of expression. The ruling had immediate effect.[3]

In 2011, the Government of St. Kitts and Nevis said it had “no mandate from the people” to abolish the criminalisation of homosexuality among consenting adults. However, despite the existence of the law on the books, there had been no known prosecution of same-sex sexual activity, according to the government.[4]

Social conditions

On 23 March 2005, the island of Nevis—part of the nation of Saint Kitts and Nevis—barred a cruise ship carrying 110 American passengers, mostly LGBT, from docking. A police boat halted the Source Events/Windjammer Barefoot Cruises ship and took the captain to shore for a meeting with port, police, customs and immigration officials, after which the ship was ordered to sail on. Port authority Acting General Manager Oral Brandy told reporters that Nevis does not want homosexuality "to be a part of our culture".[5]

Summary table

Same-sex sexual activity legal Yes (since 2022)
Equal age of consent (16) Yes (since 2022)
Anti-discrimination laws in employment only No
Anti-discrimination laws in the provision of goods and services No
Anti-discrimination laws in all other areas (Incl. indirect discrimination, hate speech) No
Same-sex marriages No
Recognition of same-sex couples No
Step-child adoption by same-sex couples No
Joint adoption by same-sex couples No
Gays and lesbians allowed to serve openly in the military No
Right to change legal gender
Access to IVF for lesbians No
Commercial surrogacy for gay male couples No
MSMs allowed to donate blood No

See also

References

  1. [1]
    Clarke, Sherry Lyn (29 August 2022). "Eastern Caribbean Court Strikes Down Anti-Buggery Law". Nation News. Fontabelle, St. Michael, Barbados. Archived from the original on 30 August 2022. Retrieved 30 August 2022.
  2. [2]
    Refugees, United Nations High Commissioner for. "Refworld | Saint Kitts and Nevis: The situation of homosexuals; state protection and availability of support groups". Refworld.
  3. [3]
    "Court rules in favour of gay man". jamaica-gleaner.com. 2022-08-29. Retrieved 2022-08-30.
  4. [4]
    "St. Kitts and Nevis has no mandate to repeal homosexuality laws". Archived from the original on July 16, 2011.
  5. [5]
    "San Francisco Bay Times - LGBTQ News & Calendar for the Bay Area". San Francisco Bay Times.
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