LGBTQ rights in Eswatini
LGBTQ rights in Eswatini | |
|---|---|
| Legal status |
|
| Gender identity | No |
| Military | No |
| Discrimination protections | Limited protection against hate speech based on sexual orientation/preference. |
| Family rights | |
| Recognition of relationships | No recognition of same-sex unions |
| Adoption | No |
Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) people in Eswatini have limited legal rights. According to Rock of Hope, a Swati LGBTQ advocacy group, "there is no legislation recognising LGBTIs or protecting the right to a non-heterosexual orientation and gender identity and as a result [LGBTQ people] cannot be open about their orientation or gender identity for fear of rejection and discrimination." Homosexuality is illegal in Eswatini, though this law is in practice unenforced. According to the 2021 Human Rights Practices Report from the US Department of State, "there has never been an arrest or prosecution for consensual same-sex conduct."
Despite the absence of legal enforcement against same-sex sexual activity, LGBTQ people in Eswatini regularly face societal discrimination and harassment, including violence. As such, most choose to remain in the closet or move to neighbouring South Africa.
However, Eswatini has a higher than average tolerance of LGBTQ people compared to most other African countries. Eswatini's first pride parade was held in June 2018.