International comparison of LGBT laws
Tuesday, September 10, 2019
The International Academy of Family Lawyers has published an international comparison of LGBT laws.
In the words of the International Academy of Family Lawyers LGBT Committee:
“Laws affecting LGBT people may vary greatly by country or jurisdiction. There are now 28 jurisdictions that accept same sex marriage, however gay sex remains illegal in many jurisdictions with the death penalty still applying in 14. The LGBT Committee of the IAFL commissioned this survey to capitalize on the knowledge and expertise of some members for the benefit of the IAFL as a whole and the LGBT community. This document details the law relating to LGBT people in 46 jurisdictions. It is intended to be a living document and will be updated as laws change and as the Committee receive submissions from other jurisdictions.”
I am humbled and honoured to have been a member of this Committee under the chair of UK lawyer David Allison and helped put together this survey.
I was initially responsible for surveying Fellows in Africa, Asia and Oceania. I was then given the job of collating and editing the response from Australian Fellows.
It is very much a group effort and a great start to an ongoing resource.
When this project was dreamed of, I thought that we were very much the little engine that thought it could. Like the little engine, we have conquered the hill!
