Homophobia and Transphobia

In Asia, more than half of the countries in the region still criminalize homosexuality. Same-sex sexual relations are illegal in Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Burma, Malaysia, Maldives, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka.¹² In Vietnam, the government has passed a law criminalizing same-sex marriages in Vietnam, although there is no specific legal framework against same-sex sexual preferences or relations. In Cambodia in 2004, former King Sihanouk called for the legalization of gay marriage, yet any policy is yet to be issued.¹³ In this region, Nepal is the most progressive country; in 2008, the Supreme Court of Nepal recognized LGBTI persons as natural persons. This ruling has several important implications, including the enactment of laws to afford equal rights to persons of diverse gender and sexual orientation, and the amendment of discriminatory laws.¹⁴