LGBT rights in the Faroe Islands

LGBT rights in the Faroe Islands
Faroe Islands
Same-sex sexual activity legal?	Legal since 1933, age of consent equalized in 1988
Gender identity/expression	Transsexual persons allowed to change legal gender
Recognition of relationships	No recognition of same-sex couples
Adoption	-
Military service	Gays and lesbians allowed to serve openly
Discrimination protections	Sexual orientation protections

Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) persons in the Faroe Islands may face legal challenges not experienced by non-LGBT residents. Both male and female same-sex sexual activity is legal in the Faroe Islands, but same-sex couples and households headed by same-sex couples are not eligible for the same legal protections available to opposite-sex married couples.

Former laws against homosexuality

Homosexuality has been legal in the Faroe Islands since 1933 when it was decriminalized in Denmark. At that time the age of consent was set at 18 for same-sex relations. Then in 1988, the age of consent became gender-neutral and equal at 15.

Recognition of same-sex relationships

The Faroe Islands does not recognize same-sex unions.

Discrimination protections and hate crimes

Discrimination against gays and lesbians on the islands is rare but became a hot topic in September 2006 after Rasmus Rasmussen, a 25-year-old openly gay musician and popular radio host, allegedly was assaulted by five men in Tórshavn, the capital. Police were reluctant to investigate the case as a hate crime, saying discrimination against gays was not illegal on the Faroes, at that time.

On 15 December 2006, in a 17-15 vote, Faroese legislators included the words "sexual orientation" in the islands' anti-discrimination law §266b.

Summary table

Homosexuality legal
Equal age of consent
Anti-discrimination laws in employment
Anti-discrimination laws in the provision of goods and services
Anti-discrimination laws in all other areas (incl. indirect discrimination, hate speech)
Same-sex marriage(s)
Recognition of same-sex couples
Adoption by same-sex couples
Gays allowed to serve in the military
Right to change legal gender
Access to IVF for lesbians
Gays allowed to donate blood

External links

• Faroe Pride
• Pride politician calls for same-sex partnership scheme (pinknews.co.uk, 20 August 2007)

Discuss

• Readers may use this email link to report errors and/or omissions they have discovered, or to add additional material or comments regarding this article "LGBT rights in the Faroe Islands"
• Wiki Staff should discuss this article in the Wiki Staff Forum
• Susan's Place Transgender Resources Forums
• Susan's Place Transgender Chat

---

Browse: Gender | Cross-dressing | Intersexuality | Transgender topics | Transsexualism | Hormone Therapy | Surgery | Standards of Care | Legal Information | Psychology | Transitioning | Family & Friends | People | Books | Abbreviations | Browse All Topics

Read the FAQ | Return to the Main Page
Want to help us? Write New Articles and/or Expand Current Articles

---

*Some information provided in whole or in part by http://en.wikipedia.org/