Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) persons in Macau may face legal challenges not experienced by non-LGBT residents. While same-sex sexual activity has never been criminalized in Macau, same-sex couples and households headed by same-sex couples remain ineligible for some legal rights available to opposite-sex couples.
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Law regarding same-sex sexual activity
The general age of consent for homosexual sex, as well as heterosexual, is 14 years.
According to "Penal Code of Macau" Article 166, committing anal coitus with whomever under the age of 14 is a crime and shall be punished by imprisonment between 3 and up 10 years. If anal coitus is committed with someone 14 to 16 years old, taking advantage of his/her inexperience, is a crime punished with a prison term up to 4 years.
The Penal Code of Macau does not have homosexual or buggery defined, hence there is no offense or fines for such acts. Thus, anal sex with a minor is more severely punished irrespective of being homosexual or heterosexual sex.
Anti-discrimination laws
There is an anti-discrimination protection based on sexual orientation in the fields of labour relations (article 6/2 of Law 7/2008).
Recognition of same-sex relationships
Same-sex marriage or civil unions are not currently recognised in Macau.
In March 2013, Mr. Pereira Coutinho, a Member of Parliement, submitted a bill to the Legislative Assembly to recognize same-sex civil unions, granting them the same rights as heterosexual couples, except the right to adopt. The bill was rejected with the sole vote of Mr Coutinho in favor, 4 abstentions and 17 votes against.
LGBT rights activism and culture
In late 2012 it was announced the creation of the Macau LGBT Rights Concern Group, led by openly gay politician Mr. Jason Chao. Since the creation of the Concern Group it has had an active presence in local media advocating for LGBT rights, namely the inclusion of gay couples in the domestic violence bill and the recognition of same-sex marriage or civil unions. In April 2013 was created the association "Rainbow of Macau", a new group striving to protect the rights of Macau's LGBT community. The Rainbow of Macau is the city's first gay rights group officially registered and is led by Mr Anthony Lam Ka Long.
Despite the surge in LGBT activism, gay culture in Macau remains mostly invisible. However, the lesbian-themed movie I'm here, directed by Tracy Choi, won the Macau Indies 2012 Jury's Award at the Macau International Film and Video Festival 2012 (MIFVF). According to the newspaper Macau Daily Times, "the movie depicts the problems that homosexuals face in their daily life, especially when living in a small town" like Macau.