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Same-sex sexual activity legal? Male illegal, female legal Penalty: Up to 14 years imprisonment (not enforced) | ||
Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) persons in Papua New Guinea face legal challenges not experienced by non-LGBT residents. Male same-sex sexual activity is prohibited by Section 210 of the Papua New Guinea Penal Code. Those caught engaging in anal sex can get punished with up to fourteen years imprisonment. Other same-sex sexual acts can be punished with up to three years imprisonment. Papua New Guinea has a traditional Christian society. In 2011, the government informed the United Nations that it will not decriminalise homosexuality.
According to the United States Department of State, there were no reports of prosecutions in 2012 directed at LGBT persons. However, the department reported that LGBT persons in 2012 were "vulnerable to societal stigmatization".
LGBT persons have reported facing "discrimination in their daily lives, and often struggle to find jobs". PNG former Member of Parliament Dame Carol Kidu in 2012 described gay Papua New Guineans as being forced to live lives of secrecy, and called unsuccessfully on the government to decriminalise homosexuality. Prime Minister Peter O'Neill explained that there were "strong feelings" against homosexuality in the country, which was "yet to accept such sexual openness".
However, it should be understood that some tribes still practice ritual homosexuality such as the Etoro people and Sambia people.