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It was later announced by police that the men were not engaged in same-sex sexual activity, but arrested them for possession of prohibited drugs.

2013

In June, media reports suggested that two women were arrested for marrying and moving away together. Forced sex is often unsafe and can lead to higher incidences of HIV.

One of the best ways of addressing this marginalization is by educating the public, however, the people who often attempt to inform and provide services to change public attitudes in relation to sex-workers, homosexual males, kothis and the spread of HIV/AIDS are often also harassed and criminalized (morally) by society at large as well as by law enforcement officers including the army and the police.

There is still a large amount of societal pressure on young Bangladeshi to marry and form a traditional family unit, regardless of their preference on the matter.

The investigation into their deaths faced significant delays. This often leads to lowered self-esteem, particularly as kothis are viewed in South Asian societies as being different and unnatural, being born this way because of sexual misdeeds committed by them in a past life. A Rapid Action Battalion spokesman told the press that the men had been arrested on suspicion of “homosexuality”, and that it had not been determined under which law they would be formally charged.

Strong social stigma based on sexual orientation was common and prevented open discussion of the subject.

Other Developments

2019

In October, a trans woman, Pinki Khatun, was elected as a councillor (and Vice-chair of the council) in Kotchandpur in the West of the country. Only men are criminalised under this law.

The 1860 Penal Code was inherited from the British during the colonial period, in which the English criminal law was imposed upon Bangladesh.

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This report examines the status of sexual offences legislation in Commonwealth Asia, assessing good practice and identifying where there are gaps in protection, with a particular focus on women, children, LGBT+ people and people with disability.

Ruling in second most populous country on earth means that one fifth of all LGBT people globally are no longer subject to criminalisation.

To mark LGBT History Month 2022, the Trust' new timeline chronicles the evolution of the criminalisation (and decriminalisation) of same-sex activity.

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In Bangladesh, public opinion seems to reflect a lack of acceptance or understanding of the LGBTQ+ community.

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History

Homosexual activity in Bangladesh

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Homosexual activity in Bangladesh is illegal (up to life in prison as punishment).

Current status
Illegal (up to life in prison as punishment)
Section 377 of the penal code states that "unnatural intersources" with any men women or animal is punishable for up to life in prison.

Same-sex marriage in Bangladesh

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Same-sex marriage in Bangladesh is banned.

Censorship of LGBT issues in Bangladesh

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Censorship of LGBT issues in Bangladesh is state-enforced.

Censorship of LGBTQ+ issues in Bangladesh is a significant concern.

It is unclear as to whether lesbianism has been included within the ambit of s.377 of the Bangladesh Penal Code, as no cases have yet been brought to the courts.

Your privacy is important to us. In February 2009, with the help from the Norwegian National Association for Lesbian and Gay Liberation, BoB organized the first LGBT-related workshop in Bangladesh, titled "Workshop on Sexual Diversity, Partnership Building and Networking".

bangladeshi gay

The country's approach to LGBTQ+ rights is restrictive, and homosexuality is criminalized under Section 377 of the Penal Code. It was not until May 2005 when it attempted to assert itself politically by sending a letter to The Daily Star newspaper, regarding the first International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia. Most victims were part of the transgender community.

2020

The US Department of State Human Rights report noted that LGBT people were subjected to official discrimination in employment, housing and access to government services, and lesbian and bisexual women lacked access to basic sexual and reproductive health care.

This creates a vicarious cycle in which kothis often feel that it is right that they are marginalized, and so are victims of their own creation as well as that of society.

There is no room for lesbian women in Bangladeshi society. I campaigned door-to-door and people have responded positively. The sexual aspect of their identity is not as important as their gender – most consider themselves to be ‘not men’.

View our Privacy Statement for more details. The number of group members had significantly grown by 2006, however, the state of emergency introduced in the country stopped BoB from organising any events for some period of time.

In May 2008, BoB celebrated the International Day Against Homophobia (IDAHO) at a cafe in Dhaka, which marked the first time when BoB appeared openly in public as a group of gay activists with the acknowledgment of the venue authority.

It initially existed under the name Boys Only Bangladesh and cooperated with another group, Teen Gay Bangladesh (TGB), with aims such as bringing gay men in Bangladesh together. As such, many have been forced to leave their homes and flee the country for fear of their lives.”

In April, Xulhaz Mannan, the founder of Bangladesh’s only LGBT magazine, and Mahbub Rabbi Tonoy were hacked to death by suspected Islamist militants in Dhaka.