LGBTQ rights in Asia
Laws governing lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer rights are complex in Asia, and acceptance of LGBTQ people varies. Same-sex behavior is illegal in 21 Asian countries. The behavior is punishable by death in Afghanistan, Brunei, Iran, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Yemen. Same-sex behavior is also punishable by imprisonment in 14 other Asian countries, such as Iraq, Kuwait, Malaysia, Oman and Syria. In addition, LGBT people also face extrajudicial executions from non-state actors such as the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant and Hamas in the Gaza Strip. While egalitarian relationships have become more frequent in recent years, they remain rare.
Historical discrimination towards homosexuality in much of the region include the ban on homosexual acts enforced by Genghis Khan in the Mongol Empire, which made male homosexuality punishable by death. The Fatawa-e-Alamgiri of the Mughal Empire mandated a common set of punishments for homosexuality, which could include 50 lashes for a slave, 100 for a free infidel, or death by stoning for a Muslim, whereas the Yuan Dynasty implemented a crackdown on homosexuality in China that was continued by the Ming Dynasty.
Many Asian countries have collectivist cultures, wherein aggression is generally accepted by society if it is used to protect the family honor. Homosexuality is generally considered to be dishonorable, so homophobic aggression in the name of protecting family honor is common.
The two Asian jurisdictions which nationally recognize same-sex marriage include Taiwan and Thailand. In 2019, a survey by The Economist found 45% of respondents in the Asia-Pacific believed that same-sex marriage is inevitable in the region, while 31% of respondents disagreed. Furthermore, three-quarters of those surveyed reported a more open climate for LGBT rights compared to three years ago. Of those reporting an improving climate for LGBT people, 38% cited a change in policies or laws. Meanwhile, 36% said coverage of LGBT issues in mainstream media was a major factor. The top reasons cited for diminishing openness was anti-LGBT advocacy by religious institutions.