Honestly, the map of global rights looks like a messy, flickering neon sign. Some parts are glowing brighter than ever, while others have just gone completely dark. It's 2026, and you’d think we’d have this figured out by now. We don't.
Right now, there are 66 countries where it is illegal to be gay.
That number is a bit of a gut punch because it’s actually gone up recently. We were on a downward trend for years. Then things shifted. Last year, Burkina Faso joined the list of criminalizing nations. Then Trinidad and Tobago—after a long legal battle—basically hit the undo button and reinstated their colonial-era anti-gay laws.
It's a weird, heavy reality to navigate.
The Brutal Reality of the Death Penalty
When people search for countries where it is illegal to be gay, they often want to know the "worst-case" scenarios. It’s a grim curiosity, but a necessary one. In 12 jurisdictions, the law technically allows for the death penalty.
Let's be clear: "on the books" and "active execution" aren't always the same thing. But does that distinction matter when you're living in fear? Probably not.
- Iran and Afghanistan: These are the two where the threat is most active and state-sanctioned. Under the current regime in Afghanistan, the interpretation of Sharia law makes any same-sex act a capital offense.
- Nigeria and Somalia: It depends on where you are. In northern Nigeria, where Sharia courts hold sway, the death penalty is an option. In the south, it's "just" a long prison sentence.
- Brunei and Saudi Arabia: They have the laws. They have the stoning provisions. While Brunei has a moratorium on actually carrying out the execution, the law stays there like a loaded gun on the table.
The "Propaganda" Trap
You don't always have to go to jail for "the act" to have your life ruined.
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There is this growing trend of "anti-propaganda" laws. Russia started this fire back in 2013, but it’s spreading. Kazakhstan just signed off on similar restrictions earlier this year. Hungary and Slovakia have been tightening the screws too.
Basically, these laws make it illegal to talk about being LGBTQ+ in public or near minors. It effectively deletes people from public life. You can't have a Pride march. You can't have a support group. You can't even put a rainbow sticker on your shop window without catching a fine or a "foreign agent" label.
It’s a different kind of "illegal." It’s the illegality of existing out loud.
Why the Number is Moving Backwards
We saw a lot of wins around 2022 and 2023. Singapore finally scrapped Section 377A. Antigua and Barbuda and Barbados threw out their "buggery" laws. It felt like the dominoes were falling the right way.
But 2025 was a rough year.
The global "anti-gender" movement has become incredibly well-funded. In Africa, we're seeing laws modeled after Uganda’s 2023 Anti-Homosexuality Act. Ghana is currently staring down a bill that would not only jail gay people but also anyone who supports them.
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"It's not just about sex anymore," one activist from Accra told me recently. "It's about criminalizing the very idea that we belong to the community."
The Travel Factor: What Most People Get Wrong
If you're looking up countries where it is illegal to be gay because you’re planning a trip, the "legality" isn't the only metric.
Take Egypt or Morocco. Technically, homosexuality is criminalized. In Morocco, it’s Article 489 of the Penal Code. In Egypt, they use "debauchery" laws. However, thousands of gay tourists visit Marrakesh or Cairo every year and have a great time.
The danger is almost always for the locals.
Tourists often have a "passport privilege" bubble. But that bubble is thin. In 2024 and 2025, we saw a spike in "digital entrapment." Local police in several Middle Eastern and African countries have started using apps like Grindr to lure people into arrests. If you're traveling, the law might not catch you, but the surveillance state might.
Where Things Stand: A Quick Regional Breakdown
It’s easier to see the patterns when you look at the map regionally.
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The Middle East & North Africa (MENA)
This is the most "consistent" region for criminalization. From Algeria to Yemen, most countries here have some form of law against same-sex acts. Lebanon is the outlier; their courts have repeatedly ruled that gay sex isn't "unnatural," yet the police still occasionally harass people.
Sub-Saharan Africa
It’s a total mixed bag. You have South Africa, which has some of the most progressive protections in the world. Then you have Uganda and Burundi, where things are terrifying. Namibia was a bright spot last year when they decriminalized, showing that the trend isn't all bad.
Asia and Oceania
Malaysia and Indonesia (specifically Aceh province) have been getting stricter. Meanwhile, Thailand just became the beacon of the region by fully embracing marriage equality. It’s a massive contrast.
Actionable Insights for 2026
If you're an ally, a traveler, or just someone who cares, knowing the list of countries where it is illegal to be gay is just step one. Here is how to actually use this info:
- Support the Underground: Organizations like Rainbow Railroad or ILGA World do the heavy lifting of getting people out of "death penalty" zones. They need resources more than ever as global funding for these initiatives took a hit this year.
- Digital Hygiene is Life or Death: If you are in—or traveling to—a criminalizing country, clear your search history. Use a VPN. Don't leave dating apps on your home screen. Digital evidence is the #1 tool used for prosecutions in 2026.
- Pressure the Corporations: Many multi-national companies operate in places like Qatar or Nigeria while waving Pride flags in London. Hold them accountable. Ask what they are doing to protect their local LGBTQ+ employees in those offices.
The list of 66 countries isn't static. It’s a battlefield. While some nations are trying to legislate people out of existence, the resilience of the local communities is honestly staggering. They aren't waiting for the laws to change to live their lives; they’re just learning how to live them in the shadows.
Stay Informed on Real-Time Changes
Laws in this space move fast. Check the ILGA World Database or the Human Rights Watch country reports for the most recent legal filings. A court ruling in a place like Botswana or Mauritius can change the "illegal" status of a country overnight.
Next steps: Audit your digital footprint if you plan on traveling to any of the MENA or Sub-Saharan regions this year, and prioritize using encrypted messaging for all sensitive communications.