LGBTQ rights in Transnistria

Location of Transnistria (green)

in Europe (dark grey) – [Legend]

Legal status| Legal since 2002
Penalty| No
Gender identity| Legal since 2001 (required surgery)
Military| -
Discrimination protections| None
Family rights
Recognition of relationships| None
Adoption| -

Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people in Transnistria face legal challenges not experienced by non-LGBT residents. The Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic (PMR) is an unrecognised breakaway state with its own judicial system. For the legal situation for LGBT individuals in Moldova, which Transnistria is recognised by most states as belonging to, see LGBT rights in Moldova.

## Law regarding same-sex sexual activity

[edit]

Consensual same-sex sexual activity is legal in Transnistria, despite many foreign sources saying that it is illegal. Article 131 of the Criminal Code of Transnistria that came into force in June 2002, states that committing sodomy, lesbianism and sexual intercourse with a person under the age of sixteen is illegal. However, the article does not state that committing 'sodomy and lesbianism' above 16 is illegal. All the other articles related to sex crimes, such as sexual assault and coercion to perform sexual acts, have listed '(heterosexual) sexual intercourse, sodomy and lesbianism' in the same category. There are no other articles in the Criminal Code of Transnistria that have laws that are separated in penalizing same-sex sexual activity, or committing 'sodomy and lesbianism.'[1]

Despite this, LGBT individuals are subject to governmental and societal discrimination.[2]

## Recognition of same-sex unions

[edit]

Transnistria does not recognize same-sex unions. The Code of Marriage and Family that came into force in 2002 states that marriage is a voluntary marital union between a man and a woman. The Code does not recognize other types of partnership for both opposite-sex and same-sex couples other than marriage.[1][3]

## Summary table

[edit]

Same-sex sexual activity legal  |  (Since 2002)[3]

|

Equal age of consent (16)  |  (Since 2002)
Anti-discrimination laws in employment only  |
Anti-discrimination laws in the provision of goods and services  |
Anti-discrimination laws in all other areas (incl. indirect discrimination, hate speech)  |
Same-sex marriage  |
Recognition of same-sex couples  |
Censorship of LGBT-issues  |  (totally banned - imprisonment & fines since 2002-2025)
Step-child adoption by same-sex couples  |
Joint adoption by same-sex couples  |
Gays and lesbians allowed to serve openly in the military  |
Right to change legal gender  |  (Since 2001)
Access to IVF for lesbians  |
Commercial surrogacy for gay male couples  |
MSMs allowed to donate blood  |

## See also

[edit]

* LGBTQ portal

* Human rights in Transnistria
* LGBT rights in Moldova
* LGBT rights in Russia
* LGBT rights in Europe

## References

[edit]

1. ^ a b "Все Законы Приднестровья (Законодательство ПМР)". pravopmr.ru.
2. ^ Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 2009. 2009. p. 1709. Retrieved 1 November 2014.
3. ^ a b "'Progress is possible after Putin falls': Transnistria's LGBT community fights for its voice". Euronews. Retrieved 2023-11-15.

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Transnistria articles

History|

* Before 1792
* World War II
* Moldavian ASSR
* Transnistria Governorate
* Transnistria conflict
* Transnistria War
* Joint Control Commission
* 1997 Moscow memorandum
* Kozak memorandum
* 2025 Moldovan energy crisis

Geography|

* Localities

Politics|

* 2006 customs crisis
* Coat of arms
* Flag
* Foreign relations
* Human rights
* Law enforcement
* Military
* Moldova–Ukraine border
* Parliament
* Political parties
* President
* Prime Minister
* Proposed reintegration into Moldova
* Proposed Russian annexation
* Russian military presence
* Unification of Moldova and Romania

Economy|

* Central bank
* Rubla (currency)
* Moldova Steel Works
* Airports

Society|

* Crime
* Culture
* Media
* Romanian-language schools
* Public holidays
* Anthem

Demographics|

* History
* Poles in Transnistria
* Census in 1989 / 2004 / 2015

Note: Transnistria is a Moldovan breakaway territory and a self-proclaimed republic, unrecognised by any United Nations member state.

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LGBTQ rights in Europe

Sovereign states|

* Albania
* Andorra
* Armenia
* Austria
* Azerbaijan
* Belarus
* Belgium
* Bosnia and Herzegovina
* Bulgaria
* Croatia
* Cyprus
* Czech Republic
* Denmark
* Estonia
* Finland
* France
* Georgia
* Germany
* Greece
* Hungary
* Iceland
* Ireland
*   * Italy
* Kazakhstan
* Latvia
* Liechtenstein
* Lithuania
* Luxembourg
* Malta
* Moldova
* Monaco
* Montenegro
* Netherlands
* North Macedonia
* Norway
* Poland
* Portugal
* Romania
* Russia
* San Marino
* Serbia
* Slovakia
* Slovenia
* Spain
* Sweden
* Switzerland
* Turkey
* Ukraine
* United Kingdom
* Vatican City

States with limited
recognition|

* Abkhazia
* Kosovo
* Northern Cyprus
* South Ossetia
* Transnistria

Dependencies and
other entities|

* Åland
* Faroe Islands
* Gibraltar
* Guernsey
* Isle of Man
* Jersey
* Svalbard

Other entities|

* European Union
* Sovereign Military Order of Malta

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