1. Legality of same-sex sexual acts

2. Recognition of same-sex relationships

3. Discrimination protections and hate crime laws

4. Gender identity and expression

5. Sex education

6. Living conditions
    United Nations 

7. Summary table

8. See also

9. External links

10. References

Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people in Mongolia do not fully enjoy the rights that non-LGBT people are afforded, though there have been substantial improvements since the 1990s. Homosexuality was criminalised in Mongolia in 1961 through its Criminal Code.^[1] Following Mongolia's peaceful transition to a democracy in the 1990s, homosexuality was legalised and awareness about LGBT people has become more prevalent. Hate crimes and hate speech on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity have been outlawed in the country since 1 July 2017.^[2] Households headed by same-sex couples are, however, not eligible for the same legal protections available to opposite-sex couples.

The LGBT Centre (active since 2007) states "advocacy for the human rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people in Mongolia" to be its mandate. It is the main engine behind the policy and legislative changes in the country around LGBT rights.^[3] Historically, the first gay men's human rights organisation was established in March 1999, and was called Tavilan (meaning "destiny" in Mongolian).

Legality of same-sex sexual acts

The Khalkha Mongols, like many early Siberian peoples, seem to have placed a rather high regard on heterosexual fertility and intercourse and therefore viewed homosexual affairs as a sort of deviation.^[6]

After being criminalized in 1961, all mentions of homosexuality were removed from the Mongolian Criminal Code in 1993, effectively legalising private and consensual same-sex sexual activity. The age of consent is 16, regardless of sexual orientation.

Recognition of same-sex relationships

Marriage is defined as a heteronormative institution in the Article 16 (11)^[7] of the Mongolian Constitution as: "Marriage is based on the equality and mutual consent of a man and a woman who have reached the age determined by law. The State protects the interests of the family, motherhood, and the child."^[8]

Discrimination protections and hate crime laws

Until recently, violence and discrimination against LGBT people in Mongolia were fairly common and often not reported to the police. In 2001, a lesbian woman was raped, abducted and stabbed by two men. In 2009, an ultra-nationalist neo-Nazi group kidnapped three transgender women and sexually assaulted them. None of these crimes was reported to the police for fear of victimization.^[9] In February 2014, a gay man was sexually assaulted by a neo-Nazi group.^[10] Following public outcry from the LGBT community and civil society organizations, the Government of Mongolia announced in May 2014 that it would consider anti-discrimination legislation to protect LGBT people.^[11]

On 3 December 2015, the Mongolian Parliament adopted a new Criminal Code that prohibits hate crimes, with the protected grounds including sexual orientation, gender identity and health status. The Criminal Code's coming into force was planned for 1 September 2016, however, the newly elected Cabinet postponed the date to 1 July 2017. In August 2017, the LGBT Centre began training more than 100 police officers on what hate crimes are and how to properly handle them.

Gender identity and expression

An amendment made in June 2009 to Article 20(1) of the Civil Registration Law ({{lang-mn|Улсын бүртгэлийн ерөнхий хууль}}) allows transgender people to change their legal gender on birth certificates or citizen identification cards following a medical procedure to affirm their new gender.^[12]

Hate crimes and hate speech on the basis of gender identity are outlawed in the country.^[9]

Sex education

Mongolia's sex education curriculum introduced in 1998 includes discussion on LGBT and sexual health issues, though teachers may choose whether to cover these topics. Several LGBT students have reported discrimination and bullying at schools.^[12]

Living conditions

As of present, LGBT people lack visibility in Mongolia. In 2009, after more than 10 failed attempts, the Mongolian Government registered the LGBT Centre ({{lang-mn|ЛГБТ төв}}), the sole non-governmental LGBT human rights organisation.^[12] Initially, the State Registration Agency refused to register the organization because it "conflicts with Mongolian customs and traditions and has the potential to set a wrong example for youth and adolescents."^[9]

The International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia has been celebrated in Mongolia since 2011, with events organised by the LGBT Centre.^[13] In 2013, the first Pride week was organised by members of the LGBT community.^[14] Since 2014, the LGBT Centre has been organising "Equality and Pride Days" annually to promote non-discrimination and equality.^[15]

There is a gay bar in Ulaanbaatar, and multiple LGBT groups have emerged over the years. The first LGBT group, Tavilan ({{lang-mn|тавилан}}), was founded in 1999 and successfully registered as an NGO, but had its license revoked in 2000. It continued to operate informally.^[16] The first gay women's human rights organisation, MILC, was established in December 2003 following the failure on the part of the founders of Tavilan to redraft its bylaws to include other sub-communities within the LGBT community. The organisation Zaluus Eruul Mend was established in 2003 to continue the HIV work of Tavilan.

Ignorance about LGBT issues tends to be quite prominent in Mongolian society. There are "no serious religious barriers" to homosexuality, as the dominant religion, Tibetan Buddhism, is silent on homosexuality. Indeed, homophobia is regarded as a form of nationalism, as many Mongolians believe homosexuality to be a "product of the West".^[17]

United Nations

Mongolia has supported landmark LGBT reforms at the United Nations. In 2011, it signed the "joint statement on ending acts of violence and related human rights violations based on sexual orientation and gender identity" at the United Nations, condemning violence and discrimination against LGBT people.^[18] In 2016, it supported the appointment of an independent expert to identify what causes violence and discrimination against LGBT people and to find ways to protect them.^[19]

Summary table

See also

• Human rights in Mongolia
• LGBT rights in Asia

External links

• LGBT Centre (Mongolia)
• GlobalGayz

References

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