Recognition of same-sex unions in Lesotho
Researcher William J. Spurlin wrote that "it is important not to simply translate into English [the] use of the Sesotho word motswalle [...] as lesbian."This omission leads to discrimination of various forms including denial of access to healthcare services, targeted assaults by the police, non-recognition of their unions as lawful marriages and their prohibition to adopt children", according to a 2019 TRC report."[12] The Constitution of Lesotho does not expressly address same-sex marriage, but forbids discrimination on various grounds—but not sexual orientation—and states that every person shall be entitled to equal protection under the law.[15] In 2022, Bishop Vicentia Kgabe signed a statement expressing support for the inclusion of LGBT people in the Anglican Communion.[17] In May 2024, Archbishop Makgoba released a document recommending prayers for same-sex couples,[18] which the synod rejected in September.
Same-sex marriage
Limited recognition (foreign residency rights)
No recognition of same-sex couples
Same-sex sexual activity illegal
Prison but not enforced
Prison
Death penalty on books but not enforced
Enforced death penalty
Legal status ofsame-sex unionsMarriageAndorraArgentinaAustraliaAustriaBelgiumBrazilCanadaColombiaCosta RicaDenmarkEcuadorEstoniaFinlandFranceGermanyGreeceIcelandIrelandLiechtensteinLuxembourgMexicoNetherlandsNew ZealandNorwayPortugalSloveniaSouth AfricaSwedenSwitzerlandTaiwanThailandUnited KingdomUnited StatesUruguayIsraelAmerican SamoaCivil unionsBoliviaCroatiaCyprusCzech RepublicHungaryLatviaMonacoMontenegroSan MarinoBermudaCayman IslandsMinimal recognitionBulgariaCambodiaHong KongLithuaniaNamibiaSint MaartenPolandRomaniaSlovakiaSame-sex union legislationSame-sex union court casesTimeline of same-sex marriageRecognition of same-sex unions in AfricaRecognition of same-sex unions in AsiaRecognition of same-sex unions in EuropeRecognition of same-sex unions in the AmericasRecognition of same-sex unions in OceaniaMarriage privatizationDivorce of same-sex couplesDomestic partnershipMilitary policyAdoptionLGBTQ rights by country or territoryCaribbean NetherlandsAruba and CuraçaoNiue, Tokelau, or the Cook IslandsBritish Overseas Territoriessome tribal nationsComan v. RomaniaEuropean Court of JusticeEU citizensguru–shishyanata prathamaitri kararpartnership certificatesLesothosame-sex marriagesmotswalleadolescenceWesternsocial identityEnglishmodernizedhomophobiacivil marriagelegal standingParliament of Lesothoadoption by same-sex couplesConstitution of Lesothodiscriminationsexual orientationAnglican Church of Southern Africadioceseblessing same-sex unionsdiocesesDiocese of Saldanha BayThabo MakgobaNjongonkulu NdunganeVicentia KgabeMethodist Church of Southern Africaopinion pollsbeing legal in South AfricaLGBT rights in LesothoSame-sex marriage in South AfricaRecognition of same-sex unions in Africa AngolaBotswanaEswatiniMauritiusMozambiqueNigeriaSeychellesZimbabweCanary IslandsMelilla