Country Overview
Marshall Islands
At a glance
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In the Marshall Islands, same-sex sexual activity has been legal since 2005, although same-sex couples cannot adopt or enter into marriage or civil union. The Gender Equality Act of 2019 prohibits “gender discrimination,” defined to include a range of “multiple identities,” among which are sexual orientation and gender identity. The prohibition applies to “legal, economic, employment, social and domestic spheres, and by any person, State entity, enterprise or organization.”
Diversity in gender identity and expression can be seen in kakōl, people assigned male at birth who adopt traditionally feminine roles in society. Nonetheless, discrimination against LGBTIQ people in the Marshall Islands persists, and queer people may face familial pressure to adhere to traditional standards.
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