LGBT rights in the Middle East

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LGBT rights in the Middle East
Same-sex marriage done abroad recognized   Civil unions, same-sex marriage done abroad recognized   Homosexuality is legal   Anti-propaganda law   Prison unenforced   Punishable by prison   Death penalty unenforced   Enforced death penalty
Status	Legal in: Turkey, Israel, Egypt (de jure), Jordan, West Bank, Lebanon (de facto), Cyprus, Northern Cyprus, Bahrain, Iraq (de jure), Kuwait (for females) Illegal in: Syria, Egypt (de facto), Gaza Strip, Iran, Iraq (de facto), Lebanon (de jure), Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Oman, United Arab Emirates, Yemen, Kuwait (for males)

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Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people generally have limited or highly restrictive rights in most parts of the Middle East, and are open to hostility in others. Sex between men is illegal in 9 of the 18 countries that make up the region. It is punishable by death in four of these 18 countries. The rights and freedoms of LGBT citizens are strongly influenced by the prevailing cultural traditions and religious mores of people living in the region – particularly Islam.

All same-sex activity is legal in Cyprus, Northern Cyprus, Israel, Jordan, and Turkey.

Male same-sex activity is illegal and punishable by imprisonment in Kuwait, Egypt, Oman, Syria, and the United Arab Emirates. It is also punishable by death in Iran, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar. In Yemen and the Gaza Strip, the punishment might differ between death and imprisonment depending on the act committed.