LGBT rights in the post-Soviet states

LGBT rights in the former Soviet Union
StatusLegal (illegal for males in Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan)
Gender identityLegal in Estonia
MilitaryLegal in Armenia (varies), Belarus (varies), Estonia, Georgia, Latvia, Lithuania, Moldova, Russia and Ukraine (varies)
Discrimination protectionsLegal in Estonia, Georgia, Latvia, Lithuania, Moldova and Ukraine
Family rights
Recognition of relationshipsIn Estonia and Latvia Same-sex marriage legal in Estonia
AdoptionLegal in Estonia

Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) persons in the former Soviet Union face legal challenges not experienced by non-LGBT residents.

1 January 2016, in Estonia, same-sex couples had recognition called a cohabitation agreement, that gave the same legal protections available to opposite-sex couples. On June 20 2023, Estonia was the first former Soviet Union state, that legalized same-sex marriage and joint adoption for gay couples. Among the post-Soviet states, Estonia is considered to be the most liberal when it comes to LGBT rights.

Since June 1, 2022, Latvia also have cohabitation agreement (without marriage and adoption). 11 January 2019, the Supreme Court of Lithuania ruled that same-sex spouses must be granted residence permits, while a cohabitation agreement is pending.


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