LGBT rights in Belarus

LGBT rights in Belarus
Location of Belarus (green) in Europe (dark grey)  –  [Legend]
Status	Legal since 1994 age of consent is equalized
Gender identity	–
Military	No (LGBT persons barred from the Belarusian military on the grounds that homosexuality is a psychiatric disorder)
Discrimination protections	No
Family rights
Recognition of relationships	No recognition of same-sex relationships
Restrictions	Same-sex marriage constitutionally banned since 1994
Adoption	No

Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people in Belarus face significant challenges not experienced by non-LGBT residents. Although same-sex sexual activity is legal in Belarus, gay and lesbian rights in the country are otherwise severely limited and homosexuality remains highly stigmatized in Belarusian society. Households headed by same-sex couples are not eligible for the same legal protections available to opposite-sex couples. Belarus provides no anti-discrimination protections for LGBT people, nor does it prohibit hate crimes based on sexual orientation and gender identity. Many Belarusian people believe that homosexuality is a psychiatric illness, and many LGBT persons in Belarus tend to hide their sexual orientation in public. Those who are "out" face harassment, violence and physical abuse.