City in Erbil Governorate, Iraq
Is Erbil LGBTQ+ friendly?
1/5Dangerous
Is Erbil LGBTQ+ friendly?
The 2024 national law criminalises same-sex relations, and Kurdistan has no open scene. Discretion is essential.
LGBTQ+ laws in Iraq
Militias have attacked LGBTQ+ people and blackmail is common. There is no safe visible scene anywhere in Iraq.
| Status | |
|---|---|
| Same-sex relationships legal | No |
| Same-sex marriage | No |
| Civil unions or partnerships | No |
| Legal gender change | No |
| Anti-discrimination law | No |
| Legal penalty | 10–15 years in prison; 'promotion' up to 7 years (2024 law). |
LGBTQ+ friendliness across Iraq
Quick answers
Is Erbil safe for LGBTQ+ travelers?
The 2024 national law criminalises same-sex relations, and Kurdistan has no open scene. Discretion is essential.
Is same-sex marriage legal in Iraq?
No.
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Sources
Ratings combine national law with local attitudes and the scene. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.