Capital city in Riyadh Province, Saudi Arabia
Is Riyadh LGBTQ+ friendly?
Is Riyadh LGBTQ+ friendly?
Same-sex relations are criminalised with severe penalties. No public LGBTQ+ life; avoid rainbow items, affection and dating-app meetups.
LGBTQ+ laws in Saudi Arabia
Hostile: no public LGBTQ+ life and transgender identities aren't recognised. Avoid rainbow items, public affection and online discussion.
| 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 | Death penalty possible under Sharia; in practice prison, fines, deportation. |
LGBTQ+ friendliness across Saudi Arabia
Quick answers
Is Riyadh safe for LGBTQ+ travelers?
Same-sex relations are criminalised with severe penalties. No public LGBTQ+ life; avoid rainbow items, affection and dating-app meetups.
Is same-sex marriage legal in Saudi Arabia?
No.
More about Riyadh
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Sources
- ILGA World: legal frameworks
- UK FCDO travel advice: Saudi Arabia
- Saudi unified visa platform
- Visit Saudi
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 Spotted something out of date?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.