LGBT rights in the Isle of Man
Encyclopedia
Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) rights in the Isle of Man over the past couple of years have become more liberal
after years of lobbying, LGBT people have made progress in getting legal recognition (such as an equal age of consent and employment protection from discrimination in 2006, gender recognition in 2009 and both civil partnerships and the adoption of children in 2011), however same-sex marriage
is still banned (just like the United Kingdom
) and both hatred and prejudice are still around on the Isle of Man
. Male homosexuality has been legal since 1992 on the Isle of Man
.
.
for same sex couples is banned under the Marriage and Civil Registration (Amendment) Act 2011 (c.3). However, civil partnerships are legal (in the same way as civil partnerships is recognised in the United Kingdom, Ireland and Jersey). The bill for legalization passed all stages of both the House of keys
and the Legislative Council
and was signed into law on March 15, 2011. The Civil Partnership Act 2011 (c2) took effect on April 6, 2011.
Liberalism
Liberalism is the belief in the importance of liberty and equal rights. Liberals espouse a wide array of views depending on their understanding of these principles, but generally, liberals support ideas such as constitutionalism, liberal democracy, free and fair elections, human rights,...
after years of lobbying, LGBT people have made progress in getting legal recognition (such as an equal age of consent and employment protection from discrimination in 2006, gender recognition in 2009 and both civil partnerships and the adoption of children in 2011), however same-sex marriage
Same-sex marriage
Same-sex marriage is marriage between two persons of the same biological sex or social gender. Supporters of legal recognition for same-sex marriage typically refer to such recognition as marriage equality....
is still banned (just like the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
) and both hatred and prejudice are still around on the Isle of Man
Isle of Man
The Isle of Man , otherwise known simply as Mann , is a self-governing British Crown Dependency, located in the Irish Sea between the islands of Great Britain and Ireland, within the British Isles. The head of state is Queen Elizabeth II, who holds the title of Lord of Mann. The Lord of Mann is...
. Male homosexuality has been legal since 1992 on the Isle of Man
Isle of Man
The Isle of Man , otherwise known simply as Mann , is a self-governing British Crown Dependency, located in the Irish Sea between the islands of Great Britain and Ireland, within the British Isles. The head of state is Queen Elizabeth II, who holds the title of Lord of Mann. The Lord of Mann is...
.
Law regarding same-sex sexual activity
Prior to September 1992, Same-sex sexual activity was illegal, then after decriminalization, the age of consent was set at 21 (in line with the UK at that time); then in 2001, the age of consent for male homosexual acts was lowered to 18 under the Criminal Justice Act 2001 (c.4). In 2006 under the Sexual Offences (Amendment) Act 2006 (c.3), the age of consent was lowered to 16, became gender-neutral for all sexual conduct; regardless of gender and/or sexual orientationSexual orientation
Sexual orientation describes a pattern of emotional, romantic, or sexual attractions to the opposite sex, the same sex, both, or neither, and the genders that accompany them. By the convention of organized researchers, these attractions are subsumed under heterosexuality, homosexuality,...
.
Gender identity/expression
Transsexual persons are allowed to change their legal gender and to have their new gender recognised under the Gender Recognition Act 2009 (c.11).Recognition of same-sex relationships
Today, civil marriageCivil marriage
Civil marriage is marriage performed by a government official and not a religious organization.-History:Every country maintaining a population registry of its residents keeps track of marital status, and most countries believe that it is their responsibility to register married couples. Most...
for same sex couples is banned under the Marriage and Civil Registration (Amendment) Act 2011 (c.3). However, civil partnerships are legal (in the same way as civil partnerships is recognised in the United Kingdom, Ireland and Jersey). The bill for legalization passed all stages of both the House of keys
House of Keys
The House of Keys is the directly elected lower branch of Tynwald, the parliament of the Isle of Man, the other branch being the Legislative Council....
and the Legislative Council
Legislative Council
A Legislative Council is the name given to the legislatures, or one of the chambers of the legislature of many nations and colonies.A Member of the Legislative Council is commonly referred to as an MLC.- Unicameral legislatures :...
and was signed into law on March 15, 2011. The Civil Partnership Act 2011 (c2) took effect on April 6, 2011.
Adoption and family planning
Under the Civil Partnership Act 2011 (c.2), same-sex couples in the Isle of Man since April 6, 2011 are allowed equal access to full joint or step adoption in the same way as adoption for same sex couples is recognised in the United Kingdom - including England, Wales, Scotland, Jersey and Guernsey, but not Northern Ireland and Ireland.Discrimination protections
Under the Employment Act 2006 (c.21), the Isle of Man adopted legislation that outlawed the dismissal of employees on the grounds of their sexual orientation and became effective from 1 September 2006. At the time Isle of Man LGBT reports that the government at the time was "falling behind" in line with European Human Rights decisions.Summary table
| Same-sex sexual activity |  |
| Equal age of consent | |
| Anti-discrimination laws in employment only | |
| Anti-discrimination laws in the provision of goods and services | |
| Anti-discrimination laws in all other areas (including indirect discrimination) | |
| Recognition of same-sex couples as civil partnerships | |
| Adoption by same-sex couples | |
| Gays allowed to serve in the military | |
| Right to change legal gender | |
| Access to IVF for lesbians | |
| Civil marriage for same sex couples |  |
| Men who have sex with men Men who have sex with men Men who have sex with men are male persons who engage in sexual activity with members of the same sex, regardless of how they identify themselves; many men choose not to accept sexual identities of homosexual or bisexual... (MSM) allowed to donate blood |
|
See also
- Politics of the Isle of ManPolitics of the Isle of ManThe government of the Isle of Man is a parliamentary representative democracy. As a Crown Dependency, it is not subordinate to the government of the United Kingdom. That government, however, is responsible for defence and external affairs and could intervene in the domestic affairs of the isle...
- LGBT rights in the United Kingdom
- LGBT rights in EuropeLGBT rights in EuropeLesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender rights are widely diverse in Europe per country. Seven out of the ten countries that have legalised same-sex marriage are situated in Europe; a further fourteen European countries have legalised civil unions or other forms of recognition for same-sex couples...
- Age of consent in Europe
- Isle of Man Legislation