LGBT history in Nauru

Homosexuality was decriminalised in Nauru on 27 May 2016.

Homosexuality was criminalised in 1899,^[1][2] when the island was a German protectorate. The current sodomy laws were introduced in 1921 when the island was under Australian rule and are based on the Criminal Code of Queensland.^[3] Those laws were retained following Nauruan independence in 1968.

In January 2011, Mathew Batsiua, Minister for Health, Justice and Sports, stated that the decriminalisation of "homosexual activity between consenting adults" was "under active consideration".^[4][5] In October 2011, the government pledged to decriminalize same-sex sexual acts; however, no relevant legislation was enacted by the end of 2014.^[6]

On 27 May 2016, Nauru decriminalised homosexuality.^[7]

References

1. "Where is it illegal to be gay?". BBC News. Retrieved 23 February 2014.
2. "Gay Nauru News & Reports", GlobalGayz.com, 1 January 2009
3. NAURU (Law)
4. [rtsp://webcast.un.org/ondemand/conferences/unhrc/upr/10th/hrc110124am1-eng.rm?start=00:04:37&end=00:23:22 Address by Mathew Batsiua] to the United Nations Human Rights Council, January 24, 2010
5. National Report of Nauru to the Human Rights Council, November 2010
6. "Freedom in the World 2015: Nauru". Freedom House. Retrieved 27 November 2015.
7. The Age, 27 May 2016: Marital rape no longer allowed and suicide, homosexuality decriminalised at Nauru