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Country Overview

Fiji

At a glance

Same-sex Relations for Men Legal Throughout the Country?

Yes

Same-sex Relations for Women Legal Throughout the Country?

Yes

Legal Gender Recognition Possible?

No

LGBTI Orgs Able to Register?

Yes

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Fiji has made progress on LGBTIQ issues in the last decade; however, LGBTIQ people still face barriers to full equality. Same-sex relations were decriminalized in 2010, and Fiji is one of the few countries in the world to ban discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity in its constitution. However, LGBTIQ people continue to face violence and discrimination, creating barriers in employment and healthcare, among other areas of life. Although Fiji does not have a law explicitly banning “conversion therapy,” it prohibits health professionals from attempting to change a person’s sexual orientation. Fiji has a traditional third-gender population known as vaka sa lewa lewa, who present themselves and/or identify as women. Fiji does not allow for legal gender recognition. In general, the LGTBIQ community is experiencing greater visibility and acceptance, particularly in urban centers. In 2011, Fiji joined over 80 countries in signing the United Nations’ "joint statement on ending acts of violence and related human rights violations based on sexual orientation and gender identity.”

 

Global Impact

Sub-Saharan Africa

Outright supports LGBTIQ organizations in Sub-Saharan Africa and works with mainstream human rights organizations to respect human rights and influence positive changes in laws, policies, attitudes and beliefs that cause discrimination against LGBTIQ people.

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United Nations

Our work at the United Nations centers around advocating for the advancement of the rights of LGBTIQ people.

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Asia

Our work in Asia promotes acceptance of sexual and gender diversity at all levels of society.

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Middle East and North Africa

In the Middle East and North Africa, we partner with local groups in various countries as part of our international solidarity work. We also work with our local partners on different topics through capacity building, advocacy, research and holistic security.



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Europe and Central Asia

Outright International partners with activists to fight for an end to human rights violations based on sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression in Europe and Central Asia, where most of our work involves emergency responses to harassment, discrimination, violence, and most recently, Russia’s brutal and expanded invasion of Ukraine.

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Americas

Our work in the Americas continues to build on the fundamental and positive transformation of human rights protections in recent years. We partner with groups in the Caribbean that focus on ending gender-based violence and eradicating discrimination against trans people.

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Pacific

Our work in the Pacific aims to increase the visibility of activists, respond to human rights emergencies, and actively bridge local, regional, and international activism to achieve equality and justice.

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Human Rights Research

Since 1990, we have partnered with activists from all over the world to produce hundreds of groundbreaking reports.

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