News & Features

Print
News
26 Apr 2022

What’s life like for LGBTQ people in Tonga?

by Gareth Johnson

Let’s take a look at some of the key equality indicators.

What’s life like for LGBTQ people in Tonga? Let’s take a look at some of the key equality indicators.
Is homosexuality legal in Tonga?No. Same-sex sexual activity is illegal. The punishment is up to 10 years in prison.
It appears that this law is not currently being enforced.
Are there anti-discrimination protections in place for LGBTQ people in Tonga?No. There are no protections against discrimination on the basis of sexuality.
Is there Marriage Equality in Tonga?No. There is no legal recognition of same-sex relationships.
What’s life like for LGBTQ people in Tonga?Tonga is a socially conservative country. Homosexuality is a taboo subject.
Homophobia is systemic.
LGBTQ people conceal their sexuality.
Tonga, much like the rest of Polynesia, used to be tolerant of same-sex relationships and transgender people before the arrival of Christianity. The arrival of the European missionaries in the late 18th century quickly changed societal acceptance, and the first anti-gay laws in Tonga were enacted.

What’s life like for LGBTQ people in Tonga? Let’s take a look at some of the key equality indicators.

Is homosexuality legal in Tonga?

No. Same-sex sexual activity is illegal. The punishment is up to 10 years in prison.

It appears that this law is not currently being enforced.

Are there anti-discrimination protections in place for LGBTQ people in Tonga?

No. There are no protections against discrimination on the basis of sexuality.

Is there Marriage Equality in Tonga?

No. There is no legal recognition of same-sex relationships.

What’s life like for LGBTQ people in Tonga?

Tonga is a socially conservative country. Homosexuality is a taboo subject.Homophobia is systemic.

LGBTQ people conceal their sexuality.

Tonga, much like the rest of Polynesia, used to be tolerant of same-sex relationships and transgender people before the arrival of Christianity. The arrival of the European missionaries in the late 18th century quickly changed societal acceptance, and the first anti-gay laws in Tonga were enacted.