By: Paul Goldberg, Senior Editor | JRL CHARTS – LGBT Politics Asia
- Research Credit:
This report is based on original regional LGBTQ rights research by Rob Salerno, founder of 76Crimes.com, one of the world’s leading international LGBTQ human-rights news organizations.
Curated, condensed, and published for JRL CHARTS LGBT Politics Asia.
EAST & SOUTHEAST ASIA — (January 3, 2026) — LGBTQ rights across Asia in 2025 delivered a powerful mix of historic progress and deepening political backlash, as courts, legislatures, and authoritarian regimes reshaped the region’s future for queer communities.
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Japan
Japan moved closer to marriage equality as five high courts now rule the same-sex marriage ban unconstitutional, creating a split that will force the Supreme Court to decide.
However, the election of a conservative prime minister opposed to marriage equality threatens political progress. While limited legal protections expanded for same-sex couples in housing, crime-victim benefits, and domestic violence laws, pensions, taxes, and family rights remain blocked.
China & Hong Kong
China sharply escalated its crackdown — gay dating apps removed, queer films censored, and erotica writers arrested.
In Hong Kong, the government failed to pass even a weak civil-partnership law, though courts ruled that banning trans people from gender-appropriate bathrooms is unconstitutional.
Taiwan
Taiwan advanced LGBTQ family rights by allowing same-sex couples and single women access to assisted reproduction, while courts reviewed challenges to surgical requirements for legal gender change.
South Korea
Same-sex marriage lawsuits reached the Supreme Court, and the government will count same-sex couples as spouses in the census — but anti-discrimination protections remain stalled.
Thailand
Thailand became Southeast Asia’s first country to legalize same-sex marriage, though surrogacy and immigration barriers remain for LGBTQ families.
Vietnam
A new communist leadership launched crackdowns on Pride events and LGBTQ groups, freezing any path toward marriage or gender-recognition laws.
Indonesia & 🇲🇾 Malaysia
Both countries saw raids on gay venues and new laws targeting LGBTQ expression. Indonesia introduced proposals to criminalize LGBTQ activity online.
Singapore
Parliament passed a workplace discrimination law — but deliberately excluded LGBTQ people.
Central & South Asia
India
While marriage equality remains blocked, courts expanded protections:
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Trans women recognized as women
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Same-sex couples protected from forced family separation
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LGBTQ protections added to hate-crime laws
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Doctors now required to undergo LGBTQ sensitivity training
Nepal
Same-sex marriage continues in practice after a landmark ruling, with 17 couples legally married, and the nation performed its first gender-affirming surgery in 2025.
Bhutan
Film regulations now ban incitement against LGBTQ people.
Afghanistan
The International Criminal Court issued its first-ever arrest warrants for crimes against LGBTQ people, targeting Taliban leaders.
Middle East
Israel
Israel recorded its first same-sex adoption after court intervention.
However, efforts to pass civil marriage and same-sex marriage failed, and LGBTQ rights remain hostage to volatile politics ahead of elections.
Oman
Oman ratified the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, which legally requires decriminalizing homosexuality — a major shift set to take effect in 2026.
What 2025 Proved
Across Asia, courts are driving LGBTQ progress — while politicians fight to stop it.
Marriage equality, family rights, and gender recognition advanced in key nations, but authoritarian crackdowns and religious nationalism are spreading fast.
The fight for LGBTQ equality in Asia is no longer gradual — it is now openly political.
- Research Credit: All legal findings, court actions, and regional LGBTQ policy data in this report were originally researched and compiled by Rob Salerno (76Crimes.com) — one of the most respected global LGBTQ investigative journalists. JRL CHARTS condensed, structured, and published this analysis for political and media audiences tracking LGBTQ civil rights in Asia.
JRL CHARTS continues to serve as a global newsroom for LGBTQ political and human-rights reporting, amplifying the work of journalists like Rob Salerno as queer civil rights are decided across Asia.
Media Partners: For licensing inquiries, media usage rights, or republication requests, please visit our Contact Us page. All content © JRL CHARTS Media Network. Unauthorized use is strictly prohibited.
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