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LGBTQ rights in Niue
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people in Niue face legal challenges not experienced by non-LGBTQ residents. Same-sex couples and households headed by same-sex couples are not eligible for the same legal protections available to opposite-sex married couples.
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History
Similarly to the Cook Islands, Samoa and New Zealand, Niue possesses a traditional third gender population: the fiafifine (also known as the fakafifine). They have traditionally been accepted by Niuean society,[1][2] and would play an important domestic role in communal life.
In 2007, during a gathering of delegates from around the Pacific in Māngere, New Zealand, a local fiafifine called out the discrimination and stigma faced by the fiafifine community: "Our communities were an accepted part of Pacific life and culture prior to Western colonisation, but have been subject to much stigma and discrimination in more recent times."[3]
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Laws regarding same-sex sexual activity
Criminal Law Code
Male homosexual activity was formerly illegal in Niue, but was decriminalized by the Niue Assembly in June 2024.[4][5]
Consensual male sodomy was previously punishable by up to ten years' imprisonment, while indecency between males is punishable by up to five years' imprisonment under sections 43 and 44 of the Criminal Law Code, excepted below. These sections have been repealed:[6]
43 Buggery
- (1) Every one is liable to imprisonment for 10 years who commits buggery either with a human being or with any other living creature.
- (2) This offence is complete upon penetration.
44 Attempted buggery and indecent assaults on males
- (1) Every one is liable to imprisonment for 5 years who –
- (a) Attempts to commit buggery; or
- (b) Assaults any person with intent to commit buggery; or
- (c) Being a male, indecently assaults any other male person. (2) It is no defence to a charge of indecent assault on a male person of any age that he consented to the act of indecency.
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Recognition of same-sex relationships
Same-sex unions are not recognised (even though they are in New Zealand).[7] The Family Law Code 2007 does not expressly prohibit same-sex marriages, but generally assumes the parties to be of the opposite sex. The law forbids marriages within the degrees of consanguinity and marriages where the wife is less than 15 years of age and the husband less than 18 years of age, but makes no mention of same-sex partners. Marriages are recorded by the Registrar of the High Court (Letititala he Fakafiliaga Lahi), or any minister of religion or other person who has been appointed as a marriage officer.[8]
Living conditions
Much like the rest of Polynesia, open displays of affection between partners regardless of sexual orientation may offend.[9]
Summary table
| Same-sex sexual activity legal |  |
| 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 (Incl. indirect discrimination, hate speech) | |
| Same-sex marriages | |
| Recognition of same-sex couples | |
| Stepchild adoption by same-sex couples | |
| Joint adoption by same-sex couples | |
| LGBT people allowed to serve openly in the military | (New Zealand's responsibility) |
| Right to change legal gender | |
| Access to IVF for lesbians | |
| Commercial surrogacy for gay male couples | |
| MSMs allowed to donate blood | |
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See also
References
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