Last updated: 6 January 2026
Same-sex sexual activity is prohibited under federal law, which criminalises sex between women and ‘sodomy’ between men, as well as under the Criminal Codes of the Emirates of Abu Dhabi, which criminalises ‘unnatural sex with another person’, and Dubai, which criminalises acts of ‘sodomy’. These provisions carry a maximum penalty of fourteen years’ imprisonment. Both men and women are criminalised under the law. Same-sex sexual activity may also be penalised under Sharia law, under which the death penalty is possible, though there is no evidence that this has been used against LGBT people.
In addition to potentially being captured by laws that criminalise same-sex activity, trans people may also face prosecution under the Federal Law, which criminalises a ‘male disguising as a female’ with a maximum penalty of one year imprisonment and a fine.
The provisions have their origins in Islamic law, with the Constitution designating Islam as the state religion, and Sharia as the principal source of law.
There is some evidence of the law being enforced in recent years, with LGBT people being occasionally subject to arrest, particularly transgender and gender non-conforming people who are regularly arrested on the basis of their dress and behaviour. There have been some reports of discrimination being committed against LGBT people in recent years, and the space for openness about sexual orientation and gender identity is extremely constricted.
In September, a new Federal Crimes and Penalties Law was issued, becoming effective in January 2022. This repealed the 1987 Federal Penal Code, which previously criminalised ‘voluntary debasement’ (including same-sex activity) under Article 356 with up to one year imprisonment, as well as a ‘male disguising in female apparel’ under Article 359 with up to one year imprisonment and a fine. The 2021 Law retains the ‘disguise’ provision to criminalise gender expression, while same-sex activity between women and men is criminalised under Article 409.
AllOut reports that in May, Armenian trans human rights defender Lilit Martirosyan was detained in Dubai while transiting through the country. She alleges that officials told her she could not enter the country as she was a transgender person. She was ultimately allowed to leave.
The US Department of State report, consistent with reports in recent years, did not find any evidence of arrests or prosecutions for same-sex activity.
The US Department of State report notes that there were reports of people being arrested for wearing clothing deemed inappropriate for one’s sex, and foreign residents had previously been deported for this reason.
In August, UAE police detained two Singaporeans in a shopping mall, a cisgender male photographer and a trans woman. A court convicted them of crimes and sentenced them to one year in prison “for attempting to resemble women.” The UAE deported them on August 28 after they spent nearly three weeks in custody, much of that time in a cell they said was designated for “effeminate” people. Human Rights Watch reported that forced anal examinations were allegedly undertaken.
In October, a British man was arrested for touching another man’s hip in a bar in an apparent effort to avoid spilling a drink. He was sentenced to three months’ imprisonment for ‘indecency’.
It was reported in March that the sentence of two men for ‘sodomy’ charges had been upheld by the Federal Supreme Court. They were sentenced to six months’ imprisonment and deportation, after having been subjected to forensic tests which allegedly ‘proved’ the acts.
The US Department of State report found that the law is actively enforced, with individuals being prosecuted during the year, including a Kenyan national who was entrapped through an online dating service. According to the report, a number of individuals were forced into “psychological treatment” and “counselling” against their will. These practices have long been recognised in the UAE. The government also allegedly took legal action against individuals accused of ‘cross-dressing’.
In 2013, one man was allegedly placed on trial for a “gay” handshake.
In March, it was reported by a local LGBT group that 30 people had been arrested at a private party in Dubai for being gay. The Police Chief later denied that this was true.
In April, two men were arrested for same-sex activity after allegedly being caught “fondling” in a car. They were sentenced to three months’ imprisonment.
In July, an individual, possibly a transgender woman, was arrested for ‘disguising as a woman’ when working as a laser hair removal technician.
In December, an individual was arrested in a mall for allegedly ‘disguising as a woman’ and was charged with the corresponding offence.
In June, it was reported that the Dubai police announced that it was planning to launch a campaign targeting ‘transsexuals’ and ‘boyat’ (tomboys).
Outright International’s country overview states that there are no formal LGBT organisations as extensive censorship and criminalisation make advocacy nearly impossible.
The US Department of State report noted that there were no protections afforded to LGBT people on account of their sexual or gender identity, and individuals were at risk of harassment and discrimination.
Freedom House’s Freedom in the World report stated that LGBT people are subject to widespread social stigma. Furthermore, a code of conduct issued to teachers ahead of the 2022 school year directed educators to “refrain from discussing gender identity, homosexuality or any other behavior deemed unacceptable to UAE’s society.”
In June, officials banned the Hollywood film Lightyear, which contains a same-sex kiss, from cinemas. Regulators had previously banned other films, including Bollywood’s first gay romantic comedy in 2019.
It was reported by the US Department of State that due to social conventions and potential repression, LGBT organisations did not operate openly, nor were pride marches or gay rights events held. There were reports of LGBT people being questioned in airports on the basis of appearance and behaviour, with a number of incidents being reported, including the temporary detention and questioning of trans social media blogger, Gigi Gorgeous, in 2016.
In November, staff and students at the University of Birmingham warned that LGBT rights are not adequately protected at its new campus in Dubai. Although the university has committed to giving staff and students at the Dubai branch, which opened in September, the same rights under its internal polices as they would enjoy in the UK, its ability to provide protection to anyone reported to the Emirate’s authorities for breaking the law, whether on or off campus, will be limited, the LGBT committee warned in a briefing.
Country profile of Saudi Arabia. LGBT people are Saudi Arabia criminalises same-sex sexual activity between men and between women. The gender expression of trans people is also criminalised. Sentences include a maximum penalty of death. under Sharia Law.
Qatar criminalises same-sex sexual activity between men and between women. Sentences include a maximum penalty of death by stoning.
Oman criminalises same-sex sexual activity between men and between women. The gender expression of trans people is also criminalised. Sentences include a maximum penalty of three years’ imprisonment.
The country profiles on the Human Dignity Trust’s website are developed through a combination of in-house expertise and research, including monitoring media reports; sourcing reports from partners and stakeholders; and reviewing reports from governments and other human rights organisations.
We go to great lengths to ensure that, to the best of our knowledge, the information provided on our website is correct and up to date. If you believe that any information on our website is inaccurate, you may bring this to our attention by e-mailing [email protected].
Information on this website is provided for general use only and should not be relied on as a definitive position on the law as it applies at any given time. No liability can be accepted for any use of the information in this website and/or links from it.
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