Belize

Belize decriminalized same-sex relations on August 10, 2016, when the Supreme Court declared Section 53 of the Criminal Code unconstitutional. The Constitution prohibits discrimination based on sexual orientation since that ruling. Hate crimes motivated by sexual orientation are aggravating circumstances since April 27, 2024. No marriage equality or civil unions. Trans people cannot legally change gender. UNAIDS 2013 survey: 34% consider themselves tolerant of homosexuals (alongside Suriname, highest acceptance in English-speaking Caribbean). Activists reported violence and threats during 2013 court hearings. San Pedro and Ambergris Caye (international tourism) more relaxed · Belmopan and rural areas more conservative · emerging cruise and diving destination.

Population 0,4M Capital Belmopán Language English (official) · Spanish · Belizean Creole Currency Belize Dollar (BZD)

LGBTQI+ legal framework · Belize

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LGBT identity

Legal since 2016

Section 53 overturned on August 10, 2016 by Supreme Court ruling · violation of the Constitution

Partnership recognition

No recognition

No marriage equality or civil unions · no recognition of same-sex couples

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Legal protection

Interpretive (CJ Benjamin 2016)

Protection is not constitutionally textual but interpretive: Chief Justice Benjamin in 2016 interpreted 'sex' in Section 16(3) of the Constitution as including sexual orientation (Caleb Orozco v. Attorney General case) · SO bias hate-crime aggravator since April 27, 2024

Trans rights

No legal gender change

Trans people have no legal right to change gender on documents

Conversion therapies

No ban

No national law banning conversion therapy

Social context · Belize

Social acceptance

Mixed

Mixed · 34% tolerant · 34% accepts

Per a 2013 UNAIDS poll, 34% of respondents described themselves as accepting toward gay people and a further 34% as tolerant. Among Caribbean countries surveyed, Belize and Suriname posted the highest acceptance shares. (Most recent available data; attitudes may have shifted following 2016 decriminalization and 2024 hate-crime law.)

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Anti-LGBT violence

Documented

Documented · activists threatened

LGBTQ+ activists received violence and death threats during 2013 court hearings (Caleb Orozco case leading to decriminalization). Hate-crime aggravator effective since 2024.

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Indicative data as of 2026-06-02. Check the destination country's official sources before travelling.

Experiences
gay friendly · Belize

Top-booked tours and activities, with instant booking via Viator.

Affiliate links to selected experiences

Recent
LGBT news · Belize

Latest changes — new laws, rulings, events relevant to LGBTQI+ travelers.

APR 27, 2024 · LEGAL

Hate crimes by SO become criminal aggravator

Criminal reform includes sexual orientation as protected category in hate-crime aggravators · effective since April 27, 2024.