Panama

Panama decriminalized same-sex relations in 2008, one of the Americas' latest decriminalizations. Marriage equality blocked despite IACHR ruling: the Supreme Court ruled in March 2023 against opening marriage. No laws protecting LGBTQI+ people from discrimination. Trans people can change gender and name on birth certificates since 2006, but only after mandatory sex reassignment surgery. Conservative Catholic society: 78% opposed same-sex marriage in 2017. Panama City with visible LGBT scene · Casco Antiguo and financial district more cosmopolitan · cruise hub with international tourist traffic · rest of country more conservative.

Population 4,3M Capital Ciudad de Panamá Language Spanish Currency Balboa (PAB) · US Dollar (USD)

LGBTQI+ legal framework · Panama

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LGBT identity

Legal since 2008

Decriminalized in 2008 · one of the Americas' latest decriminalizations

Partnership recognition

Supreme Court rejected (March 2023)

No legal route to marriage equality · Supreme Court ruling (Mar 2023) blocked it despite IACHR · no civil unions

Legal protection

No anti-discrimination

No laws protecting LGBTQ+ people from discrimination in employment, housing or other areas

Trans rights

Legal change with mandatory surgery (2006)

Trans people can change gender and name on birth certificates since 2006 · only after mandatory sex reassignment surgery · significant medical barrier

Conversion therapies

No ban

No national law banning conversion therapy

Social context · Panama

Social acceptance

Conservative

Conservative · 78% opposes marriage (2017)

April 2017 public survey: 78% of Panamanians oppose same-sex marriage. Predominantly Catholic society with strong evangelical opposition.

Source →

Anti-LGBT violence

Documented

Documented · no hate-crime law

Social and labor discrimination documented · no specific hate-crime law for sexual orientation or gender identity

Source →

Indicative data as of 2026-05-18. Check the destination country's official sources before travelling.

Experiences
gay friendly · Panama

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

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Recent
LGBT news · Panama

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

MAR 01, 2023 · LEGAL

Supreme Court denies right to marriage equality

The Supreme Court of Panama ruled there is no constitutional right to same-sex marriage · setback for LGBTQI+ movement.