Zambia
Same-sex relations are criminalized under Sections 155 and 156 of the Penal Code (amended by Act No. 15 of 2005), with minimum penalties of 15 years and a maximum of life imprisonment. Same-sex marriage is banned by the 2007 Matrimonial Causes Act. The U.S. State Department classifies Zambia at Level 1, but the LGBTQI+ legal framework is restrictive. We recommend consulting official sources before planning any travel.
Legal framework · Zambia
LGBT
identity
Criminalized · up to life imprisonment
Penal Code, Sections 155 and 156 (Act No. 15 of 2005) · minimum 15 years, maximum life imprisonment; 'gross indecency' up to 14 years
Partnership
recognition
Not recognized
2007 Matrimonial Causes Act declares any marriage between persons of the same sex void
Official sources
check before traveling to Zambia
Foreign affairs ministries publish updated travel advisories. For destinations with restrictive legal frameworks we recommend consulting several official sources before planning.