LGBT rights in Liechtenstein
Location of Liechtenstein (green)

in Europe (dark grey)   [Legend]

StatusLegal since 1989, equal age of consent since 2001.
MilitaryNot applicable
(country has no army)
Discrimination protectionsSexual orientation protections since 2016
Family rights
Recognition of relationshipsRegistered partnership since 2011
AdoptionFull adoption rights since June 2023

Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people in Liechtenstein have several but not all of the same rights as non-LGBT people. Same-sex sexual activity has been legal since 1989, with an equal age of consent since 2001. Same-sex couples have had access to registered partnerships since 2011, and discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation has been outlawed in some areas since 2016.

Law regarding same-sex sexual activity

Same-sex sexual activity was legalized in 1989 by the removal of Sections 129 and 130 of the Criminal Code, though the age of consent was not equalized until 2001. The Penal Code was revised in December 2000 to remove all discrimination against same-sex sexual activity, taking effect in 2001. The age of consent is 14, regardless of gender and sexual orientation.

Recognition of same-sex relationships

In 2001, the Free List, one of the three political parties in the country, began working on a draft for a same-sex partnership law. The paper was accepted by the Landtag and given to the Liechtenstein Government. The proposed registered partnership bill was rejected by the Parliament in summer 2003. A new proposal by the Free List was adopted by the Landtag with a majority of 19 votes to 6 on 24 October 2007. Justice Minister Aurelia Frick presented the draft of the registered partnership bill in April 2010. On 23 November, the government approved the final version of the bill.[1][2] On 16 December 2010, it was approved by the Landtag in the first reading.[3] It passed its second reading on 16 March and was published on 21 March 2011.[4][5] A group Vox Populi announced its intention to force a referendum on the matter.[6][7] According to the Constitution, the organization had 30 days to collect at least 1,000 signatures.[8] A referendum was held on 17 and 19 June 2011 and 68.8% of voters approved the law, which then went into effect on 1 September 2011.[9]

According to a report approved by the Liechtenstein government in October 2022, the current partnership law uses "gender-equitable formulations" in its general clauses and legal definitions, implying that both same-sex and opposite-sex couples can enter into registered partnerships under the current law.[10][lower-alpha 1]

Since 1 January 2017, registered partners have been allowed to have a common "name" as equivalent to a "family name" for married couples.

In 2018, a gay couple filed suit in court, arguing that the same-sex marriage ban is in violation of the European Convention on Human Rights and the Constitution of Liechtenstein. Although a court of first instance initially ruled for the couple, the State Court (StGH) ruled in September 2019 that banning same-sex marriage is not unconstitutional. However, the court concluded that several provisions of the 2011 partnership law were discriminatory, notably its provisions prohibiting civil partners from adopting their stepchildren (so-called stepchild adoption).[11]

On 21 September 2022, a motion calling on the government to introduce a bill legalizing same-sex marriage[12] was submitted to the Landtag by 15 out of the 25 sitting members.[lower-alpha 2][13][14] The motion was discussed in the plenary session on 2 November 2022, and was passed by a 23–2 vote.[15][16][17]

At its meeting on 11 July 2023, the government adopted a consultation report regarding proposed changes to certain parts of three existing legislations (also known as the "core template"), as part of the motion’s implementation: the "Marriage Act", the "Partnership Act", and the "Personal and Company Law" with a consultation period which concluded on 10 October 2023.[18][19] The report includes the background, history, & draft proposal, along with addressing the constitutionality on the proposed changes, based on the intent of the motion itself.[20]

Adoption and parenting

On 1 January 2016, during his annual New Year's Day interview, Prince Hans-Adam II announced his opposition to allowing same-sex couples to adopt children.[21]

In September 2019, the State Court ordered the Liechtenstein Government to look into the legalisation of stepchild adoption for civil partners.[11] On 15 June 2021, the State Court of Liechtenstein ruled that registered partners should have the right to adopt, and invalidated the sections of the 2011 partnership law which had forbidden such adoptions. It gave Parliament one year to rectify the issue.[22] Following the court decision, the government drafted a bill granting same-sex couples the right to adopt their stepchildren (i.e. stepchild adoption), which was passed on 6 May 2022. On that same day, Parliament narrowly rejected an amendment that would have excluded same-sex couples from joint adoption and procedures for reproductive medicine for those in registered partnerships.[23][24]

After a consultation period lasting from 6 July to 30 September 2022, the government passed a motion on full adoption equality for same-sex couples on 31 October 2022.[25][26][10][27] The proposal was discussed in its 1st reading in the Landtag on 2 December 2022 and was passed in a 22 to 3 vote.[28][29][30]

2 December 2022 vote in the Landtag[31]
Political affiliationVoted forVoted against
 G  Patriotic Union (VU)a
7
  • Dagmar Bühler-Nigsch
  • Peter Frick
  • Norma Heidegger
  • Manfred Kaufmann
  • Gunilla Marxer-Kranz
  • Thomas Vogt
  • Mario Wohlwend
3
  • Walter Frick
  • Dietmar Lampert
  • Günter Vogt
 G  Progressive Citizens' Party (FBP)a
10
  • Albert Frick (President of the Landtag)
  • Sebastian Gassner
  • Franziska Hoop
  • Johannes Kaiser
  • Elke Kindleb
  • Wendelin Lampert
  • Daniel Oehry
  • Sascha Quaderer
  • Daniel Seger
  • Karin Zech-Hoop
-
  Free List (FL)
3
  • Manuela Haldner-Schierscher
  • Georg Kaufmann
  • Patrick Risch
-
  Democrats for Liechtenstein (DpL)
2
  • Herbert Elkuch
  • Thomas Rehak
-
Total223
a. Part of the VU-FBP Coalition under Prime Minister Daniel Risch.
b. Served as a substitute deputy for Bettina Petzold-Mähr around the time of the debate & vote.

On 2 March 2023, the proposal was discussed and passed in its 2nd reading. A motion to have the proposed legislation go into effect at an earlier date was defeated with only 8 votes in favor.[32] The legislation was issued in the National Legal Gazette (Liechtensteinisches Landesgesetzblatt) on 25 April 2023[33][34] and went into effect on 1 June 2023.[35]

2 March 2023 vote in the Landtag[36]
Political affiliationVoted forVoted against
 G  Patriotic Union (VU)a
6 - 7b
  • Dagmar Bühler-Nigsch
  • Peter Frick
  • Norma Heidegger
  • Manfred Kaufmann
  • Gunilla Marxer-Kranz
  • Thomas Vogt
3 - 4b
  • Hubert Büchelc
  • Walter Frick
  • Günter Vogt
 G  Progressive Citizens' Party (FBP)a
10
  • Albert Frick (President of the Landtag)
  • Franziska Hoop
  • Johannes Kaiser
  • Elke Kindled
  • Wendelin Lampert
  • Daniel Oehry
  • Bettina Petzold-Mähr
  • Daniel Seger
  • Nadine Vogelsangd
  • Karin Zech-Hoop
-
  Free List (FL)
3
  • Manuela Haldner-Schierscher
  • Georg Kaufmann
  • Patrick Risch
-
  Democrats for Liechtenstein (DpL)
2
  • Herbert Elkuch
  • Thomas Rehak
-
Total21 - 223 - 4
a. Part of the VU-FBP Coalition under Prime Minister Daniel Risch.
b. In separate votes, Patriotic Union MP Mario Wohlwend voted in favor of the "Amendment of the Partnership Law", but against the "Amendment of the General Civil Code".
c. Served as a substitute deputy for Dietmar Lampert around the time of the debate & vote.
d. Served as substitute deputies for Sebastian Gassner & Sascha Quaderer around the time of the debate & vote.

Discrimination protections

On 22 February 2005, following a department reorganisation, the Department of Equal Opportunities (German: Stabsstelle für Chancengleichheit) was assigned to include discrimination on sexual orientation in its area of responsibility.

The Act on Media (German: Mediengesetz), enacted in October 2005, declares that media content will be considered illegal if it incites or supports discrimination based on racial or ethnic origin, gender, religion, age, disability or sexual orientation.[37][38]

Since 1 April 2016, harassment and incitement to hatred on the basis of sexual orientation has been banned in Liechtenstein, punishable by up to two years' imprisonment. Section 283(1) of the Penal Code states:[39][40]

  • (German): Mit Freiheitsstrafe bis zu zwei Jahren ist zu bestrafen, wer öffentlich gegen eine Person oder eine Gruppe von Personen wegen ihrer Rasse, Sprache, Nationalität, Ethnie, Religion oder Weltanschauung, ihres Geschlechts, ihrer Behinderung, ihres Alters oder ihrer sexuellen Ausrichtung zu Hass oder Diskriminierung aufreizt.
  • (English): Any person shall be punished with imprisonment of up to two years who publicly incites hatred or discrimination against another person or any group of persons on the grounds of their race, language, nationality, ethnic origin, religion or ideology, their gender, disability, age or sexual orientation.

Section 283(6) of the Penal Code prohibits discrimination in public facilities on the basis of, among other categories, sexual orientation.[39]

Blood donation

Liechtenstein follows the same blood donation rules as Austria, where blood donation rules have been non-discriminatory toward LGBT people since summer 2022.[41][42]

Living conditions

A gay and lesbian organization, Flay, was founded in 1998, and organizes social activities for LGBT people in the triangular area between Liechtenstein, Vorarlberg (Austria) and the Swiss Rhine Valley.[43]

Privacy and individual rights are regarded as fundamental assets of Liechtensteiner society. Open and public discrimination against LGBT people is extremely rare and almost completely unheard of. Despite Liechtenstein's reputation as a conservative Catholic nation, same-sex couples and LGBT people more generally face little social differences compared to heterosexuals and are accepted and tolerated. The country is often compared to "a huge family where everyone knows each other and minds their own business with little interference from others". Due partly to the small population, there are no specific gay bars or venues.[44]

A 2017 online poll conducted by the Liechtensteiner Vaterland found majority support for the legalisation of same-sex marriage, at 69%.[45]

Summary table

Same-sex sexual activity legal Yes (Since 1989)
Equal age of consent (14) Yes (Since 2001)
Anti-discrimination laws in employment No
Anti-discrimination laws in provision of goods and services Yes/No (Since 2016 for sexual orientation, not gender identity)
Anti-discrimination laws in other areas (hate crimes & indirect discrimination etc.) Yes/No (Since 2016 for sexual orientation, not gender identity)
Same-sex marriage(s) No (Pending)
Recognition of same-sex couples (e.g. registered partnership) Yes (Since 2011)
Adoption by single LGBT person Yes
Stepchild adoption by same-sex couples Yes (Since 2022)
Joint adoption by same-sex couples Yes (Since 2023)
LGBT people allowed to serve openly in the military Has no military
Right to change legal gender No
Conversion therapy on minors outlawed No
Access to IVF for lesbian couples Unknown (Proposed[10]a)
Commercial surrogacy for gay male couples No (Illegal for all couples regardless of sexual orientation)
MSMs allowed to donate blood Yes (Since 2022)
a. (Indirectly categorized as 'reproductive medicine' & 'medically assisted medicine'): Read Sections 2 & 4.2 (pages 12 & 15 through 16 (top paragraph) respectively) of the provided reference link for details.

See also

Notes

  1. Read Section 4.2 (pages 16 (bottom) through 17 (top)) of the provided reference link for details.
  2. The 15 members were Dagmar Bühler-Nigsch (VU), Albert Frick (FBP), Sebastian Gassner (FBP), Manuela Haldner-Schierscher (FL), Norma Heidegger (VU), Franziska Hoop (FBP), Johannes Kaiser (FBP), Georg Kaufmann (FL), Wendelin Lampert (FBP), Daniel Oehry (FBP), Bettina Petzold-Mähr (FBP), Sascha Quaderer (FBP), Patrick Risch (FL), Daniel Seger (FBP), and Karin Zech-Hoop (FBP), representing all members of the FBP (10) and the FL (3), along with 2 members of the VU.

References

  1. "Partnerschaftsgesetz von Regierung verabschiedet". Vaterland online.
  2. "Partnerschaftsgesetz verabschiedet". Archived from the original on 22 July 2011. Retrieved 3 December 2010.
  3. "Rheinpool, Nachrichten vom Liechtensteiner Volksblatt, dem Bündner Anzeiger und der Rheinzeitung - News, Vaduz, Schaan". www.rheinpool.ch. Archived from the original on 3 March 2016. Retrieved 17 December 2010.
  4. "Polizei nimmt in Buchs Alko-Lenkerin fest - Region". Liechtensteiner Volksblatt.
  5. "Landtag einhellig für Partnerschaftsgesetz". Vaterland online.
  6. (in German) VOX POPULI Archived 2 April 2011 at the Wayback Machine
  7. "Partnerschaftsgesetz: Doch noch Widerstand". Vaterland online.
  8. "Constitution of the Principality of Liechtenstein" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 26 March 2009. Retrieved 29 March 2011.
  9. "68,8% Ja-Stimmen für Partnerschaftsgesetz". Liechtensteiner Volksblatt (in German). 19 June 2011. Retrieved 19 June 2011.
  10. 1 2 3 "BERICHT UND ANTRAG DER REGIERUNG AN DEN LANDTAG DES FÜRSTENTUMS LIECHTENSTEIN BETREFFEND DIE ABÄNDERUNG DES ALLGEMEINEN BÜRGERLICHEN GESETZBUCHES UND DES PARTNERSCHAFTSGESETZES (Gleichstellung gleichgeschlechtlicher Paare im Adoptionsrecht)" (PDF). llv.li (in German). 31 October 2022. Retrieved 3 November 2022.
  11. 1 2 "Lukas und Dario wollten heiraten, dürfen aber nicht". Liechtensteiner Vaterland (in German). 7 December 2019.
  12. "Motion zur öffnung der Ehe für alle" (PDF). Landtag.li (in German). 21 September 2022. Retrieved 22 September 2022.
  13. "«Ehe für alle» kommt ins Rollen". Vaterland.li (in German). 21 September 2022. Retrieved 22 September 2022.
  14. "15 Abgeordnete wollen die «Ehe für alle»". Vaterland.li (in German). 14 September 2022. Retrieved 22 September 2022.
  15. "Öffentliche Landtagssitzung (Mittwoch/Donnerstag/Freitag, 2./3./4. November 2022 - 09.00 Uhr, Landtagssaal)" (PDF). landtag.li (in German). 26 October 2022. Retrieved 28 October 2022.
  16. "Landtagsprotokoll vom 2. Nov 2022 - Motion zur Öffnung der Ehe für alle der Abgeordneten Dagmar Bühler-Nigsch, Albert Frick, Sebastian Gassner, Manuela Haldner-Schierscher, Norma Heidegger, Franziska Hoop, Johannes Kaiser, Georg Kaufmann, Wendelin Lampert, Daniel Oehry, Bettina Petzold-Mähr, Sascha Quaderer, Patrick Risch, Daniel Seger und Karin Zech-Hoop vom 21. September 2022". landtag.li (in German). 2 November 2023. Retrieved 4 June 2023.
  17. "Landtag, 2. November 2022, Trakt. 8 - 10 (watch up to 1:23:30)". vimeopro (in German). 2 November 2022.
  18. "Gesetzesänderung für die Ehe für alle verabschiedet". radio.li (in German). 12 July 2023.
  19. "Abänderung des Ehegesetzes - Ehe für alle soll umgesetzt werden". vaterland.li (in German). 12 July 2023.
  20. "VERNEHMLASSUNGSBERICHT (DER REGIERUNG) BETREFFEND: DIE ABÄNDERUNG DES EHEGESETZES, DES PARTNERSCHAFTSGESETZES UND DES PERSONEN - UND GESELLSCHAFTSRECHTS (Umsetzung der Motion zur Öffnung der Ehe für alle)" (PDF). llv.li (in German). 11 July 2022. Retrieved 12 July 2022.
  21. "Le prince s'en prend aux homoparents" (in French). 360°. 8 January 2016.
  22. "Verbot der Stiefkindadoption für gleichgeschlechtliche Paare wird aufgehoben". Volksblatt (in German). 15 June 2021.
  23. "Art. 25 gekippt: Etappensieg für gleichgeschlechtliche Paare - Liechtenstein - Liechtensteiner Volksblatt, die Tageszeitung für Liechtenstein". Liechtensteiner Volksblatt (in German). Retrieved 15 May 2022.
  24. "Liechtenstein will queere Eltern bei Adoptionen gleichstellen". Mannschaft (in German). 8 July 2022.
  25. "Weiterer Schritt bei der Stiefkindadoption". radio.li (in German). 1 November 2022. Retrieved 3 November 2022.
  26. "Regierung des Fürstentums Liechtenstein: 'Die Regierung hat an ihrer Sitzung vom 31. Oktober 2022 den Bericht und Antrag zur #Gleichstellung gleichgeschlechtlicher Paare im Adoptionsrecht verabschiedet. Im Dezember-Landtag 2022 soll die erste Lesung der Vorlage stattfinden. Zum Bericht und Antrag...'". twitter.com (in German). 1 November 2022. Retrieved 3 November 2022.
  27. "Adoptionsrecht für gleichgeschlechtliche Paare: ABGB wird angepasst". Volksblatt (in German). 31 October 2022. Retrieved 3 November 2022.
  28. "Einladung - Öffentliche Landtagssitzung (Mittwoch/Donnerstag/Freitag, 30. November und 1./2. Dezember 2022) 09.00 Uhr, Landtagssaal (Item #28)" (PDF). landtag.li (in German). 25 November 2022.
  29. "Landtagsprotokoll vom 2. Dez 2022 - Abänderung des Allgemeinen Bürgerlichen Gesetzbuches und des Partnerschaftsgesetzes (Gleichstellung gleichgeschlechtlicher Paare im Adoptionsrecht) (Nr. 125/2022); 1. Lesung". landtag.li (in German). 2 December 2022. Retrieved 4 June 2023.
  30. "#LIECHTENSTEIN: Parliament votes 22-3 to advance bill codifying full adoption rights for #LGBT couples, as proposed by government in response to court order and parliament demand". twitter.com. 2 December 2022.
  31. "Landtag, 2. Dezember 2022, Trakt. 25-29 (watch from 01:19:27 to 01:44:37; see vote result around the 01:41:53 mark)". vimeopro (in German). 2 December 2022.
  32. "Landtagsprotokoll vom 2. Mrz 2023 - Abänderung des Allgemeinen Bürgerlichen Gesetzbuches und des Partnerschaftsgesetzes (Gleichstellung gleichgeschlechtlicher Paare im Adoptionsrecht) (Nr. 125/2022) [1. Lesung: 2. Dezember 2022] - Stellungnahme der Regierung (Nr. 2/2023); 2. Lesung". landtag.li (in German). 2 March 2023. Retrieved 4 June 2023.
  33. "Liechtensteinisches Landesgesetzblatt (Gesetz vom 2. März 2023 - über die Abänderung des Allgemeinen→ ←bürgerlichen→ ←Gesetzbuches) (Nr. 163)". gesetze.li (in German). 25 April 2023. Retrieved 4 June 2023.
  34. "Liechtensteinisches Landesgesetzblatt (Gesetz vom 2. März 2023 - über die Abänderung des Partnerschaftsgesetzes) (Nr. 164)". gesetze.li (in German). 25 April 2023. Retrieved 4 June 2023.
  35. "Art. 25 des Partnerschaftsgesetzes in Kraft - Ab heute dürfen auch homosexuelle Paare ein Stiefkind adoptieren)". vaterland.li (in German). 1 June 2023. Retrieved 4 June 2023.
  36. "Landtag, 02. März 2023, Trakt. 25 - 30 (Teil 1) (watch from beginning up to 00:10:55; see respective vote results around the 08:24 & 10:18 marks)". vimeopro (in German). 2 March 2023. Retrieved 4 June 2023.
  37. "Country report non-discrimination: Liechtenstein".
  38. "Mediengesetz (MedienG) von 19. Oktober 2005".
  39. 1 2 "StGB | Lilex - Gesetzesdatenbank des Fürstentum Liechtenstein". www.gesetze.li.
  40. "MENSCHENRECHTSBERICHT 2016 LIECHTENSTEIN" (PDF).
  41. "Blutqualität hat nichts mit der sexuellen Orientierung zu tun (Abo)". Vaterland online. Retrieved 24 May 2022.
  42. "Austria to lower hurdles for LGBT+ citizens to donate blood". euronews. 20 May 2022. Retrieved 24 May 2022.
  43. "flay.li – Der LGBTI Verein Liechtensteins".
  44. Amman, Richard. "Gay Life in Liechtenstein". Global Gayz.
  45. "Umfrage: Soll auch in Liechtenstein die Ehe für alle kommen?" (in German). Das Liechtensteiner Vaterland. 30 June 2017.
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