The Issues:
"Don't Ask, Don't Tell"
Gay and Lesbian Servicemembers in Other Countries
On this page we provide a summary of other countries' policies on gay and lesbian servicemembers.
England
England lifted its ban on gay and lesbian servicemembers in 2000. The British Army is currently actively recruiting gay, lesbian and transgender individuals at Pride Events.
Canada
The Canadian Human Rights Act provides that every person in the workplace has a right to freedom from discrimination or harassment based on race, national or ethnic origin, color, religion, age, sex, marital status, family status, disability, pardoned conviction, and sexual orientation. The Canadian Forces go beyond these requirements by addressing other types of workplace harassment and by focusing on the prevention and prompt resolution of harassment situations.
The Canadian Forces is an equal opportunity employer. This means that men and women may apply for every open entry-level job and receive the same pay. As well, the definition of a spouse for pension and other considerations includes common-law and same-sex partnerships.
Israel
In 1993, Israel dropped all restrictions on gays serving in the Israeli Defense Forces.
Other Countries
In addition to England, Canada, and Israel, the following countries allow gay and lesbian people to serve openly:
| Argentina Australia Austria The Bahamas Belgium Bulgaria Colombia Croatia Czech Republic Denmark Estonia |
Finland France Germany Hungary Ireland Italy Lithuania Luxembourg The Netherlands New Zealand Norway |
Peru Poland Portugal Romania Slovenia South Africa Spain Sweden Switzerland Taiwan Thailand |
Gays and lesbians are banned from the military in the following countries:
| Belarus Brazil Croatia Cuba Egypt |
Greece Iran Latvia North Korea Philippines |
Saudi Arabia Serbia Syria Venezuela Yemen |
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