LGBT rights in Syara

Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) rights in Syara have a long and erratic history, dating back to the Makedonian Empire to modern Syara. Since the end of the Refusal War and the establishment of the Commonality, the promotion of LGBT rights has generally risen, impacted at times by rulings of the National Tribunal and laws passed by the High Council.

Legality of same-sex sexual activity

Like the Republic of Syara, the modern-day Commonality does not possess and legal prohibition from same-sex sexual activity. While public display of sexual acts is prohibited by national law, the criminal code of Syara as adopted in 1988 never specified the distinction between heterosexual and homosexual actions. The Syaran Penal Code officially outlaws prostitution without distinction between male or female prostitutes. The age of consent in Syara is 18, with sexual acts between an adult and a minor regardless of sex illegal and considered Statutory rape.

Recognition of same-sex relationships

The Commonality Constitution provides no definition of marriage, but states that the status of motherhood and childhood are protected by the both the National and Realm Governments. Furthermore, the Commonality does not recognize a distinction between a marriage and a civil union.

According to legislation passed by the High Council, marriage in Syara is defined as an institution carried out by an official member of the Zobethos Faith (Syara's national religion), specifically a Predicant or Oracle. Although the Zobethos Faith maintains a distinction between heterosexual and homosexual couples, no official difference in ritual or ceremony is recognized. As a result marriages between homosexual couples have been considered de facto legitimate in the eyes of the Syaran government, a view which was confirmed by the National Tribunal in 2004.

Child care and adoption

Syaran national law stipulates that only married couples are authorized to adopt children. As same-sex marriage is considered legal within the Commonality, gay couples are allowed to adopt. Any single individual wishing to adopt, whether heterosexual or homosexual, must receive special permission from their respective Realm government.

Discrimination

Discrimination based on sexual orientation was not defined in the Commonality Constitution originally. In 2006 the High Council passed the Workplace Supervision and Protection Act which officially identified sexual orientation as a protected category. This was later expanded to include gender identify by the National Tribunal in 2017.

Gender identity and expression

Transgender identity in Syara has been recognized by the Syaran government since the 1990s, and in 1999 the High Council officially confirmed the right of a transgender person to undergo sex reassignment surgery. Those needing financial assistance to pay for sex reassignment surgery can petition their respective Realm government, which can cover the cost of the procedure under certain requirements.

The status of nonbinary people within Syara is unclear, as there is no regulation or legislation that clearly mentions their status. The Syaran Census includes options only for male or female, but transgender individuals who have not yet undergone sex reassignment surgery are given a separate option to fill out, indicating they are in transition. Individuals who have undergone the surgery are also asked to include their previous gender on their census form.

Military service

LGBT individuals are allowed to serve openly in the Syaran Commonality Armed Forces, per SCAF regulatory publications last updated in 2006.

Social conditions

Syara has a long and complicated relationship with homosexuality and nonbinary people. Ancient Syarans did not conceive of sexual orientation or sexual identity as a distinct form of identity as in modern societies, nor was sexual desire or behavior determined based upon the sex of the couple. The dominant form of sexual relationship in Syara and later the Makedonian Empire was pederasty, both for heterosexual and homosexual relations, in which a younger individual became betrothed to an older person. Engagement in homosexual activity by a person was not in of itself considered problematic but could become troublesome if the act crossed class lines, such as an individual of high standing engaging in sexual activity with a slave, which could result in social stigma.

Nonbinary people, gender nonconformity, and gender dysphoria were concepts known to ancient Syarans, but their status and recognition within their society is unclear. At least one play produced by Erasmios of Zilde is believed to directly reference an individual expressing themselves outside traditional gender norms, but it is unclear whether such acts were widespread or accepted by contemporary Syarans.