LGBT rights in the Marshall Islands LGBT rights in the Marshall Islands Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) persons in the Marshall Islands may face legal challenges not experienced by non-LGBT residents. Homosexuality has been legal in the Marshall Islands since 2005. Despite this, households headed by same-sex couples are not eligible for the same legal protections available to opposite-sex married couples, as same-sex marriage and civil unions are not allowed. The country possesses no laws protecting LGBT people from discrimination. The Human Truth Foundation has listed the Marshall Islands at rank 88 for LGBT rights. This was similar to other Pacific nations, such as Palau
Human rights in the Marshall Islands factors. Women's rights are a significant issue in the Marshall Islands "given the absence in the over-arching freedom from discrimination clause of sex or gender as a prohibited ground of discrimination." Furthermore, while the Constitution guarantees equal protection of the law, the CEDAW Legislative Compliance Review noted the Constitution does not guarantee equal benefits or outcomes as required by [CEDAW]. Despite this, the Marshall Islands achieved its 2015 targets relating to gender equality and women's empowerment set by the Millennium Development Goals. Equal age of consent has also existed since 2005. While the Marshall Islands has ratified the Convention on