A story about gay Bhutan is a modest one. There is no visible gay presence, no venues and one organization called Rainbow Bhutan that gently offers education and compassion to inquiring minds in this mountainous society. It is a story of slow determination and courageous commitment that has arisen from the personal lives of a few local Bhutanese gay people.
Bhutan is located in the Himalayas. It used to be one of the most isolated nations in the world, but developments including direct international flights, internet, mobile phone networks, and cable television have increasingly opened the doors. Yet, Bhutan has balanced modernization with its ancient culture and traditions under the guiding philosophy of Gross National Happiness (GNH). On 14 December 2005, the King announced that he would be abdicating immediately. Bhutan has now entered a new era of democracy, starting with its first national parliamentary elections in December 2007 and March 2008. Homosexuality is no longer illegal in Bhutan. The Parliament voted to change the law in 2020.
Name: Bhutan
Population: 2124000
Capital: Thimphu - Pop. 100000
Area: 47000 sq. km/ sq. miles
Language: Dzongkha
Religion: Buddhism
Status of Homosexuality: Illegal (not enforced)
Telephone Country Code: 975
Bhutan mulls axing anti-gay law, 2019/Jun/03
To Be, or Not to Be, in Bhutan, 2016/Mar/01
Bhutan’s underground gay community seeks acceptance, 2013/Sep/16
Bhutan’s underground gay community seeks acceptance, 2013/Sep/16
Bhutan lawmaker says law criminalizing gays may go, 2013/Sep/16
Is this the happiest nation on earth?, 2013/Jun/27
More equal or less equal?, 2010/Jan/18
Gay Bhutan News and Reports, 2009/Jan/01
How gay are Bhutanese gays?, 2008/Dec/09
