LGBT rights in Azerbaijan

Modern times
When Azerbaijan became part of USSR,  homosexuality was a crime in Azerbaijan, although it was not in Russia.Healey, Dan. "Masculine purity and 'Gentlemen's Mischief': Sexual Exchange and Prostitution between Russian Men, 1861–1941". Slavic Review. Vol. 60, No. 2 (Summer, 2001), p. 258.  After the independence of Azerbaijan in 1991, homosexual acts were legalized in 2000. 

Although homosexual acts between consenting male adults were officially decriminalized, there were still reports about police abuses against gays, mainly male prostitutes. The victims wanted to remain anonymous. They were afraid of the police. (2001 Report of the International Helsinki Federation).

State-controlled media outlets use homosexuality as a tool to harass and discredit critics of the government and opposition journalists.

Living conditions
 Same-sex sexual activity legal 15px|Yes (since 2000) Equal age of consent 15px|Yes (since 2000) Anti-discrimination laws in employment only 15px|No Anti-discrimination laws in the provision of goods and services 15px|No Anti-discrimination laws in all other areas (incl. indirect discrimination, hate speech) 15px|No Same-sex marriages 15px|No Recognition of same-sex couples 15px|No Step-child adoption by same-sex couples 15px|No Joint adoption by same-sex couples 15px|No Gays and lesbians allowed to serve openly in the military 15px|Yes Right to change legal gender 15px|Yes (Transgender people can change their gender but not their legal name) Access to IVF for lesbians 15px|No Commercial surrogacy for gay male couples 15px|No MSMs allowed to donate blood  15px|Yes

References

Azerbaijan
Category:Politics of Azerbaijan
Category:Law of Azerbaijan