Pride Guide - Federated States of Micronesia

The Australian Volunteers Program strives to provide a safe, supportive and equitable environment for LGBTQIA+ volunteers, approved accompanying dependents, partner organisations and all program staff. The Australian Volunteers Program has supported queer volunteers in all program countries and has ongoing connections with community organisations in many countries and regions in which the program operates.

This guide introduces a snapshot of the local context for queer and gender diverse people. LGBTQIA+ program participants must be aware of the country context before undertaking an assignment. If you are an LGBTQIA+ volunteer, you will need to:

• do your own research and understand what the local law says you can and can't do when in-country
• follow the local laws, even if you disagree with them
• be aware of the legal protections for LGBTQIA+ people in your destinations
• consider if you’re comfortable living and working in a place where you may not be able to live as openly as you can in some parts of Australia.

Language

Terminology may differ across urban and rural contexts, provinces or ethnic and cultural groups. Information sourced online can be outdated or inaccurate. For current and accurate information, please confirm with an appropriate civil society organisation (CSO) or ask your in-country team.

Legal and policy context

Same-sex sexual acts have never been criminalised in the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM). The age of consent is 14 regardless of gender or sexual orientation, however same-sex marriage and civil unions are not legally recognised. FSM is a signatory of the United Nation’s Joint Statement on Ending Acts of Violence and Related Human Rights Violations Based on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity and ​the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women. FSM has also endorsed the Pacific Leaders Gender Equality Declaration and established a national gender policy, reflecting their commitment to achieving gender parity.​

In 2018, legislation to ban transgender people from working in government was supported by Yap, Chuuk and Pohnpei states, while Kosrae state voted against it. This came just after the passing of a bill prohibiting discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation.

In 2021, Dr Perpetua Sappa Konman became FSM’s first female Member of Congress.

Discrimination

Some legal protections exist for LGBTQIA+ people in FSM. In 2018, anti-discrimination laws were updated to include sexual orientation but not gender identity or intersex status. Like many countries, there is no constitutional protection for LGBTQIA+ people, and there are no laws that protect against hate crimes or incitement to hatred on the basis of someone’s gender or sexual identity.

Cultural and societal attitudes

There is limited information on cultural and social attitudes in FSM toward LGBTQIA+ people. In 2018, the country hosted its first ever Pride parade and event in Pohnpei.

​​'Change is coming but it’s very slow. We need more positive leaders that can push for the change.'​ – Anonymous.

Health and wellbeing

Stigma and discrimination surrounding HIV/AIDS is a barrier to accessing treatment and health services in FSM. The National HIV & Sexually Transmitted Infection (STI) Strategy identifies at-risk groups as being men who have sex with men (MSM), sex workers, injecting drug users and transgender women.

The Asia Pacific Trans Health Blueprint training package was created and disseminated to government in 2018, to provide a resource for healthcare professionals, policymakers and community advocates on the specific health and wellbeing needs of trans communities. No reports demonstrate if or how the package is being used.

Homosexuality has been referred to as 'abnormal' within adolescent school sex education programs.

Media

There is little information regarding media representation and access for LGBTQIA+ people in FSM. The queer community engages on social media and the Pacific LGBTQI Network (PSGDN) has a national member organisation in Chuuk and Pohnpei.

The Pride Guides were developed in 2022 and updated in 2025 by consultants and experts based in countries in which the program operates.