Pride Guide - Republic of the Marshall Islands

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 Information sourced online can be outdated or inaccurate.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 were decriminalised in the Republic of Marshall Islands (RMI) in 2005. However, an exclusionary national legal framework denies the equal rights and protections of LGBTQIA+ people. Same-sex marriage and civil unions are not recognised by the state. There are stringent laws and penalties surrounding sex work due to RMI being both a source and destination country for the sex trafficking of women and girls. The actions of both clients and sex workers are criminalised, and there is a fine of USD$5,000 or imprisonment of up to two years, or both, if caught. RMI also criminalises the aiding and abetting of prostitution and the operation of organised premises. Anyone who promotes sex work faces a USD$10,000 fine or five years’ imprisonment, or both.

Discrimination

Some legal protections exist for LGBTQIA+ people in RMI. Discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity is prohibited for state, civil society and private sector actors. Gender equality Is guaranteed in education, employment, health and social protection. It should be noted that ‘sex’ is defined as the physical and biological traits that 'distinguish females and males'; there is no mention of intersex rights.

However, there are no constitutional protections for LGBTQIA+ people, or protections against hate crimes or incitement to hatred.

Cultural and societal attitudes

Diverse sexual orientations are taboo in RMI; they are not culturally accepted. The LGBTQIA+ community face discrimination, particularly if they are HIV-positive. In a small study, LGBTQIA+ interviewees described their feelings toward their sexuality as 'ashamed' and holding 'low self-esteem'. Where families know about the diverse sexuality of their child, they may apply pressure on them to adhere to heteronormative practices.

​​'To be an LGBTQI is like an outsider. It’s ok to be an outsider but you have to be positive and be strong to overcome challenges.' – Anonymous in RMI.​

Health and wellbeing

Many LGBTQIA+ people in RMI do not know how to access health services to meet their needs, such as HIV and sexually transmitted infection (STI) testing and treatment. Mental health services are limited but are available through the CSO Youth to Youth, who offer counselling for young people with STIs or HIV/AIDS. Youth to Youth is also well-known for its promotion of sexual and reproductive rights through songs and other creative modes of teaching in schools.

In 2025, International Planned Parenthood Federation (Pacific) expanded to RMI. They will be funding Youth To Youth in Health and will become a service provider with a focus on diverse communities.

The HIV/AIDS infection rate in RMI is very low. The Ministry of Health has included HIV/AIDS among its local health education programs, and public health clinics offer free testing.

Media

Media representation and awareness of LGBTQIA+ issues is limited in traditional media. However, social media and online communities offer an increasingly important way for LGBTQIA+ individuals to find support, information, and a sense of belonging.

Technology presents a great opportunity for increasing access and information about rights and services. However, the cost of access to technology is often prohibitive in small island states like RMI. This presents a challenge for equitable access, as women and girls are disproportionately impacted by high costs, with those in outer islands most affected.

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