Pride Guide - Solomon Islands
A country-specific snapshot of the local LGBTQIA+ context
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 Information sourced online can be outdated or inaccurate.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 are criminalised in the Solomon Islands with a maximum penalty of 14 years imprisonment. Attempts to commit offences may result in up to seven years imprisonment, and acts of 'gross indecency' between men may be prosecuted with a sentence of up to five years. However, these laws have not been enforced in recent years. Same sex intimacy between women is also criminalised. Section 162 of the Penal Code penalises 'indecent practices between persons of the same sex', whether in public or private, with imprisonment for five years.
Discrimination
No specific legal protections exist for LGBTQIA+ people in the Solomon Islands. This includes a lack of constitutional protections and national laws that protect against discrimination, laws that protect against discrimination in employment, and laws that protect against hate crimes, incitement to hatred, violence or discrimination based on someone’s gender or sexual identities.
The Political Parties Integrity Regulations 2014 of Solomon Islands explicitly prohibits discrimination based on sexual orientation. Specifically, Article 20 of the Regulations states that a Solomon Islands citizen 'must not be denied membership on the grounds of sexual orientation.'
Media
Solomon Star and the Solomon Islands Broadcasting Corporation have reported on public statements from officials opposing LGBTQIA+ rights. There is no evidence of a positive, community-driven media presence or any form of organised media advocacy for LGBTQIA+ rights.
Research and contributions provided by Kris Prasad.
The Pride Guides were developed in 2022 and updated in 2025 by consultants and experts based in countries in which the program operates.
