I. Introduction: Living Under Stigma
In the Dominican Republic, LGBT citizens continue to face systemic legal and social discrimination despite global progress in advancing equal rights. While the country’s constitution guarantees equality, the absence of comprehensive legal protections and the prevalence of societal prejudice leave LGBT individuals highly vulnerable. For many, discrimination permeates every aspect of life, driving some to hide their identities or migrate abroad in search of dignity and safety.

II. Legal Gaps in Protection
The Dominican Republic lacks comprehensive anti-discrimination laws protecting LGBT individuals. Same-sex marriage and adoption remain unrecognised, and there are no clear legal protections for gender identity or expression. These legal gaps leave LGBT Dominicans without recourse when facing abuse or exclusion.

III. Hostile Political Climate
Conservative politicians frequently oppose LGBT rights, framing them as threats to traditional values. This rhetoric legitimises hostility and emboldens discrimination, while sidelining efforts by activists to push for legislative reforms.

IV. Religious Influence and Social Stigma
The strong influence of religious groups contributes to the social stigmatisation of LGBT communities. Religious leaders often use their platforms to condemn LGBT identities, reinforcing prejudice and justifying discriminatory policies.

V. Violence and Harassment
LGBT Dominicans are frequent targets of harassment, bullying, and physical violence. Transgender women, in particular, face extreme vulnerability, often subjected to abuse from both state authorities and criminal groups. Hate crimes are rarely investigated, leaving victims without justice.

VI. Employment and Housing Discrimination
LGBT individuals face systemic barriers in accessing employment and housing. Discrimination in workplaces and by landlords forces many into precarious living conditions, further marginalising already vulnerable communities.

VII. Healthcare Disparities
LGBT citizens experience discrimination in healthcare, with providers often refusing or neglecting to treat them with dignity. This leads to inadequate access to sexual health services and mental health support, exacerbating vulnerabilities.

VIII. Education and Hostile School Environments
Schools are often hostile environments for LGBT youth, where bullying and harassment force many to abandon education. The lack of inclusive policies or support systems perpetuates cycles of exclusion and poverty.

IX. Activists Facing Intimidation
LGBT activists advocating for equality frequently face harassment, intimidation, and smear campaigns. Their visibility makes them targets of conservative groups and state hostility, yet their work remains vital to advancing rights.

X. Intersection of Discrimination
LGBT Dominicans who also belong to other marginalised groups, such as those of Haitian descent, face compounded forms of discrimination. This intersectional oppression leaves them with even fewer protections and options for justice.

XI. Migration as a Path to Safety
For many LGBT Dominicans, migration becomes the only option to escape pervasive discrimination and violence. Asylum claims often cite persecution, harassment, and lack of state protection as reasons for fleeing.

XII. Conclusion: A Struggle for Equality
LGBT Dominicans confront daily struggles rooted in legal exclusion and social hostility. Until the state adopts comprehensive protections and society embraces inclusion, many LGBT individuals will continue to face violence, discrimination, and displacement. Migration, for many, remains the only pathway to safety and the opportunity to live with dignity.