Name of the State Does anti-discrimination law explicitly protect the rights of persons of diverse sexual orientation and gender identity? Does the law criminalise person on the basis of their sexual orientation of gender identity. Does the State enable official recognition of changes of gender identity from that assigned to a person at birth 5. Jordan No – No – No – 6. Malaysia No – Yes Sections 337, 337A, B and D of the Penal Code as well as Sharia, which is in force, penalise homosexual and other conduct including cross dressing. No – 7. Maldives No – Yes Sharia Law penalises homosexual conduct. No – 8. Mongolia No – No S.125 of the Penal Code uses the term ‘unnatural desire’ to criminalise coercive sexual conduct. Evidence indicates that this provision is used to target lesbians, gays, bisexuals and transgender persons. No – 9. Nepal No Equality before law is however guaranteed by the Constitution as a fundamental right irrespective of SO/GI as per Article 13. No The interpretation of the constitutional equality provisions is as per a court verdict. Yes Permitted as a result of a court verdict. 10. New Zealand Yes Discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation is prohibited by Section 21 of the Human Rights Act, 1993. No – Yes Permitted as a result of a court verdict. ACJ Report: Human Rights, Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity 41