LGBT rights in Qatif

Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people in Qatif will face legal challenges and prejudices not experienced by non-LGBT citizens. Since 1962 homosexuality has been decriminalised for both men and women, although social norms has seen homosexuals have often faced hostility. The government also enforces restrictions on the coverage of homosexual activity with the ability to express homosexuality openly being illegal.

are granted the right to if they can pay a private fee and have recommendation from a doctor. There are no legal protections towards transsexuals from abuse and discriminatory practices.

History
Qatif when under the Sultanate banned homosexual acts under the Penal Code, with men proven to engage in homosexuality facing up to twenty one lashes on the first offence, and death on the second offence. The last Sultan of Qatif Al-Qa'im ibn al-Aziz ibn Mohammed al-Tahir changed the penal code in 1953 which saw homosexuals given a life sentence on the first offence.

Following Mustafa al-Karim's coup d'état in 1962 the Penal Code was rewritten which mandated that "acts of sodomy" were illegal, with acts of sodomy being defined as adultery, prostitution, incest, rape, and sexual acts undertaken out of the age of consent, making homosexuality de facto legal. However public shows of "sexual deviance" (which included homosexuality) was banned.

During the Qatifi Civil War areas under the control of the Islamic Liberation Army and associated militia's enforced strict law, which saw those suspected of homosexuality executed by  and. When the government took over rebel held territory they repelled Sharia law.

In 1995 the government allowed to be able to attain  if they were able to get a recommendation from a certified doctor. Prior to the 2011 Palm Revolution several bars tolerated homosexual behaviour. However since then there have been laws banning such behaviour in public places.