Score = Legal 58/60 + Scene 18/40 = 76/100
South Africa ranks #30 of 208 countries and territories in the GayOut Gay Travel Index 2026, with a composite score of 76/100 — a legal safety component of 58/60 and a scene score of 18/40. Updated 2026-08-17 · release 2026.3.
| Criminalization | Legal |
|---|---|
| Partnership | ● Yes (marriage equality) |
| Anti-discrimination | ● Yes |
| Gender recognition | Legal route — recognition possible via medical or administrative process |
| Enforcement reality | Protective — the state actively protects LGBTQ+ people |
Research note: Act 49 medical route; 2024 Hate Crimes Act — GayOut Index 2026.3 legal research (ILGA World / Human Dignity Trust / Rainbow Europe / Equaldex).
Fulfilment per component (100 = maximum). Weights: criminalisation 35% · partnership 20% · enforcement 20% · anti-discrimination 15% · gender recognition 10%.
| LGBTQ+ venues listed | 136 |
|---|---|
| Dedicated gay bars | 3 |
| Gay saunas | 2 |
| Gay bars per million | 0.05 |
| Saunas per million | 0.03 |
| Events per million | 0.94 |
| Cities with a scene | 10 |
| Pride parades | 5 |
| Queer film festivals | 2 |
| Coverage grade | A |
| Scene score | 18/40 (raw scene index 46/100) |
Explore 45 venues in South Africa
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136 venues tracked in the frozen 2026.3 dataset (all categories) · 45 browsable venue pages in the live directory today.
South Africa is rated Welcoming on the GayOut Gay Travel Index 2026, scoring 76/100 overall with a legal safety component of 58/60. On enforcement reality, the state actively protects LGBTQ+ people.
Yes. Same-sex marriage is legal in South Africa. Overall legal status: Legal.
Yes. GayOut lists 136 LGBTQ+ venues in South Africa, including 3 dedicated gay bars, across 10 cities with a scene, and tracks 5 Pride parades there.
Cape Town has the largest documented LGBTQ+ scene in South Africa, with 33 venues listed in the GayOut directory, followed by Johannesburg (4 venues).
GayOut currently lists 3 dedicated gay bars and 2 gay saunas in South Africa, and tracks 5 Pride parades there. Counts exclude venues that are merely gay-friendly.