The tiny Southeast Asian country of Brunei is introducing strict new Islamic laws that makes gay sex an offence punishable by stoning to death.
The new measures, set to begin Wednesday, also cover a range of other crimes including punishment for theft by amputation.
The move has sparked international condemnation and outcry.
The Bruneian gay community has expressed shock and fear at the "medieval punishments".
"You wake up and realise that your neighbours, your family or even that nice old lady that sells prawn fritters by the side of the road doesn't think you're human, or is okay with stoning," one Bruneian gay man, who did not want to be identified, told the BBC.
Homosexuality was already illegal in Brunei and punishable by up to 10 years in jail.