Current Version
| Region | Portugal |
| Issue | Homosexual activity |
| Status | Illegal (imprisonment as punishment) |
| Start Date | Apr 25, 1974 |
| End Date | Sep 23, 1982 |
| Description | After the Carnation Revolution on 25 April 1974, Portugal’s dictatorship ended and political policing against LGBT people ceased. However, the Penal Code inherited from the Estado Novo still criminalized homosexuality under “vices against nature” and “security measures.” In practice, prosecutions became rare, but same-sex relations remained legally risky. During this period, the first LGBT activists in Portugal began to organize, issuing the “Manifesto for the Liberation of Sexual Minorities” and demanding equality. On 23 September 1982, Parliament approved a new Penal Code, which removed provisions criminalizing consensual same-sex relations between adults. The reform took effect on 1 January 1983, finally ending Portugal’s legal persecution of homosexuality. |
| Sources | https://www.publico.pt/2020/02/20/sociedade/noticia/maria-pedro-paula-homossexuais-resistiram-ditadura-salazarista-1905008 |
Revision History (2)
edited by Johnny_bjs. Made a small typo on the date
Helpful?
0 | Old Value (Original) | New Value (Current) | |
|---|---|---|
| End Date | Sep 22, 1982 | Sep 23, 1982 |
created by Johnny_bjs
Helpful?
0 | Original entry | |
|---|---|
| Status | Illegal (imprisonment as punishment) |
| Start Date | Apr 25, 1974 |
| End Date | Sep 22, 1982 |
| Description | After the Carnation Revolution on 25 April 1974, Portugal’s dictatorship ended and political policing against LGBT people ceased. However, the Penal Code inherited from the Estado Novo still criminalized homosexuality under “vices against nature” and “security measures.” In practice, prosecutions became rare, but same-sex relations remained legally risky. During this period, the first LGBT activists in Portugal began to organize, issuing the “Manifesto for the Liberation of Sexual Minorities” and demanding equality. On 23 September 1982, Parliament approved a new Penal Code, which removed provisions criminalizing consensual same-sex relations between adults. The reform took effect on 1 January 1983, finally ending Portugal’s legal persecution of homosexuality. |
| Sources | https://www.publico.pt/2020/02/20/sociedade/noticia/maria-pedro-paula-homossexuais-resistiram-ditadura-salazarista-1905008 |