- Homosexuality
- ⚢✔ Legal
- Gay Marriage
- ⚭✔ Legal
- Censorship
- ✔ No censorship
- Changing Gender
- ✔ Legal, surgery not required
- Non-binary gender recognition
- ✖ Not legally recognized
- Discrimination
- Varies by Region
- Employment Discrimination
- ✔ Sexual orientation and gender identity
- Housing Discrimination
- ✔ Sexual orientation and gender identity
- Adoption
- ✔ Legal
- Military
- ✔ Legal
- Donating Blood
- ✔ Legal
- Conversion Therapy
- Ambiguous
- Age of Consent
- ✔ Equal
Public Opinion
Public opinion in United Kingdom appears to be somewhat divided on LGBTQ+ issues, as evidenced by recent studies.
OPPOSE
SUPPORT
United Kingdom Surveys
Support for Same-Sex Marriage (January)
(YouGov, 2023)
Support for Same-Sex Marriage (March)
(YouGov, 2023)
Support for Same-Sex Marriage (May)
(YouGov, 2023)
Support for Same-Sex Marriage (June)
(YouGov, 2023)
Support for Same-Sex Marriage (January)
(YouGov, 2022)
Support for Same-Sex Marriage (March)
(YouGov, 2022)
Support for Same-Sex Marriage (May)
(YouGov, 2022)
History
Homosexual activity in United Kingdom is legal.
Current status
Since Nov 30, 2000
Since Nov 30, 2000
Legal
The Sexual Offences Act was successfully challenged in the European Court of Human Rights in the case of ADT v. UK in 2000. The court determined the provisions making sexual acts between more than two men illegal would be in violation of privacy laws, and therefore, those portions of the Act became unenforceable. Essentially, this was the last barrier to legalizing same-sex activity within the UK.
Legal
**LEGAL, WITH RESTRICTIONS**
The Sexual Offences Act of 1967 legalized sexual acts between two men who were 21 or older (Excluding men serving in the military), but it placed new restrictions on sex for men who have sex with men. The act prohibited sex in places where a third party was likely to be present.
The Sexual Offences Act of 1967 legalized sexual acts between two men who were 21 or older (Excluding men serving in the military), but it placed new restrictions on sex for men who have sex with men. The act prohibited sex in places where a third party was likely to be present.
Illegal (up to life in prison as punishment)
The Labouchere Amendment passed making sex between two men a gross indecency, punishable by imprisonment. Female homosexuality and sexual acts were not addressed in the law, and therefore, they technically would have been legal, though the law often applied the law towards women.
Same-sex marriage in United Kingdom is legal.
Current status
Since Jan 13, 2020
Since Jan 13, 2020
Legal
Marriage equality in Northern Ireland was brought into line with the rest of the UK via the Northern Ireland (Executive Formation etc) Act 2019.
Varies by Region
Came into force as of March 29th, 2014 . Same-sex marriage is still unrecognized fully in some parts of the UK (such as Northern Ireland).
Legal
The legislation allowed religious organisations to opt in to marry same-sex couples should they wish to do so and protected religious organisations and their representatives from successful legal challenge if they did not wish to marry same-sex couples.
Civil unions
The Civil Partnership Act (2004).
Under the Act, same-sex couples can register a civil partnership, which has almost the same legal effects, rights and obligations as marriage does for mixed-sex couples. For that reason, civil partnership is sometimes called ‘gay marriage’. However, legally, it is not marriage, but is a separate, segregated system
Under the Act, same-sex couples can register a civil partnership, which has almost the same legal effects, rights and obligations as marriage does for mixed-sex couples. For that reason, civil partnership is sometimes called ‘gay marriage’. However, legally, it is not marriage, but is a separate, segregated system
Censorship of LGBT Issues in United Kingdom is no censorship.
Current status
Since Nov 18, 2003
Since Nov 18, 2003
No censorship
Previous law repealed by section 122 of the Local Government Act 2003.
Other punishment
Section 28 of the Local Government Act 1988 stated that local authorities could not "intentionally promote homosexuality or publish material with the intention of promoting homosexuality" or "promote the teaching in any maintained school of the acceptability of homosexuality as a pretended family relationship". The law did not create a criminal offence, leaving staff to fear losing their jobs if they breached the rules.
Right to change legal gender in United Kingdom is legal, surgery not required.
Current status
Since Apr 4, 2005
Since Apr 4, 2005
Legal, surgery not required
Surgery is not required
Legal recognition of non-binary gender in United Kingdom is not legally recognized.
Current status
Not legally recognized
In 2021 the UK government said (in response to a petition) that legal recognition of non-binary gender identity would have "complex practical consequences for other areas of the law, service provision and public life", and said that they felt existing legislation allowing people to change their legal gender went far enough. Courts have, however, ruled that people with non-binary identities are protected from discrimination by the Equality Act.
LGBT discrimination in United Kingdom is varies by region.
Current status
Since Oct 1, 2010
Since Oct 1, 2010
Varies by Region
Discrimination in the United Kingdom is illegal. However, in Northern Ireland It's only Illegal in some contexts.
Illegal
- Gibraltar 2013
- England 2010
- Scotland 2010
- Wales 2010
- London, City of 2010
- Isles of Scilly
- South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands
Illegal in some contexts
- Northern Ireland 2010
LGBT employment discrimination in United Kingdom is sexual orientation and gender identity.
Current status
Sexual orientation and gender identity
LGBT housing discrimination in United Kingdom is sexual orientation and gender identity.
Same-sex adoption in United Kingdom is legal.
Current status
Since Nov 7, 2002
Since Nov 7, 2002
Legal
IVF treatment is available for lesbian couples too.
Serving openly in military in United Kingdom is legal.
Current status
Since Jan 12, 2000
Since Jan 12, 2000
Legal
The Ministry of Defence were forced to change their stance on when the European Court of Human Rights ruled in September 1999 that the then current ban on gays in the military was unlawful.
Illegal
The Sexual Offences Act of 1967 explicitly made serving in the military as an openly gay/bi man illegal. Prior to this act, it was illegal for a man to have sex with another man entirely, and therefore, it was also illegal.
Until 1967
Illegal
Same-sex sexual activity was illegal for men, and therefore, these individuals were not permitted in the military.
Blood donations by MSMs in United Kingdom is legal.
Current status
Since Jun 14, 2021
Since Jun 14, 2021
Legal
The 3-month deferral for MSM has been dropped in England, Wales and Scotland. Instead, donors of any gender will be asked about their recent sexual activity, and those who have only had one sexual partner within the last 3-months will be eligible to donate.
Northern Ireland is due to follow suit with these changes in September 2021.
Northern Ireland is due to follow suit with these changes in September 2021.
Conversion therapy in United Kingdom is ambiguous.
Current status
Since Jan 14, 2023
Since Jan 14, 2023
Ambiguous
The UK government is discussing a ban on conversion therapy. It has been discussed in parliament and the ban is said to be put into effect ‘shortly’ however a specific date has not yet been confirmed.
Until Jan 14, 2023
Not banned
Conversion therapy ban has been discussed for many years. Prime Minister Boris Johnson promised to ban conversion therapy in July 2020 and this was reiterated in the 2021 Queen's Speech. In March 2022, the plans were dropped, only for a partial U-turn just hours later when the government announced that the ban would go ahead but not cover trans people.
On January 17 2023, the government announced they'd pass a new law to include transgender people in the conversion therapy ban.
On January 17 2023, the government announced they'd pass a new law to include transgender people in the conversion therapy ban.
Until Jan 1, 2017
Not banned
Conversion therapies are reportedly a major issue in the UK, but it's rarely discussed. A ban is being discussed by British leaders.
Equal age of consent in United Kingdom is equal.
Current status
Since Aug 1, 2001
Since Aug 1, 2001
Unequal
A bill was signed to reduce the age of consent for men who have sex with men from 21 to 18.
Unequal
The Sexual Offenses Act made sex between two men legal in 1967*, but it was only legal between consenting men who were 21 or older, whereas the age of consent for different sex couples was 16.
*Sex between more than two men remained illegal until later.
*Sex between more than two men remained illegal until later.
LGBT Rights by unitary authority
View the LGBT laws in each individual unitary authority of United Kingdom.
- Bath and North East Somerset
- Bedfordshire
- Blackburn with Darwen
- Blackpool
- Bournemouth
- Bracknell Forest
- Brighton and Hove
- Bristol, City of
- Cornwall
- Darlington
- Derby
- Durham
- East Riding of Yorkshire
- Halton
- Hartlepool
- Herefordshire, County of
- Isle of Wight
- Kingston upon Hull, City of
- Leicester
- Luton
- Medway
- Middlesbrough
- Milton Keynes
- North East Lincolnshire
- North Lincolnshire
- North Somerset
- Northumberland
- Nottingham
- Peterborough
- Plymouth
- Poole
- Portsmouth
- Reading
- Redcar and Cleveland
- Rutland
- Shropshire
- Slough
- South Gloucestershire
- Southampton
- Southend-on-Sea
- Stockton-on-Tees
- Stoke-on-Trent
- Swindon
- Telford and Wrekin
- Thurrock
- Torbay
- Warrington
- West Berkshire
- Wiltshire
- Windsor and Maidenhead
- Wokingham
- York
- Barnsley (metropolitan district)
- Birmingham (metropolitan district)
- Bolton (metropolitan district)
- Bradford (metropolitan district)
- Bury (metropolitan district)
- Calderdale (metropolitan district)
- Coventry (metropolitan district)
- Doncaster (metropolitan district)
- Dudley (metropolitan district)
- Gateshead (metropolitan district)
- Kirklees (metropolitan district)
- Knowsley (metropolitan district)
- Leeds (metropolitan district)
- Liverpool (metropolitan district)
- Manchester (metropolitan district)
- Newcastle upon Tyne (metropolitan district)
- North Tyneside (metropolitan district)
- Oldham (metropolitan district)
- Rochdale (metropolitan district)
- Rotherham (metropolitan district)
- Salford (metropolitan district)
- Sandwell (metropolitan district)
- Sefton (metropolitan district)
- Sheffield (metropolitan district)
- Solihull (metropolitan district)
- South Tyneside (metropolitan district)
- St. Helens (metropolitan district)
- Stockport (metropolitan district)
- Sunderland (metropolitan district)
- Tameside (metropolitan district)
- Trafford (metropolitan district)
- Wakefield (metropolitan district)
- Walsall (metropolitan district)
- Wigan (metropolitan district)
- Wirral (metropolitan district)
- Wolverhampton (metropolitan district)
- Barking and Dagenham (borough)
- Barnet (borough)
- Bexley (borough)
- Brent (borough)
- Bromley (borough)
- Camden (borough)
- Croydon (borough)
- Ealing (borough)
- Enfield (borough)
- Greenwich (borough)
- Hackney (borough)
- Hammersmith and Fulham (borough)
- Haringey (borough)
- Harrow (borough)
- Havering (borough)
- Hillingdon (borough)
- Hounslow (borough)
- Islington (borough)
- Kensington and Chelsea (borough)
- Kingston upon Thames (borough)
- Lambeth (borough)
- Lewisham (borough)
- Merton (borough)
- Newham (borough)
- Redbridge (borough)
- Richmond upon Thames (borough)
- Southwark (borough)
- Sutton (borough)
- Tower Hamlets (borough)
- Waltham Forest (borough)
- Wandsworth (borough)
- Westminster (borough)
- Aberdeen City (council area (Scotland))
- Aberdeenshire (council area (Scotland))
- Angus (council area (Scotland))
- Argyll and Bute (council area (Scotland))
- Clackmannanshire (council area (Scotland))
- Dumfries and Galloway (council area (Scotland))
- Dundee City (council area (Scotland))
- East Ayrshire (council area (Scotland))
- East Dunbartonshire (council area (Scotland))
- East Lothian (council area (Scotland))
- East Renfrewshire (council area (Scotland))
- Edinburgh, City of (council area (Scotland))
- Eilean Siar (council area (Scotland))
- Falkirk (council area (Scotland))
- Fife (council area (Scotland))
- Glasgow City (council area (Scotland))
- Highland (council area (Scotland))
- Inverclyde (council area (Scotland))
- Midlothian (council area (Scotland))
- Moray (council area (Scotland))
- North Ayrshire (council area (Scotland))
- North Lanarkshire (council area (Scotland))
- Orkney Islands (council area (Scotland))
- Perth and Kinross (council area (Scotland))
- Renfrewshire (council area (Scotland))
- Scottish Borders, The (council area (Scotland))
- Shetland Islands (council area (Scotland))
- South Ayrshire (council area (Scotland))
- South Lanarkshire (council area (Scotland))
- Stirling (council area (Scotland))
- West Dunbartonshire (council area (Scotland))
- West Lothian (council area (Scotland))
- Buckinghamshire (two-tier county)
- Cambridgeshire (two-tier county)
- Cumbria (two-tier county)
- Derbyshire (two-tier county)
- Devon (two-tier county)
- Dorset (two-tier county)
- East Sussex (two-tier county)
- Essex (two-tier county)
- Gloucestershire (two-tier county)
- Hampshire (two-tier county)
- Hertfordshire (two-tier county)
- Kent (two-tier county)
- Lancashire (two-tier county)
- Leicestershire (two-tier county)
- Lincolnshire (two-tier county)
- Norfolk (two-tier county)
- North Yorkshire (two-tier county)
- Northamptonshire (two-tier county)
- Nottinghamshire (two-tier county)
- Oxfordshire (two-tier county)
- Somerset (two-tier county)
- Staffordshire (two-tier county)
- Suffolk (two-tier county)
- Surrey (two-tier county)
- Warwickshire (two-tier county)
- West Sussex (two-tier county)
- Worcestershire (two-tier county)
- Antrim (district council area (Northern Ireland))
- Ards (district council area (Northern Ireland))
- Armagh (district council area (Northern Ireland))
- Ballymena (district council area (Northern Ireland))
- Ballymoney (district council area (Northern Ireland))
- Banbridge (district council area (Northern Ireland))
- Belfast (district council area (Northern Ireland))
- Carrickfergus (district council area (Northern Ireland))
- Castlereagh (district council area (Northern Ireland))
- Coleraine (district council area (Northern Ireland))
- Cookstown (district council area (Northern Ireland))
- Craigavon (district council area (Northern Ireland))
- Derry (district council area (Northern Ireland))
- Down (district council area (Northern Ireland))
- Dungannon and South Tyrone (district council area (Northern Ireland))
- Fermanagh (district council area (Northern Ireland))
- Larne (district council area (Northern Ireland))
- Limavady (district council area (Northern Ireland))
- Lisburn (district council area (Northern Ireland))
- Magherafelt (district council area (Northern Ireland))
- Moyle (district council area (Northern Ireland))
- Newry and Mourne (district council area (Northern Ireland))
- Newtownabbey (district council area (Northern Ireland))
- North Down (district council area (Northern Ireland))
- Omagh (district council area (Northern Ireland))
- Strabane (district council area (Northern Ireland))
- Blaenau Gwent (unitary authority (Wales))
- Bridgend [Pen-y-bont ar Ogwr GB-POG] (unitary authority (Wales))
- Caerphilly [Caerffili GB-CAF] (unitary authority (Wales))
- Cardiff [Caerdydd GB-CRD] (unitary authority (Wales))
- Carmarthenshire [Sir Gaerfyrddin GB-GFY] (unitary authority (Wales))
- Ceredigion [Sir Ceredigion] (unitary authority (Wales))
- Conwy (unitary authority (Wales))
- Denbighshire [Sir Ddinbych GB-DDB] (unitary authority (Wales))
- Flintshire [Sir y Fflint GB-FFL] (unitary authority (Wales))
- Gwynedd (unitary authority (Wales))
- Isle of Anglesey [Sir Ynys Môn GB-YNM] (unitary authority (Wales))
- Merthyr Tydfil [Merthyr Tudful GB-MTU] (unitary authority (Wales))
- Monmouthshire [Sir Fynwy GB-FYN] (unitary authority (Wales))
- Neath Port Talbot [Castell-nedd Port Talbot GB-CTL] (unitary authority (Wales))
- Newport [Casnewydd GB-CNW] (unitary authority (Wales))
- Pembrokeshire [Sir Benfro GB-BNF] (unitary authority (Wales))
- Powys (unitary authority (Wales))
- Rhondda, Cynon, Taff [Rhondda, Cynon,Taf] (unitary authority (Wales))
- Swansea [Abertawe GB-ATA] (unitary authority (Wales))
- Torfaen [Tor-faen] (unitary authority (Wales))
- Vale of Glamorgan, The [Bro Morgannwg GB-BMG] (unitary authority (Wales))
- Wrexham [Wrecsam GB-WRC] (unitary authority (Wales))
- England (Country)
- Northern Ireland (Country)
- Scotland (Country)
- Wales (Country)
- Gibraltar (Territory)
- South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands (Territory)
- Cheshire ()
- London, City of (city corporation)
- Isles of Scilly (Region)
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#12 United Kingdom80
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- #14 Brazil79
- #15 Australia79
#11
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Alternative names: UK, Great Britain