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1870s in LGBT Rights

Number of LGBT-related laws changed over time
  • (date unknown)
    Homosexual activity becomes illegal (imprisonment as punishment).
    Unsure of the penalty. Fiji inherited its sodomy laws from its British colonizers. Laws invalidated as unconstitutional by Fiji courts.
  • (date unknown)
    Homosexual activity becomes illegal (other penalty).
    Sodomy ("keikan") was criminalized in 1873 with article 266 of the Meiji Legal Code, however, it was hardly ever punished, with only 20 recorded instances of sodomy during 1876 to 1881.
  • May 15
    Homosexual activity becomes male illegal, female legal.
    Section 175 of the Criminal Code of the German Empire criminalized homosexual activity between men over the age of 18. The penalty was imprisonment or a loss of civil rights.
  • (date unknown)
    Equal age of consent becomes equal.
    Nationwide.
  • Equal age of consent becomes equal.
    Nationwide.
  • January 1
    Equal age of consent becomes equal.
  • Equal age of consent becomes equal.
  • Equal age of consent becomes equal.
  • Equal age of consent becomes equal.
  • Equal age of consent becomes equal.
  • Equal age of consent becomes equal.
    Set age of consent.
  • Equal age of consent becomes equal.
    Set age of consent.
  • Equal age of consent becomes equal.
  • Equal age of consent becomes equal.
  • Equal age of consent becomes equal.
  • Equal age of consent becomes equal.
  • Equal age of consent becomes equal.
  • Equal age of consent becomes equal.
  • Equal age of consent becomes equal.
  • (date unknown)
    Homosexual activity becomes legal.
    Homosexual activity has been legal in Campeche since 1871.
  • Homosexual activity becomes legal.
    Homosexual activity has been legal in Zacatecas since 1871.
  • Homosexual activity becomes legal.
    Homosexual activity has been legal in Baja California Sur since 1871.
  • Homosexual activity becomes legal.
    Homosexual activity has been legal in Baja California since 1871.
  • Homosexual activity becomes legal.
    Homosexual activity is legal in Aguascalientes since 1871.
  • Homosexual activity becomes legal.
  • Equal age of consent becomes equal.
    Illegal with a minor under 12, ambiguous rulings observed 12-18, universally legal 18+.
  • Homosexual activity becomes ambiguous.
    Legalized during French occupation; enduring acceptance lacks protection against open homosexual displays.