Timeline of LGBT Rights

Number of LGBT-related laws changed over time

This year, there were 5 recorded legal changes made affecting LGBT people. In the previous year, there were 133 changes made. A total of 1192 legal changes have been made so far in the 2020s.

  • January 2
    Homosexual activity becomes ambiguous.
    As of January 2nd, 2026, the new Indonesian Penal Code came into force. Article 411 criminalises any sexual activity outside marriage under a 1 year imprisonment penalty for heterosexual couples who are initiated by a complaint filed by the accused's parents, children, or spouse.
  • Homosexual activity becomes varies by region.
    As of January 2nd, 2026, the new Indonesian Penal Code came into force. Article 411 criminalises any sexual activity outside marriage under a 1 year imprisonment penalty. Prosecution may only be initiated after a complaint filed by the accused's parents, children, or spouse. The original translations only make it a crime for these types of complaint-based offense laws, and only specify heterosexual couples as being eligible for prosecution according to Articles 411 & 412 of the new Indonesian criminal code. The following are affected under Article 411 & Article 412: Paragraph (1) “not their husband or wife" means: a. a man who is in a marriage bond has sexual intercourse with a woman who is not his wife; b. a woman who is in a marriage bond has sexual intercourse with a man who is not her husband; c. a man who is not in a marriage bond has sexual intercourse with a woman, even though it is known that the woman is in a marriage bond; d. a woman who is not in a marriage bond has sexual intercourse with a man, even though it is known that the man is in a marriage bond; or e. a man and a woman who are not bound by marriage have sexual intercourse. The explanation for Article 412 further stated that it is only applicable to heterosexual couples whose closest family members have consented to report them to the legal authorities. However, several International NGOs like Human Rights Watch have worried about the far-reaching implications of the new criminal code to LGBTQ people, even if same-sex sexual activity itself isn't explicitly criminalized in the new criminal code. Some regions may apply specific penalties.
  • Homosexual activity becomes varies by region.
    According to Human Dignity Trust, there hasn't been a direct change in homosexuality laws after the 2023 criminal code came into force on January 2, 2026. Homosexuality is only illegal in Aceh and South Sumatra provinces in Indonesia.
  • January 1
    Gender-affirming care becomes legal, but banned for minors.
    Gender-affirming care is banned for minors in the state of New Hampshire under HB 377 which went into effect on January 1st, 2026. Explicit Medicaid coverage for gender-affirming care is offered to adults 18+ which includes hormones and surgeries. Inmates are provided gender-affirming care such as hormones and surgeries.
  • Hate crime protections becomes sexual orientation and gender identity.
    As of January 1, 2026, a new amendment to Czech Criminal Code will come into force. It explicitly includes gender and sexual orientation of the victim as aggravating factors in hate-motivated crimes.