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1917 in LGBT Rights

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In 1917, there were 4 recorded legal changes made affecting LGBT people. In the previous year, there were 21 changes made and 2 in the following year. A total of 42 legal changes were made in the 1910s.

  • December
    Equal age of consent becomes equal.
    In 1917, homosexuality was decriminalised in Russia, which included Moldova. There was no discrepancy with the age of consent compared to heterosexuality.
  • Homosexual activity becomes legal.
    In 1917, after the October Revolution in Russia, homosexuality was decriminalised. This included Moldova at the time.
  • Homosexual activity becomes legal.
    Homosexuality in Russia was decriminalized in 1917.
  • July 16
    Homosexual activity becomes illegal (imprisonment as punishment).
    In 1917, Pennsylvania adopted a new sodomy law that included anyone who “carnally knows any male or female person by the anus or by or with the mouth, or voluntarily submits to such carnal knowledge[.]” The punishment was 10 years of solitary confinement while working hard labor, and a maximum of a $1,000 dollar fine. In 1939, the maximum fine was raised from $1,000 to $5,000. In 1972, the penalty was lowered to a maximum of 2 years imprisonment, and was reclassified from a felony to a misdemeanor. Married couples could not be charged with sodomy.