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1942 in LGBT Rights

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In 1942, there were 11 recorded legal changes made affecting LGBT people. In the previous year, there were 1 change made and 2 in the following year. A total of 64 legal changes were made in the 1940s.

  • October 17
    Same-sex marriage becomes banned.
    The 1942 Civil Code of Campeche defined marriage as between a man and a woman, effectively banning same-sex marriage until 2016. Civil unions were provided in 2013.
  • August 6
    Equal age of consent becomes unequal.
    During World War 2 in France, the Vichy regime enacted Homosexuality offence laws when it was occupied by Nazi Germany which meant that homosexuals under 21 in France would be arrested and imprisoned. This has led to more that 10,000 homosexuals in France to have been arrested because of this law. Recently the French government has voted to rehabilitate and provide compensation to individuals that were subject to being arrested due to this law.
  • Homosexual activity becomes illegal (imprisonment as punishment).
    During World War 2 in France, the Vichy regime enacted Homosexuality offence laws when it was occupied by Nazi Germany which meant that homosexuals in France would be arrested and imprisoned for 21 years. This has led to more that 10,000 homosexuals in France to have been arrested because of this law. Recently the French government has voted to rehabilitate and provide compensation to individuals that were subject to being arrested due to this law.
  • Equal age of consent becomes unequal.
    Under Vichy France in 1942, the age of consent was fixed at 15 for heterosexual couples but prohibited for homosexual couples under 21. This was later lowered to 18 in 1974.
  • Equal age of consent becomes unequal.
    Under Vichy France in 1942, the age of consent was fixed at 15 for heterosexual couples but prohibited for homosexual couples under 21. This was later lowered to 18 in 1974.
  • Equal age of consent becomes unequal.
    Under Vichy France in 1942, the age of consent was fixed at 15 for heterosexual couples but prohibited for homosexual couples under 21. This was later lowered to 18 in 1974.
  • Equal age of consent becomes unequal.
    Under Vichy France in 1942, the age of consent was fixed at 15 for heterosexual couples but prohibited for homosexual couples under 21. This was later lowered to 18 in 1974.
  • Equal age of consent becomes unequal.
    Under Vichy France in 1942, the age of consent was fixed at 15 for heterosexual couples but prohibited for homosexual couples under 21. This was later lowered to 18 in 1974.
  • Equal age of consent becomes unequal.
    Under Vichy France in 1942, the age of consent was fixed at 15 for heterosexual couples but prohibited for homosexual couples under 21. This was later lowered to 18 in 1974.
  • (date unknown)
    Same-sex marriage becomes unrecognized.
    Some symbolic civil unions are recognized in select regions though no full and meaningful recognition is given.
  • January 1
    Homosexual activity becomes legal.
    The Swiss Penal Code introduced in 1942 allowed same sex acts between adults (above 20 years old), but punished homosexual intercourse with people between 16 and 20 years old (while allowing heterosexual acts)