In 1943, there were 2 recorded legal changes made affecting LGBT people. In the previous year, there were 3 changes made and 4 in the following year. A total of 51 legal changes were made in the 1940s.
- October 27Censorship of LGBT issues becomes imprisonment as punishment.Article 521 of the 1943 Penal Code of Lebanon explicitly criminalises “men disguising themselves as women” with 6 years imprisonment, criminalising the gender expression of trans women and cross dressers. The Lebanese government has vowed to shut down LGBT organizations, while several films have been banned in the country for LGBT content. Although it is not explicitly illegal to promote homosexuality as many LGBT night clubs and bars exist in the country.
- March 1Homosexual activity becomes male illegal, female legal.Article 534 of the Lebanese Penal Code prohibits sexual relations that “contradict the laws of nature”. While the law has been used to penalize homosexuality, it has been successfully challenged in court several times with defendants being acquitted and enforcement is rare. Several courts have also declined to prosecute. Currently, no national law has been passed to repeal Article 534, decriminalize homosexual activity, or clarify the position of the law.
