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1947 in LGBT Rights

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In 1947, there were 8 recorded legal changes made affecting LGBT people. In the previous year, there were changes made and 11 in the following year. A total of 66 legal changes were made in the 1940s.

  • December 25
    Equal age of consent becomes equal.
    Unsure of date. Date shown represents ratification of the Taiwanese Constitution. The age of consent in Taiwan is 16 (sixteen).
  • Homosexual activity becomes legal.
    Unsure of date which reflects the ratification of the current constitution of the Republic of China (Taiwan). Taiwanese criminal code treats sexual acts between same-sex partners in private as equal to heterosexual sex acts performed in private.
  • June 13
    Same-sex adoption becomes single only.
    Homosexuality got legalized in 2018. No laws in place for same sex couples.
  • Same-sex adoption becomes single only.
    Spouses and single persons may adopt but the law does not recognise same-sex spouses and favours females as single adopters.
  • May 3
    Equal age of consent becomes equal.
    The national age of consent is equal for both same-sex couples and opposite-sex couples. Cities and prefectures may set higher ages of consent.
  • LGBT discrimination becomes no protections.
    Japan does not have LGBT protections from discrimination in employment, housing, etc.
  • Serving openly in military becomes legal.
    Japan has a Self Defense Force in place of a traditional military. There is no specific policy either banning or encouraging LGBT participation in the Self Defense Forces. Research by Sabine Fruhstuck has shown that many Japanese do not object to open LGBT service in the military provided it does not interfere with their performance.
  • Same-sex marriage becomes unrecognized.
    Article 24 of the Japanese Constitution states that "marriage shall be based only on the mutual consent of both sexes and it shall be maintained through mutual cooperation with the equal rights of husband and wife as a basis".