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1948 in LGBT Rights

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In 1948, there were 17 recorded legal changes made affecting LGBT people. In the previous year, there were 13 changes made and 29 in the following year. A total of 85 legal changes were made in the 1940s.

  • September 14
    Equal age of consent becomes equal.
    According to ILGA.
  • Same-sex marriage becomes unrecognized.
    No laws criminalizing this.
  • Homosexual activity becomes legal.
    According to ILGA
  • LGBT housing discrimination becomes no protections.
    No
  • LGBT employment discrimination becomes no protections.
    No
  • Homosexuals serving openly in military becomes ambiguous.
    North Koreans serving in the military are required to maintain 10 (ten) years of celibacy . Homosexual behavior in the military has been described as situational behavior rather than a genuine behavior.
  • LGBT discrimination becomes no protections.
    The North Korean Constitution states that all citizens are equal but it is unclear if this equality is extended to LGBT citizens.
  • Same-sex marriage becomes ambiguous.
    North Korean depictions of love and marriage remain heterosexist however, the North Korean government has liberalized its views on marriage and love as private matters between consenting adults.
  • Homosexual activity becomes ambiguous.
    North Korea claims that all citizens are treated equally regardless of sexual orientation however, the realities of being LGBT in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea is unclear. Date shown is the North's declaration of statehood.
  • August 15
    LGBT discrimination becomes illegal.
    Full discrimination protections came into effect in 2016.
  • Same-sex adoption becomes married couples only.
    Legalization pending.
  • Same-sex marriage becomes unrecognized.
    Life partnership pending. Gay marriage and Unions pending.
  • LGBT housing discrimination becomes sexual orientation and gender identity.
    Full discrimination protections.
  • LGBT discrimination becomes no protections.
    Date shown is the founding of the Republic of Korea (South Korea). There are no LGBT anti-discrimination protections in South Korea.
  • Same-sex adoption becomes married couples only.
    No information about when adoption regualtions went into effect. Date shown is when the Republic of Korea (South Korea) was founded.
  • Same-sex marriage becomes unrecognized.
  • May 14
    Equal age of consent becomes equal.
    The age of consent in Israel is 16 for male-male, female-female, and male-female sex.

LGBT Organizations Founded in 1948

  • LGBT Danmark FaviconLGBT Danmark
    Denmark
    LGBT Danmark is a national association for LGBT people focused on the areas of gender identity and sexual orientation. The organization's efforts are focused on political work…