1958 in LGBT Rights

In 1958, there were 3 recorded legal changes made affecting LGBT people. In the previous year, there were 9 changes made and 1 in the following year. A total of 86 legal changes were made in the 1950s.

  • May 5
    Equal age of consent becomes n/a.
    Since 1958, homosexuality has been illegal in Ethiopia, so there is no legal age of consent for same-sex sexual activities.
  • Homosexual activity becomes illegal (imprisonment as punishment).
    Article 600 of Ethiopia's Penal Code of 1957 criminalized homosexual sex with simple imprisonment, a term lasting from ten days to three years, subject to the court's discretion. Article 629 of Ethiopia's Penal Code of 2004, which replaced the Penal Code of 1957 when it took effect the following year, criminalizes homosexuality with simple imprisonment.
  • February 18
    Blood donations by MSMs becomes legal.
    There are no restrictions about gay sex, a healthy person is free to donate.