1960s in LGBT Rights

Number of LGBT-related laws changed over time
  • (date unknown)
    Gender-affirming care becomes restricted.
    In 1970, Finland legalized sterilization, which de facto meant legalizing sex reassignment surgery, however, medical records regarding transsexualism had to be obtained abroad.
  • January 1
    Right to change legal gender becomes legal, but requires surgery.
    Prior to 2022, Gender change was legal and easier to access
  • Homosexual activity becomes legal.
    Consensual same-sex acts were legalized in 1945 after the end of WW2 by the Polish Penal Code. Since 2019 several municipalities have declared themselves to be "LGBT-free zones", while this has no legal standing it does adversely affect LGBT people by opening them up to hate crime. In 1970 homosexuality was completely decriminalized by removing the provision on homosexual prostitution from the penal code.
  • September 1
    Homosexual activity becomes legal.
    Section 175 of the Criminal Code was relaxed for persons over 21 years in East Germany in 1968, with West Germany following suit in 1969. However, although this meant that homosexual activity between men was decriminalized, it was not made legal.
  • July 19
    Homosexual activity becomes ambiguous.
    Iraq's Criminal Code does not explicitly mention homosexuality in its penal code, however certain articles such as article 401 can be used against LGBT community. The article criminalises “immodest acts” in public, and punishable by a period of detention of up to six months and/or a fine.
  • June 27
    Homosexual activity becomes legal.
    Legalized when Canada legalized it.
  • Homosexual activity becomes legal.
    Homosexual activity was legalized in Manitoba when Canada legalized it.
  • Homosexual activity becomes legal.
    Criminal Law Amendment Act (Canada) 1968-1969.
  • Homosexual activity becomes legal.
    Introduced by Pierre Trudeau in the omnibus bill The Criminal Law Amendment Act, 1968-69.
  • Homosexual activity becomes legal.
    Homosexuality is legal under Canadian Law.
  • May 21
    Equal age of consent becomes unequal.
    Even though gay male sex was illegal for all ages, section 14 of the Immorality Act 23 of 1957, as inserted by the Immorality Amendment Act 57 of 1969, set the age of consent for gay male sex at 19, as opposed to 16 for straight sex. There was no age of consent for lesbian sex.
  • May 14
    Homosexual activity becomes legal.
    Bill C-150 decriminalized consensual anal intercourse done in private between two adults over 21 everywhere in Canada
  • January 1
    Homosexual activity becomes legal.
    In 1969, Canada passed a omnibus bill that removed the requirement to be over 21 for the homosexual acts. Nova Scotia followed soon after. In 1977, Canada also passed another bill stating that sexual orientation was protected federally.
  • (date unknown)
    Gender-affirming care becomes restricted.
    In 1969, the first gender identity clinic opened in Toronto at the Clarke Institute of Psychiatry and the first gender-affirming surgery in Canada was performed in 1970. To qualify, applicants had to be employed, be straight, never have been convicted of a crime, have lived as their identified gender for at least two years, and have changed all their legal documents.
  • Gender-affirming care becomes restricted.
    In 1969, Bangladesh legalized sterilization, which de facto meant legalizing sex reassignment surgery, however, medical records regarding transsexualism had to be obtained abroad.
  • January 1
    Gender-affirming care becomes restricted.
    In 1969, the first gender identity clinic opened in Toronto at the Clarke Institute of Psychiatry and the first gender-affirming surgery in Canada was performed in 1970. To qualify, applicants had to be employed, be straight, never have been convicted of a crime, have lived as their identified gender for at least two years, and have changed all their legal documents. In 1979, Canada adopted the ICD-9 classification, which included codes allowing for the diagnosis of transsexualism in adults. That same year, Canada legalized sterilization.
  • Serving openly in military becomes legal.
    legal under federal army. legal since
  • Homosexual activity becomes legal.
    Nationwide.
  • Homosexual activity becomes legal.
    under the criminal law amendment act.
  • Homosexual activity becomes legal.
    under Atterny general Pierre Trudeau and justice minster. it is under the Criminal Law Amendment Act.
  • Homosexual activity becomes legal.
    was decriminalized under the Criminal Law Amendment Act 1968-1969. Fredericton just had a pride parade on August 12, 2018.
  • Homosexual activity becomes legal.
    Nationwide.
  • Homosexual activity becomes legal.
  • Homosexual activity becomes legal.
  • January
    Serving openly in military becomes ambiguous.
    There has never been any specific law banning homosexuals from serving in the army. However, Article 235 of 1969 of the Military Penal Code, which prohibits the "practice of a libidinous act, homosexual or not", was often used to persecute gays in the military and try to expel them.
  • October 12
    LGBT housing discrimination becomes no protections.
  • LGBT employment discrimination becomes no protections.
  • LGBT discrimination becomes no protections.
    No current discrimination protections whatsoever.
  • Homosexual activity becomes legal.
    Homosexuality is legal for both male and female
  • September 6
    Same-sex adoption becomes single only.
  • May 1
    Homosexual activity becomes legal.
    Homosexuality is legal within Razgrad
  • Homosexual activity becomes legal.
    Since 1968, homosexual activity in Bulgaria had been legal
  • January 1
    Homosexual activity becomes illegal (imprisonment as punishment).
    The famous article 200 which was introduced in 1968 criminalizes all sexual relations between persons of the same sex. The punishment was imprisonment from one to five years.
  • November 12
    Same-sex marriage becomes banned.
    Homosexuality is illegal in Cameroon.
  • Homosexual activity becomes illegal (imprisonment as punishment).
    Up to 5 years imprisonment and/or 200,000 franc fine.
  • July 27
    Homosexual activity becomes legal.
    **LEGAL, WITH RESTRICTIONS** The Sexual Offences Act of 1967 legalized sexual acts between two men who were 21 or older (Excluding men serving in the military), but it placed new restrictions on sex for men who have sex with men. The act prohibited sex in places where a third party was likely to be present.
  • Homosexual activity becomes legal.
    Age of consent equalised on November 20th 2000
  • Homosexual activity becomes legal.
  • Homosexual activity becomes legal.
    **LEGAL, WITH RESTRICTIONS** The Sexual Offences Act of 1967 legalized sexual acts between two men who were 21 or older (Excluding men serving in the military), but it placed new restrictions on sex for men who have sex with men. The act prohibited sex in places where a third party was likely to be present.
  • June 9
    Homosexual activity becomes legal.
    Although homosexuality is legal, any homosexual act with any person under the age of 21 is illegal.
  • January 1
    Censorship of LGBT issues becomes imprisonment as punishment.
    According to Article 13 of the Censorship and Entertainment Control Law (Law No. 37) (1967), "undesirable" publications - defined as those considered "indecent", "obscene", "offensive" or "harmful to public morals" - are subject to punishment with a fine or imprisonment of up to two years. More than that, there is the possibility of serious violations of freedom of association in the country due to the approval of a Bill to Amend the Private Voluntary Organizations Act (2023) which has caused concern from various international organizations and UN experts due to the possibility of serious violations of freedom of association in the country with the signing of the Bill by the president.
  • (date unknown)
    Equal age of consent becomes unequal.
    The Sexual Offenses Act made sex between two men legal in 1967*, but it was only legal between consenting men who were 21 or older, whereas the age of consent for different sex couples was 16. *Sex between more than two men remained illegal until later.
  • Serving openly in military becomes illegal.
    The Sexual Offences Act of 1967 explicitly made serving in the military as an openly gay/bi man illegal. Prior to this act, it was illegal for a man to have sex with another man entirely, and therefore, it was also illegal.
  • October 4
    Same-sex adoption becomes illegal.
    Single males and same-sex couples cannot adopt
  • Same-sex marriage becomes unrecognized.
    The common law definition of marriage is “a union of one man with one woman, to the exclusion, while it lasts, of all others”
  • July 8
    Serving openly in military becomes illegal.
    All Homosexual Activity is outlawed.
  • June 8
    Same-sex adoption becomes single only.
    Homosexuality is illegal in Algeria, and same-sex unions are unrecognized. Single people are allowed to adopt.
  • Equal age of consent becomes n/a.
    Not applicable for Algeria. Same sex activity is illegal in Algeria.
  • Same-sex marriage becomes banned.
    All homosexual activity is illegal in Algeria. Same-sex marriage is not legal.
  • Homosexual activity becomes illegal (imprisonment as punishment).
    Article 333 of Algerian law punishes same sex activity with between 2 months and 2 years imprisonment, and a fine of 500 to 2000 Dinars. Article 338 refers to "outrage to public decency" consisting of "an act against nature with an individual of the same sex", with a steeper penalty of between 6 months and 3 years imprisonment and a fine of between 1,000 and 10,000 Dinars.
  • February 1
    LGBT housing discrimination becomes no protections.
  • LGBT employment discrimination becomes no protections.
  • LGBT discrimination becomes no protections.
    As homosexual conduct is illegal, discrimination on the basis on sexual orientation or gender identity is legal under the law.
  • Homosexual activity becomes illegal (imprisonment as punishment).
    Article 319 of the Senegal's Penal Code states "Without prejudice to the more serious penalties provided for in the preceding paragraphs or by articles 320 and 321 of this Code, whoever will have committed an improper or unnatural act with a person of the same sex will be punished by imprisonment of between one and five years and by a fine of 100,000 to 1,500,000 francs. If the act was committed with a person below the age of 21, the maximum penalty will always be applied."
  • (date unknown)
    Serving openly in military becomes n/a.
    The BIOT does not have a military, with defence provided by a joint agreement between the United Kingdom and the United States.
  • July 21
    Censorship of LGBT issues becomes imprisonment as punishment.
    Under Article 256 of Senegals Penal Code, anyone involved in manufacturing, holding, importing, exporting, displaying, selling, renting, offering, or distributing materials "contrary to good morals" may face imprisonment of up to two years or fines. Although ideology on which things are moral and which things are immoral vary by person, because homosexuality and gender change are illegal in Senegal and viewed as immoral, Article 256 can be used against pride flags, lgbt organizations, ETC.
  • November 17
    Right to change legal gender becomes legal, but requires surgery.
    A medical diagnosis required, and individuals need to sue their parents in order to have their birth certificate changed. Under Polish law reassignment surgery can only take place after a person's gender has been legally changed.
  • June 10
    Same-sex marriage becomes unrecognized.
    only allows straight couples to get married
  • Homosexual activity becomes illegal (imprisonment as punishment).
    Fine; up to seven years imprisonment. Although same-sex sexual acts remain illegal, their prosecution is rare according to a 2004 publication.
  • May 18
    Serving openly in military becomes illegal.
    Until 1986, "sexual deviance" was a reason for exclusion for military service. At that time, some men claimed to be homosexual to avoid the draft.
  • April 25
    LGBT housing discrimination becomes no protections.
    In Syria, there are currently no laws in place to prevent discrimination against LGBT individuals. Same-sex sexual activity is illegal.
  • April 3
    Homosexual activity becomes illegal (imprisonment as punishment).
    Article 409 of the Somalian Penal Code of 1964, says that sexual intercourse with a partner of the same sex is punishable with an imprisonment of 3 months up to 3 years.
  • February 25
    Same-sex adoption becomes single only.
    General rules regarding adoption are set out in the Family and Guardianship Code, in articles 114 to 127. Formally, there is no prohibition against adopting a child by a single person.
  • January 1
    Censorship of LGBT issues becomes other punishment.
    Article 402 of the Penal Code (1964) of Somalia prohibits the commission of any “obscene act” while Article 403 prohibits the sale, distribution, and exhibition of any “obscene object”. Article 404 deems acts and objectives as “obscene” where they, in the general opinion, are “offensive to modesty”. Article 409, which criminalises same-sex intimacy, is part of the same chapter on “offences against modesty” in the legislation.
  • Same-sex marriage becomes unrecognized.
    There were not originally any laws in place regarding same-sex unions, until Zimbabwe updated its constitution in 2013.
  • May 31
    Same-sex marriage becomes unrecognized.
    Same sex marriage is not recognized in Gabon
  • Homosexual activity becomes legal.
    Not criminalised but same sex couple report being harassed by the police.
  • January 19
    Gender-affirming care becomes restricted.
    In 1963, the first fully reimbursed gender reassignment surgery in Polish history (MTF) was performed in Warsaw. Until the first health care facility in Poland was established, which specialized in the diagnosis and treatment of transgender people, hormonal therapy and professional diagnosis of gender dysphoria were not possible.
  • (date unknown)
    Gender-affirming care becomes restricted.
    In 1963, Myanmar legalized sterilization, which de facto meant legalizing sex reassignment surgery, however, medical records regarding transsexualism had to be obtained abroad.
  • Homosexual activity becomes legal.
    LGBT people regardless of gender are allowed to engage in such acts once old enough according to the law. In 1953 the police was ordered to refrain from enforcing the law against homosexual acts by the Israeli government. In 1963 Israel's Highest Court decides that individuals who committed consensual homosexual acts privately couldn't be punished and even before that there are no records of punishments by civilian courts against people who committed consensual homosexual acts privately. The law was officially repealed by the Knesset ( the Israeli Parliament ) in 1988, but it's enforcement was illegal since 1963 in most cases.
  • December 16
    LGBT housing discrimination becomes no protections.
  • LGBT employment discrimination becomes no protections.
  • LGBT discrimination becomes no protections.
    Government just formed. One of the many countries that do not put on pride parade. As well the intense discrimination which make it impossible to improve conditions in Somalia or Somaliland.
  • November 26
    Homosexual activity becomes illegal (imprisonment as punishment).
    Article 489 of the Penal Code punishes same sex behaviour by imprisonment of between 6 months and 3 years, and a fine of 200 to 1000 dirhams.
  • August 16
    LGBT discrimination becomes no protections.
    Homosexuality is currently illegal. As well no discrimination protection exist in the criminal code.
  • August 6
    LGBT housing discrimination becomes no protections.
    Homosexuality is illegal there. A cop in Jamaica said that conditions for lgbt were improving.
  • LGBT employment discrimination becomes no protections.
    People are being killed for being perceived gay.
  • June 15
    LGBT discrimination becomes illegal.
    Ontario's Human Rights Code prohibits discrimination and harassment because of sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression in housing, contracts, employment, goods, services, facilities, and membership in unions or professional associations. The Code is enforced by the Ontario Human Rights Commission.
  • LGBT employment discrimination becomes sexual orientation and gender identity.
    Ontario's Human Rights Code states that every person has a right to equal treatment with respect to employment without discrimination or harassment because of gender identity, gender expression, or sexual orientation. The Code is enforced by the Ontario Human Rights Commission.
  • June 1
    Serving openly in military becomes legal.
  • January 1
    Homosexual activity becomes varies by region.
    Before Lawrence v. Texas, some states had already decriminalized sodomy. The first state was Illinois in 1962.
  • Homosexual activity becomes legal.
    Legislative repeal, effective 1962. First state to repeal sodomy law.
  • Homosexual activity becomes legal.
    Homosexual activity was decriminalized in 1962.
  • December 15
    Homosexual activity becomes legal.
    Homosexual activity was decriminalised in Hungary in 1961.
  • November 24
    Homosexual activity becomes illegal (imprisonment as punishment).
    Homosexuality was criminalised in Mongolia in 1961 through its Criminal Code.
  • January 1
    Homosexual activity becomes male illegal, female legal.
    5-7 years in prison under the crime of sodomy. Not enforced. Decriminalization pending.
  • (date unknown)
    Homosexual activity becomes male illegal, female legal.
    Up to 5 years prison. Decriminalization pending.
  • January 1
    Homosexual activity becomes legal.
    Homosexuality was legalized in the former Czechoslovakia.
  • September 30
    Homosexual activity becomes illegal (imprisonment as punishment).
    The Penal Code of Northern Nigeria, Federal Provisions Act, which applies to all states in Northern Nigeria, criminalizes consensual same-sex sexual activity. It came into effect in September of 1960. Section 284 of the Penal Code states "Whoever has carnal intercourse against the order of nature with any man, woman or animal shall be punished with imprisonment for a term which may extend to fourteen years and shall also be liable to fine."
  • Homosexual activity becomes illegal (imprisonment as punishment).
    The Penal Code of Northern Nigeria, Federal Provisions Act, which applies to all states in Northern Nigeria, criminalizes consensual same-sex sexual activity. It came into effect in September of 1960. Section 284 of the Penal Code states "Whoever has carnal intercourse against the order of nature with any man, woman or animal shall be punished with imprisonment for a term which may extend to fourteen years and shall also be liable to fine."
  • Homosexual activity becomes illegal (imprisonment as punishment).
    The Penal Code of Northern Nigeria, Federal Provisions Act, which applies to all states in Northern Nigeria, criminalizes consensual same-sex sexual activity. It came into effect in September of 1960. Section 284 of the Penal Code states "Whoever has carnal intercourse against the order of nature with any man, woman or animal shall be punished with imprisonment for a term which may extend to fourteen years and shall also be liable to fine."
  • Homosexual activity becomes illegal (imprisonment as punishment).
    The Penal Code of Northern Nigeria, Federal Provisions Act, which applies to all states in Northern Nigeria, criminalizes consensual same-sex sexual activity. It came into effect in September of 1960. Section 284 of the Penal Code states "Whoever has carnal intercourse against the order of nature with any man, woman or animal shall be punished with imprisonment for a term which may extend to fourteen years and shall also be liable to fine."
  • Homosexual activity becomes illegal (imprisonment as punishment).
    The Penal Code of Northern Nigeria, Federal Provisions Act, which applies to all states in Northern Nigeria, criminalizes consensual same-sex sexual activity. It came into effect in September of 1960. Section 284 of the Penal Code states "Whoever has carnal intercourse against the order of nature with any man, woman or animal shall be punished with imprisonment for a term which may extend to fourteen years and shall also be liable to fine."
  • Homosexual activity becomes illegal (imprisonment as punishment).
    The Penal Code of Northern Nigeria, Federal Provisions Act, which applies to all states in Northern Nigeria, criminalizes consensual same-sex sexual activity. It came into effect in September of 1960. Section 284 of the Penal Code states "Whoever has carnal intercourse against the order of nature with any man, woman or animal shall be punished with imprisonment for a term which may extend to fourteen years and shall also be liable to fine."
  • Homosexual activity becomes illegal (imprisonment as punishment).
    The Penal Code of Northern Nigeria, Federal Provisions Act, which applies to all states in Northern Nigeria, criminalizes consensual same-sex sexual activity. It came into effect in September of 1960. Section 284 of the Penal Code states "Whoever has carnal intercourse against the order of nature with any man, woman or animal shall be punished with imprisonment for a term which may extend to fourteen years and shall also be liable to fine."
  • Homosexual activity becomes illegal (imprisonment as punishment).
    The Penal Code of Northern Nigeria, Federal Provisions Act, which applies to all states in Northern Nigeria, criminalizes consensual same-sex sexual activity. It came into effect in September of 1960. Section 284 of the Penal Code states "Whoever has carnal intercourse against the order of nature with any man, woman or animal shall be punished with imprisonment for a term which may extend to fourteen years and shall also be liable to fine."
  • Homosexual activity becomes illegal (imprisonment as punishment).
    The Penal Code of Northern Nigeria, Federal Provisions Act, which applies to all states in Northern Nigeria, criminalizes consensual same-sex sexual activity. It came into effect in September of 1960. Section 284 of the Penal Code states "Whoever has carnal intercourse against the order of nature with any man, woman or animal shall be punished with imprisonment for a term which may extend to fourteen years and shall also be liable to fine."
  • Homosexual activity becomes illegal (imprisonment as punishment).
    The Penal Code of Northern Nigeria, Federal Provisions Act, which applies to all states in Northern Nigeria, criminalizes consensual same-sex sexual activity. It came into effect in September of 1960. Section 284 of the Penal Code states "Whoever has carnal intercourse against the order of nature with any man, woman or animal shall be punished with imprisonment for a term which may extend to fourteen years and shall also be liable to fine."
  • Homosexual activity becomes illegal (imprisonment as punishment).
    The Penal Code of Northern Nigeria, Federal Provisions Act, which applies to all states in Northern Nigeria, criminalizes consensual same-sex sexual activity. It came into effect in September of 1960. Section 284 of the Penal Code states "Whoever has carnal intercourse against the order of nature with any man, woman or animal shall be punished with imprisonment for a term which may extend to fourteen years and shall also be liable to fine."
  • Homosexual activity becomes illegal (imprisonment as punishment).
    The Penal Code of Northern Nigeria, Federal Provisions Act, which applies to all states in Northern Nigeria, criminalizes consensual same-sex sexual activity. It came into effect in September of 1960. Section 284 of the Penal Code states "Whoever has carnal intercourse against the order of nature with any man, woman or animal shall be punished with imprisonment for a term which may extend to fourteen years and shall also be liable to fine."
  • August 3
    Serving openly in military becomes ambiguous.
    There are no explicits bans on service by LGBT citizens, but intense discrimination discourages openness in this area.
  • July 1
    Legal recognition of non-binary gender becomes not legally recognized.
    Does not appear to be option on legal documents and information regarding the status is little to none.
  • June 30
    LGBT housing discrimination becomes no protections.
  • LGBT employment discrimination becomes no protections.
  • LGBT discrimination becomes no protections.
    Unsafe to be LGBT
  • January 12
    Same-sex marriage becomes banned.
    Same sex marriage is not recognized in Ghana
  • LGBT discrimination becomes no protections.
    As homosexuality is illegal, there are no legal protections
  • Homosexual activity becomes male illegal, female legal.
    Under Section 104 of the Ghanaian Criminal Code of 1960 as "unnatural carnal knowledge". If the person is of 16 years or older and has consent, this is considered a misdemeanour, punishable by imprisonment not exceeding 3 years as per Article 296(4) of the Criminal Procedural Code.
  • January 1
    Homosexual activity becomes illegal (imprisonment as punishment).
    Article 193 of Kuwait's Penal Code explicitly prohibits male homosexual sex for up to seven years in prison. For lesbians, there is no specific law criminalizing it, however it is still technically illegal. This is because in Kuwait you are not able to consent to sex unless you're married. So, since gay marriage is not legal in Kuwait and you can't give consent until your married, lesbian sex is illegal.