1970s in LGBT Rights

Number of LGBT-related laws changed over time
  • (date unknown)
    Gender-affirming care becomes legal, but restricted for minors.
    In 1980, Papua New Guinea adopted the ICD-9 classification, which included codes allowing for the diagnosis of transsexualism in adults.
  • Gender-affirming care becomes legal, but restricted for minors.
    In 1980, Jamaica adopted the ICD-9 classification, which included codes allowing for the diagnosis of transsexualism in adults.
  • Gender-affirming care becomes legal, but restricted for minors.
    In 1980, Spain adopted the ICD-9 classification, which included codes allowing for the diagnosis of transsexualism in adults.
  • Gender-affirming care becomes legal, but restricted for minors.
    In 1980, Haiti adopted the ICD-9 classification, which included codes allowing for the diagnosis of transsexualism in adults.
  • Gender-affirming care becomes legal, but restricted for minors.
    In 1980, Egypt adopted the ICD-9 classification, which included codes allowing for the diagnosis of transsexualism in adults.
  • Gender-affirming care becomes legal, but restricted for minors.
    In 1980, Dominican Republic adopted the ICD-9 classification, which included codes allowing for the diagnosis of transsexualism in adults.
  • Gender-affirming care becomes legal, but restricted for minors.
    In 1980, Chile adopted the ICD-9 classification, which included codes allowing for the diagnosis of transsexualism in adults.
  • Gender-affirming care becomes legal, but restricted for minors.
    In 1980, Bulgaria adopted the ICD-9 classification, which included codes allowing for the diagnosis of transsexualism in adults.
  • Gender-affirming care becomes legal, but restricted for minors.
    In 1980, Belize adopted the ICD-9 classification, which included codes allowing for the diagnosis of transsexualism in adults.
  • Gender-affirming care becomes legal, but restricted for minors.
    In 1980, Bahamas adopted the ICD-9 classification, which included codes allowing for the diagnosis of transsexualism in adults.
  • Gender-affirming care becomes legal, but restricted for minors.
    In 1980, Austria adopted the ICD-9 classification, which included codes allowing for the diagnosis of transsexualism in adults.
  • Homosexual activity becomes legal.
    Homosexual Activity is Legal in Trentino Alto Adige
  • January 1
    Equal age of consent becomes equal.
  • (date unknown)
    Homosexual activity becomes legal.
    Homosexual acts were legalized prior to the federal ruling which legalized homosexuality for all federal jurisdictions in 2003.
  • Blood donations by MSMs becomes banned (indefinite deferral).
    Prior to November 2011, a lifetime ban was in place for MSM
  • January 1
    Homosexual activity becomes legal.
  • Homosexual activity becomes legal.
    Legislative repeal, effective 1980.
  • (date unknown)
    Blood donations by MSMs becomes banned (indefinite deferral).
    Homosexual men in Turkey cannot donate blood. The Turkish Red Crescent considers homosexuality to be a risk factor for HIV/AIDS.
  • Blood donations by MSMs becomes banned (indefinite deferral).
    .
  • October 24
    LGBT housing discrimination becomes no protections.
    Homosexuality is illegal in Iran. No protections exist.
  • LGBT employment discrimination becomes no protections.
    Homosexuality is illegal in Iran, so no protections for Employment exist if you are an LGBT person.
  • LGBT discrimination becomes no protections.
    Formally, Iranian government believes every citizen to be heterosexual, stripping protection for LGBTQ+ community.
  • July 1
    Equal age of consent becomes equal.
    Age of consent is governed by RCW 9A.44 and is equal, regardless of gender or orientation.
  • February 11
    Same-sex marriage becomes banned.
    Definition of marriage used follows from the Islamic definition of a union between a man and women. The marriage is prohibited and same-sex sexual activity is punished as stated in the Penal code.
  • Homosexual activity becomes illegal (death penalty as punishment).
    The punishment for homosexuality is currently death for men. (Unless if there is sex between a mature person and a minor; in which can the mature person will be killed while minor will receive up to 74 lashes. Same case applies for 2 minors.) For women, the punishment is up to 100 lashes. Women with a certain number of repeat offenses can become subject to the death penalty as well.
  • January 1
    Serving openly in military becomes illegal.
    Homosexual activity is illegal in Oman, since 1979 homosexual people are not to do such.
  • Same-sex adoption becomes illegal.
    It is illegal to get married to the same sex, therefore there is no adoption for same-sex couples in Oman.
  • (date unknown)
    Gender-affirming care becomes legal, but restricted for minors.
    In 1979, Kosovo adopted the ICD-9 classification, which included codes allowing for the diagnosis of transsexualism in adults.
  • Gender-affirming care becomes legal, but restricted for minors.
    In 1979, Japan adopted the ICD-9 classification, which included codes allowing for the diagnosis of transsexualism in adults.
  • Gender-affirming care becomes legal, but restricted for minors.
    In 1979, Israel adopted the ICD-9 classification, which included codes allowing for the diagnosis of transsexualism in adults.
  • Gender-affirming care becomes legal, but restricted for minors.
    In 1979, Honduras adopted the ICD-9 classification, which included codes allowing for the diagnosis of transsexualism in adults.
  • Gender-affirming care becomes legal, but restricted for minors.
    In 1979, Netherlands adopted the ICD-9 classification, which included codes allowing for the diagnosis of transsexualism in adults.
  • January 1
    Gender-affirming care becomes legal, but restricted for minors.
    In 1979, Italy adopted the ICD-9 classification, which included codes allowing for the diagnosis of transsexualism in adults.
  • (date unknown)
    Gender-affirming care becomes legal, but restricted for minors.
    In 1980, Guatemala adopted the ICD-9 classification, which included codes allowing for the diagnosis of transsexualism in adults.
  • Gender-affirming care becomes legal, but restricted for minors.
    In 1979, Guyana adopted the ICD-9 classification, which included codes allowing for the diagnosis of transsexualism in adults.
  • Gender-affirming care becomes legal, but restricted for minors.
    In 1979, Greece adopted the ICD-9 classification, which included codes allowing for the diagnosis of transsexualism in adults.
  • Gender-affirming care becomes legal, but restricted for minors.
    In 1979, Ecuador adopted the ICD-9 classification, which included codes allowing for the diagnosis of transsexualism in adults.
  • Gender-affirming care becomes legal, but restricted for minors.
    In 1979, Dominica adopted the ICD-9 classification, which included codes allowing for the diagnosis of transsexualism in adults.
  • Gender-affirming care becomes legal, but restricted for minors.
    In 1997, Czechoslovakia adopted the ICD-9 classification, which included codes allowing for the diagnosis of transsexualism in adults.
  • Gender-affirming care becomes legal, but restricted for minors.
    In 1979, Montenegro adopted the ICD-9 classification, which included codes allowing for the diagnosis of transsexualism in adults.
  • Gender-affirming care becomes legal, but restricted for minors.
    In 1979, Croatia adopted the ICD-9 classification, which included codes allowing for the diagnosis of transsexualism in adults.
  • Gender-affirming care becomes legal, but restricted for minors.
    In 1979, Brazil adopted the ICD-9 classification, which included codes allowing for the diagnosis of transsexualism in adults.
  • Gender-affirming care becomes legal, but restricted for minors.
    In 1979, Bosnia and Herzegovina adopted the ICD-9 classification, which included codes allowing for the diagnosis of transsexualism in adults.
  • Gender-affirming care becomes legal, but restricted for minors.
    In 1979, Barbados adopted the ICD-9 classification, which included codes allowing for the diagnosis of transsexualism in adults.
  • Gender-affirming care becomes legal, but restricted for minors.
    In 1979, Belgium adopted the ICD-9 classification, which included codes allowing for the diagnosis of transsexualism in adults.
  • Gender-affirming care becomes legal, but restricted for minors.
    In 1979, Australia adopted the ICD-9 classification, which included codes allowing for the diagnosis of transsexualism in adults.
  • Gender-affirming care becomes legal, but restricted for minors.
    In 1979, Argentina adopted the ICD-9 classification, which included codes allowing for the diagnosis of transsexualism in adults.
  • January 1
    Equal age of consent becomes equal.
  • Blood donations by MSMs becomes legal.
    Donating blood a is legal with no deferral after sex.
  • Equal age of consent becomes equal.
    The Age of Consent is currently legal in Cuba.
  • LGBT housing discrimination becomes sexual orientation and gender identity.
    Under the Home Rule Act
  • (date unknown)
    Homosexual activity becomes legal.
    Private, non-commercial sexual relations between same-sex consenting adults 16 and over have been legal in Cuba since 1979. Prior to 1979, a provision in the Social Defense code labeled "homosexual practices" as a "social threat". This prior code did not technically criminalize homosexuality but left LGBT folks in a state of limbo as they were de-facto prosecuted and some even sent to labor camps in post-revolutionary Cuba.
  • Equal age of consent becomes n/a.
    Homosexual sex is illegal. Also, sexual activity outside of marriage is illegal.
  • Homosexual activity becomes legal.
    In 1979 Adolfo Suárez Government reversed the previous prohibitions on same sex activity. The 1970 Law on Danger and Social Rehabilitation remained active until 1995 but was unenforced after Spain adopted democracy.
  • September 30
    Right to change legal gender becomes legal, but requires surgery.
    Michigan Compiled Law 333.2831(c) allowed citizens to change the sex designation on birth certificates with an affidavit of a physician certifying that sex-reassignment surgery had been performed.
  • July 7
    LGBT housing discrimination becomes no protections.
    Homosexuality is illegal there.
  • LGBT discrimination becomes no protections.
    Homosexual activity is illegal in the Solomon Islands.
  • Equal age of consent becomes n/a.
    Homosexual activity is illegal in the Solomon Islands.
  • Same-sex marriage becomes banned.
    Homosexual activity is illegal in the Solomon Islands.
  • Homosexual activity becomes illegal (imprisonment as punishment).
    Anal sex between two consenting males will be sentenced to 14 years in prison. Attempted anal sex will reult in seven years in prison. Acts of "gross indecendy" will receive five years in prison. (decriminalization pending
  • April 3
    Homosexual activity becomes illegal (imprisonment as punishment).
    Sections 14.74 and 14.79 of Liberia's Penal Code (1978) define consensual same-sex sexual activity as "voluntary sodomy," categorizing it as a first-degree misdemeanor. This offense is punishable by a prison sentence of up to one year, a fine of up to L$1000, or both. The law is used to persecute lesbians and gay men.
  • April 1
    Right to change legal gender becomes legal, but requires surgery.
    Starting on April 1st, 1978, trans people were allowed to legally change their gender in Quebec if they fit the following criteria: -The person must be of age -a Canadian citizen -not married -have been residing in Quebec for at least a year -must have undergone medical and surgical treatment that would modify the sexual organs and general sex characteristics In 2005, the criteria requiring the person to not be married is removed.
  • January 1
    Legal recognition of non-binary gender becomes not legally recognized.
    There is no recognition of non-binary people in Catalunya.
  • Equal age of consent becomes equal.
  • (date unknown)
    Homosexual activity becomes legal.
    Homosexual acts were legalized prior to the federal ruling which legalized homosexuality for all federal jurisdictions in 2003.
  • January 1
    Equal age of consent becomes equal.
    Age of consent are 15 regardless of sexual orientation.
  • Homosexual activity becomes legal.
    Legislative repeal, effective 1978.
  • (date unknown)
    Equal age of consent becomes equal.
  • December 1
    LGBT discrimination becomes illegal.
    Sexual orientation is protected under the Quebec Charter of Human Rights since December 1977, making it the first province to protect it. Gender identity and expression is protected federally under Bill C-16.
  • November 4
    Serving openly in military becomes legal.
    As of 2009, the courts also ruled that transgender individuals are also permitted to serve in the military.
  • October 1
    Homosexual activity becomes male illegal, female legal.
    The Penal Code adopted on June 15, 1977 criminalised 'pederasty' under Article 137 with deprivation of liberty for up to ten years.
  • July 1
    Homosexual activity becomes male illegal, female legal.
    The Criminal Code of the Socialist Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina (as part of the SFRY) adopted in 1977 criminalized unnatural fornication between men. Article 93 (2): for unnatural fornication between persons of the male sex, the perpetrator shall be punished by imprisonment for up to one year.
  • Homosexual activity becomes male illegal, female legal.
    On June 28, 1977, the Socialist autonomous province of Kosovo (as part of SR Serbia in then SFRY) passed Criminal Law that criminalized consentual male homosexuality. "Unnatural fornication" between persons of the male sex was punishable by imprisonment for up to one year (Article 81 (3)). The same sentence remained after reintegration into the legal system of Serbia in 1989.
  • Homosexual activity becomes male illegal, female legal.
    The Criminal Code of the Socialist Republic of Macedonia (as part of the SFRY) adopted on June 16, 1977 criminalized unnatural fornication between men. Article 101, paragraph (2): for unnatural fornication between persons of the male sex, the perpetrator will be punished by imprisonment for up to one year.
  • Homosexual activity becomes varies by region.
    On June 28, 1977, the Socialist Republic of Serbia and its two socialist autonomous provinces—Vojvodina and Kosovo—passed separate Criminal Laws that treated the issue of male homosexuality differently. In (Central) Serbia (Article 110, Paragraph 3) and Kosovo (Article 81, Paragraph 3) "unnatural fornication" between persons of the male sex was punishable by imprisonment for up to one year. In Vojvodina (Article 75, paragraph 3 is missing) there was no criminalization of consensual sex between men.
  • Equal age of consent becomes equal.
    The age of consent in Slovenia has been the same for everyone since 1977. The age limit of 14 was raised to 15 in 1999.
  • Equal age of consent becomes equal.
    The age of consent of 14 has been the same for everyone since 1977.
  • Homosexual activity becomes legal.
    The Criminal Code of the Socialist Republic of Montenegro adopted on June 17, 1977 decriminalized consensual male homosexuality on the territory of Montenegro in the then SFRY.
  • Equal age of consent becomes unequal.
    The age of sexual consent was 18 years old for anal intercourse between men and 14 years for other sexual practices.
  • Homosexual activity becomes legal.
    Legislative repeal, effective 1977.
  • Homosexual activity becomes legal.
    The Criminal Code of the Socialist Republic of Croatia adopted on June 16, 1977 decriminalized consensual male homosexuality on the territory of Croatia in the then SFRY.
  • Homosexual activity becomes legal.
    The Criminal Code of the Socialist Republic of Slovenia adopted on May 26, 1977, decriminalized consensual male homosexuality on the territory of Slovenia in the then SFRY.
  • June 9
    Same-sex marriage becomes banned.
    They also do not recognize same-sex marriages performed outside of the state.
  • June 2
    Same-sex marriage becomes banned.
    Minnesota laws are changed to explicitly outlaw same-sex marriage through adding the words "between one man and a woman".
  • April 26
    LGBT housing discrimination becomes no protections.
  • LGBT employment discrimination becomes no protections.
  • LGBT discrimination becomes no protections.
    Homosexuality is illegal hence by default there are no discrimination protection extended to LGBTQ+ community.
  • (date unknown)
    Blood donations by MSMs becomes banned (indefinite deferral).
    Following Canadian Blood Services guidelines.
  • Blood donations by MSMs becomes banned (indefinite deferral).
    Following Canadian Blood Services guidelines.
  • Blood donations by MSMs becomes banned (indefinite deferral).
    Following Canadian Blood Services guidelines.
  • Gender-affirming care becomes restricted.
    In 1977, Montenegro legalized sterilization, which de facto meant legalizing sex reassignment surgery, however, medical records regarding transsexualism had to be obtained abroad.
  • Gender-affirming care becomes restricted.
    In 1977, Croatia legalized sterilization, which de facto meant legalizing sex reassignment surgery, however, medical records regarding transsexualism had to be obtained abroad.
  • Gender-affirming care becomes restricted.
    In 1977, Bosnia and Herzegovina legalized sterilization, which de facto meant legalizing sex reassignment surgery, however, medical records regarding transsexualism had to be obtained abroad.
  • Gender-affirming care becomes restricted.
    In 1991, Australia legalized sterilization, which de facto meant legalizing sex reassignment surgery, however, medical records regarding transsexualism had to be obtained abroad.
  • Homosexual activity becomes illegal (other penalty).
    In 1977 Sodomy was illegal in all 50 states, Arkansas had laws against sodomy. Sodomy was defined as homosexual acts, laws where repelled when the supreme court took on a case from 2002, Lawrence v. Texas. Supreme court ruled that all forms of punishment by sodomy was illegal, and homosexual acts are legal.
  • Blood donations by MSMs becomes banned (indefinite deferral).
    Following Canadian Blood Services guidelines.
  • Blood donations by MSMs becomes banned (indefinite deferral).
    Following Canadian Blood Services guidelines.
  • Equal age of consent becomes equal.
    Age of consent is equal
  • Homosexual activity becomes legal.
    As part of Yugoslavia
  • January 1
    Homosexual activity becomes legal.
    as part of Montenegro.
  • LGBT housing discrimination becomes ambiguous.
    Protection under the BC Human Rights Code.
  • (date unknown)
    LGBT housing discrimination becomes sexual orientation only.
    Canadian Human Rights Act (1977, cited 1985) Gender identity is not spelled out in the BC Human Rights Code. However, there are a set of strict guidelines of exempt cases for housing protections on the basis of sexual orientation.
  • Homosexual activity becomes male illegal, female legal.
    Sexual activity between two males is illegal in Kiribati, with up to 14 years in prison as punishment. Sexual activity between two females is legal.
  • Blood donations by MSMs becomes banned (indefinite deferral).
    Date shown is when US banned gay male blood donations.
  • Blood donations by MSMs becomes banned (indefinite deferral).
    MSMs were not eligible to donate blood.
  • Blood donations by MSMs becomes banned (indefinite deferral).
    Men who had sex with men, even just once, were banned indefinitely from donating blood in Canada from 1977 to 2013.
  • October 7
    Homosexual activity becomes illegal (death penalty as punishment).
    Article 427 states homosexuality will suffer long imprisonments (along with Adultery.) In addition, article 398 states that honour killing is encouraged.
  • July 19
    Same-sex marriage becomes banned.
    Same sex marriage is not legal.
  • July 1
    Homosexual activity becomes legal.
    WASHINGTON LAWS, 1975 1st ex.s. c 260 § 9A.92.010 Item 209 repealed Washington's Sodomy Laws: (a) Section 2. chapter 139, Laws of 1893 (b) Section 204, chapter 249, Laws of 1909 (c) Section 3, chapter 74, Laws of 1937 (d) RCW 9.79.100 Sodomy - Penalties. Item 226 repealed Washington's Vagrancy Laws: (a) Section 1, page 85, Laws of 1875, (b) Section 1271, Code of 1881 (c) Section 436, chapter 249, Laws of 1909 (d) Section 1, chapter 11, Laws of 1965 (e) Section 29, chapter 122 Laws of 1972 ex. sess. (f) RCW 9.87.010 Vagrancy. The U.S. Supreme Court further secured these protections when it ruled in LAWRENCE ET Al. v. TEXAS on June 26, 2003, that any law "making it a crime for two persons of the same sex to engage in certain intimate sexual conduct violates the Due Process Clause" of the Fourteenth Amendment.
  • June 11
    Homosexual activity becomes legal.
    In 1976, a vast revision of the state’s sexual assault laws repealed the law against sodomy.
  • Blood donations by MSMs becomes legal.
    * \"From\" date taken from earliest recorded specific legislation on the matter. MSM is not contemplated as a criterion for exclusion. Information regarding blood donation by MSM during the Franco dictatorship is unknown, but was probably outlawed along with the practice of homosexuality. No specific legal texts from that historical time period address the issue.
  • May 15
    Same-sex adoption becomes illegal.
    The Law on Adoption, adopted on May 7, 1976, for the first time introduces two categories of adoption: "incomplete adoption" and "full adoption". In the first case, adoptive parents could be both individuals and married partners. In the second case, adoptive parents are exclusively married partners.
  • May 1
    Homosexual activity becomes legal.
    Legislative repeal, effective 1976.
  • March 20
    Censorship of LGBT issues becomes imprisonment as punishment.
    Article 355 of Bahrain's Penal Code (1976) brings about a penalty of up to two years in prison and a fine is enforced on individuals who print, import, export, own, possess, carry, or exhibit publications, drawings, pictures, films, symbols, or similar items with the intention of exploiting, distributing, or displaying them if they are deemed to contravene public morals.
  • LGBT housing discrimination becomes no protections.
  • LGBT discrimination becomes no protections.
    None are in the criminal code.
  • LGBT employment discrimination becomes no protections.
  • Homosexual activity becomes legal.
    Bahrain may consider homosexuality as "immoral", although homosexual activity is not explicitly illegal. However there has been documented cases of arrests being made towards homosexual people on virtue of them being homosexuals
  • (date unknown)
    Gender-affirming care becomes restricted.
    In 1976, Philippines legalized sterilization, which de facto meant legalizing sex reassignment surgery, however, medical records regarding transsexualism had to be obtained abroad.
  • January 1
    Homosexual activity becomes legal.
    Legislative repeal, effective 1976.
  • (date unknown)
    Equal age of consent becomes equal.
    Age of consent is 15 regardless of sexual orientation; 18 for special cases between two individuals where one is in custody of the other, or who gives consent in the presence of the other's "abusing superior age or experience."
  • November 25
    LGBT discrimination becomes no protections.
    No protections.
  • November 15
    Homosexual activity becomes illegal (imprisonment as punishment).
    Upto 3 years
  • June 20
    Homosexual activity becomes legal.
    New Mexico repealed its laws banning homosexual activity in 1975; nearly 30 years before the Supreme Court's ruling in Lawrence v. Texas.
  • February 14
    Same-sex marriage becomes banned.
    The Cuban Constitution does not ban same sex marriage, but other statutory laws do prohibit it. Article 2 of the Family Code defines marriage as a union between a man and a woman - an amendment drafted in 2018 would have changed this but was rejected. Further consultation on changes to the Family Code are ongoing in 2022.
  • January 11
    Same-sex marriage becomes banned.
    The Marriage Law of 1975 states that marriage is defined as a contract between a man and a woman having equal rights and duties with the object of creating a family.
  • (date unknown)
    Gender-affirming care becomes restricted.
    In 1975, Iceland 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 legal.
    France allows transition care for adults and minors. Minors can access puberty blockers, hormone replacement therapy, and in some cases, mastectomies. Genital surgeries are however reserved for adults.
  • (date unknown)
    Gender-affirming care becomes restricted.
    In 1991, Belgium legalized sterilization, which de facto meant legalizing sex reassignment surgery, however, medical records regarding transsexualism had to be obtained abroad.
  • Right to change legal gender becomes legal, but requires surgery.
    In 1975, the first sex reassignment surgery in Czechoslovakia and the associated change of legal gender took place in the clinic in Brno.
  • Censorship of LGBT issues becomes state-enforced.
    AL HB385 (2021), signed by Governor Kay Ivey in April of 2021, amended Section 16-40A-2, Code of Alabama 1975 to strike an emphasis in the state's public sex education that "in a factual manner and from a public health perspective, homosexuality is not a lifestyle acceptable to the general public and that homosexual conduct is a criminal offense under the laws of the state." In 2003 the US Supreme Court under LAWRENCE V. TEXAS made unconstitutional state anti-sodomy laws. Regardless, teachers in Alabama still had to emphasize that homosexuality was illegal.
  • January 1
    Equal age of consent becomes equal.
  • (date unknown)
    Homosexual activity becomes ambiguous.
    Mozambique's penal code included a clause against against individuals "who habitually engage in vices against nature," however, there had been no known prosecutions under the clause.
  • January 1
    Right to change legal gender becomes legal, but requires surgery.
    A legal change of gender is obtained through the local registry office. This process includes obtaining a new birth certificate or a personal identification number (called a Birth Number) and has been possible since 1975.
  • (date unknown)
    Homosexual activity becomes legal.
  • January 1
    Equal age of consent becomes equal.
    The Age of consent in Kentucky is 16 years old.
  • November 1
    Homosexual activity becomes legal.
    Massachusetts legalised homosexual activity through a court ruling in 1974, although dormant sodomy laws still exist in its state laws.
  • Homosexual activity becomes ambiguous.
    Manus falls under Papua New Guinea, making homosexuality illegal under Section 212. But this has not been enforced since 2015.
  • June 15
    Serving openly in military becomes legal.
    No restrictions for lgbt serving.
  • Equal age of consent becomes equal.
  • Homosexual activity becomes legal.
    The penal code does not mention homosexuality explicitly and thus is assumed to be legal
  • April 15
    Homosexual activity becomes legal.
    People v. Gibson, Colorado Supreme Court (1974)
  • January 1
    Homosexual activity becomes illegal (imprisonment as punishment).
    Penal Code (1974) and Penal Code (2018) both criminalize homosexual sex between gay men and lesbians. The maximum punishment in both penal codes is 3 years imprisonment.
  • (date unknown)
    Gender-affirming care becomes restricted.
    In 1974, Fiji legalized sterilization, which de facto meant legalizing sex reassignment surgery, however, medical records regarding transsexualism had to be obtained abroad.
  • Gender-affirming care becomes restricted.
    In 1974, Austria 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.
    The Births, Deaths and Marriages Registration Act 51 of 1974 provided the legal foundation for—ostensibly white—South Africans who had “undergone a change of sex” to alter their “sex description” in the country’s birth register.
  • (date unknown)
    Same-sex adoption becomes legal.
    Alaskan State Statute provides any unmarried individual may petition for adoption; married individuals must petition together. Second parent adoption has been permitted by some lower court judges, but it is not confirmed by appellate court case law or state statute.
  • Serving openly in military becomes legal.
    The Netherlands is responsible for defence.
  • Serving openly in military becomes legal.
    The Netherlands is responsible for defence.
  • Serving openly in military becomes legal.
    The Netherlands is responsible for defence.
  • Serving openly in military becomes legal.
    The Netherlands became the first country to allow gay soldiers to serve in the military openly.
  • January 1
    Equal age of consent becomes unequal.
    The age of consent for males and females engaged in heterosexual activity is 19 and 16 in a marriage. For homosexual activity, the age of consent is 18.
  • (date unknown)
    Homosexual activity becomes illegal (imprisonment as punishment).
    Kentucky Revised Statutes were revised in 1974 to criminalize non-procreative sexual acts only between people of the same sex. A conviction could have led to up to 12 months in prison and a fine of up to $500.
  • December 21
    Same-sex marriage becomes unrecognized.
    Article 242 of the family law states explicitly that marriage is between a man and a woman who has cohabited for more than 3 years. The recent movement of "accidental passage" of same sex marriage has not taken effect or exercised.
  • April 12
    LGBT housing discrimination becomes gender identity only.
    Gender identity only.
  • LGBT employment discrimination becomes gender identity only.
    Gender identity only.
  • Equal age of consent becomes n/a.
    Age of consent is not applicable because homosexuality is illegal in Pakistan.
  • January 29
    Homosexual activity becomes legal.
    In 1973, homosexual acts were made legal by the government
  • (date unknown)
    Gender-affirming care becomes restricted.
    In 1973, Indonesia legalized sterilization, which de facto meant legalizing sex reassignment surgery, however, medical records regarding transsexualism had to be obtained abroad.
  • Gender-affirming care becomes restricted.
    In 1973, Chile legalized sterilization, which de facto meant legalizing sex reassignment surgery, however, medical records regarding transsexualism had to be obtained abroad.
  • January 1
    Serving openly in military becomes legal.
    Defended by Dutch.
  • Right to change legal gender becomes legal, no restrictions.
  • (date unknown)
    Homosexual activity becomes legal.
  • January 1
    Homosexual activity becomes legal.
    Legislative repeal, effective 1973.
  • Homosexual activity becomes legal.
    Legislative repeal, effective 1973.
  • (date unknown)
    Right to change legal gender becomes legal, but requires surgery.
    A court ruling in Indonesia in December 2009 stipulated that Indonesians who have undergone gender re-assignment surgery must be allowed to change their gender on identity documents.
  • December 2
    LGBT housing discrimination becomes no protections.
  • LGBT discrimination becomes no protections.
  • October 11
    Right to change legal gender becomes legal, but requires surgery.
    Since 2006, transgender individuals have been able change their legal gender and name after undergoing gender affirming surgery and potentially humilitating doctor's inspection as reported by some trans activists, according to Article 121 of The Civil Registry Law (Law No. 31). In 2016, a transgender woman was able, through court permission, to change her legal name according to her gender identity, without the need to undergo surgery.
  • July 1
    Right to change legal gender becomes legal, but requires surgery.
    Changes of gender were only legally recognised if the individual had undergone sterilisation.
  • June 17
    Homosexual activity becomes legal.
    Homosexuality is legal in Madagascar.
  • June 2
    LGBT housing discrimination becomes no protections.
    Homosexuality is illegal there.
  • LGBT employment discrimination becomes no protections.
    No protections because homosexuality is still illegal.
  • LGBT discrimination becomes no protections.
  • April 21
    Homosexual activity becomes legal.
    Norway fully repealed Section 213 of the Norwegian Penal Code, legalizing homosexual activity.
  • April 5
    Right to change legal gender becomes legal, but requires surgery.
    Under Soviet law, after the fall of the Soviet Union, the regulations were not changed.
  • Right to change legal gender becomes legal, but requires surgery.
    Under Soviet law, after the fall of the Soviet Union, the regulations were not changed.
  • Right to change legal gender becomes legal, but requires surgery.
    Under Soviet law, after the fall of the Soviet Union, the regulations were not changed.
  • Right to change legal gender becomes legal, but requires surgery.
    Under Soviet law, after the fall of the Soviet Union, the regulations were not changed.
  • Right to change legal gender becomes legal, but requires surgery.
    Under Soviet law, after the fall of the Soviet Union, the regulations were not changed.
  • Right to change legal gender becomes legal, but requires surgery.
    after the sex reassignment surgery that took place in September 17, 1970, a transgender man changed his legal gender and name. Six months after change legal gender, he became a husband.
  • Right to change legal gender becomes legal, but requires surgery.
    the Soviet 1972 law allowing legal sex change after undergoing sex reassignment surgery was never repealed
  • Right to change legal gender becomes legal, but requires surgery.
    after the sex reassignment surgery that took place in September 17, 1970, a transgender man changed his legal gender and name. Six months after change legal gender, he became a husband.
  • Right to change legal gender becomes legal, but requires surgery.
    the Soviet 1972 law allowing legal sex change after undergoing sex reassignment surgery was never repealed
  • Right to change legal gender becomes legal, but requires surgery.
    the Soviet 1972 law allowing legal sex change after undergoing sex reassignment surgery was never repealed
  • March 1
    Equal age of consent becomes equal.
    Nobody lives in Bouvet Island,however Norwegian law has equal consent (16) for both straight and homosexual couples.
  • Homosexual activity becomes legal.
    Nobody lives here, but still legal according to Norwegian Laws.
  • Homosexual activity becomes legal.
    Under Norway rules.
  • Equal age of consent becomes equal.
    Age of consent equal at 16 years of age.
  • Homosexual activity becomes legal.
    Under Norway rules.
  • (date unknown)
    Gender-affirming care becomes restricted.
    In 1972, Netherlands legalized sterilization, which de facto meant legalizing sex reassignment surgery, however, medical records regarding transsexualism had to be obtained abroad.
  • Gender-affirming care becomes restricted.
    In 1972, Dominican Republic legalized sterilization, which de facto meant legalizing sex reassignment surgery, however, medical records regarding transsexualism had to be obtained abroad.
  • December 2
    LGBT employment discrimination becomes no protections.
  • LGBT housing discrimination becomes no protections.
  • LGBT discrimination becomes no protections.
  • LGBT housing discrimination becomes no protections.
    The UAE constitution, which came into effect on December 2, 1971, does not reference any protections against housing discrimination on the basis of gender or sexuality.
  • LGBT employment discrimination becomes no protections.
    The UAE constitution, which came into effect on December 2, 1971, does not reference any protections against employment discrimination on the basis of gender or sexuality.
  • LGBT discrimination becomes no protections.
    The UAE constitution, which came into effect on December 2, 1971, does not reference any protections against discrimination on the basis of gender or sexuality.
  • October 1
    Homosexual activity becomes legal.
    Legislative repeal, effective 1971.
  • September 11
    LGBT housing discrimination becomes no protections.
    Since the founding of Egypt, there hasn't been any protection for LGBTQ+ community
  • LGBT employment discrimination becomes no protections.
    Since the founding of Egypt, there hasn't been any protections for LGBTQ+ community
  • LGBT discrimination becomes no protections.
  • August 16
    Homosexual activity becomes legal.
    In 1971, an amendment to the Penal Code decriminalised non-commercial same-sex sexual acts between adults, while at the same time introducing a new provision (Section 209), which set the age of consent for gay male sex at 18, 4 years higher than the lesbian and heterosexual age of consent, which was instead set at 14.
  • August 8
    Same-sex marriage becomes banned.
    Article 25 in Afghanistans Law on Marriage (1971) states: “The marriage certificate is a document of man and woman which proves the contract of marriage.”
  • February 12
    Same-sex marriage becomes banned.
    Article 9(1) in The Law of Marriage Act defines marriage as a voluntary union of a man and a woman.
  • (date unknown)
    Homosexual activity becomes legal.
    Åland has been part of Finland since the 20th century. In 1971, Finland decriminalised gay sex in 1971, although it was not until the 1980's that homosexuality was declassified as an illness.
  • Gender-affirming care becomes restricted.
    In 1971, Czechoslovakia legalized sterilization, which de facto meant legalizing sex reassignment surgery, however, medical records regarding transsexualism had to be obtained abroad.
  • Homosexual activity becomes legal.
    In all of Finland.
  • Homosexual activity becomes legal.
    In all of Finland.
  • Homosexual activity becomes legal.
    In all of Finland.
  • Homosexual activity becomes legal.
    In all of Finland.
  • Homosexual activity becomes legal.
    In all of Finland.
  • Homosexual activity becomes legal.
    In all of Finland.
  • Homosexual activity becomes legal.
    In all of Finland.
  • Homosexual activity becomes legal.
    In all of Finland.
  • Homosexual activity becomes legal.
    In all of Finland.
  • Homosexual activity becomes legal.
    In all of Finland.
  • Homosexual activity becomes legal.
    In all of Finland.
  • Homosexual activity becomes legal.
    In all of Finland.
  • Homosexual activity becomes legal.
    In all of Finland.
  • Homosexual activity becomes legal.
    In all of Finland.
  • Homosexual activity becomes legal.
    In all of Finland.
  • Homosexual activity becomes legal.
    In all of Finland.
  • Homosexual activity becomes legal.
    In all of Finland.
  • Homosexual activity becomes legal.
    In all of Finland.
  • Homosexual activity becomes legal.
    In all of Finland.
  • January 1
    Equal age of consent becomes equal.
  • Equal age of consent becomes equal.
  • Equal age of consent becomes equal.
  • Homosexual activity becomes legal.
    Homosexuality as an act is legal in Costa Rica since 1971 penal code, in 2002 "sodomía escandalosa" an unclear minor crime was derogated. Also in 2013 some debris from these laws was finally absolutely erased.
  • (date unknown)
    Homosexual activity becomes legal.
    Finland decriminalised gay sex in 1971, although it was not until the 1980s that homosexuality was declassified as an illness.
  • January 1
    Serving openly in military becomes ambiguous.
    Between these time frames, the military often sent homosexual soldiers to psychiatric hospitals for shock therapy and, in some cases, sexual reassignment surgeries. Between 1967 and 1991, all white males over the age of 16 were conscripted in South Africa
  • (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.