1973 in LGBT Rights

In 1973, there were 5 recorded legal changes made affecting LGBT people. In the previous year, there were 19 changes made and 12 in the following year. A total of 162 legal changes were made in the 1970s.

  • 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 varies by region.
    Gender identity only.
  • LGBT employment discrimination becomes varies by region.
    Gender identity only.
  • Equal age of consent becomes n/a.
    Age of marrying for men is 18 and age of marrying for women is 16. No explicit age of consent for sexual activity is set. However, homosexuality is illegal.
  • January 29
    Homosexual activity becomes legal.
    In 1973, homosexuality was decriminalized in Malta by the Prime Minister, Dom Mintoff.