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1988 in LGBT Rights

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In 1988, there were 14 recorded legal changes made affecting LGBT people. In the previous year, there were 14 changes made and 7 in the following year. A total of 209 legal changes were made in the 1980s.

  • December 31
    Same-sex marriage becomes unrecognized.
    Homosexuality is currently illegal.
  • Homosexual activity becomes illegal (imprisonment as punishment).
    6 months to 3 years in prison and or fine under unnatural/indecent acts. Not enforced. Decriminalization pending.
  • LGBT housing discrimination becomes no protections.
    No
  • LGBT employment discrimination becomes no protections.
    No
  • Same-sex marriage becomes not legal.
    Homosexuality is illegal and same sex marriage is not recognized.
  • LGBT discrimination becomes no protections.
    As homosexual conduct is illegal, discrimination is permitted for these people. The government has also explicitly stated their disapproval of homosexual conducts.
  • Homosexual activity becomes illegal (imprisonment as punishment).
    Article 325 of the Guinea Penal Code states that homosexuality is illegal with punishment being 6 months to three years in prison and a fine of 100,000 to 1,000,000 Guinean francs. If the act was committed with a minor (under 21 years), the individual will face the maximum penalty.
  • October 5
    LGBT discrimination becomes illegal in some contexts.
    Missing housing discrimination protections since 2011.
  • LGBT discrimination becomes illegal in some contexts.
  • Homosexual activity becomes legal.
    October 5th 1988 is the date when our current constitution was approved, which condemns any kind of discrimination. Although, being gay it's not illegal in Brazil a long time ago.
  • August 4
    Same-sex marriage becomes unrecognized.
    Legalization of Gay unions and gay marriage pending. currently under debate in the Philippine supreme court.
  • Same-sex marriage becomes not legal.
    Legalization pending. Law makers say denying gay marriage is unconstitutional. Civil unions pending.
  • April 30
    Homosexual activity becomes illegal (imprisonment as punishment).
    Article 303 prohibits homosexual behaviours (punishable by 3 months in prison and/or financial fines)
  • March 4
    Equal age of consent becomes unequal.
    Section 14 of the Sexual Offences Act 23 of 1957, as inserted by the Immorality Amendment Act 2 of 1988, set the age of consent for gay and lesbian sex at 19, as opposed to 16 for straight sex. Gay male sex was in any case illegal for all ages.

LGBT Organizations Founded in 1988

  • COLAGE FaviconCOLAGE
    United States
    COLAGE unites people with lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and/or queer parents into a network of peers and supports them as they nurture and empower each other to be…
  • GLEN; Gay And Lesbian Equality Network FaviconGLEN; Gay And Lesbian Equality Network
    Ireland
    GLEN's vision for equality, as articulated in the Building Sustainable Change programme is that of full participation by lesbian, gay and bisexual people in all aspects of life…