1990s in LGBT Rights

Number of LGBT-related laws changed over time
  • (date unknown)
    Right to change legal gender becomes legal, but requires surgery.
    In Queensland gender change requires an application confirming surgery or proof of reassignment surgery.
  • January 1
    LGBT housing discrimination becomes sexual orientation and gender identity.
    Under the new anti discrimination protection laws passed 1989-2000.
  • LGBT housing discrimination becomes ambiguous.
    in three cities and one county.
  • LGBT employment discrimination becomes ambiguous.
    City discrimination protection in a few cities. in one county.
  • Serving openly in military becomes legal.
    Defended by UK.
  • (date unknown)
    Right to change legal gender becomes legal, surgery not required.
    While Western Australia does not require gender reassignment surgery before legally changing an individual's gender, a form of reassignment procedure is required. Courts have interpreted hormones as being enough to qualify.
  • January 1
    Equal age of consent becomes equal.
  • (date unknown)
    LGBT discrimination becomes illegal in some contexts.
    Protection from discrimination based on sexual orientation was probited by the General Law on Youth (Law 49/2000) and Article 11 of the Code of Criminal Procedure. In 2011 Law 135/2011 on HIV/AIDS prohibited discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity.
  • January 1
    Serving openly in military becomes n/a.
    UK defends them
  • Serving openly in military becomes legal.
  • LGBT housing discrimination becomes sexual orientation only.
    Ireland's Employment Equality Act, 1998, and the Equal Status Act, 2000 outlawed discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation.
  • (date unknown)
    Same-sex adoption becomes illegal.
    Miss. Code § 93-17-3(5) restricts adoptions making it illegal for a same-sex couple to adopt a child. Additionally, statute permits sexual orientation to be utilized as an adverse consideration in custody disputes.
  • Same-sex adoption becomes illegal.
    Utah Code Ann. § 78B-6-117(3): Adoption may not be permitted to individuals who are not entered into a legal marriage in a cohabitation situation. This applies to foster parenting as well (§ 62A-4a-602). Second parent adoption is outlawed as well for same-sex couples.(§ 62A-4a-60)
  • January 1
    LGBT housing discrimination becomes no protections.
    This state does not provide any legal protections from discrimination based upon sexual orientation or gender identification. However, the Human Rights Campaign states, "The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) requires grantees and participants of HUD programs to comply with local and state non-discrimination laws that include sexual orientation and gender identity. HUD also prohibits inquiries regarding the sexual orientation or gender identity of a prospective tenant or applicant for assisted housing in every state (March 2012)."
  • Serving openly in military becomes legal.
  • Blood donations by MSMs becomes legal.
    MSM can donate acording to law, but still exists discrimination in health system against them
  • Serving openly in military becomes legal.
  • (date unknown)
    LGBT discrimination becomes illegal.
    In 2000, the Romanian Parliament enacted a law that explicitly outlawed discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation
  • Serving openly in military becomes legal.
    Article 3(1) of the Basic Law of the Federal Republic of Germany and Article 14 of the European Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms protect against unequal treatment on grounds of sexual orientation.
  • Homosexual activity becomes ambiguous.
    While homosexuality itself is not technically illegal in Egypt, Equaldex characterizes it as illegal in practice. Courts have convicted people for homosexual acts using "breaching laws on public decency" and "debauchery" and "abnormal sexual relations."
  • January 1
    Serving openly in military becomes legal.
    Military protection is responsibility of the United Kingdom, hence their law applies.
  • LGBT discrimination becomes illegal in some contexts.
  • Same-sex marriage becomes other type of partnership.
    Statutory Cohabitation grants specific rights to cohabiting persons. Although not specifically intended for LGBT couples it was open for same sex couples.
  • (date unknown)
    Same-sex adoption becomes legal.
  • December 30
    Same-sex marriage becomes unrecognized, same-sex marriage and civil unions banned.
    Article 77 of the constitution states that marriage is a union between a man and a woman. It also limits de facto unions to opposite-sex couples only. Article 77 of the Constitution reads as follows: «Marriage between a man a woman, which is based on free consent and absolute equality of rights and obligations of the spouses, is protected. A stable de facto union between a man and a woman which meets the requirements established by law shall have the same effects as marriage.»
  • December 28
    LGBT housing discrimination becomes no protections.
  • Same-sex adoption becomes illegal.
    According to a study by the Council of Europe or the Office of the Commissioner for Human Rights, same-sex couples cannot adopt since Article 120 of the Family Code (1999) states that joint adoption is only allowed for married couples. The report suggests that in principle, there aren't any legal restrictions around adopting as an individual — gay or straight — however, all individuals are usually denied the right to adopt.
  • December 21
    Equal age of consent becomes equal.
    The age of consent is 16 years old. However, this is due to the LGBT population not being officially mentioned or recognized in the law
  • October 29
    Equal age of consent becomes equal.
    Age of consent for Anal or Vaginal sex is 14 years old.
  • July 14
    Serving openly in military becomes legal.
  • May 29
    LGBT housing discrimination becomes no protections.
    Homosexuality is still illegal there.
  • LGBT employment discrimination becomes no protections.
  • LGBT discrimination becomes no protections.
    Although the discrimination protection clause protect citizens against all forms of discrimination, there are also provisions within the protection against discrimination that encourages "the evolution and promotion of family life" with a family having a "traditional" family connotation.
  • May 19
    Same-sex adoption becomes legal.
    M v. H (Canada) rules that Constitution protects same-sex couples.
  • May 7
    Right to change legal gender becomes legal, surgery not required.
    Just got rid of the requirement for surgery. Missing non binary options on documents.
  • Right to change legal gender becomes legal, but requires surgery.
    The main legislation on gender change is the “General Requirements on Medical Procedures for the Change of Gender” issued by the Minister for Social Affairs (Soovahetuse arstlike toimingute ühtsed nõuded, of 07.05.1999, no 32). This sets out the conditions for changing a person’s legal gender and allowing medical treatment for gender reassignment. It requires: • An application to the Ministry for Social Affairs; • The decision is made by a medical expert committee appointed by the Minister of Social Affairs; • Certification of transsexual identity during at least two years prior to the application; • A psychiatrist’s decision that excludes the possibility that the wish to undergo gender/sex change is caused by psychiatric disorder; • Compatibility of chromosomatic and gonad gender/sex certified by genetic research; • At least two years of treatment must pass from the beginning of medical treatment. At least one year must pass from the positive response from the Minister for Social Affairs to have the right to surgically change gender. If the Person decides otherwise during that year they are not obliged to go ahead with the change of gender.
  • April 18
    LGBT housing discrimination becomes sexual orientation and gender identity.
  • LGBT employment discrimination becomes sexual orientation and gender identity.
    Article 8 of the Constitution
  • January 19
    Homosexual activity becomes legal.
    Settlement of Williams v. Glendening, Baltimore Circuit Court.
  • (date unknown)
    Conversion therapy becomes banned.
    Under federal regulation.
  • Conversion therapy becomes banned.
    Under federal regulation.
  • Conversion therapy becomes banned.
    Under federal regulation.
  • Conversion therapy becomes banned.
    Under federal regulation.
  • January 1
    Conversion therapy becomes banned.
    Nationwide since 1999.
  • Conversion therapy becomes banned.
    Nationwide since 1999.
  • Same-sex marriage becomes unrecognized.
    No laws in the legal system.
  • (date unknown)
    Serving openly in military becomes legal.
  • January 1
    Equal age of consent becomes equal.
    The age of consent of 16 years is equal for everyone.
  • LGBT employment discrimination becomes sexual orientation and gender identity.
    Employment discimination due to sexual orientation (1999), change of legal gender (1996), crossgender identity and expression (2009) are illegal.
  • January
    LGBT employment discrimination becomes sexual orientation only.
    Ireland's Employment Equality Act, 1998, and the Equal Status Act, 2000 outlawed discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation.
  • (date unknown)
    Conversion therapy becomes banned.
    Banned by Brazil's Federal Psychology Council: "psychologists shall not collaborate in events or services offering treatment and cure for homosexuality."
  • December 24
    Blood donations by MSMs becomes banned (indefinite deferral).
    One of the many countries that doesn't allow lgbt people to donate. Changes pending.
  • Blood donations by MSMs becomes banned (indefinite deferral).
  • December 23
    Homosexual activity becomes legal.
    Homosexual activity is legal in Chile.
  • November 24
    LGBT employment discrimination becomes sexual orientation and gender identity.
  • LGBT employment discrimination becomes sexual orientation only.
    Sexual orientation only
  • November 23
    Homosexual activity becomes legal.
    Powell v. The State, Supreme Court of Georgia (1998).
  • October 9
    Homosexual activity becomes legal.
    While it remained illegal until the court gave its ruling on 9 October 1998, the 1998 ruling was ordered to be retroactively applied to 27 April 1994.
  • September 26
    Blood donations by MSMs becomes banned (indefinite deferral).
  • September 1
    Equal age of consent becomes equal.
  • Homosexual activity becomes legal.
  • August 20
    Equal age of consent becomes equal.
    In 1998, Malta's age of consent became equalized at 18.
  • July 1
    Homosexual activity becomes illegal (up to life in prison as punishment).
    Mandatory minimum of 20 years imprisonment for any attempt to commit acts "against the order of nature."
  • June 5
    LGBT housing discrimination becomes sexual orientation and gender identity.
    Under article 11.2
  • LGBT discrimination becomes illegal.
    In the 1998 constitution, article 23.3 extended discrimination protection to sexual orientations. In its 2008 constitution included gender identity in its protection in article 11.2
  • May 21
    Equal age of consent becomes unequal.
    Age of consent for homosexual couples set at 18 versus 16 for heterosexual couples.
  • Homosexual activity becomes legal.
    Homosexuality legalised following the European Court of Human Rights case of Modinos v. Cyprus.
  • May 20
    LGBT discrimination becomes illegal in some contexts.
    General law on HIV/AIDS protects LGBT people from discrimination in some contexts.
  • May 8
    Serving openly in military becomes legal.
    President of Bahamas made an announcement in 1998, explicitly supporting LGBTQ+ individuals to serve in the military
  • April 22
    Homosexual activity becomes illegal (imprisonment as punishment).
    Imprisonment of up to 5 years for "gross indecency" (Decriminalization pending)
  • April 2
    LGBT employment discrimination becomes sexual orientation only.
    Sexual orientation was not included in the Alberta Human Rights act until 2009 but was "read in" by the Alberta Human Rights Commission since 1998.
  • LGBT discrimination becomes illegal in some contexts.
    Sexual orientation had been read-in as a protected ground in spite of no explicit mention in the law during this span. Reading-in of transgender under "gender" is a more recent development.
  • January 2
    LGBT discrimination becomes illegal in some contexts.
  • (date unknown)
    Equal age of consent becomes equal.
    The age of consent started being equal when homosexuality was legalized
  • Homosexual activity becomes legal.
    Homosexuality in Zhambyl Oblysy is legal since it was legalized countrywide in 1998
  • January 1
    Same-sex adoption becomes legal.
    Under state and federal law. Under a ruling by the supreme court.
  • LGBT housing discrimination becomes sexual orientation and gender identity.
  • Equal age of consent becomes equal.
  • Homosexual activity becomes legal.
    nationwide since 1998.
  • Equal age of consent becomes equal.
    Got equalized when it was legalized.
  • Homosexual activity becomes legal.
  • Homosexual activity becomes legal.
  • Homosexual activity becomes legal.
  • Homosexual activity becomes legal.
  • Homosexual activity becomes legal.
  • Equal age of consent becomes equal.
  • Homosexual activity becomes legal.
  • Equal age of consent becomes equal.
  • Homosexual activity becomes legal.
    legalized when they also equalized age of consent.
  • Equal age of consent becomes equal.
  • LGBT employment discrimination becomes sexual orientation and gender identity.
    Under the Costa Rican Criminal Code.
  • Equal age of consent becomes equal.
  • Same-sex adoption becomes legal.
    Under Federal Bill and provincial Bill. The provincial bill is Adoption Act 1998
  • (date unknown)
    Same-sex adoption becomes single only.
    Single LGBT individuals may adopt children, but same-sex couples may not adopt jointly or by way of second parent adoption.
  • January 1
    Serving openly in military becomes illegal.
    Homosexuality is currently illegal in Tanzania
  • LGBT housing discrimination becomes sexual orientation and gender identity.
    Discrimination is illegal for both sexual orientation and gender identity
  • LGBT employment discrimination becomes sexual orientation and gender identity.
    Discrimination is illegal for both sexual orientation and gender identity
  • (date unknown)
    LGBT housing discrimination becomes sexual orientation only.
    This state explicitly bans housing discrimination based upon sexual orientation only. Additionally, the Human Rights Campaign states, "The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) requires grantees and participants of HUD programs to comply with local and state non-discrimination laws that include sexual orientation and gender identity. HUD also prohibits inquiries regarding the sexual orientation or gender identity of a prospective tenant or applicant for assisted housing in every state (March 2012)."
  • LGBT employment discrimination becomes sexual orientation only.
    State law provides protections from discrimination based on sexual orientation only. Additionally, public state employees are granted some benefits solely based upon marriage, same-sex partners are eligible to receive these benefits.
  • Same-sex marriage becomes not legal.
    Since homosexual activity is illegal in Tonga, same-sex marriage is not legal.
  • January 1
    LGBT discrimination becomes illegal.
    There are several provision that bans discrimination against the basis of sexual orientations and gender identities. A court ruling has also stated that the general anti-discrimination law in the constitution extends its coverage to sexual orientation and gender identities as well.
  • (date unknown)
    Blood donations by MSMs becomes banned (indefinite deferral).
    In 1998, China banned homosexual men and women from donating blood out of fear of spreading HIV.
  • Homosexual activity becomes male illegal, female legal.
    up to 2 years imprisonment
  • November 27
    Equal age of consent becomes equal.
    The age of consent in Ecuador is 14, regardless of gender or sexual orientation. (Penal Code, Art 512)
  • Homosexual activity becomes legal.
    Article 516 of the code which criminalizes homosexual activity (from 4-8 years imprisonment) was repealed in 1997.
  • November 26
    Homosexual activity becomes legal.
    The penal code of 1997 is amended from the past penal code in which homosexuality if also legal
  • November 15
    Right to change legal gender becomes legal, but requires surgery.
    Transgender people are able to change their gender on identification documents after being issued a document from a health institution confirming the surgical requirements.
  • October 1
    Homosexual activity becomes legal.
  • July 16
    Equal age of consent becomes equal.
    The law sets the age of consent as 16 for all sexual activities ("sodomy and "lesbianism" included explicitly.)
  • Homosexual activity becomes legal.
  • June 17
    Homosexual activity becomes legal.
    Homosexuality is legal in Cuba since the 17th of June, 1997.
  • June 5
    Homosexual activity becomes legal.
    Even though homosexuality was not directly illegal, a law regarding Vagrants and Thugs could have indirectly punished LGBT community. This act was repealed in 1997.
  • May 1
    Homosexual activity becomes legal.
    In 1997 the High Court of Australia ruled that Tasmania's anti-gay laws were inconsistent with federal law, and Tasmania (the final jurisdiction with contrary laws) was forced to decriminalise homosexuality.
  • Homosexual activity becomes legal.
    Tasmania decriminalizes homosexual activity, making homosexual activity legal in all Australian states.
  • Homosexual activity becomes legal.
    Follows from Australian law due to being a territory of Australia without any population
  • April 17
    Same-sex marriage becomes not legal.
    The family code was amended to prohibit same sex marriage.
  • April 1
    LGBT housing discrimination becomes sexual orientation and gender identity.
    According to ILGA.
  • LGBT discrimination becomes illegal in some contexts.
    The only part of legal system that protects individuals from LGBT-based discrimination is in the law of children and youth, protecting them from sexual orientation based discrimination (gender identity is not mentioned explicitly)
  • February 4
    LGBT housing discrimination becomes sexual orientation and gender identity.
    Discrimination (including by private parties) prohibited by sec. 9 of the Constitution of 1996. Discrimination in rental housing specifically prohibited by sec. 4 of the Rental Housing Act 50 of 1999. Discrimination in all areas (including housing) prohibited by sec. 6 of the Promotion of Equality and Prevention of Unfair Discrimination Act 4 of 2000. Gender identity is not specifically mentioned but is included by case law.
  • (date unknown)
    LGBT discrimination becomes illegal.
    Second country to ban LGBT discrimination in its constitution. The Constitution was abolished following a coup.
  • Equal age of consent becomes equal.
  • January 1
    Equal age of consent becomes equal.
    The age of consent in Russia is 16 for both same-sex couples and opposite-sex couples.
  • November 26
    Same-sex marriage becomes foreign same-sex marriages recognized only.
    Foreign Same sex marriages recognized under EU law.
  • Same-sex marriage becomes not legal.
    Article 32 of the constitution defines marriage to be between a man and a woman.
  • November 6
    LGBT housing discrimination becomes no protections.
  • LGBT employment discrimination becomes ambiguous.
    Some protection under gender based discrimination under Article 17 of Basic Law. According to the World Report 2018.
  • LGBT discrimination becomes no protections.
    Homosexuality is illegal and as such not covered as a ground to have protection against discrimination.
  • October 16
    Same-sex marriage becomes not legal.
    State Statute defining marriage as between one man and one woman
  • August 29
    Same-sex marriage becomes unrecognized, only same-sex marriage official.
    There is a ban on same sex marriage
  • August 24
    Same-sex marriage becomes not legal.
    Mississippi governor ordered an executive order to ban same sex marriage
  • June 28
    LGBT discrimination becomes no protections.
    No protections afforded
  • June 1
    LGBT employment discrimination becomes sexual orientation only.
    Federal human rights law applies directly to only federal government employment and employers which fall under federal jurisdiction. Gender identity is only implicitly protected under interpretation of the law by the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal. Attempts have been made to have gender identity and gender expression added as protected classes to both the Canadian Human Rights Act and Criminal Code, though none of these attempts so far has been successful. Provincial human rights acts are separate, but Supreme Court precedent exists for requiring provinces to protect the same classes as the Canadian Human Rights Act. At this time all provinces protect against employment discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation. Of the provinces only Ontario has explicit protection on the basis of both gender identity and gender expression in its human rights code, though several provide implicit protections on the basis of gender identity or "transsexualism" under the category of "sex" or "gender".
  • May 15
    Same-sex marriage becomes unrecognized.
    Tennessee Act of 1996 define marriage as a union between one man and one woman.
  • May 8
    Same-sex marriage becomes unrecognized.
    Country just got rid of the constitutional ban on gay marriage.
  • Same-sex marriage becomes not legal.
    Several provisions within the constitution, the family law and the civil code points to the definition of a marriage as being a union between a man and a woman.
  • LGBT discrimination becomes illegal.
  • Serving openly in military becomes legal.
  • April 26
    Same-sex marriage becomes civil unions.
    Recognized Denmark's registered partnership law on this date.
  • April 24
    Same-sex adoption becomes legal.
    Since 2014.
  • Same-sex adoption becomes illegal.
    In Andorra, same-sex couples are not allowed to adopt because the adoption law only recognises this possibility for heterosexual couples.
  • March 1
    Homosexual activity becomes legal.
  • January 24
    Right to change legal gender becomes legal, but requires surgery.
    Requires surgery to changes documents. Missing non binary options on documents.
  • Right to change legal gender becomes legal, but requires surgery.
    Gender reassignment surgeries are legal in Singapore, and in 1973 the government allowed patients to change their identity cards. This change implicitly recognized marriages that included an individual that had undergone surgery. However, later in 1990, such marriages were deemed illegal after a marriage between a woman and a transgender man (Lim Ying v Hiok Kian Ming Eric) was declared void by the High Court. In 1996, MP Abdullah Tarmugi made an announcement that individuals who have undergone surgery could marry someone of the opposite sex.
  • (date unknown)
    Same-sex marriage becomes unregistered cohabitation.
    Unregistered cohabitation confers limited rights to unmarried couples.
  • January 1
    LGBT employment discrimination becomes sexual orientation and gender identity.
    Employment Discrimination illegal.
  • LGBT housing discrimination becomes sexual orientation and gender identity.
    Under Icelandic Law.
  • Equal age of consent becomes equal.
    No laws have ever existed.
  • Equal age of consent becomes equal.
  • Same-sex adoption becomes single only.
    joint and step pending. Legalization pending. Currently being implemented in foster care.
  • LGBT employment discrimination becomes sexual orientation and gender identity.
    Under Icelandic Criminal Code.
  • (date unknown)
    Right to change legal gender becomes legal, but requires surgery.
    Since 1996, it has been possible for someone who has gone through sex reassignment surgery to legally change their sex in their official documents.
  • Right to change legal gender becomes ambiguous.
    Legislation about the procedures necessary for name changes refers to the obligation to get a final court decision before changing one’s sex. However, law and procedure are unclear beyond this and consequently people seeking to change their sex undergo a long and painful process.
  • Equal age of consent becomes equal.
  • LGBT discrimination becomes illegal.
    Outlined in BC Human Rights Code
  • LGBT employment discrimination becomes sexual orientation and gender identity.
    prohibition can be found in the Constitution (since 1994) and also in the Labour Relations Act of 1995, in force 11 November 1996 (http://www.info.gov.za/view/DownloadFileAction?id=70985); in the Employment Equity Act of 1998 (www. info.gov.za/view/DownloadFileAction?id=70714; and in the Promotion of Equality and Prevention of Unfair Discrimination Act of 2000 (www.info.gov.za/view/DownloadFileAction?id=68207)
  • January 1
    LGBT discrimination becomes illegal.
    There is protection against discrimination at court in the criminal code.
  • (date unknown)
    Blood donations by MSMs becomes banned (1-year deferral).
    The Red Cross controls blood donations in Australia and it has a ban on MSMs active in the last year
  • December 29
    Same-sex adoption becomes single only.
    Adoption is being regulated by the Civil Procedure Code of Russia (Chapter 29); Family Code of Russia (Chapter 19); Federal Law On Acts of Civil Status (Chapter V). None of these documents contain any direct restriction or ban for homosexual people to ado
  • Same-sex marriage becomes not legal.
    The federal laws of Russia do not allow for same sex unions of any kind, and the Russian constitution defines marriage as being between a man and a woman.
  • November 23
    LGBT housing discrimination becomes sexual orientation and gender identity.
  • LGBT employment discrimination becomes sexual orientation only.
    Ley Orgánica núm. 10/1995, de 23 de noviembre, del Código Penal.
  • LGBT discrimination becomes illegal.
    Art. 22.4 criminal code. In the current penal code is considered an aggravating.
  • Equal age of consent becomes equal.
    Actually the criminal code in Spain is under review in order to increase the age of consent.
  • November 14
    Homosexual activity becomes legal.
    There are no law specifically preventing homosexual
  • July 5
    LGBT discrimination becomes no protections.
    The constitution does not prohibit discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation or gender identity
  • May 29
    Same-sex marriage becomes foreign same-sex marriages recognized only.
    Required by 2018 ruling by IACHR Ruling. Gay Unions pending.
  • Same-sex marriage becomes unrecognized.
    Article 78 of the civil code defines marriage to be a union between a man and a woman
  • May 25
    Same-sex adoption becomes legal.
    There are no laws in Canada against same-sex couples adoption children.
  • Same-sex adoption becomes legal.
    Homosexual Couples can legally adopt children
  • January 27
    Homosexual activity becomes legal.
  • January 1
    Same-sex adoption becomes single only.
    Single people are allowed to adopt. No laws in place for same sex couples.
  • Equal age of consent becomes unequal.
    since 1995.
  • (date unknown)
    Same-sex adoption becomes legal.
    Single and joint adoption are permitted per N.J. Stat. §9:3-43. Second-parent adoption is permitted via case law in H.N.R, 666 A.2d 535 (N.J.Super, 1995)
  • Same-sex adoption becomes illegal.
    The 1995 Administrative Memorandum of the Nebraska Division of Children and Family Services introduced a ban on fostering and adoption by individuals identifying as "homosexual" as well as unmarried individuals.
  • Homosexual activity becomes legal.
  • Homosexual activity becomes illegal (up to life in prison as punishment).
    Sexual Offences Act of 1995 (Act No. 9) Buggery Article 12. “(1) A person who commits buggery is guilty of an offence and is liable on conviction to imprisonment - (a) for life, if committed by an adult on a minor; (b) for  fteen years, if committed by an adult on another adult; (c) for  ve years, if committed by a minor. (2) In this section “buggery” means sexual intercourse per anum by a male person with a male person or by a male person with a female person.” Serious indecency Article 15. “(1) A person who commits an act of serious indecency on or towards another is guilty of an offence and is liable on conviction to imprisonment - (a) for ten years, if committed on or towards a minor under sixteen years of age; (b) for  ve years, if committed on or towards a person sixteen years of age or more, (2) Subsection (1) does not apply to an act of serious indecency committed in private between - (a) a husband and his wife; or (b) a male person and a female person each of whom is sixteen years of age or more; (3) An act of “serious indecency” is an act, other than sexual intercourse (whether natural or unnatural), by a person involving the use of genital organ for the purpose of arousing or gratifying sexual desire.”
  • January 1
    LGBT discrimination becomes illegal.
    The penal code article 141 strictly prohibits discriminations based on sexual orientations
  • Same-sex marriage becomes civil unions.
  • December 1
    LGBT discrimination becomes no protections.
    None exist.
  • LGBT housing discrimination becomes no protections.
  • Homosexual activity becomes legal.
    all across Australia.
  • LGBT employment discrimination becomes no protections.
    Do to homophobia in the country. Only protections for gender identity and expression.
  • LGBT discrimination becomes no protections.
    No protection provision exist within neither the Penal code nor the Constitution
  • September 29
    LGBT discrimination becomes no protections.
    Discrimination is legal in Yemen
  • September 22
    LGBT housing discrimination becomes no protections.
  • LGBT employment discrimination becomes no protections.
    Homosexuality is illegal there.
  • Same-sex marriage becomes not legal.
    As homosexuality is illegal, same sex union is also illegal by default.
  • Homosexual activity becomes male illegal, female legal.
    Article 120 states male homosexuality is punishable by 3 years in prison. No such rules were known for female homosexuality.The Uzbekistan's court has claimed that Female homosexuality , along with sex between men that aren't anal sex as Legal.
  • July 14
    Homosexual activity becomes legal.
  • June 11
    Homosexual activity becomes legal.
    Germany fully repealed section 175 of the German Criminal Code and legalized homosexual activity in 1994.
  • May 13
    Homosexual activity becomes legal.
    In early 1994, Dr John Stubbs introduced a Private Members Bill with the aim of decriminalising consensual same-sex acts. On 13 May 1994, the Parliament of Barbuda approved “The Stubbs Bill” by a vote of 22 to 17.
  • April 27
    Equal age of consent becomes ambiguous.
    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. However, in the case of Geldenhuys v National Director of Public Prosecutions and Others the Constitutional Court found this discrimination to be unconstitutional, and set 16 as the uniform age of consent retroactively to 27 April 1994.
  • March 31
    Homosexual activity becomes varies by region.
    Homosexual activity was federally decriminalized by the Human Rights (Sexual Conduct) Act 1994, although some local state laws remained inconsitent until 1997.
  • March 1
    Equal age of consent becomes equal.
    The age of consent in Belarus is 16 years, as stated in Articles 168 and 169, which read: "Sexual intercourse, sodomy, lesbian intercourse or other sexual acts committed by adults who have reached eighteen years of age, with a person who is obviously not reached sixteen years of age, with no signs of crimes envisaged by Articles 166 and 167 of this Code, shall be punished by restriction of liberty from two to four years, or imprisonment for a term of two to five years. "and" indecent assault, committed by a person under eighteen years of age, in relation to a person who obviously has not attained the age of sixteen, in the absence of evidence of the crimes stipulated in Articles 166, 167 and 168 of this Code, shall be punished by imprisonment for up to six months or imprisonment for a term of one to three years "
  • Homosexual activity becomes legal.
    Only form of homosexuality that is illegal is non-consensual homosexual intercourse
  • February 1
    LGBT housing discrimination becomes sexual orientation only.
    The Human Rights Act 1993 prohibits discrimination in relation to employment and religious grounds, affirmed by section 19 of the NZ Bill of Rights Act 1990, which apply everywhere. However, protections only apply to those of heterosexual, homosexual, lesbian, or bisexual orientations, and currently gender identity is ambiguously regarded as being protected under the ground of sex. That has not been tested yet, and is prone to being interpreted otherwise.
  • LGBT employment discrimination becomes sexual orientation only.
    The Human Rights Act 1993 prohibits discrimination in relation to employment and religious grounds, affirmed by section 19 of the NZ Bill of Rights Act 1990, which apply everywhere. However, protections only apply to those of heterosexual, homosexual, lesbian, or bisexual orientations, and currently gender identity is ambiguously regarded as being protected under the ground of sex. That has not been tested yet, and is prone to being interpreted otherwise.
  • Serving openly in military becomes legal.
    New Zealand responsible for defence.
  • Serving openly in military becomes legal.
    New Zealand responsible for defence.
  • Serving openly in military becomes legal.
    New Zealand responsible for defence.
  • Serving openly in military becomes legal.
  • LGBT discrimination becomes illegal in some contexts.
    Under section 21 of the Human Rights Act 1993, discrimination against "heterosexual, homosexual, lesbian, or bisexual orientations" is prohibited, with no other sexual orientations being protected. Discrimination protections relating to gender identity and transgender persons are ambiguous but regarded as being protected under the ground of "sex". Under the Human Rights Act 1993, there are a variety of specific exceptions from discrimination law relating to working in private areas (such as a person's home) and accessing special counselling services (such as counselling dealing with sexual abuse or family violence), among others.
  • (date unknown)
    Same-sex marriage becomes other type of partnership.
    The Ley de Arrendamientos Urbanos (Urban Leasing Law) was passed in 1994, allowing registered cohabitation for same-sex couples which granted some of the rights previously reserved for married couples.
  • Same-sex marriage becomes unrecognized.
    In the areas administrated by the palestinian authority and the Gaza strip, Gay Marriage is unrecognized, however, Unregistered Cohabitation and Same sex Marriage is Legal for Israeli citizens in the Occupied West Bank.
  • January 1
    Same-sex marriage becomes unrecognized.
    Same sex activity is illegal.
  • Saba,
    LGBT employment discrimination becomes sexual orientation and gender identity.
  • Saba,
    LGBT housing discrimination becomes sexual orientation and gender identity.
    Since they passed a Hate crime laws.
  • Saba,
    LGBT discrimination becomes illegal.
    All areas since 1994.
  • Same-sex marriage becomes foreign same-sex marriages recognized only.
    Required legalization under EU Ruling. Gay union legalization pending.
  • LGBT housing discrimination becomes sexual orientation and gender identity.
  • LGBT employment discrimination becomes sexual orientation and gender identity.
  • LGBT housing discrimination becomes sexual orientation and gender identity.
  • LGBT discrimination becomes illegal.
  • LGBT employment discrimination becomes sexual orientation and gender identity.
  • LGBT discrimination becomes illegal.
    one of the few places in the Caribbean with discrimination protections.
  • (date unknown)
    Same-sex marriage becomes not legal.
    Constitutional ban since 1994.
  • Equal age of consent becomes unequal.
    A bill was signed to reduce the age of consent for men who have sex with men from 21 to 18.
  • Same-sex adoption becomes illegal.
    Same-sex couples are not permitted joint or second parent adoption.
  • January 1
    Same-sex marriage becomes not legal.
    Homosexuality is not legal in Yemen.
  • Right to change legal gender becomes legal, but requires surgery.
    Surgery now required
  • December 21
    Serving openly in military becomes don't ask, don't tell.
    Don't Ask, Don't Tell was the historic compromise signed by President Bill Clinton authorizing people who are LGBT to serve in the military provided they didn't disclose sexuality. The law also removed the ability for others in the military from asking for a service member's orientation.
  • October 31
    LGBT discrimination becomes no protections.
    Even though the constitution states that people should not be discriminated due to "any reasons", there are no specific provision for sexual orientations or gender identities.
  • June
    Homosexual activity becomes legal.
  • May 1
    Serving openly in military becomes n/a.
    The Irish Army changed their policy in early 1993
  • April 23
    Same-sex marriage becomes unrecognized.
    The civil code defines marriage as a union of people with opposite sex
  • April 2
    LGBT employment discrimination becomes sexual orientation and gender identity.
    Language protects based on sexual orientation and gender identity. Religious exemptions apply.
  • LGBT housing discrimination becomes sexual orientation and gender identity.
    Discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity is illegal. Religious exemptions apply. Additionally, the Human Rights Campaign states, "The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) requires grantees and participants of HUD programs to comply with local and state non-discrimination laws that include sexual orientation and gender identity. HUD also prohibits inquiries regarding the sexual orientation or gender identity of a prospective tenant or applicant for assisted housing in every state (March 2012)."
  • LGBT discrimination becomes illegal.
    Language specifically protects on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity. Exemptions exist for religiously affiliated/operated organizations.
  • January 1
    Serving openly in military becomes lesbians, gays, bisexuals permitted, transgender people banned.
    Of the 27 EU countries, Slovakia is one of the exceptions in which transgender people cannot serve in the military
  • LGBT housing discrimination becomes sexual orientation and gender identity.
    Full discrimination protection.
  • LGBT employment discrimination becomes sexual orientation and gender identity.
  • Serving openly in military becomes legal.
    Since 2016, serving openly in the military has been legalized.
  • (date unknown)
    Homosexual activity becomes legal.
    Legal Nationwide (The age of consent in Indonesia for a Homosexual Activity is 18 years old since 1993), except in Aceh : Aceh's law on criminalizing "Anal Sex" for Muslim men came into effect on October 23rd, 2015. Indonesia's proposed new penal code which sought to criminalize Homosexual conducts was failed to pass as of September 24, 2019.
  • January 1
    Homosexual activity becomes legal.
    legal since 1993
  • (date unknown)
    Same-sex adoption becomes legal.
    Any person may adopt per state statute, and case law has permitted second-parent adoptions.
  • Same-sex adoption becomes legal.
    Any person of "full age" may adopt, and second-parent adoption is also legal.
  • Equal age of consent becomes equal.
  • Homosexual activity becomes legal.
  • January 1
    Equal age of consent becomes equal.
    The age of consent in Ireland is 17 for heterosexual and homosexual sex. Section 2 of the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) Act 1993 states: "Subject to sections 3 and 5 of this Act, any rule of law by virtue of which buggery between persons is an offence is hereby abolished."
  • Homosexual activity becomes legal.
    Homosexuality was decriminalized in Ireland with the the passing of the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) Act, 1993.
  • (date unknown)
    LGBT discrimination becomes illegal.
    Equal Rights Act of 1993 banned discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity. Hate crimes in the Netherlands have been rising in recent years.
  • Blood donations by MSMs becomes banned (1-year deferral).
    Blood Donation was banned in Brazil until 2020.
  • Homosexual activity becomes varies by region.
    Homosexual activity is legal in most of Russia, however, "anti-gay sentiments remain high." Though its illegal in Chechnya (punishable by caning on the first two offence and execution on the third offence). On June 29, 2013, Russia was criticized internationally after a law passed that banned "propaganda of nontraditional sexual relations."
  • December 8
    LGBT discrimination becomes no protections.
    Discrimination is systemic. As well homosexuality is currently illegal.
  • LGBT housing discrimination becomes ambiguous.
    Unknown.
  • LGBT employment discrimination becomes no protections.
  • LGBT discrimination becomes no protections.
    The anti-discrimination provision in the constitution does not even mention "and all other reasons", allowing discrimination based on sexual orientations and gender identities altogether.
  • December 1
    Serving openly in military becomes legal.
    Douglas v. Canada (1992) lifts national ban on LGBT involvement in military.
  • November 24
    Serving openly in military becomes legal.
    Australia responsible for defence.
  • Serving openly in military becomes legal.
  • October 10
    Serving openly in military becomes legal.
    LGBT soldiers are permitted to serve in the Canadian military.
  • September 24
    Homosexual activity becomes legal.
    Sodomy law remains in the Kentucky statutes but is not enforceable due to the United States Supreme Court's ruling in Lawrence v. Texas (2003)
  • September
    Homosexual activity becomes legal.
    Homosexuality was decriminalised by the Sexual Offences Act 1992.
  • August 10
    Equal age of consent becomes equal.
    Age of consent is equal and is set at 16.
  • June 20
    LGBT housing discrimination becomes no protections.
    No protection is afforded for neither gender identity or sexual orientation
  • LGBT employment discrimination becomes no protections.
    No protection is afforded specifically for sexual orientation or gender identity
  • May 18
    LGBT housing discrimination becomes no protections.
    Homosexuality is illegal there.
  • LGBT employment discrimination becomes no protections.
    haven't decriminalized homosexuality yet. Tolerance of the lgbt community is slowly coming.
  • Same-sex marriage becomes not legal.
    Marriage is not recognized. However, it is implied to be illegal for male as male homosexuality is illegal.
  • LGBT discrimination becomes no protections.
    As male homosexuality is illegal, there are no protection for LGBTQ+ populations (including women and other gender identities)
  • May 17
    Serving openly in military becomes legal.
    Code pénal suisse. Code pénal militaire (Infraction contre l'intégrité sexuelle): Modification du 21 juin 1991 pp 63-78
  • May 7
    Homosexual activity becomes legal.
    Homosexual activity is legal in Estonia as of it's independence.
  • March 30
    LGBT discrimination becomes illegal in some contexts.
    Since 1992, sexual orientation has been recognized for data collection about hate crimes in Michigan. In August 2021, a court in Michigan declared that gender identity is implicitly included within the 1992 hate crime laws of Michigan - under the “gender” interpretation.
  • (date unknown)
    LGBT discrimination becomes no protections.
    In the areas administrated by the palestinian authority and the gaza strip, there is no protections for lgbt personel. For Israeli citizens in the Occupied West Bank; Employment, Hate Speech and Good & Services Discriminations covered.
  • Equal age of consent becomes unequal.
    The Sexual Offences Act 1992 decriminalised homosexual activity but set the age of consent for same sex male couples to 21, which was reduced to 18 in 2001 by the Criminal Justice Act 2001, compared to 16 for heterosexual couples.
  • January 1
    Right to change legal gender becomes legal, surgery not required.
    No surgery required since 2018. Missing non binary options on documents.
  • LGBT discrimination becomes illegal in some contexts.
    There are anti-discrimination laws in the provision of goods and services for transgender people only.
  • LGBT discrimination becomes no protections.
    Homosexuality is illegal. As well physical and violent homophobic attacks against LGBT people are common, often encouraged by the media and religious and political leaders. Reports of young gay people being kicked out of their homes are also common. Discrimination in state employment only.
  • LGBT employment discrimination becomes sexual orientation and gender identity.
    Since 1992
  • Same-sex adoption becomes single only.
    Legalization pending.
  • LGBT housing discrimination becomes sexual orientation and gender identity.
    Under the Human Rights Law.
  • LGBT housing discrimination becomes no protections.
    Housing discriminating protections pending.
  • Serving openly in military becomes legal.
    Nationwide.
  • Serving openly in military becomes legal.
    Nationwide.
  • Serving openly in military becomes legal.
  • Serving openly in military becomes legal.
  • Serving openly in military becomes legal.
  • Serving openly in military becomes legal.
  • Serving openly in military becomes legal.
  • LGBT employment discrimination becomes no protections.
    Discrimination protections pending.
  • Serving openly in military becomes legal.
  • LGBT housing discrimination becomes sexual orientation and gender identity.
    Full discrimination protection.
  • LGBT employment discrimination becomes sexual orientation and gender identity.
    Under Hates Crimes.
  • Homosexual activity becomes legal.
  • (date unknown)
    LGBT employment discrimination becomes sexual orientation only.
    Gender identity is not spelled out in the BC Human Rights Code
  • LGBT employment discrimination becomes sexual orientation only.
    People are protected from being discriminated against based on sexuality
  • Equal age of consent becomes n/a.
    Homosexuality is illegal.
  • Homosexual activity becomes legal.
    Article 124.1 that prohibits male-male sex was repealed in 1992
  • LGBT discrimination becomes no protections.
    Some cities and counties have offered some protection, but at the state level there is none.
  • Equal age of consent becomes equal.
  • Same-sex marriage becomes not legal.
    Constitutional ban since 1992.
  • LGBT discrimination becomes illegal.
    Maintains religious exemptions.
  • Serving openly in military becomes legal.
    Homosexuals can serve openly in all branches of the military.
  • January 1
    Serving openly in military becomes legal.
    Technically, homosexuals can serve openly in the military. There are no laws protecting them against discriminations though.
  • LGBT discrimination becomes no protections.
    There are no specific laws protecting members of LGBTQ communities from discrimination
  • (date unknown)
    Equal age of consent becomes equal.
    Consensual age is Switzerland is 16 years old, unless the difference in age between the persons involved is not more than 3 years.
  • December 25
    Serving openly in military becomes legal.
  • Conversion therapy becomes ambiguous.
    It is neither banned nor legalized
  • LGBT discrimination becomes no protections.
    There are no discrimination laws for sexual orientation and gender identities. The date shown is that of the foundation of the country.
  • LGBT discrimination becomes no protections.
    No laws about discrimination
  • December 18
    Same-sex marriage becomes unrecognized, same-sex marriage and civil unions banned.
    Constitutional Ban.
  • December 12
    Homosexual activity becomes legal.
    Same-sex sexual activity has been legal in Ukraine since 1991.
  • August 25
    LGBT employment discrimination becomes no protections.
    No discrimination protections exist.
  • LGBT housing discrimination becomes ambiguous.
    Unknown.
  • LGBT discrimination becomes no protections.
    Even though article 22 states all citizens are equal, sexual orientations and gender identities are not included in the forms of discriminations covered.
  • July 12
    LGBT housing discrimination becomes no protections.
  • LGBT employment discrimination becomes no protections.
    No protection is granted as homosexuality still carries a death sentence.
  • LGBT discrimination becomes no protections.
    Homosexuality is illegal in Mauritania. As such, date provided is the date where the most recent version of the constitution came into effect.
  • June 21
    Homosexual activity becomes legal.
    Homosexual acts were not mentioned anymore in the revision of the Penal Code of 1991. Therefore the age of consent was lowered to 16 years old for all consenting sexual intercourse.
  • June 11
    LGBT housing discrimination becomes ambiguous.
    Some protection under Article 23 of the Constitution.
  • LGBT discrimination becomes illegal in some contexts.
    Under Article 23 of their constitution.
  • Same-sex marriage becomes not legal.
    Marriage in Burkina Faso is defined as between a man and a woman. Article 23 of the country's constitution of 1991 states: "Marriage is founded on the free consent of the man and of the woman. All discrimination founded on race, colour, religion, ethnicity, caste, social origin, or fortune is forbidden in the matter of marriage."
  • April 3
    Homosexual activity becomes legal.
    The new penal code adopted in 1991 did not mention if homosexuality was illegal.
  • February 1
    Same-sex marriage becomes not legal.
    Homosexuality is not legal in Sudan.
  • (date unknown)
    Homosexual activity becomes illegal (death penalty as punishment).
    Homosexuality under the third conviction can result in the death penalty. This was later removed in 2020 following the revolution.
  • January 1
    Equal age of consent becomes equal.
  • Homosexual activity becomes legal.
  • Equal age of consent becomes equal.
  • Equal age of consent becomes equal.
  • Equal age of consent becomes equal.
  • Serving openly in military becomes legal.
    Since the 1990s, lesbian, gay and bisexual people are not banned from military service and discrimination against them is officially forbidden. However, openly gay personnel would face social difficulty, especially for higher ranks, as for "commanding staff - officers and high-ranking NCOs - admitting to same-sex attraction would mean losing respect - qualities without which you simply cannot be a commander".
  • Homosexual activity becomes legal.
  • (date unknown)
    Homosexual activity becomes legal.
    Legal between consenting adults.
  • Homosexual activity becomes illegal (death penalty as punishment).
    Article 409 of the Somali Penal Code, 1973, mentions that sexual intercourse with a partner of same sex is punishable, and may result in an imprisonment for 3 months to 3 years, but in an Autonomous Region of Somaliland in the Northwest , Homosexuality Is punishable by up to death. In some southern regions of Somalia under Al Shabab rule , any Homosexual acts can also be punished with death Penalty under local sharia laws. In the southern state of Jubaland , homosexuality is also punishable with the death penalty. In 2013, the parliament of Somalia stipulates that homosexual acts could receive the death Penalty by its Sharia Code of interpretation enacted by Local laws. Vigilante Executions , beating , death sentences , tortures are also common.
  • Homosexual activity becomes legal.
  • December 24
    Same-sex adoption becomes single only.
    Legal under constitution. No laws for same sex couples.
  • Same-sex adoption becomes ambiguous.
    The Lao family law states in article 38 that people who have "inappropriate behaviours" or those who have had their parental rights withdrawn may not adopt children. However, LGBT is not explicitly covered in the way this law is written so the result is ambiguous.
  • November 29
    Same-sex marriage becomes unrecognized.
    Gay marriage and Gay Unions pending.
  • Same-sex marriage becomes unrecognized.
    Article 1 of the marriage law defines marriage to be a union between a man and a woman
  • July 1
    Equal age of consent becomes equal.
    The age of consent in Czech Republic is 15 years for both heterosexual and homosexual individuals.
  • March 12
    LGBT discrimination becomes no protections.
    None exist in the criminal code.
  • LGBT discrimination becomes no protections.
    Discrimination is legal (as there are no provisions) and the date provided is the date that the constitution of the country is written. Discrimination protection is only granted for sex, race, social and economic conditions.
  • January 9
    Homosexual activity becomes legal.
    The penal code for the current political system was not drafted until the 1990 (37 years after the country gained independence)
  • January 1
    Same-sex adoption becomes single only.
    No laws for same sex couples.
  • Homosexual activity becomes illegal (imprisonment as punishment).
    Five to Ten years in prison and or fine. Not enforced. Decriminalization pending.
  • (date unknown)
    Equal age of consent becomes unequal.
    Female same-gender sexual activity always legal. Male same-gender sexual activity legalised in 1990. This does not include 'sodomy' (anal intercourse)- it is illegal for anyone regardless of orientation or gender under 18 to partake in.
  • Homosexual activity becomes legal.
    Female always legal, male legal as of 1990.
  • Equal age of consent becomes equal.
  • Homosexual activity becomes illegal (imprisonment as punishment).
    Prison up to 10 years. (Decriminalization pending)
  • Same-sex marriage becomes civil unions.