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1994 in LGBT Rights

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In 1994, there were 73 recorded legal changes made affecting LGBT people. In the previous year, there were 116 changes made and 70 in the following year. A total of 637 legal changes were made in the 1990s.

  • November 17
    Censorship of LGBT issues becomes no censorship.
    In Córdoba, there are no laws restricting the discussion or promotion of LGBTQ+ topics since the repeal of a 1980 law that criminalised homosexuals frequenting places with minors.
  • November 3
    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.
  • September 22
    Homosexual activity becomes male illegal, female legal.
    Article 120 of the penal code states male homosexuality is punishable by 3 years in prison. Female homosexuality is not illegal, but lesbians still face heavy social persecution.
  • August 24
    Same-sex marriage becomes banned.
    The 1994 Constitution of Moldova defines a marriage as between a man and a woman, effectively banning same-sex marriage. This ban also applies to Criuleni.
  • Same-sex marriage becomes banned.
    The 1994 Constitution of Moldova defines a marriage as between a man and a woman, effectively banning same-sex marriage. This ban also applies to Tighina.
  • Same-sex marriage becomes banned.
    The 1994 Constitution of Moldova defines a marriage as between a man and a woman, effectively banning same-sex marriage. This ban also applies to Leova.
  • Same-sex marriage becomes banned.
    The 1994 Constitution of Moldova defines a marriage as between a man and a woman, effectively banning same-sex marriage. This ban also applies to Singerei.
  • Same-sex marriage becomes banned.
    The 1994 Constitution of Moldova defines a marriage as between a man and a woman, effectively banning same-sex marriage. This ban also applies to Riscani.
  • Same-sex marriage becomes banned.
    The 1994 Constitution of Moldova defines a marriage as between a man and a woman, effectively banning same-sex marriage. This ban also applies to Causeni.
  • Same-sex marriage becomes banned.
    The 1994 Constitution of Moldova defines a marriage as between a man and a woman, effectively banning same-sex marriage. This ban also applies to Falesti.
  • Same-sex marriage becomes banned.
    The 1994 Constitution of Moldova defines a marriage as between a man and a woman, effectively banning same-sex marriage. This ban also applies to Telenesti.
  • Same-sex marriage becomes banned.
    The 1994 Constitution of Moldova defines a marriage as between a man and a woman, effectively banning same-sex marriage. This ban also applies to Floresti.
  • Same-sex marriage becomes banned.
    The 1994 Constitution of Moldova defines a marriage as between a man and a woman, effectively banning same-sex marriage. This ban also applies to Glodeni.
  • Same-sex marriage becomes banned.
    The 1994 Constitution of Moldova defines a marriage as between a man and a woman, effectively banning same-sex marriage. This ban also applies to Drochia.
  • Same-sex marriage becomes banned.
    The 1994 Constitution of Moldova defines a marriage as between a man and a woman, effectively banning same-sex marriage. This ban also applies to Dubăsari.
  • Same-sex marriage becomes banned.
    The 1994 Constitution of Moldova defines a marriage as between a man and a woman, effectively banning same-sex marriage. This ban also applies to Briceni.
  • Same-sex marriage becomes banned.
    The 1994 Constitution of Moldova defines a marriage as between a man and a woman, effectively banning same-sex marriage. This ban also applies to Soldanesti.
  • Same-sex marriage becomes banned.
    The 1994 Constitution of Moldova defines a marriage as between a man and a woman, effectively banning same-sex marriage. This ban also applies to Calarasi.
  • Same-sex marriage becomes banned.
    The 1994 Constitution of Moldova defines a marriage as between a man and a woman, effectively banning same-sex marriage. This ban also applies to Soroca.
  • Same-sex marriage becomes banned.
    The 1994 Constitution of Moldova defines a marriage as between a man and a woman, effectively banning same-sex marriage. This ban also applies to Straseni.
  • Same-sex marriage becomes banned.
    The 1994 Constitution of Moldova defines a marriage as between a man and a woman, effectively banning same-sex marriage. This ban also applies to Taraclia.
  • Same-sex marriage becomes banned.
    The 1994 Constitution of Moldova defines a marriage as between a man and a woman, effectively banning same-sex marriage. This ban also applies to Cahul.
  • Same-sex marriage becomes banned.
    The 1994 Constitution of Moldova defines a marriage as between a man and a woman, effectively banning same-sex marriage. This ban also applies to Edinet.
  • Same-sex marriage becomes banned.
    The 1994 Constitution of Moldova defines a marriage as between a man and a woman, effectively banning same-sex marriage. This ban also applies to Nisporeni.
  • Same-sex marriage becomes banned.
    The 1994 Constitution of Moldova defines a marriage as between a man and a woman, effectively banning same-sex marriage. This ban also applies to Hincesti.
  • Same-sex marriage becomes banned.
    The 1994 Constitution of Moldova defines a marriage as between a man and a woman, effectively banning same-sex marriage. This ban also applies to Stefan Voda.
  • Same-sex marriage becomes banned.
    The 1994 Constitution of Moldova defines a marriage as between a man and a woman, effectively banning same-sex marriage. This ban also applies to Ialoveni.
  • Same-sex marriage becomes banned.
    The 1994 Constitution of Moldova defines a marriage as between a man and a woman, effectively banning same-sex marriage. This ban also applies to Basarabeasca.
  • Same-sex marriage becomes banned.
    The 1994 Constitution of Moldova defines a marriage as between a man and a woman, effectively banning same-sex marriage. This ban also applies to Donduseni.
  • Same-sex marriage becomes banned.
    The 1994 Constitution of Moldova defines a marriage as between a man and a woman, effectively banning same-sex marriage. This ban also applies to Rezina.
  • Same-sex marriage becomes banned.
    The 1994 Constitution of Moldova defines a marriage as between a man and a woman, effectively banning same-sex marriage. This ban also applies to Anenii Noi.
  • Same-sex marriage becomes banned.
    The 1994 Constitution of Moldova defines a marriage as between a man and a woman, effectively banning same-sex marriage. This ban also applies to Cimislia.
  • Same-sex marriage becomes banned.
    The 1994 Constitution of Moldova defines a marriage as between a man and a woman, effectively banning same-sex marriage. This ban also applies to Chișinău.
  • Same-sex marriage becomes banned.
    The 1994 Constitution of Moldova defines a marriage as between a man and a woman, effectively banning same-sex marriage. This ban also applies to Ungheni.
  • Same-sex marriage becomes banned.
    The 1994 Constitution of Moldova defines a marriage as between a man and a woman, effectively banning same-sex marriage. This ban also applies to Orhei.
  • Same-sex marriage becomes banned.
    The 1994 Constitution of Moldova defines a marriage as between a man and a woman, effectively banning same-sex marriage. This ban also applies to Balti.
  • Same-sex marriage becomes banned.
    The 1994 Constitution of Moldova defines a marriage as between a man and a woman, effectively banning same-sex marriage. This ban also applies to Ocnita.
  • Same-sex marriage becomes banned.
    The 1994 Constitution of Moldova defines a marriage as between a man and a woman, effectively banning same-sex marriage. This ban also applies to Cantemir.
  • Same-sex marriage becomes banned.
    The 1994 Constitution of Moldova defines a marriage as between a man and a woman, effectively banning same-sex marriage. This ban also applies to the Moldovan-controlled areas of Stinga Nistrului.
  • Same-sex marriage becomes banned.
    The 1994 Constitution of Moldova defines a marriage as between a man and a woman, effectively banning same-sex marriage. This ban also applies to Gagauzia.
  • Same-sex marriage becomes banned.
    The Constitution of Moldova passed in 1994 explicitly defines a marriage as between a man and a woman, effectively banning same-sex marriage.
  • July 22
    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.
  • Equal age of consent becomes unequal.
    The age of sexual consent was 18 years old for anal intercourse between two men and 14 years for other sexual practices.
  • Same-sex marriage becomes unrecognized.
    There was no definition of marriage in the 1990 Constitution. Article 29: "Marriage and marriage & family relations are regulated by law" Law on Marriage and Family Relations from 1980, article 26: "Marriage is a union of life between husband and wife regulated by law".
  • Homosexual activity becomes legal.
    On July 14, 1994, Parliament of Serbia repealed paragraph 3 of article 110 of Criminal Code and thus decriminalized male homosexuality on its entire territory, including the autonomous provinces of Vojvodina and Kosovo & Metohija. Since the self-proclaimed independence of 2008, homosexuality has been legal in the Republic of Kosovo.
  • Homosexual activity becomes legal.
    On July 14, 1994, Serbian parliament repealed paragraph 3 of article 110 of Criminal Code and thus decriminalized male homosexuality. The whole term and criminal act called "Unnatural fornication" was completely removed from Criminal Code in 2005.
  • July 18
    Blood donations by MSMs becomes banned (indefinite deferral).
    In 1994, Mexico passed a policy on blood donation under NOM 003-SSA2 which explicitly banned gay and bisexual men from donating blood. The ban would be repealed in 2012.
  • June 11
    Homosexual activity becomes legal.
    Germany fully repealed section 175 of the German Criminal Code and legalized homosexual activity in 1994.
  • June 9
    Right to change legal gender becomes legal, but requires surgery.
    A loophole was frequently used by trans people in the Civil Status Law of 1994 in Egypt to change their legal gender in the absence of a legal gender recognition process. However, cases required surgery for acceptance. Until 2024, the Ministry of Interior adopted a "don't ask, don't tell" policy in relation to this.
  • May 17
    Same-sex marriage becomes banned.
    Article 58 of the 1972 constitution defined marriage as a different-sex union. Article 34 of the Family Code (1994) establishes that people of the same sex cannot marry each other. In 2018, the Inter-American Court of Human Rights ruled that the American convetion on Human rights mandates the recognition of same-sex marriage, recommending that countries issue decrees until legislation was brought into place. In March 2023, after seven years of delay the court ruled that there is no positive right to same-sex marriage in Panama under the constitution, halting any potential change for the time being through the courts.
  • 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 Bermuda approved “The Stubbs Bill” by a vote of 22 to 16.
  • April 27
    Serving openly in military becomes legal.
    Under the interim constitution after apartheid, the new government took a more progressive position towards a diverse military and seemingly allowed LGBT soldiers to serve.
  • 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.
  • April 19
    Right to change legal gender becomes legal, but requires surgery.
    Nebraska requires surgery for legal gender recognition.
  • 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 (Māori: Te Ture Tika Tangata 1993) outlaws discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation. Initially, this law temporarily exempted government activities until 1999. In 1998, an amendment bill was introduced making this exemption permanent; this was abandoned following a change of government in 1999. The new Labour Government instead passed another amendment to apply the Act to government activities, and also to create a new ability for the courts to "declare" legislation inconsistent with the Act. There is no explicit protection from discrimination based on gender identity/expression. In 2023, the Human Rights Amendment Bill (2023) was introduced in parliament to include “gender identity”.
  • LGBT employment discrimination becomes sexual orientation only.
    The Human Rights Act 1993 (Māori: Te Ture Tika Tangata 1993) outlaws discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation. Initially, this law temporarily exempted government activities until 1999. In 1998, an amendment bill was introduced making this exemption permanent; this was abandoned following a change of government in 1999. The new Labour Government instead passed another amendment to apply the Act to government activities, and also to create a new ability for the courts to "declare" legislation inconsistent with the Act. There is no explicit protection from discrimination based on gender identity/expression. In 2023, the Human Rights Amendment Bill (2023) was introduced in parliament to include “gender identity”.
  • 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.
    When New Zealand passed the Human Rights Act of 1993, which took effect the following year, LGBT people were officially allowed to serve in the military.
  • LGBT discrimination becomes illegal in some contexts.
    The Human Rights Act 1993 (Māori: Te Ture Tika Tangata 1993) outlaws discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation. Initially, this law temporarily exempted government activities until 1999. In 1998, an amendment bill was introduced making this exemption permanent; this was abandoned following a change of government in 1999. The new Labour Government instead passed another amendment to apply the Act to government activities, and also to create a new ability for the courts to "declare" legislation inconsistent with the Act. There is no explicit protection from discrimination based on gender identity/expression. In 2023, the Human Rights Amendment Bill (2023) was introduced in parliament to include “gender identity”.
  • January 1
    Same-sex marriage becomes banned.
    In a 1994 law, Morelos defined a marriage as being between a man and a woman, effectively banning same-sex marriage.
  • Right to change legal gender becomes legal, but requires surgery.
    In 1994, Hawaii provided for legal gender recognition but required proof of surgery.
  • (date unknown)
    Gender-affirming care becomes legal.
    Gender-affirming healthcare is legal in Mongolia but administrative difficulties and social conservatism make it difficult to access in practice.
  • January 1
    Censorship of LGBT issues becomes imprisonment as punishment.
    under article 7 of law of public associations
  • (date unknown)
    Gender-affirming care becomes restricted.
    In 1994, Tanzania legalized sterilization, which de facto meant legalizing sex reassignment surgery, however, medical records regarding transsexualism had to be obtained abroad.
  • 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 unregistered cohabitation.
    Israel does not legally recognize same-sex marriage. In Israel, marriage is mostly regulated by religious institutions. However, in 1994 Israel expanded the Legal status of Unregistered Cohabitation to same sex couples, today it works virtually the same way as marriage with a few exceptions. Israel was the first country in Asia to grant such recognition and this legal status is still available to same sex couples.
  • Same-sex adoption becomes illegal.
    Same-sex couples are not permitted joint or second parent adoption.
  • January 1
    Same-sex marriage becomes banned.
    Homosexuality is not legal in Yemen.
  • Right to change legal gender becomes legal, but requires surgery.
    Surgery required.

LGBT Organizations Founded in 1994

  • CenterLink FaviconCenterLink
    United States
    CenterLink exists to support the development of strong, sustainable LGBT community centers and to build a unified center movement.rnrnCenterLink was founded in 1994 as a…
  • Naz Foundation (India) Trust FaviconNaz Foundation (India) Trust
    India
    The Naz Foundation (India) Trust is an organization based in New Delhi, India working on HIV/AIDS and Sexual Health. The organization focuses on reaching out to populations…
  • GayLawNet FaviconGayLawNet
    Global
    The #1 directory of LGBTQ attorneys worldwide. This is the oldest network on the internet for LGBTQ attorneys and legal insights.
  • The Rainbow Project FaviconThe Rainbow Project
    Northern Ireland, United Kingdom
    The Rainbow Project is a non-profit organization based in Northern Ireland that promotes the health and wellbeing of the LGBT people and their families in Northern Ireland. The…
  • KaosGL FaviconKaosGL
    Turkey
    Kaos GL, with having its headquarters on the capital, Ankara is one of the oldest, if not the oldest LGBTQ+ communities in the country. They have been publishing news and…
  • Humsafar FaviconHumsafar
    India
    The Humsafar Trust, India's first Community-Based Organization for LGBTQ+ people, was founded in 1994 and had been working on LGBTQ+ health and rights for more than 25 years. The…