▸ 

1999 in LGBT Rights

View All Years

In 1999, there were 47 recorded legal changes made affecting LGBT people. In the previous year, there were 76 changes made and 75 in the following year. A total of 715 legal changes were made in the 1990s.

  • December 30
    Same-sex marriage becomes 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.» Efforts to legalize marriage equality or civil unions in the legislatures have come and gone, with symbolic marriages being recognized in one city. These marriages were criticized as being expensive by LGBT activists, providing nothing. Some indigenous two spirit individuals are recognized by the Warao people, known as tida wena. They participated in two-spirit marriages. The relative comfort these individuals enjoyed for centuries were shattered at the beginning of Spanish settlement and prevailing norms have changed.
  • December 28
    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
  • December 10
    LGBT employment discrimination becomes sexual orientation and gender identity.
    In 1999, Tasmania's Anti-Discrimination Act of 1998 came into effect, including sexuality as a protected characteristic from employment discrimination. "Transsexuality" was included in this, but a 2013 amendment would later add "gender identity" as a characteristic representative of trans people.
  • November 15
    Same-sex marriage becomes civil unions (limited rights).
    Under French law, both same sex and different sex couples can get a PACS, a civil union with limited rights. PACS are still available today.
  • Same-sex marriage becomes civil unions (limited rights).
    Under French law, both same sex and different sex couples can get a PACS, a civil union with limited rights. PACS are still available today.
  • Same-sex marriage becomes civil unions (limited rights).
    Under French law, both same sex and different sex couples can get a PACS, a civil union with limited rights. PACS are still available today.
  • October 29
    Equal age of consent becomes equal.
    Age of consent for Anal or Vaginal sex is 14 years old.
  • October 25
    Intersex infant surgery becomes full ban.
    In 1999, in Judgment SU-337/99 (1999), the Constitutional Court ruled that surgery on a child's genitals can only be authorized with the consent of the intersex child and that the recommendations of doctors and the consent of parents are not enough for authorization to take place. In addition, the Court suggested that less invasive medical interventions could be carried out gradually if the child is not considered sufficiently autonomous to make the decision.
  • October 18
    LGBT employment discrimination becomes sexual orientation and gender identity.
    Since 1999, employment discrimination as been added as an act for Ireland, sexual orientation was proposed and passed in 1999. Gender identity was passed in 2015, making it illegal to fire someone under gender identity and or sexual orientation.
  • October 1
    LGBT employment discrimination becomes sexual orientation only.
    Nevada lawmakers in 1999 passed a landmark bill protecting LGB people from employment discrimination.
  • September 2
    LGBT discrimination becomes illegal in some contexts.
    In 1999, Mexico City became the first region in Mexico to provide protections from discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation in its Penal Code. However, gender identity would not be protected until 2014.
  • August 17
    Same-sex marriage becomes banned.
    In 1999, Alaska’s Supreme Court struck down the Anchorage Superior Court’s decision in 1998 to provide the freedom to marry citing a new law in 1998 explicitly banning same-sex marriage.
  • August 1
    LGBT employment discrimination becomes no protections.
    Anti-discrimination provisions for England were not enacted until 2003.
  • LGBT employment discrimination becomes no protections.
    Anti-discrimination provisions for England were not enacted until 2003.
  • LGBT employment discrimination becomes no protections.
    Anti-discrimination provisions for Scotland were not enacted until 2003.
  • LGBT employment discrimination becomes varies by region.
    In 2003, the Labour government began prohibiting discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation in employment, with some exceptions. This extended to the whole UK, but Northern Ireland had stronger protections for LGBT people since 1999; the rest of the UK was brought up to par 7 years later.
  • LGBT employment discrimination becomes gender identity only.
    The Gender Reassignment Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1999 act amends the Sex Discrimination Order to make it unlawful to discriminate on the grounds of gender identity.
  • August
    Blood donations by MSMs becomes banned (indefinite deferral).
    Beginning in August of 1999, Honduras banned LGBTQ+ individuals from donating blood due to a perceived higher risk of disease transmission.
  • August 1
    LGBT discrimination becomes illegal in some contexts.
    Discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity has been illegal in some areas since 1999, when employment protections were extended to transgender individuals. In 2003, these protections were further extended to all LGBT people, and in 2007, LGB individuals gained protections against employment discrimination, but not gender-diverse individuals.
  • LGBT discrimination becomes varies by region.
    While many forms of discrimination are illegal throughout the UK, the strength of protections differs between constituent countries. The Equality Act of 2010 was only extended to Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.
  • July 12
    Equal age of consent becomes unequal.
    Article 365 of the Penal Code establishes 18 as age if consent for gay couples, whereas 14 is the standard age if consent for straight couples.
  • Homosexual activity becomes legal.
    Same-sex sexual activity has been legal in Chile since 1999 after Law 19,617 came into effect.
  • July 1
    Same-sex adoption becomes single only.
    There were no restrictions for adoption for single LGBT individuals in the 1998 Family Law. Adoptive parents in parental adoption could be joint spouses, one spouse with the consent of the other spouse, or a person who is not married (Article 134).
  • Same-sex marriage becomes banned.
    Family laws from 1999 and 2003 in Article 5 define marriage as a legally regulated life union of a man and a woman. The 1990 Constitution did not define marriage: "Marriage and legal relations in marriage, cohabitation and family are regulated by law" (Article 61).
  • May 7
    Right to change legal gender becomes legal, but requires medical diagnosis.
    The current law concerning legal gender recognition dates from 7 May 1999, the Common Requirements for Medical Operations for Gender Reassignment. Transgender people are not required to undergo sex reassignment surgery since 1997, sterilisation or divorce their partner, due to the specific wording of the Family Law Act. From October 2021, neither genetic testing or hormone replacement therapy are mandatory to later change legal data. First appointment with a medical expert committee is required to receive a ministerial decree authorizing hormone replacement therapy, followed by a second appointment with the same committee authorizing the change of legal data. Diagnosis from a psychiatrist before first committee appointment strongly recommended, committee bases its decision on this diagnosis as well as self-determination.
  • April 1
    Right to change legal gender becomes legal, but requires surgery.
    Until 2015, Nunavut required surgery for legal gender recognition. It is unknown when Nunavat enacted gender recognition since its division from the Northwest Territories, which had no legal recognition at the time of 1999, but in 2015, it had apparently required surgery until an amendment passed removing the requirement.
  • March 23
    Same-sex adoption becomes illegal.
    Aragon on March 23rd passed a law regulating families and adoptions, specifying heterosexual couples.
  • March 22
    Conversion therapy becomes sexual orientation only.
    On March 22, 1999, Brazil became the first country to ban gay conversion therapy. The Federal Council of Psychology enacted Resolution CFP No. 001/99, which explicitly states that "homosexuality does not constitute a disease, disorder, or perversion." This landmark decision prevents psychologists from engaging in practices intended to 'cure' or alter an individual's sexual orientation.
  • March 19
    Same-sex marriage becomes banned.
    Marriage was defined as "a civil contract whereby a man and a woman mutually agree to become husband and wife." with the passing of H.B 1013 in 1999. Article 68 of the Civil Code also explicitly prohibited marriages "between persons of the same sex or transsexuals contracted in other jurisdictions" from being recognized in Puerto Rico.
  • Blood donations by MSMs becomes banned (indefinite deferral).
    The Northern Estonia Blood Centre did not initially allow MSM persons to donate blood.
  • February 16
    Blood donations by MSMs becomes banned (indefinite deferral).
    Homosexual behavior is one of the grounds for permanent exclusion from donating blood (Guidelines on blood and blood components, Article 16)
  • February 1
    Censorship of LGBT issues becomes imprisonment as punishment.
    not allowed entirelty
  • January 19
    Equal age of consent becomes equal.
    Maryland defines anyone under 16 years of age to be unable to consent, but has no distinction between heterosexual and homosexual acts.
  • Homosexual activity becomes legal.
    Settlement of Williams v. Glendening, Baltimore Circuit Court. In 2023, Maryland removed the statute criminalising sodomy from its state law.
  • January 14
    Censorship of LGBT issues becomes no censorship.
    In Jalisco, there are no laws restricting the discussion or promotion of LGBTQ+ topics since the removal of homosexuality as a "corrupt habit" from its law against corruption of minors.
  • (date unknown)
    Equal age of consent becomes equal.
    In 1999, Finland finally equalised the age of consent for homosexual and heterosexual acts.
  • Same-sex marriage becomes banned.
    The "MAHARASHTRA ACT No. XX OF 1999" defines marriage as between a "man" and a "woman".
  • Gender-affirming care becomes legal, but restricted for minors.
    Until 2023, gender-affirming healthcare was legal for adults in Russia. While minors had more difficulty, Russians between the ages of 15 and 18 could give informed consent but surgery was not provided.
  • Gender-affirming care becomes legal.
    In 1999, gender affirming care was legal in Estonia but required a diagnosis before it could commence.
  • Gender-affirming care becomes legal.
    Catalonia provides gender affirming healthcare, including for minors.
  • Gender-affirming care becomes restricted.
    Hormones are available in Fiji for trans women, but are often quite expensive. However, testosterone is not available for trans men.
  • Same-sex marriage becomes unregistered cohabitation.
    In 1999, Queensland recognised same-sex couples in the following areas: property division, domestic violence protection orders, and parental and employment leave. Three years later, many more rights were granted, and the government largely saw this as a "testing the water" approach.
  • Censorship of LGBT issues becomes no censorship.
    Since 1999, there have been no laws restricting the discussion or promotion of LGBTQ+ topics in Finland.
  • January 1
    Serving openly in military becomes lesbians, gays, bisexuals permitted, transgender people banned.
    Portugal is not one of the 22 countries that allows trans military service. Trans people aren't explicitly banned from joining the army, but due to discrimination and regulations that also apply to cis people, but more commonly affect trans people, they are unable to join.
  • 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.
  • (date unknown)
    LGBT discrimination becomes varies by region.
    The Commonwealth of Kentucky does not have statewide LGBT fairness protections. Currently only six cities have LGBT protections: Louisville, Lexington, Covington, Vicco, Frankfort, and Morehead. Governor Steve Beshear, by Executive Order, prohibited discrimination

LGBT Organizations Founded in 1999

  • Hegoak FaviconHegoak
    Spain
    Hegoak is a non-profit association focused on deepening the freedom of expression and sexual-affective life from a progressive and transforming viewpoint. It is based in Bilbao…
  • LifeLong Adoptions FaviconLifeLong Adoptions
    California, United States
    LifeLong Adoptions is an organization specializing in LGBT adoptions. Their mission is to keep the adoption process affordable while creating the bond between Birthmothers and…
  • Labrisz Lesbian Association FaviconLabrisz Lesbian Association
    Hungary
    Labrisz Lesbian Association was founded in 1999 in Budapest, Hungary. Its purpose is making the lives and issues of lesbian, bisexual and transgender women more visible, along…
  • Ruth Ellis Center FaviconRuth Ellis Center
    Michigan, United States
    Named in honor of a resilient Detroit icon, Ruth Ellis Center works to create a supportive environment and community with LGBTQ+ young people
  • TransMann e.V. FaviconTransMann e.V.
    Germany
    Transmann e.V. is a German non-profit organization that provides support and resources for transgender men. The organization aims to provide a safe and supportive environment for…
  • Rainbow Sky Association of Thailand FaviconRainbow Sky Association of Thailand
    Thailand
    The Rainbow Sky Association of Thailand (RSAT) aims to improve healthcare access for LGBT individuals, particularly focusing on HIV counseling and testing. They work on…
  • MindOut FaviconMindOut
    United Kingdom
    MindOut is a mental health service for LGBTQ+ people in the United Kingdom, no matter how old or young they are.