1999 in LGBT Rights

In 1999, there were 12 recorded legal changes made affecting LGBT people. In the previous year, there were 47 changes made and 58 in the following year. A total of 308 legal changes were made in the 1990s.

  • 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.
  • 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, no restrictions.
    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.
  • February 1
    Censorship of LGBT Issues becomes imprisonment as punishment.
    not allowed entirelty
  • January 19
    Homosexual activity becomes legal.
    Settlement of Williams v. Glendening, Baltimore Circuit Court.