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2000 in LGBT Rights

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In 2000, there were 75 recorded legal changes made affecting LGBT people. In the previous year, there were 46 changes made and 98 in the following year. A total of 838 legal changes were made in the 2000s.

  • December 31
    Blood donations by MSMs becomes ambiguous.
    Italy legalizes blood donations as Health Minister lifts blood ban. However, Italy still denies men who engaged in "risky behaviors"
  • December 27
    Homosexual activity becomes illegal (death penalty as punishment).
    The Sharia Penal Code Law 2000 took effect in Jigawa on December 27th, 2000. Within the Penal Code, consensual same-sex sexual activity is punished with caning of one hundred lashes if unmarried, and the offender shall also be liable to imprisonment for the term of one year. If married, they shall be punished with stoning to death (rajm).
  • December 21
    Censorship of LGBT issues becomes no censorship.
    In La Rioja, there are no laws restricting the discussion or promotion of LGBTQ+ topics since the repeal of articles criminalising expressions of gender identity or homosexuality in 2000. The law still criminalises engagement of "immoral acts" to minors under the header "Scandalous prostitution and homosexuality" but despite this, the law itself makes no direct mention of homosexuality.
  • December 10
    Homosexual activity becomes illegal (death penalty as punishment).
    The Borno State law on Prostitution, Homosexuality, Brothels and Other Sexual Immoralities (2000) punishes homosexuality by the death. Article 7 states "Any person who engages in sexual intercourse with another person of the same gender shall upon conviction be punished with death."
  • December 2
    LGBT housing discrimination becomes sexual orientation only.
    In 2000, sexual orientation was added as a protected characteristic from housing discrimination in Romania. However, gender identity remains unprotected.
  • LGBT employment discrimination becomes sexual orientation only.
    Transgenders have yet to receive discrimination protections in employment. Something Ilga Europe advices Romania to do
  • December 1
    Homosexual activity becomes illegal (death penalty as punishment).
    The Penal Code (Amendment) Law 2000 took effect in Kebbi on December 1st, 2000. Within the Penal Code, consensual same-sex sexual activity is punished with stoning to death (rajm).
  • November 30
    Homosexual activity becomes legal.
    Legal as a British Overseas Territory.
  • Homosexual activity becomes legal.
    As part of the United Kingdom, homosexuality is legal.
  • (deleted region)
    Homosexual activity becomes legal.
    Legal in the UK extending to Liverpool.
  • (deleted region)
    Homosexual activity becomes legal.
    Legal since 2000
  • (deleted region)
    Homosexual activity becomes legal.
    On November 30, 2000 a bill was signed to make the ages of consent equitable, regardless of gender. The law came into effect on August 1, 2001. The age of consent for men who have sex with men was reduced from 18 to 16, on par with different sex individuals.
  • (deleted region)
    Equal age of consent becomes equal.
    On November 30, 2000 a bill was signed to make the ages of consent equitable, regardless of gender. The law came into effect on August 1, 2001. The age of consent for men who have sex with men was reduced from 18 to 16, on par with different sex individuals.
  • (deleted region)
    Homosexual activity becomes legal.
    As in the United Kingdom, the law is the same
  • Equal age of consent becomes equal.
    Same as in England.
  • Equal age of consent becomes equal.
    The age of consent is 16 (or 18 for those in a position of authority) for all couples.
  • Homosexual activity becomes legal.
    The Sexual Offences (Amendment) Act 2000 repealed all criminal provisions regarding homosexuality; setting an equal age of consent for sexual activity between men.
  • November 26
    Homosexual activity becomes illegal (death penalty as punishment).
    The Sharia Penal Code Law 2000 took effect in Kano on November 26th, 2000. Within the Penal Code, consensual same-sex sexual activity is punished with caning of one hundred lashes if unmarried, and offenders shall also be liable to imprisonment for the term of one year. If married or have been previously married they shall be punished with stoning to death (rajm).
  • October 1
    Same-sex adoption becomes legal.
    Any person or couple may adopt a child regardless of orientation pursuant Connecticut Public Act Number 00-228.
  • September 26
    LGBT discrimination becomes illegal in some contexts.
    In the Lithuania criminal code in Article 170, sexual orientation is among the things that are explicitly banned from being discriminated against. Gender identity is not one of those things.
  • September 12
    LGBT employment discrimination becomes sexual orientation and gender identity.
    In 2000, Victoria passed an amendment to its Equal Opportunity Act to add sexual orientation and gender identity as protected characteristics from employment discrimination. Previously, only sexual orientation was protected under federal law. However, some religious exemptions apply.
  • Same-sex adoption becomes legal.
    Adoption by same-sex couples was legalised on 12 September 2000.
  • September 1
    Homosexual activity becomes legal.
    In 2000 a new criminal code was introduced, repealing article 121 against homosexuality.
  • August 16
    Same-sex marriage becomes banned.
    Same-sex marriage is outlawed by the Marriage Amendment Act 2000. In 2007, the law was amended to state that "no person shall be permitted to marry another person who is of the same gender as him or herself".
  • July 29
    Right to change legal gender becomes legal, but requires surgery.
    Until 2016, Prince Edward Island required proof of surgery for legal gender recognition.
  • July 3
    Same-sex adoption becomes legal.
    In 2000, Navarre was the first autonomous community of Spain to allow adoption by unmarried couples "with the same rights and obligations as couples joined in marriage”
  • July 1
    Same-sex marriage becomes civil unions (limited rights).
    After a ruling in 1999 by the Vermont Supreme Court that stipulated that same-sex couples must be treated differently to married different-sex couples, the Vermont legislature adopted civil unions as a recognition with limited rights compared to married couples. It came into effect in 2000.
  • June 24
    Homosexual activity becomes legal.
    It has been legal since 1988 but the current criminal code was enacted in 2000.
  • June 9
    Same-sex adoption becomes single only.
    LGBTIQ+ couples are not able to adopt children, however singles can.
  • Same-sex marriage becomes banned.
    The Marriage and Family Law defines marriage as between a man and a woman.
  • May 28
    Same-sex marriage becomes banned.
    In 2000, Colorado passed a statute restricting marriage to different-sex couples, effectively banning same-sex marriage. In 2006, an amendment was passed in Colorado’s constitution not only codifying the ban but also denying any other family status to same-sex couples.
  • May 15
    LGBT discrimination becomes illegal.
    Law Number 3406
  • May 4
    Homosexual activity becomes illegal (death penalty as punishment).
    The Penal Code (Amendment) Law 2000 took effect in Niger on May 4th, 2000. Unlike most other Nigerian states, Niger enacted the Penal Code (Amendment) Law (2000) to reform its existing Penal Code, instead of adopting a whole new Sharia Penal Code. The amendment added Section 68A. Under this, Islamic criminal law is applied as found in the basic and classical sources: the Qur’an, the Hadith, and the fiqh, thereby punishing consensual same-sex sexual acts between adults (liwat) with death by stoning.
  • April 12
    Right to change legal gender becomes legal, but requires surgery.
    Western Australia's Gender Reassignment Act (2000) requires applicants to have: 1. Undergone gender-affirming surgery (Article 15.b.i), 2. Adopted "the lifestyle" and have "the gender characteristics of a person of the gender to which the person has been reassigned" (Article 15.b.ii), 3. That they have received "proper counselling" in relation to their gender identity (Article 15.b.iii).
  • March 20
    Censorship of LGBT issues becomes no censorship.
    In the state of México, there are no laws restricting the discussion or promotion of LGBTQ+ topics since the removal of homosexuality as a "corrupt habit" in its law against corruption of minors in 2000.
  • March 11
    Same-sex marriage becomes banned.
    In 2000, West Virginia passed a statute restricting marriage to different-sex couples, effectively banning same-sex marriage. Attempts to codify the ban in the state constitution were defeated.
  • February 15
    Equal age of consent becomes equal.
    According to article 140 and 141 of the Georgian Penal Code, the age of consent for both homosexual and heterosexual sex is 16.
  • Homosexual activity becomes legal.
    Homosexuality has been legal for all genders in Georgia since 2000.
  • January 27
    Homosexual activity becomes illegal (death penalty as punishment).
    The Sharia Penal Code Law 2000 took effect in Zamfara on January 27th, 2000. Within the Penal Code, consensual same-sex sexual activity is punished with "caning of one hundred lashes if unmarried, and the offender shall also be liable to imprisonment for the term of one year." If married they shall be punished with stoning to death (rajm).
  • Homosexual activity becomes varies by region.
    Male and female homosexuality is punishable by 14 years in prison by the Federal Criminal Code in all Southern States under Section 214. The Section reads "Any person who – (a) has carnal knowledge of any person against the order of nature; or (c) permits a male person to have carnal knowledge of him or her against the order of nature; is guilty of a felony, and is liable to imprisonment for fourteen years." In Northern Nigeria, the laws and punishments regarding homosexuality are different. Section 284 of the Penal Code (Northern States) Federal Provisions Act, which applies to all states in Northern Nigeria, states that "Whoever has carnal intercourse against the order of nature with any man, woman or animal shall be punished with imprisonment for a term which may extend to fourteen years and shall also be liable to fine" In some states in Northern Nigeria, same-sex couples can be punished with the death penalty, because of the implementation of Shari'a Law. The Shari'a criminal laws apply to those who voluntarily consent to the jurisdiction of the Shari'a courts and to all Muslims. The first state of Nigeria to implement Shari'a law was Zamfara on January 27th, 2000.
  • January 21
    (deleted region)
    Serving openly in military becomes legal.
    The British military actively recruits gay men and lesbians, all three services have deployed recruiting teams to gay pride events, and punishes any instance of intolerance or bullying. The Royal Navy advertises for recruits in gay magazines and has allowed gay sailors to hold civil partnership ceremonies on board ships and, since 2006, to march in full naval uniform at a gay pride marches. British Army and Royal Air Force personnel could march but had to wear civilian clothes until 2008, now all military personnel are permitted to attend Gay Pride marches in uniform.
  • January 12
    Serving openly in military becomes legal.
    Guernsey relies on British military for its defence so therefore it’s the same as the UK
  • Serving openly in military becomes legal.
    The island's militia, the Jersey Field Squadron, is part of the Royal Monmouthshire Royal Engineers reserve unit of the British Army and follows the rules set by the UK Ministry of Defence.
  • (deleted region)
    Serving openly in military becomes legal.
    Regardless of gender identity or sexual orientation one may serve in the military within the UK
  • (deleted region)
    Serving openly in military becomes legal.
    The Ministry of Defence were forced to change their stance on when the European Court of Human Rights ruled in September 1999 that the then current ban on gays in the military was unlawful.
  • (deleted region)
    Serving openly in military becomes legal.
    Military service is allowed regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity.
  • (deleted region)
    Serving openly in military becomes legal.
    LGBT+ personnel have the same terms and conditions as everyone else; this includes maternity benefits and pension arrangements for same-sex spouses or civil partners. The Army welcomes transgender personnel and all who apply to join the Army must meet the same mental and physical entry standard as any other candidate.
  • Serving openly in military becomes legal.
    As a British Overseas Territory, Gibraltar is defended by the United Kingdom's armed forces.
  • Serving openly in military becomes legal.
    Serving openly in the military is legal as of the 2000's.
  • Serving openly in military becomes legal.
    The Ministry of Defence were forced to change their stance on when the European Court of Human Rights ruled in September 1999 that the then current ban on gays in the military was unlawful.
  • (date unknown)
    Gender-affirming care becomes legal.
    Alberta covers the following procedures: -Phalloplasty -Metoidioplasty -Vaginoplasty -Hysterectomy and ovary removal -Breast augmentation and mastectomy (patient must get pre-approval) -Voice therapy Hormones are covered under the Alberta Drug Benefit List. To be eligible, patients must be diagnosed with gender dysphoria by two physicians licensed in Alberta. Minors were also eligible until 2024.
  • Gender-affirming care becomes legal.
    British Columbia covers the following procedures: -Chest construction (including reduction) -Orchiectomy -Hysterectomy with bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy -Vaginoplasty -Vulvoplasty -Clitoral release -Metoidioplasty -Phalloplasty -Travel Assistance Program for provincial travel assistance for services not available in own community -Expenses for out-of-province surgical aftercare if medically required -Psychiatry services -Vocal feminization program (via free Changing Keys program) Breast augmentations can be covered on a case-by-case basis and hormones are generally covered under Pharmacare plans. Binders, packers and breast forms can be covered under PWD with a prescription/letter from a MD or NP. Patients must have completed a surgical readiness assessment with a qualified assessor to be approved for coverage.
  • Gender-affirming care becomes legal.
    Newfoundland and Labrador cover the following procedures: -Breast augmentation (when no breast development for 18 months of hormone therapy) -Mastectomy with chest masculinization (excluding implants and liposuction) -Hysterectomy -Orchiectomy -Salpingo-oophorectomy -Vaginoplasty (includes orchiectomy, penectomy, labiaplasty, -clitoroplasty; with or without construction of vaginal cavity) Metoidioplasty -Phalloplasty (includes urethroplasty, scrotoplasty, -vaginectomy, and insertion of testicular and approved penile implants) -Voice therapy The following are partially covered or covered under certain conditions: -Insured out-of-province procedures not available in NFLD, at publicly funded facility, with prior approval -Travel to access out-of-province procedures (airfare, accommodation, meals and local transportation. Some restrictions may apply) -Hormone therapy may be covered through the Newfoundland and Labrador Prescription Drug Program. NLPDP covers eligible prescription medications for those who are an eligible Medical Care Plan (MCP) beneficiary. -If the prescription is on the special authorization listing, a physician would have to apply for the product through the NLPDP special authorization process. Patients do not required a gender dysphoria diagnosis to be covered. As of November 2019, any healthcare provider meeting WPATH credential can assess surgical readiness.
  • Gender-affirming care becomes legal.
    Prince Edward Island covers the following procedures: -Hysterectomy -Mastectomy with chest masculinization -Breast augmentation -Metoidioplasty -Clitoral release -Erectile/testicular implant -Oophorectomy -Phalloplasty -Scrotoplasty -Vaginectomy -Clitoroplasty -Labiaplasty -Orchiectomy -Penectomy -Vaginoplasty Hormones are partially covered. Patients do not required a gender dysphoria diagnosis to get coverage. Any family doctor or nurse practitioner can prescribe hormones. To get coverage, patients must be referred by a healthcare provider and get pre-approval from Health PEI.
  • Gender-affirming care becomes legal.
    Nova Scotia covers the following procedures: -Hysterectomy -Oophorectomy (only available in NS) -Orchiectomy -Penectomy -Breast augmentation -Breast reduction -Chest masculinization/mastectomy (in NS or Montreal Centre) -Phalloplasty -Metoidplasty -Vaginoplasty (only available at Centre Metropolitain de Chirurgie in Montreal) Counselling and hormones are covered in the public system. An assessment by a healthcare professional with required competencies to assess/treat/refer patients with gender dysphoria is required for coverage.
  • Gender-affirming care becomes legal.
    Gender-affirming care falls under provincial jurisdiction. Currently no province or territory restricts it, however some provinces like Alberta have spoken about restricting or outright banning care for minors in the future.
  • Gender-affirming care becomes legal.
    New-Brunswick covers the following procedures: -Hormone therapy -Mastectomy with chest masculinization (for trans-masculine patients) -Vaginoplasty (including: penectomy, orchidectomy, construction of a vaginal cavity and the vulva) -Vaginectomy, hysterectomy, salpingo-oophorectomy -Mastectomy (with chest masculinization) -Metoidioplasty -Phalloplasty, erectile and testicular implants. To receive coverage, patients must be diagnosed with gender dysphoria and receive signed letters from one to three psychiatrists.
  • Gender-affirming care becomes legal.
    Ontario covers the following procedures: -Assessment for hormone therapy -Counselling -Augmentation mammoplasty or mastectomy -Private clinic stay and/or ministry-approved services outside Canada -Orchiectomy -Hysterectomy -Salpingo-oophorectomy -Vaginoplasty -Clitoroplasty -Clitoral release -Labiaplasty -Vaginectomy -Metoidioplasty -Phalloplasty -Testicular implants with scrotoplasty -Penile implant Hormones and hormone blockers are partially covered. To get coverage, patients must be referred by a qualified provider.
  • Gender-affirming care becomes legal.
    The following procedures are covered in Manitoba: -Chest masculinization -Hysterectomy and oophorectomy -Metoidioplasty -Orchiectomy -Penectomy -Vaginoplasty -Feminizing voice therapy -Laser hair removal Breast augmentation may be covered on a case-by-case basis while hormones may be covered on the Manitoba Pharmacare Program. A diagnosis of gender dysphoria and referral by medical and psychiatric experts is required for coverage.
  • Gender-affirming care becomes legal.
    Saskatchewan currently covers the following procedures: -Hysterectomy -Mastectomy -Oophorectomy -Metoidioplasty -Orchiectomy -Vaginoplasty (with or without vaginal canal) -Phalloplasty -Voice therapy Hormones are partially covered. Approval is required for coverage. Saskatchewan may cover up to 100% of the cost for out of province procedures.
  • Gender-affirming care becomes legal.
    Northwest Territories currently cover mastectomies and genital surgeries (vaginoplasty, phalloplasty, metoidioplasty and clitoral release). In some cases, they cover breast augmentation if a patient failed to respond to hormone therapy or if they have a congenital abnormality. To be admissible, patients have to be diagnosed with gender dysphoria. For genital surgery, they must have been on hormones for at least 12 continuous months.
  • Gender-affirming care becomes legal.
    Yukon currently covers most gender-affirming care a person could request. The list was vastly expanded in 2021, making Yukon the one that covers the most gender-affirming care among all provinces and territories. This includes: -Hormone therapy (medical practitioner must apply to benefits program on behalf of patient) -Vaginoplasty -Phalloplasty -Metoidioplasty -Penectomy -Hysterectomy -Salpingo-oophorectomy -Orchiectomy -Mastectomy -Chest contouring -Body contouring -Hair removal -Medical and travel costs -Facial feminization surgery ($30K-$50K) -Voice therapy -Vocal surgery -Mental wellness services (through All Genders Yukon Society) -Training for healthcare professionals (at no cost) to provide compassionate and culturally sensitive WPATH gender-inclusive care To receive this care, patients must be diagnosed with gender dysphoria and have a referral from a mental health provider.
  • Gender-affirming care becomes legal.
    The government of Nunavut is partnering with the Montreal GRS to provide gender reassignment surgeries. Most care requires assessments and referrals from specialists. Among the care covered is: -Mental health services -Chest surgery -Genital surgery (hysterectomy, vaginoplasty and phalloplasty) -Genital reconstruction Hormone therapy is partially covered and must be prescribed.
  • Gender-affirming care becomes legal.
    In Quebec, transition care is not restricted. There is no set age to access puberty blockers or hormones, but minors can consent to medical care by themselves starting at 14. In theory, this means they could access care without their parents' knowledge or consent, but it is hard to access in practice due to wait times and the lack of clinics providing this care. For surgery, only mastectomies can be done as a minor (starting at 16). The state currently covers mastectomies, phalloplasties, vaginoplasties and metaoidioplasties done at the Montreal GRS exclusively.
  • Right to change legal gender becomes legal, but requires surgery.
    Cocos is under the jurisdiction of Western Australia whose Gender Reassignment Act (2000) requires applicants to have: 1. Undergone gender-affirming surgery (Article 15.b.i), 2. Adopted "the lifestyle" and have "the gender characteristics of a person of the gender to which the person has been reassigned" (Article 15.b.ii), 3. That they have received "proper counselling" in relation to their gender identity (Article 15.b.iii). However, in 2011, the High Court of Australia held in AB and AH v. Western Australia (2011) that the surgical procedure was no longer a requirement, but some sort of physical alteration must have taken place. In this instance, HRT can be seen to fulfil this requirement. If the Board is satisfied, they will issue a "recognition certificate" that enables the applicant to request a gender marker change on the birth certificate.
  • LGBT discrimination becomes illegal in some contexts.
    No law offers protection based on "sexual orientation" and "gender identity" in broad terms. At least three laws explicitly mention “sexual orientation” and one law "gender identity", as grounds for protection. The scope of these laws is limited to specific populations: youth (aged 14-25) and people living with HIV. Article 2 of the General Law on Youth (Law No. 49) (2000), prohibits discrimination based on "sexual orientation". Article 2 of the Law on HIV/Aids (Law No. 135) (2011) protects people living with HIV from discrimination based on "sexual orientation" and "gender identity". Article 11 on "Equality before the Law" of Law No. 76-02, which establishes the Criminal Procedure Code of the Dominican Republic, states: "All persons are equal before the law and must be treated according to the same rules. Judges and the public ministry must take into account the particular conditions of the persons and the case, but they cannot base their decisions on nationality, gender, race, creed or religion, political ideas, sexual orientation, economic or social position or any other condition with discriminatory implications. In July 2024, the Chamber of Deputies approved in its first reading a Bill on a new Penal Code of the Dominican Republic (2024), after the Senate also voted in its favour in a second reading. However, Article 185 does not include “sexual orientation” from the protected characteristics against discrimination list.
  • LGBT employment discrimination becomes sexual orientation only.
    Sexual orientation protections only.
  • Blood donations by MSMs becomes banned (1-year deferral).
    Gay and bisexual men could donate blood in Uruguay, provided they hadn't had sex for 12 months.
  • 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)
  • LGBT discrimination becomes illegal in some contexts.
    While anti-discrimination laws may apply to transgender individuals in Romania, only sexual orientation is stated in their constitution. "Anti-discrimination legislation sanctions ‘any difference, exclusion, restriction or preference based on race, nationality, ethnic origin, language, religion, social status, beliefs, sex, sexual orientation, age, disability, chronic disease, HIV positive status, belonging to a disadvantaged group or any other criterion, aiming to or resulting in a restriction or prevention of the equal recognition, use or exercise of human rights and fundamental freedoms in the political, economic, social and cultural field or in any other fields of public life.'"
  • 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.
  • January 1
    Serving openly in military becomes legal.
    Military protection is responsibility of the United Kingdom, hence their law applies.
  • (date unknown)
    LGBT discrimination becomes illegal in some contexts.
    Ireland's anti-discrimination law contains religious exceptions (Section 37.1) so full discriminations are not yet realised.
  • January 1
    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.

LGBT Organizations Founded in 2000