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2001 in LGBT Rights

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In 2001, there were 30 recorded legal changes made affecting LGBT people. In the previous year, there were 43 changes made and 35 in the following year. A total of 573 legal changes were made in the 2000s.

  • November 5
    LGBT housing discrimination becomes sexual orientation and gender identity.
  • LGBT employment discrimination becomes sexual orientation and gender identity.
    under São Paulo Law No. 10 948
  • LGBT discrimination becomes illegal.
  • October 29
    Homosexual activity becomes legal.
    Supreme Court overturned 1977 law banning homosexual activity
  • October 24
    LGBT housing discrimination becomes no protections.
    Only in Employment.
  • LGBT employment discrimination becomes ambiguous.
    Some protections under the new discrimination protection. Sexual orientation discrimination protection through human rights institute.
  • LGBT discrimination becomes illegal in some contexts.
    Under the new Burundi new anti-discrimination. As well sexual orientation discrimination protection only through Human rights institute.
  • September 28
    Same-sex marriage becomes other type of partnership.
    Same-sex couples are legally able to form registered partnerships
  • September 14
    Blood donations by MSMs becomes banned (indefinite deferral).
    On September 14, 2001, the Russian Ministry of Health announced that men who have sex with men would be considered part of the "HIV high-risk groups," along with prostitutes and drug addicts.
  • September 1
    Equal age of consent becomes equal.
    Age of consent is equal at 16 years old.
  • August 9
    Homosexual activity becomes legal.
    Homosexuality is legal in Indonesia.The Indonesian National law does not criminalize homosexuality ,does not have a sodomy law and do not currently criminalize private,non commercial gay acts among consenting adults. Since 2002, a special autonomy was introduced in the Aceh province , which enables Aceh to have sharia law.The northernmost province of Aceh proceeded to enact a sharia based anti homosexuality law that punishes anyone caught having Gay sex with 100 strokes of the cane or equivalent to 8 years in prison.Though,the Indonesian law allows homosexual conducts an overbroad interpreration of the pornography act , coupled with government action has enabled the police to use in targetting LGBT people.
  • August 1
    Same-sex marriage becomes civil unions.
    Germany recognizes civil unions and provides tax benefits to couples in a civil union.
  • 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.
  • June 26
    Homosexual activity becomes legal.
    The last section of the law that criminalizes public manifestation of homosexuality was repealed.
  • June 22
    Censorship of LGBT Issues becomes no censorship.
    "Article 200" in Romania was repealed in 2001.
  • June 12
    Same-sex marriage becomes other type of partnership.
    Marriage Law is subject to Federal Law, Victoria afforded same sex relationships equal status as defacto heterosexual relationships (as domestic partnerships) in 2001
  • May 8
    Homosexual activity becomes legal.
    Legislative repeal, effective 2001.
  • April 1
    Same-sex marriage becomes legal.
    The Netherlands became the first country in the world to legalize gay marriage. The Lower Chamber voted 109 in favor on the same-sex marriage, with 33 against on September 12, 2000. On December 19, the Higher Chamber votes 'yes' on the bill. Queen Beatrix ratified the law on December 21st and it went into effect on April 1, 2001.
  • January 31
    LGBT housing discrimination becomes no protections.
    Provision of housing is addressed by the Equal Opportunity Act which explicitly states that it "does not include sexual preference or orientation" as a protected status. Gender identity is not mentioned in the Act.
  • LGBT employment discrimination becomes no protections.
    The Equal Opportunity Act covers employment discrimination and explicitly states that it "does not include sexual preference or orientation" as a protected status. Gender identity is not mentioned in the act.
  • LGBT discrimination becomes no protections.
    The act explicitly states that it "does not include sexual preference or orientation" as a status which may be the basis of discrimination.
  • January 26
    LGBT discrimination becomes no protections.
    Although certain regions of the Philippines have anti discrimination laws but they are not being widely and properly enforce nor followed. Though LGBT rights groups around the country demand the passing of the Equality Bill.
  • January 8
    Equal age of consent becomes equal.
  • January 5
    LGBT housing discrimination becomes no protections.
  • LGBT employment discrimination becomes no protections.
    Was not added to the current criminal code.
  • LGBT discrimination becomes no protections.
    not much is know about this island. was not added when criminality was decriminalized in Anguilla criminal code.
  • Homosexual activity becomes legal.
  • Homosexual activity becomes legal.
  • Homosexual activity becomes legal.
  • Homosexual activity becomes legal.

LGBT Organizations Founded in 2001

  • Blue Diamond Society FaviconBlue Diamond Society
    Nepal
    The Blue Diamond Society is a Nepal LGBT rights organization that was founded in 2001. The organization works for sexual and gender minority’s social justice and rights.
  • Rainbow Health Initiative FaviconRainbow Health Initiative
    Minnesota, United States
    Advancing Health Equity There are significant health disparities facing members of Minnesota’s gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender communities. Our goal is health equity…
  • Equality Utah FaviconEquality Utah
    Utah, United States
    Equality Utah, an IRS 501(c)(4) organization, is the state's largest LGBTQ civil rights organization. Equality Utah leads efforts for LGBTQ civil rights at the state and local…