In 2001, there were 72 recorded legal changes made affecting LGBT people. In the previous year, there were 73 changes made and 44 in the following year. A total of 716 legal changes were made in the 2000s.
- December 21
- November 5
- LGBT discrimination becomes illegal in some contexts.Some anti-discrimination laws provided limited protections for LGBT people.
- September 28Same-sex marriage becomes civil unions (marriage rights).Same-sex couples are legally able to form registered partnerships, with all the rights of marriage exept for adoption rights and taking your partner’s surname.
- September 14
- September 1
- August 1
- Same-sex marriage becomes civil unions (marriage rights).Germany recognizes civil unions and provides tax benefits to couples in a civil union.
- Equal age of consent becomes equal.
- July 10Same-sex adoption becomes legal.On July 10th 2001, a Nova Scotia judge invalidates the requirement for marriage for adoption after a same-sex couple pleaded their case. Before then, same-sex couples were banned from adopting as they could not be married.
- June 26
- June 20
- June 12
- May 8
- May 2Homosexual activity becomes legal.Homosexuality is now legal in Minnesota, although the state constitution would not rescind its sodomy provisions until 2023.
- April 1Same-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.
- 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.
- March 13
- January 31Homosexual activity becomes illegal (death penalty as punishment).The Sharia Penal Code Law 2000 took effect in Sokoto on January 31st, 2001. It was the second Nigerian State to implement Sharia Law. Within the Penal Code, consensual same-sex sexual activity is punished with stoning to death. If the act is committed by a minor on an adult person the adult person shall be punished by way of ta'azir which may extend to 100 lashes and minor with correctional punishment.
- 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 26LGBT 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 8Equal age of consent becomes equal.
- January 5LGBT 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.
- January 1Gender-affirming care becomes restricted.In many parts of the former Soviet Union, the rights of transgender people are often restricted, and specific medical care for gender transition can be very difficult to obtain as in Transnistria where gender change to civil status has been legal since 2001, but where care affirming the gender of transgender people is limited.
- Gender-affirming care becomes legal.All countries present in Antarctica have adopted the ICD-9 and ICD-10 classifications containing codes authorizing them to carry out medical transition
- (date unknown)Gender-affirming care becomes legal.In 2001, Seychelles adopted the ICD-10 classification, which contains codes for diagnosing transsexualism in adulthood and childhood, which authorize the initiation of medical transition.
- January 1Gender-affirming care becomes legal.In 2001, United Kingdom adopted the ICD-10 classification, which contains codes for diagnosing transsexualism in adulthood and childhood, which authorize the initiation of medical transition.
- (date unknown)
- Right to change legal gender becomes legal, but requires surgery.Legal since 2001
- Censorship of LGBT issues becomes state-enforced.
- January 1LGBT employment discrimination becomes ambiguous.Sexual orientation and gender identity discrimination protection only in public employment.
- Equal age of consent becomes equal.
- Same-sex adoption becomes legal.
- Equal age of consent becomes equal.The age of concent was equalised at the same time as homosexual activity was decriminalised.
- Same-sex adoption becomes legal.
- Homosexual activity becomes legal.
- (date unknown)Equal age of consent becomes equal.
- January 1Right to change legal gender becomes legal, but requires surgery.In a 2001 amendment, sex change is possible but only with surgery.
- (date unknown)LGBT employment discrimination becomes sexual orientation and gender identity.State law provides for protections against employment discrimination in regards to both sexual orientation and gender identification.
- January 1Equal age of consent becomes equal.
- (date unknown)Equal age of consent becomes equal.
- Homosexual activity becomes legal.
- January 1Homosexual activity becomes legal.
- Homosexual activity becomes legal.
- Homosexual activity becomes legal.
- (date unknown)
- January 1Homosexual activity becomes legal.The UK government decriminalised homosexual acts between two consenting adults via Sections 3(1) and 3(7) of the Caribbean Territories (Criminal Law) Order, 2000.
- Same-sex adoption becomes single only.
- (date unknown)
- Blood donations by MSMs becomes banned (indefinite deferral).Gay, lesbian, bisexual, and other "high risk HIV" groups are banned from donating blood in Taiwan.
- Blood donations by MSMs becomes legal.Italy uses a risk-based donor selection system that treats MSM and heterosexual partners equally.
- Equal age of consent becomes equal.
LGBT Organizations Founded in 2001
Blue Diamond Society
The Blue Diamond Society is a Nepal LGBT rights organization that was founded in 2001. The organization works for sexual and gender minorityRainbow Health Initiative
Advancing Health Equity There are significant health disparities facing members of MinnesotaEquality Utah
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…Massachusetts Transgender Political Coalition
Founded in 2001, the Massachusetts Transgender Political Coalition (MTPC) is an advocacy, education, and community leadership organization that works to ensure the wellbeing…Helem
Queer activist in the middle-eastGeten
Center for LGBTIQA people's rightsCampaign Against Homophobia
Campaign Against Homophobia (actual name: Kampania Przeciw Homofobii, abbreviation: KPH) is a Polish gay rights organisation, which aims to promote legal and social equality for…Kampania Przeciw Homofobii
Pride Center WNY
Pride Center of WNY has been committed to give families and people a welcoming space for all people especially for LGBTQ people.