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2002 in LGBT Rights

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In 2002, there were 72 recorded legal changes made affecting LGBT people. In the previous year, there were 119 changes made and 241 in the following year. A total of 1150 legal changes were made in the 2000s.

  • December 31
    LGBT discrimination becomes illegal in some contexts.
    There are some limited protections based on sexual orientation. -Broadcasting Standard Operating Procedure issued by the Independent Broadcasting Authority (IBA). -Professional Code of Ethics and Discipline (2014) isued by the Health Professions Council of Zambia. -Information & Communication Technology Standards and Guidelines (2014) issued by the Ministry of Health. -National Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health Policy (2015). -Zambia Consolidated Guidelines for Treatment and Prevention of HIV Infection (2022) issued by the Ministry of Health. -Gender Equality Strategy and Action Plan for the Energy Sector (2022).
  • December 19
    LGBT housing discrimination becomes sexual orientation only.
    In 2002, Rio Grande do Sul passed Law 11,872 which prohibited discrimination in housing on the basis of sexual orientation. However, gender identity remained unprotected until 2019.
  • LGBT discrimination becomes illegal in some contexts.
    In 2002, Rio Grande do Sul passed Law 11,872 which prohibited discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation in employment, housing and goods and services. However, there were no protections in education or healthcare. Additionally, gender identity remained unprotected in all areas.
  • LGBT employment discrimination becomes sexual orientation only.
    In 2002, Rio Grande do Sul passed Law 11,872 which prohibited discrimination in employment on the basis of sexual orientation. However, gender identity remained unprotected until 2019.
  • December 13
    Same-sex marriage becomes unregistered cohabitation.
    With the 2002 Discrimination Law Amendment Act, the Queensland government amended several pieces of legislation, granting several rights to unregistered domestic partners.
  • Blood donations by MSMs becomes banned (1-year deferral).
    In 2002, Brazil reduced the ban on blood donations from MSMs to a 1-year deferral period.
  • December 12
    Same-sex marriage becomes civil unions (marriage rights).
    In 2002, a Civil Union law was passed in Buenos Aires City which provided same-sex couples with the possibility of civil unions. The only restrictions were the same ones applied to marriages.
  • Same-sex marriage becomes varies by region.
    Before the legalisation of same-sex marriage in Argentina, several regions enacted civil unions starting with Buenos Aires City in 2002. In 2008, Argentina would provide federal recognition to same-sex couples as unregistered cohabitations for pensions from their partners.
  • November 7
    (deleted region)
    Same-sex adoption becomes legal.
    IVF treatment is available for lesbian couples too.
  • (deleted region)
    Same-sex adoption becomes legal.
    IVF treatment is available for lesbian couples too.
  • (deleted region)
    Same-sex adoption becomes legal.
    IVF treatment for Lesbian couples is possible.
  • September 10
    Same-sex adoption becomes legal.
    Legal under the case of Du Toit v Minister of Welfare and Population Development, later made official through the Consolidated Children's Act of 2010
  • September 4
    Same-sex adoption becomes illegal.
    Family Law adopted on July 25, 2002 recognized two categories of adoption: "incomplete adoption" and "full adoption". In the first case, adoptive parents could be both individuals and married partners (Articles 150-155). In the second case, adoptive parents are married partners only (Articles 156-160).
  • September 1
    Homosexual activity becomes legal.
    According to the laws of Mongolia
  • Homosexual activity becomes legal.
    From 2001,Same sex acts and realtionships are legal in Mongolia
  • August 29
    Equal age of consent becomes n/a.
    Since 2002, homosexuality is illegal in South Sumatra.
  • Homosexual activity becomes illegal (imprisonment as punishment).
    Although not illegal on the federal level, in 2002, South Sumatra passed a provision characterising homosexuality as “immoral actions” criminalising it in the process.
  • Equal age of consent becomes varies by region.
    In 2002, homosexuality was criminalised in South Sumatra. In 2015, the same would apply to Aceh. Elsewhere, homosexuality is legal but the age of consent remained unequal until 2019.
  • Homosexual activity becomes varies by region.
    Sex between consenting adults (18 years of age by the Law on Child Protection, No. 23/2002) of the same sex or gender is not criminalized in the Indonesian Penal Code. Same-sex sexual activity in Indonesia is legal (not criminalized), with the exception of Aceh in 2015 and South Sumatra in 2002.
  • July 27
    LGBT discrimination becomes illegal in some contexts.
    Before the adoption of the Anti-Discrimination law in 2009, several laws prohibited discrimination based on sexual orientation: - broadcasting law (2002), article 21; - law on public information (2003), aticle 38; - labour law (2005), article 18; - law on higher education (2005), article 8. Also, the 2006 Constitution prohibits discrimination in general but it does not mention sexual orientation or gender identity.
  • July 11
    Equal age of consent becomes equal.
    The revised Criminal Code equalised the age of consent to 17, after pressure from the EU.
  • June 24
    Equal age of consent becomes equal.
    The age of consent between people with maximum 5 years of difference is 14. Sexual contact between coetaneous is never punishable.
  • June 22
    Serving openly in military becomes legal.
    There are no known laws prohibiting or restricting LGBTIQ+ people from serving in the military of Transnistria.
  • Equal age of consent becomes equal.
    The age of consent for both homosexual and heterosexual intercourse is 16 in Transnistria.
  • Homosexual activity becomes legal.
    Consensual same-sex sexual activity is legal in Transnistria, despite many foreign sources saying that it is illegal. Article 131 of the Criminal Code of Transnistria that came into force in June 2002, states that committing sodomy, lesbianism and sexual intercourse with a person under the age of sixteen is illegal. However, the article does not state that committing 'sodomy and lesbianism' above 16 is illegal. All the other articles related to sex crimes, such as sexual assault and coercion to perform sexual acts, have listed '(heterosexual) sexual intercourse, sodomy and lesbianism' in the same category. There are no other articles in the Criminal Code of Transnistria that have laws that are separated in penalizing same-sex sexual activity, or committing 'sodomy and lesbianism.'
  • June 21
    Homosexual activity becomes illegal (death penalty as punishment).
    In Kaduna, along with Yobe, the definition of sodomy is vague. In these states, "sodomy" is committed by "[w]hoever has anal coitus with any man". The punishment for sodomy in Kaduna under the Sharia Penal Code Law 2002, is stoning to death (rajm). The punishment for lesbianism ("[w]hoever, being a woman, engages another woman in carnal intercourse through her sexual organ or by means of stimulation or sexual excitement of one another.") is ta'azir, which means "any punishment not provided for by way of hadd or qisas". "Hadd" means "punishment that is fixed by Islamic law". "Qisas" includes "punishments inflicted upon offenders by way of retaliation for causing death/injuries to a person"
  • June 8
    Same-sex marriage becomes civil unions (marriage rights).
    Quebec legalized civil unions on June 8th, 2002. Those unions gave gay couples the same rights as straight ones without changing the definition of marriage.
  • June 7
    Same-sex marriage becomes banned.
    In 2002, the State of Mexico banned same-sex marriage. It also listed bisexuality as a reason to prohibit marriage.
  • June 6
    Same-sex adoption becomes legal.
    The Swedish parliament has overwhelmingly voted to allow gay couples to adopt.
  • May 20
    Same-sex marriage becomes unrecognized.
    Until 2011, Timor-Leste had no laws explicitly banning same-sex marriage since independence from Indonesia in 2002. However, there was also no legal recognition provided to same-sex couples.
  • Equal age of consent becomes equal.
    According to articles 177 and 178 of the Penal Code, the age of consent is equal regardless of sexual orientation since independence in 2002.
  • Serving openly in military becomes legal.
    There are no explicit legal prohibitions against LGBTQ people serving in the Timor Leste Defence Force according to: -Decree-Law No. 3/2021 that Approves the Regulation of the Military Service Law. -Decree-Law No. 33/2020 on the Statute of Military Personnel of Timor-Leste Defence Forces. Regarding the National Police of Timor-Leste, there are three legal provisions that explicitly protect LGB people from discrimination: -Decree-Law No. 44 /2020 Disciplinary Regulation of the National Police of Timor-Leste. -Decree-Law No. 69/2022 Professional Statute of personnel with police functions of the National Police of Timor-Leste. -Decree-Law No. 35/2024 Statute of the Police Officers of the National Police of Timor-Leste.
  • Right to change legal gender becomes illegal.
    Transgender Timorese currently do not have the right to change their legal gender. The ability for Timorese to change their legal gender was not carried over after independence from Indonesia in 2002.
  • May 17
    Serving openly in military becomes illegal.
    In 2002, language was added that prohibited people with "βαριές ψυχοσεξουαλικές διαταραχές" - translating to severe psychosexual disturbances/disorders - from serving in the military. Evidence of the enforcement of this provision is very limited.
  • May 1
    LGBT employment discrimination becomes sexual orientation only.
    In 2002, while under United Nations occupation, Timor-Leste passed a Labour Code that prohibited discrimination in employment on the basis of sexual orientation.
  • LGBT discrimination becomes illegal in some contexts.
    Within the penal code, discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation (and discrimination in general) is treated as an aggravating circumstances since 2009. Sexual orientation was also a protected characteristic from employment discrimination since 2002 until 2012.
  • April 17
    Equal age of consent becomes equal.
    The Acts Amendment (lesbian and gay law reform) Act 2002 repealed legislation which unfairly penalised LGBT people, including laws setting an unequal age of consent. This also applies in Christmas Island.
  • Same-sex adoption becomes legal.
    In 2002, Western Australia became the first state in Australia to allow same-sex adoption when it passed the Lesbian and Gay Law Reform Act, which amended the Adoption Act of 1994 to allow same-sex couples to adopt. This also applies in the Cocos Islands.
  • Same-sex adoption becomes legal.
    In 2002, Western Australia became the first state in Australia to allow same-sex adoption when it passed the Lesbian and Gay Law Reform Act, which amended the Adoption Act of 1994 to allow same-sex couples to adopt. This also applies in Christmas Island.
  • LGBT housing discrimination becomes sexual orientation only.
    In 2002, Western Australia passed the Lesbian and Gay Law Reform Act which prohibited discrimination in housing on the basis of sexual orientation. This also applied in Christmas Island. However, gender identity remained unprotected until 2013.
  • LGBT housing discrimination becomes sexual orientation only.
    In 2002, Western Australia passed the Lesbian and Gay Law Reform Act which prohibited discrimination in housing on the basis of sexual orientation. This also applied in the Cocos Islands. However, gender identity remained unprotected until 2013.
  • Same-sex adoption becomes legal.
    In 2002, Western Australia became the first state in Australia to allow same-sex adoption when it passed the Lesbian and Gay Law Reform Act, which amended the Adoption Act of 1994 to allow same-sex couples to adopt.
  • LGBT housing discrimination becomes sexual orientation only.
    In 2002, Western Australia passed the Lesbian and Gay Law Reform Act which prohibited discrimination in housing on the basis of sexual orientation. However, gender identity remained unprotected until 2013.
  • Equal age of consent becomes equal.
    The Acts Amendment (lesbian and gay law reform) Act 2002 repealed legislation which unfairly penalised LGBT people, including laws setting an unequal age of consent.
  • Censorship of LGBT issues becomes no censorship.
    There have been no laws censoring LGBTIQ+ topics in Australia since the repeal of censorship laws in Western Australia in 2002 until 2024. Bias of coverage is more based on media concentration.
  • Censorship of LGBT issues becomes no censorship.
    Since the Lesbian and Gay Law Reform Act of 2002 repealed the Decriminalisation of Sodomy Act of 1989 which contained a section banning the promotion of homosexual activity, Western Australia has no laws censoring LGBTIQ+ topics. This also applies to the Cocos Islands.
  • Censorship of LGBT issues becomes no censorship.
    Since the Lesbian and Gay Law Reform Act of 2002 repealed the Decriminalisation of Sodomy Act of 1989 which contained a section banning the promotion of homosexual activity, Western Australia has no laws censoring LGBTIQ+ topics.
  • Censorship of LGBT issues becomes no censorship.
    Since the Lesbian and Gay Law Reform Act of 2002 repealed the Decriminalisation of Sodomy Act of 1989 which contained a section banning the promotion of homosexual activity, Western Australia has no laws censoring LGBTIQ+ topics. This also applies to Christmas Island.
  • Equal age of consent becomes equal.
    The Acts Amendment (lesbian and gay law reform) Act 2002 repealed legislation which unfairly penalised LGBT people, including laws setting an unequal age of consent. This also applies in the Cocos Islands.
  • April 1
    Same-sex adoption becomes legal.
    Newfoundland amended their Adoption Act in 1999, taking effect in 2002, allowing same-sex couples to adopt by changing the wording to: "one adult alone or two adults jointly may apply to a court to adopt a child under this Act".
  • March 1
    Same-sex adoption becomes illegal.
    Same-sex couples or even homosexuals are not allowed to adopt in Kenya. Chapter 141, Section 158 of Kenya's The Children Act states: "An adoption order shall not be made if the applicant or, in the case of joint applicants, both or any of them [...] is a homosexual."
  • February 28
    Same-sex marriage becomes unrecognized.
    There is no definition of marriage in Republika Srpska 1992 Constitution. Article 36: "Marriage and marriage & family relations are regulated by law" The Family Laws of 2002 and 2023 have the same definition of marriage in articles 4: "Marriage is a union of life between husband and wife regulated by law."
  • January 23
    LGBT discrimination becomes illegal in some contexts.
    The Anti-discrimination law (Law No. 7 2018) does not explicity include sexual orientation and gender identity as protected categories. However, there are legal provisions in specific laws that explicitly mention sexual orientation and gender identity as a category protected against discrimination: - Law 6 (2002) that dictates rules for transparency in public management, establishes the action of Habeas Data and dictates other provisions, establishes sexual orientation as confidential information, which may not be disclosed under any circumstances by State agents. Law 16 (2002) that Regulates the right of admission in public establishments and establishes measures to avoid discrimination, prohibits discrimination based on sexual orientation. - Law 12 that Regulates the activity of insurance and dictates other provisions (2012), establishes that the sexual orientation of the contracting party or insured is understood as confidential information. -Law 6 (2017) that creates the National Mechanism for the Prevention of Torture and other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment, establishes that confidential information is understood to be all types of data and information that are relevant to people's medical and psychological data, the private life of individuals, including their gender identity or sexual orientation. -Law 81 (2019) on the Protection of Personal Data, personal data that may reveal aspects related to sexual preference or orientation are considered sensitive.
  • January 18
    LGBT housing discrimination becomes sexual orientation only.
    In 2002, France passed Law 73 which prohibited discrimination in housing on the basis of sexual orientation. This also applied to New Caledonia. However, gender identity remained unprotected until 2014.
  • LGBT housing discrimination becomes sexual orientation only.
    In 2002, France passed Law 73 which prohibited discrimination in housing on the basis of sexual orientation. This also applied to French Guiana. However, gender identity remained unprotected until 2014.
  • LGBT housing discrimination becomes sexual orientation only.
    In 2002, France passed Law 73 which prohibited discrimination in housing on the basis of sexual orientation. This also applied to Martinique. However, gender identity remained unprotected until 2014.
  • LGBT housing discrimination becomes sexual orientation only.
    In 2002, France passed Law 73 which prohibited discrimination in housing on the basis of sexual orientation. This also applied to Guadeloupe. However, gender identity remained unprotected until 2014.
  • LGBT housing discrimination becomes sexual orientation only.
    In 2002, France passed Law 73 which prohibited discrimination in housing on the basis of sexual orientation. This also applied to Reunion. However, gender identity remained unprotected until 2014.
  • LGBT housing discrimination becomes sexual orientation only.
    In 2002, France passed Law 73 which prohibited discrimination in housing on the basis of sexual orientation. This also applied to Mayotte. However, gender identity remained unprotected until 2014.
  • January 15
    LGBT housing discrimination becomes sexual orientation only.
    In 2002, Minas Gerais passed Law 14,170 which prohibited discrimination in housing on the basis of sexual orientation. However, gender identity remained unprotected until 2019.
  • LGBT employment discrimination becomes sexual orientation only.
    In 2002, Minas Gerais passed Law 14,170 which prohibited discrimination in employment on the basis of sexual orientation. However, gender identity remained unprotected until 2019.
  • LGBT discrimination becomes illegal in some contexts.
    Law 14170 of January 15, 2002. Determines the imposition of penalties for companies who practice discriminatory act against a person because of their sexual orientation.
  • January 6
    Equal age of consent becomes equal.
    The age of consent of 14 years is equal for everyone.
  • (date unknown)
    Same-sex marriage becomes banned.
    The 2002 "Compulsory Registration of Marriages Act" refers to a bride and bridegroom.
  • January 1
    Blood donations by MSMs becomes banned (indefinite deferral).
    One of the many countries were lgbt people cannot donate.
  • (date unknown)
    Right to change legal gender becomes legal, but requires medical diagnosis.
    In order to change your legal gender in Iowa, you need to have a physician sign off that you have undergone appropriate clinical treatment in your gender transition. Although surgery to change your gender is an option, it is not required. Also, it is not explicitly stated that you need to be diagnosed with gender dysphoria in order to change your gender.
  • Same-sex marriage becomes banned.
    Article 123 of the Persons and Family Code (2002) states: “Marriage may only be contracted between a man of at least eighteen years of age and a woman of at least eighteen years of age.”
  • Same-sex adoption becomes legal.
    Any individual may petition for single parent or joint adoption. Second-parent adoption is permitted via case law referenced below.
  • January 1
    Equal age of consent becomes equal.
    Equal age of consent set at 14 since a Constitutional Court ruling in 2002.
  • (date unknown)
    Homosexual activity becomes legal.
    In Arkansas in 2002 there was a state supreme court hearing about homosexual activities (sodomy), about a 1977 law that forbid the acts. It was overturned, and it is now currently legal. Supreme Court ruled in 2003 that homosexual acts are legal, and any imprisonment with the 1977 law would be released.
  • January
    Serving openly in military becomes lesbians, gays, bisexuals permitted, transgender people banned.
    Taiwan allows gay and lesbian soldiers provided they maintain military discipline standards. However it is very ambiguous whether trans people are allowed or not. Most easily accessible sources in regards to military service do not mention trans people at all. One source claims that two trans men were considered for mandatory service, yet were allowed to choose not to as "they were not psychologically prepared to live with other men in a setting like the military."
  • (date unknown)
    Same-sex marriage becomes banned.
    The Fijian Marriage Act of 1968 was adjusted in 2002 to explicitly state that "marriage in this registry (or place) which is in law the voluntary union of one man and one woman to the exclusion of all others." Additionally, previous Fijian Prime Ministers have been opposed to same-sex marriage.

LGBT Organizations Founded in 2002

  • MassEquality FaviconMassEquality
    Massachusetts, United States
    MassEquality is the leading Massachusetts grassroots advocacy organization working to ensure that everyone across Massachusetts can thrive from cradle to grave without…
  • Boys of Bangladesh FaviconBoys of Bangladesh
    Bangladesh
    Boys of Bangladesh (BoB), is the largest network of self-identified Bangladeshi gay men. It is a non-registered, non-funded and non-formal group run by a pull of dedicated…
  • Zagreb Pride Organization FaviconZagreb Pride Organization
    Croatia
    Zagreb Pride Organization is the organization that runs Zagreb Pride, the LGBT pride march in Zagreb, the capital of Croatia.
  • Equality Alabama FaviconEquality Alabama
    Alabama, United States
    Equality Alabama's mission is to advance equality for LGBTQ Alabamians where they live, work, learn and play through education and advocacy.
  • National Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce FaviconNational Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce
    United States
    The National Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce is the business voice of the LGBT community and is the largest global not-for-profit advocacy organization specifically dedicated…
  • Rede Ex Aequo FaviconRede Ex Aequo
    Portugal
    A rede ex aequo
  • SC Equality FaviconSC Equality
    South Carolina, United States
    SC Equality is the statewide LGBTQ rights organization in South Carolina.
  • Ali Forney Center FaviconAli Forney Center
    New York, United States
    The Ali Forney Center is a New York-based charity helping homeless LGBTQIA+ youth. Around 2,000 individuals are served every year. The center is named in honor of Ali Forney, a…
  • SomComSom FaviconSomComSom
    Andorra
    Som com Som meaning (we are as we are) is an Andorran group dedicated to advancing LGBT rights and was apparently influential in the legalisation of same-sex marriage in the…
  • Bangkok Rainbow Organization FaviconBangkok Rainbow Organization
    Thailand
    Bangkok Rainbow Organization is a non-profit group recognized by Public Health Department and other government agencies as a leading volunteer group specialized in gay…