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2003 in LGBT Rights

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In 2003, there were 115 recorded legal changes made affecting LGBT people. In the previous year, there were 42 changes made and 72 in the following year. A total of 840 legal changes were made in the 2000s.

  • December 21
    Same-sex adoption becomes single only.
    There are no adoption restrictions for single people. Also, no laws in place for same-sex couples.
  • December 18
    Right to change legal gender becomes legal, but requires surgery.
    Article 21 was amended in 2003 so that legal sex can be rectified to correct for "errors" without changing other details in the civil registry.
  • December 2
    LGBT employment discrimination becomes sexual orientation only.
    In 2003, the Labour government began prohibiting discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation in employment, with some exceptions. This extended to the whole UK.
  • LGBT employment discrimination becomes sexual orientation only.
    In 2003, the Labour government began prohibiting discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation in employment, with some exceptions. This extended to the whole UK.
  • LGBT employment discrimination becomes sexual orientation only.
    In 2003, the Labour government began prohibiting discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation in employment, with some exceptions. This extended to the whole UK.
  • LGBT employment discrimination becomes sexual orientation and gender identity.
    The 1999 Gender Reassignment Regulations amended sex discrimination protections to include gender identity, then in 2003, new legislation was passed protecting people from employment discrimination based on sexual orientation.
  • November 18
    Censorship of LGBT issues becomes no censorship.
    The infamous section 28 of the Local Government Act 1988 was repealed by section 122 of the Local Government Act 2003.
  • Censorship of LGBT issues becomes no censorship.
    The infamous section 28 of the Local Government Act 1988 was repealed by section 122 of the Local Government Act 2003.
  • (deleted region)
    Censorship of LGBT issues becomes no censorship.
    There are no laws censoring LGBTQ Topics in Liverpool
  • (deleted region)
    Censorship of LGBT issues becomes no censorship.
    Previous law repealed by section 122 of the Local Government Act 2003.
  • (deleted region)
    Censorship of LGBT issues becomes no censorship.
    In England, there are no laws restricting the discussion or promotion of LGBTQ+ topics. This extends to Manchester
  • (deleted region)
    Censorship of LGBT issues becomes no censorship.
    The UK does not restrict the promotion of LGBTQ topics.
  • Censorship of LGBT issues becomes no censorship.
    The infamous section 28 of the Local Government Act 1988 was repealed by section 122 of the Local Government Act 2003. Since then, there have been no laws censoring LGBTIQ+ topics in the United Kingdom. However, in May 2024, draft guidance on sex education in British schools was released by the Department for Education, which seeks to ban schools from teaching children any information about gender identity if implemented. However, these were proposed by the conservative government, which was removed from power two months later.
  • Censorship of LGBT issues becomes no censorship.
    In England, there are no laws restricting the discussion or promotion of LGBTQ+ topics.
  • November 1
    Right to change legal gender becomes legal, but requires surgery.
    Until 2018, surgery was required to change your legal gender in Brazil.
  • October 8
    Right to change legal gender becomes legal, but requires surgery.
    Requires a notarized affidavit from a surgeon outlining the surgical procedure(s). A court order may also be used as evidence.
  • September 16
    LGBT discrimination becomes illegal in some contexts.
    There are some local discrimination protections for LGBT people. Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity and Expression (SOGIE) Equality Bill pending nationwide.
  • September 5
    Gender-affirming care becomes banned.
    Starting in 2003, "sex-change medical interventions" were allowed only after a full chromosome map to ensure the person has a “biological need” to receive that treatment meaning they must be intersex or have a verifiable disorder of sex development (DSD) In addition to the approval of Al-Azhar. HRT is only allowed after a "sex-change surgery".
  • August 28
    LGBT discrimination becomes illegal in some contexts.
    Missouri's hate crime statutes explicitly address both sexual orientation, defined as "male or female heterosexuality, homosexuality or bisexuality by inclination, practice, identity or expression," and gender identity, defined as "having a self-image or identity not traditionally associated with one's gender."
  • August 13
    LGBT employment discrimination becomes sexual orientation only.
    Legislative Decree 9 July 2003, n. 216 prohibits discrimination in the workplace on the basis of religion, personal beliefs, handicap, age and sexual orientation.
  • July 30
    Same-sex marriage becomes unregistered cohabitation.
    The Law on Same-Sex Unions was adopted on July 14, 2003. The law allowed same-sex partners who have lived together for a minimum of 3 years similar rights to unmarried heterosexual partners in terms of inheritance and financial support, but not the right to adoption or any other right under family law. Such relationships could not be registered, nor did they have rights in terms of taxes, joint property, health insurance, pensions, etc.
  • Same-sex adoption becomes single only.
    There are no restrictions for single individuals based on sexual orientation, but there are restrictions to single people in general. A child may be adopted by a person who is not married if it is of particular benefit to the child (Article 133, paragraph 2).
  • July 29
    LGBT employment discrimination becomes no protections.
    Article 3 of the 2003 Labour Law prohibited discrimination in employment but did not mention sexual orientation or gender identity.
  • July 19
    LGBT employment discrimination becomes sexual orientation only.
    Amendments to the Labor Law (1995) dated July 14, 2003 introduced sexual orientation as a basis for prohibiting discrimination.
  • July 15
    LGBT discrimination becomes illegal.
    In 2003 Discrimination protection was extended to Sexual orientation and Gender identity in the penal code. In 2004, an official anti-discrimination bill was passed that includes provisions for sexual orientations and gender identities. The law is actively enforced.
  • July 10
    Same-sex marriage becomes banned.
    Until 2019, Baja California Sur defined a marriage as between a man and a woman, effectively banning same-sex marriage. Couples had to rely on amparos from the federal government to legally wed.
  • July 9
    LGBT discrimination becomes illegal in some contexts.
    Only discrimination in workplace banned.
  • July 8
    Same-sex marriage becomes legal.
    British Columbia became the second province in Canada behind Ontario to legalize gay marriage.
  • July 1
    Serving openly in military becomes lesbians, gays, bisexuals permitted, transgender people banned.
    Open homosexuals still serve in the military.
  • LGBT housing discrimination becomes sexual orientation and gender identity.
    This state explicitly bans housing discrimination based upon sexual orientation and gender identification. Additionally, the Human Rights Campaign states, "The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) requires grantees and participants of HUD programs to comply with local and state non-discrimination laws that include sexual orientation and gender identity. HUD also prohibits inquiries regarding the sexual orientation or gender identity of a prospective tenant or applicant for assisted housing in every state (March 2012)."
  • 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.
  • LGBT discrimination becomes illegal.
    People are protected from discrimination based upon both sexual orientation and gender identification.
  • Serving openly in military becomes lesbians, gays, bisexuals permitted, transgender people banned.
    Open homosexuals still serve in the military.
  • June 26
    Equal age of consent becomes equal.
    Mississippi law states anyone under 16 to 17 years old is unable to consent, this goes for everyone, though not stated clearly.
  • Equal age of consent becomes equal.
    Though it does not explicitly say if LGBTQ parties are in the law, it remains equal for LGBTQ people.
  • Equal age of consent becomes equal.
    Age of consent generally in Michigan is 16 to 17 years old, Law does not specifically LGBTQ people in the law. However it is equal for everyone, in the state of Michigan
  • Equal age of consent becomes equal.
    The age of consent in New Jersey law is for all sexual activity.
  • Homosexual activity becomes legal.
    In 2002, the Puerto Rican Supreme Court ruled that the ban on sodomy was constitutional. However, as a American territory Puerto Rico is subject to decisions of the U.S. Supreme Court. On June 26, 2003 with the landmark decision ruled through "Lawrence v Texas", homosexuality was decriminalized across the contiguous United States and it's subsequent territories, including Puerto Rico. In 2004, the Penal Code was ammended, codifying the legality of homosexuality.
  • Equal age of consent becomes equal.
    Age of consent laws are equitable regardless of sexual orientation or gender.
  • Equal age of consent becomes equal.
    Age of consent laws are equitable, regardless of gender or orientation.
  • Equal age of consent becomes equal.
    Age of consent laws are equitable regardless of gender or orientation.
  • Equal age of consent becomes equal.
    Age of consent is 17 regardless of gender or orientation. However, Texas has a "Romeo and Juliet law" allowing younger people of similar ages to consent, but the wording of this law excludes same-sex partners, but this still technically doesn’t make aoc ‘unequal’.
  • Equal age of consent becomes equal.
    Age of consent laws are equitable regardless of gender or sexual orientation.
  • Equal age of consent becomes equal.
    Age of consent is equitable regardless of gender or orientation.
  • Equal age of consent becomes equal.
    Age of consent laws are equitable regardless of gender or orientation.
  • Equal age of consent becomes equal.
    Age of consent in Wyoming is 17 for both same-sex couples and different-sex couples. State Statute is often confused to mean age 16, but in cases of Pierson v. State and Moore v. State, the courts ruled the law states 17. The statutes were later amended for clarity.
  • Equal age of consent becomes equal.
    State General Statute GS14-27.7 defines age of consent in North Carolina as 16 for vaginal intercourse but makes no mention of anal or oral intercourse, however it best categorized as equal as there is no law against it.
  • Homosexual activity becomes legal.
    US Supreme Court ruling issued in Lawrence v. Texas struck down all sodomy laws on the basis of privacy and liberty. The decision overturned any laws remaining in all US states which prohibited acts of sodomy.
  • Homosexual activity becomes legal.
    US Supreme Court ruling issued in Lawrence v. Texas struck down all sodomy laws on the basis of privacy and liberty. The decision overturned any laws remaining in all US states which prohibited acts of sodomy.
  • Homosexual activity becomes legal.
    US Supreme Court ruling issued in Lawrence v. Texas struck down all sodomy laws on the basis of privacy and liberty. The decision overturned any laws remaining in all US states which prohibited acts of sodomy.
  • Homosexual activity becomes legal.
    US Supreme Court ruling issued in Lawrence v. Texas struck down all sodomy laws on the basis of privacy and liberty. The decision overturned any laws remaining in all US states which prohibited acts of sodomy.
  • Homosexual activity becomes legal.
    US Supreme Court ruling issued in Lawrence v. Texas struck down all sodomy laws on the basis of privacy and liberty. The decision overturned any laws remaining in all US states which prohibited acts of sodomy.
  • Homosexual activity becomes legal.
    US Supreme Court ruling issued in Lawrence v. Texas struck down all sodomy laws on the basis of privacy and liberty. The decision overturned any laws remaining in all US states which prohibited acts of sodomy.
  • Homosexual activity becomes legal.
    The US Supreme Court's ruling issued in Lawrence v. Texas (2003) struck down all sodomy laws on the basis of privacy and liberty. The decision overturned any laws remaining in all US states which prohibited acts of sodomy. However, New Hampshire repealed its individual sodomy ban in 1975; one of the first states in the country to do so.
  • Homosexual activity becomes legal.
    US Supreme Court ruling issued in Lawrence v. Texas struck down all sodomy laws on the basis of privacy and liberty. The decision overturned any laws remaining in all US states which prohibited acts of sodomy.
  • Homosexual activity becomes legal.
    The US Supreme Court's ruling issued in Lawrence v. Texas (2003) struck down all sodomy laws on the basis of privacy and liberty. The decision overturned any laws remaining in all US states which prohibited acts of sodomy. Missouri later repealed its sodomy ban in 2006; among the first Republican-majority states to do so.
  • Homosexual activity becomes legal.
    The US Supreme Court's ruling issued in Lawrence v. Texas (2003) struck down all sodomy laws on the basis of privacy and liberty. The decision overturned any laws remaining in all US states which prohibited acts of sodomy. Michigan has not yet repealed its sodomy ban.
  • Homosexual activity becomes legal.
    The US Supreme Court's ruling issued in Lawrence v. Texas (2003) struck down all sodomy laws on the basis of privacy and liberty. The decision overturned any laws remaining in all US states which prohibited acts of sodomy.
  • Homosexual activity becomes legal.
    Consensual same-sex sexual activity has been legal in South Carolina since the United States Supreme Court's ruling in Lawrence v. Texas, which overturned the remaining anti-sodomy laws nationwide in 2003.
  • Homosexual activity becomes legal.
    Consensual same-sex sexual activity has been legal in North Carolina since the United States Supreme Court's ruling in Lawrence v. Texas, which overturned the remaining anti-sodomy laws nationwide in 2003.
  • Homosexual activity becomes legal.
    The US Supreme Court's ruling issued in Lawrence v. Texas (2003) struck down all sodomy laws on the basis of privacy and liberty. The decision overturned any laws remaining in all US states which prohibited acts of sodomy. Virginia would ultimately repeal its individual sodomy ban in early 2014.
  • Homosexual activity becomes legal.
    Consensual same-sex sexual activity has been legal in Mississippi since the United States Supreme Court's ruling in Lawrence v. Texas, which overturned the remaining anti-sodomy laws nationwide in 2003.
  • Homosexual activity becomes legal.
    Consensual same-sex sexual activity has been legal in Louisiana since the United States Supreme Court's ruling in Lawrence v. Texas, which overturned the remaining anti-sodomy laws nationwide in 2003.
  • Homosexual activity becomes legal.
    Consensual same-sex sexual activity has been legal in Texas since the United States Supreme Court's ruling in Lawrence v. Texas, which overturned the remaining anti-sodomy laws nationwide in 2003.
  • Homosexual activity becomes legal.
    Consensual same-sex sexual activity has been legal in Oklahoma since the United States Supreme Court's ruling in Lawrence v. Texas, which overturned the remaining anti-sodomy laws nationwide in 2003.
  • Homosexual activity becomes legal.
    Consensual same-sex sexual activity has been legal in Kansas since the United States Supreme Court's ruling in Lawrence v. Texas, which overturned the remaining anti-sodomy laws nationwide in 2003.
  • Homosexual activity becomes legal.
    The SCOTUS ruling Lawrence v. Texas decriminalised gay sex nationwide. In 2019, Utah repealed its defunct sodomy provisions from its state constitution.
  • Homosexual activity becomes legal.
    Idaho's law banning gay sex was overturned by SCOTUS's decision in Lawrence v. Texas (2003), and definitively repealed in 2022.
  • Homosexual activity becomes legal.
    The U.S. Supreme Court's ruling in Lawrence v. Texas decriminalized gay sex nationwide. Alabama repealed its defunct sodomy ban in 2019.
  • Homosexual activity becomes legal.
    The US Supreme Court's ruling issued in Lawrence v. Texas (2003) struck down all sodomy laws on the basis of privacy and liberty. The decision overturned any laws remaining in all US states which prohibited acts of sodomy. Minnesota's sodomy ban was definitively repealed in May 2023.
  • Homosexual activity becomes legal.
    Consensual same-sex sexual activity has been legal in Florida since the United States Supreme Court's ruling in Lawrence v. Texas, which overturned the remaining anti-sodomy laws nationwide in 2003.
  • Homosexual activity becomes legal.
    Homosexuality was decriminalized at the federal level in the United States through the landmark Supreme Court decision of Lawrence v. Texas in 2003. The court struck down a Texas statute that criminalized sexual acts between same-sex couples, declaring such laws unconstitutional. This judgment set a precedent that rendered similar anti-sodomy statutes across states unenforceable, thereby federally decriminalizing homosexuality in private, consensual settings.
  • June 12
    Equal age of consent becomes equal.
    In 2002, Moldova amended its criminal code to make the age of consent for both heterosexual and homosexual intercourse 16, equalising the age of consent. It took effect in 2003. This law also applies in Chisinau.
  • Equal age of consent becomes equal.
    In 2002, Moldova amended its criminal code to make the age of consent for both heterosexual and homosexual intercourse 16, equalising the age of consent. It took effect in 2003. This law also applies in Gagauzia.
  • Equal age of consent becomes equal.
    In 2002, Moldova amended its criminal code to make the age of consent for both heterosexual and homosexual intercourse 16, equalising the age of consent. It took effect in 2003.
  • June 11
    LGBT discrimination becomes illegal in some contexts.
    Sexual orientation has been a protected characteristic from discrimination in Colima since 2003 under federal Mexican law. Colima would soon add it as such in its own anti-discrimination law. However, gender identity remains unprotected.
  • LGBT discrimination becomes illegal in some contexts.
    Sexual orientation has been a protected characteristic from discrimination in Chihuahua since 2003 under federal Mexican law. Chihuahua would soon add it as such in its own anti-discrimination law. However, gender identity remains unprotected.
  • LGBT discrimination becomes illegal in some contexts.
    Sexual orientation became a protected characteristic from discrimination in Tamaulipas in 2003 under federal Mexican law. It was soon added as a protected characteristic in the state’s own anti-discrimination laws. However, gender identity remains unprotected.
  • LGBT discrimination becomes illegal in some contexts.
    Sexual orientation has been a protected characteristic from discrimination in Chiapas since 2003 under federal Mexican law. After that, Chiapas added it as such in its own anti-discrimination law. However, there are still no explicit protections provided to gender identity.
  • LGBT housing discrimination becomes sexual orientation only.
    Article 1(3) of the Federal Act to Prevent and Eliminate Discrimination (2003) includes “sexual preferences” as one of the prohibited grounds of discrimination. This law applies to housing as per Article 9(XXI). Gender identity is not explicitly mentioned
  • LGBT employment discrimination becomes varies by region.
    Most of Mexico's states have enacted laws that ban discrimination based on sexual orientation or sexual preference, as well as gender. Many states also explicitly ban discrimination based on gender identity in local laws.
  • LGBT discrimination becomes illegal in some contexts.
    Since 1917, Article 1 of the Political Constitution of the United Mexican States has prohibited discrimination on any grounds. However, the explicit mention of sexual orientation as a basis for discrimination was only added during the 2011 reform of this article. Since then, it has also established that all Mexican authorities, within their respective jurisdictions, are obligated to promote, respect, protect, and guarantee human rights, in accordance with the principles of universality, interdependence, indivisibility, and progressiveness. Consequently, the Mexican State must prevent, investigate, sanction, and remedy human rights violations. Provisions related to human rights must be interpreted in accordance with the Constitution and international treaties, always favouring the broadest protection for individuals. Before this, in 2003, the Federal Law to Prevent and Eliminate Discrimination was enacted, marking the first legal tool requiring the Mexican State to create the conditions necessary for the real and effective equality of individuals. As a result, federal authorities must take action, both independently and collaboratively, to remove obstacles that hinder or prevent the full development of individuals and ensure that everyone enjoys the rights and freedoms guaranteed by the Political Constitution of the United Mexican States and by international treaties to which Mexico is a party. And thus, Article 4 (now Article 1, section III after the 2014 reform) of this law explicitly includes sexual orientation as one of the grounds for negative discrimination. Some regions have also began providing protections on the basis of gender identity, starting with Michoacan in 2009.
  • June 10
    Same-sex marriage becomes varies by region.
    On June 10th, 2003, Ontario became the first province in Canada to legalize civil unions for gay couples. The second province to legalize it was British Columbia less than a month later on July 8th, 2003.
  • Same-sex marriage becomes legal.
    Through the case Halpern v. Canada, the definition of marriage as "one man and one woman" was changed to “the voluntary union for life of two persons to the exclusion of all others” to comply with the couples' equality rights under section 15(1) of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
  • June 1
    Same-sex marriage becomes legal.
    Civil marriages for same-sex couples were enabled by Article 143 of the Belgian Civil Code (Book I, Title V, Chapter I), making it the second country in the world to recognise same-sex marriage. Statutory cohabitation remains available for those who do not wish to enter into a civil marriage.
  • May 27
    Equal age of consent becomes equal.
  • May 26
    Same-sex marriage becomes banned.
    The Constitution of Rwanda, adopted in May 2003, defines marriage as a union between a man and a woman. Article 26 states: "Only civil monogamous marriage between a man and a woman is recognized."
  • May 1
    LGBT discrimination becomes illegal in some contexts.
    Before the adoption of the Anti-Discrimination Law in 2010, several laws prohibited discrimination based on sexual orientation: - law on media (2002), article 23; - labour law (2008), article 5. Also, the 2007 Constitution prohibits discrimination in general but it does not mention sexual orientation or gender identity.
  • April 18
    Homosexual activity becomes legal.
    Homosexual activity is not illegal in Armenia.
  • April 11
    LGBT discrimination becomes illegal in some contexts.
    Since 2003, Section 1 of the Data Protection (Privacy of Personal Information) Act includes “sexual life” among the protected sensitive personal data. The Communications Act (2009) states that The Utilities Regulation and Competition Authority (URCA) may by determination issue regulatory and other measures to regulate content services intended for reception by subscribers of carriage services or by broadcasting. URCA shall issue codes of practice which will be taken into account the matter that is likely to incite or perpetuate hatred against, or vilifies, any person or group on the basis of gender and sexual preference, among others.
  • April 10
    Same-sex marriage becomes civil unions (marriage rights).
    In 2003, the Province of Rio Negro enacted Law 3736 which allowed for same-sex couples to enter into civil unions with the same rights as marriages.
  • March 31
    LGBT employment discrimination becomes sexual orientation and gender identity.
    A 2003 amendment to Queensland's Anti-Discrimination Act added sexual orientation and gender identity as protected characteristics from employment discrimination. Previously, only sexual orientation was protected under federal law.
  • March 1
    LGBT discrimination becomes illegal in some contexts.
    Before the adoption of the Law on Prohibition of Discrimination from 2009, sexual orientation was one of the explicitly mentioned bases for the prohibition of discrimination in the Criminal Code of BiH from 2003 (Article 145) and the Law on Gender Equality from 2003 (Article 2, Paragraph 2).
  • February 27
    LGBT discrimination becomes illegal in some contexts.
    Before the adoption of the Anti-Discrimination law in 2008, several laws prohibited discrimination based on sexual orientation: - Law on Croatian Radio and Television (2003), Article 8; - Labor Law, amendment (2003), Article 2; - Law on Gender Equality (2003), Article 6; - Law on Scientific Activity and Higher Education (2003), Article 77; - Law on Electronic Media (2003), Article 15; - Sports Law (2006), Article 1; - Criminal Code, amendment (2006), Article 14; - Law on Volunteerism (2007), Article 9; - Law on Asylum (2007), Article 2.
  • January 16
    LGBT employment discrimination becomes sexual orientation only.
    New York, in late 2002, passed a discrimination protection for LGB people and was the first of its kind to include provisions for asexual people in defining sexual orientation as "heterosexuality, homosexuality, bisexuality, or asexuality, whether actual or perceived.". The act, known as SONDA, became effective in January of 2003.
  • LGBT discrimination becomes illegal.
    The Sexual Orientation Non-Discrimination Act (SONDA) was passed in early 2003, making it illegal for employers to discriminate against employees. This also includes Transgender people.
  • January 10
    LGBT employment discrimination becomes sexual orientation and gender identity.
    Under federal Hate Crimes
  • LGBT discrimination becomes illegal.
    State Law 7309 of 10 January 2003
  • (date unknown)
    Right to change legal gender becomes legal, but requires surgery.
    Since 2003, trans people were able to change their legal gender in Hungary but there was no legal procedure and in practice was under the condition of surgery being performed.
  • January 1
    Right to change legal gender becomes legal, but requires surgery.
    Until 2017, Yukon required surgery for legal gender recognition.
  • Equal age of consent becomes unequal.
    Section 53 of the Belizean Penal Code criminalized sodomy until being striked down in 2016, coincidely with this illegality the age of consent was unequal.
  • (date unknown)
    Right to change legal gender becomes legal, but requires medical diagnosis.
    Since 2003, Transgender individuals have been allowed to change legal gender in Kazakhstan. People who wanted to change their gender had to receive a diagnosis of "gender identity disorder" involving several medical tests and a 30-day psychiatric evaluation.
  • Right to change legal gender becomes legal, but requires surgery.
    In Zhambyl oblysy, it is legal to change the legal gender after surgery
  • Censorship of LGBT issues becomes no censorship.
    There are no formal restrictions on freedom of expression and association in South Korea. However, in July 2023, the mayor and other municipal officials in Daegu attempted to physically obstruct the annual Daegu Queer Culture Festival, citing traffic violations. They failed and the festival continued.
  • LGBT housing discrimination becomes sexual orientation and gender identity.
    Since autumn 2003, the Urban Renaissance Agency, the government agency that operates government housing has allowed same-sex couples to rent units the same way as heterosexual couples at any one of the over 300 properties that it operates. This opened the way for more such action, as the Osaka Government in September 2005 opened the doors of its government housing to same-sex couples. In February 2018, the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare created provisions addressing discrimination in housing, stating that "consideration must be taken to not deny lodging on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity."
  • LGBT employment discrimination becomes sexual orientation only.
    Sexual orientation was protected.
  • January 1
    Right to change legal gender becomes legal, but requires surgery.
    The authorities shall recognise a person as belonging to the opposite sex to that recorded on the population register, provided they: • Provides a medical report testifying that they permanently experience being a member of the opposite sex and that they live in the gender roles of those and that they have been sterilized or are otherwise incapable of having children • They are an adult • They are not married or in a registered partnership; unless the spouse or partner gives their consent in which case a marriage become a registered partnership and a registered partnership becomes a marriage • They are a Finnish citizen or is resident in Finland
  • LGBT employment discrimination becomes sexual orientation only.
    Aricle 6 of the 2002 Labour Law prohibits employment discrimination. Sexual orientation is one of explicitly mentioned grounds.
  • (date unknown)
    LGBT discrimination becomes illegal.
  • January 1
    Same-sex adoption becomes legal.
    California law states that an adult related to the child, a person named in a deceased parent’s will, a legal guardian, or a person with whom the child has been placed for adoption is permitted to petition to adopt. California §8600, 8601 permit same-sex adoption, and second-parent adoption is legal per case law exhibited via Sharon v. Supreme Court, 31 Cal. 4th 417 (2003). This case also explicitly banned discrimination based on sexual orientation in all adoptions and foster care placements in California.
  • Homosexual activity becomes illegal (imprisonment as punishment).
    The Section 53 of the Belize Criminal Code states that all kinds of sexual acts, except for the natural sex, are illegal. People found guilty are liable for a 10-year imprisonment. "Every person who has carnal intercourse against the order of nature with any person ... shall be liable to imprisonment for 10 years." Moreover, homosexual immigrants are prohibited an entry to the country.
  • January
    Same-sex marriage becomes unrecognized.
    Taiwan was the first country in the Asia-Pacific region to consider legalizing same-sex marriage but the legislation stalled in the legislature.
  • (date unknown)
    LGBT discrimination becomes illegal.
    Belgium has full protections against anti-LGBTQIA+ discrimination, especially as a member of the European Union.
  • Same-sex marriage becomes banned.
    Albania does not legally recognize same-sex marriages, civil unions or domestic partnership benefits. There is no definition of marriage in the 1998 Constitution. Article 53: Everyone has the right to get married and have a family.... The entering into and dissolution of marriage are regulated by law." In the Family Law from 2003, Article 7 reads: "Marriage can be concluded between a man and a woman who are 18 years or older." Article 163 states "Cohabitation is a factual union between a man and a woman."
  • January
    Same-sex adoption becomes legal.
    The 2002 adoption act, which did not take effect until the next year, specifically defined a couple as: "two people (whether of different sexes or the same sex) living as partners in an enduring family relationship", expressly permitting same-sex adoption.

LGBT Organizations Founded in 2003

  • Freedom to Marry FaviconFreedom to Marry
    Global
    Freedom to Marry was launched in 2003 by Evan Wolfson, the civil rights attorney generally considered the architect of the national marriage equality movement. From a prophetic…
  • National Center for Transgender Equality FaviconNational Center for Transgender Equality
    United States
    The National Center for Transgender Equality (NCTE) is a United States social justice organization dedicated to advancing the equality of transgender people through advocacy…
  • Transgender Education Advocates of Utah FaviconTransgender Education Advocates of Utah
    Utah, United States
    TEA of Utah is a statewide transgender (trans) advocacy organization. Trans-inclusion has always been a primary focus of TEA of Utah's work. From ensuring that gender identity is…
  • Alian FaviconAlian
    Brazil
    Alian envisions "a fair society, working with LGBTI+ people and allies, as well as organizations of the most diverse natures interested in supporting the LGBTI+ cause, in order…
  • CSD Deutschland e.V. FaviconCSD Deutschland e.V.
    Germany
    CSD Deutschland e.V. sees itself as an umbrella organization of all German Christopher Street Day - organizing associations, initiatives and projects, whose members form a…
  • Chennai Pride FaviconChennai Pride
    Tamil Nadu, India
    They provide vital support, including legal aid as well as engage with the Government to address policy issues. They are currently working with the Government on sensitizing the…
  • CSGD FaviconCSGD
    Kosovo
    Center for Social Group Development – CSGD is focused to operate empowerment of LGBTI Community in Kosovo, awareness rising of general population about LGBTI rights, advocacy…
  • Dreams Of Hope FaviconDreams Of Hope
    Pennsylvania, United States
    Through the power of the arts, Dreams of Hope provides the region’s lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, questioning, asexual, and allied (LGBTQA+) youth a welcoming…
  • Sappho For Equality FaviconSappho For Equality
    West Bengal, India
    Sappho For Equality is a charity which helps gender non-conforming AFAB people, bisexual and lesbian women, and transmen. It is the only one of its kind in Kolkata.