In 2004, there were 44 recorded legal changes made affecting LGBT people. In the previous year, there were 98 changes made and 68 in the following year. A total of 584 legal changes were made in the 2000s.
- December 30
- LGBT discrimination becomes illegal.
- December 29
- November 9Same-sex marriage becomes unrecognized.Marriage is recognized by law only between a man and a woman
- November 4Same-sex marriage becomes not legal.The state passed a constitutional amendment to ban same sex marriage.
- Same-sex marriage becomes not legal.Constitutional amendment adopted by state wide vote in 2004. Passed with 62% of the vote. Text of amendment follows: § 15.11 Marriage Amendment Only a union between one man and one woman may be a marriage valid in or recognized by this state and its political subdivisions. This state and its political subdivisions shall not create or recognize a legal status for relationships of unmarried individuals that intends to approximate the design, qualities, significance or effect of marriage.
- November 2Same-sex marriage becomes unrecognized.Proposal 2 passed in 2004 defines marriage as a union between a man and a woman
- Same-sex marriage becomes unrecognized, same-sex marriage and civil unions banned.Also note that it does not matter where a same-sex couple was married, Arkansas states that all such marriages are void in the eyes of the state.
- Same-sex marriage becomes unrecognized, same-sex marriage and civil unions banned.The Commonwealth of Kentucky only recognizes marriages between a man and woman regardless of where the ceremony was performed.
- November 1
- October 19Right to change legal gender becomes legal, but requires surgery.After Gender Reassignment Surgery and a legal name change, then you can apply for the gender to be changed on your birth certificate.
- October 4Homosexual activity becomes male illegal, female uncertain.Sodomy was a crime under the 1907 common law, punishable with either death or a lesser punishment at the discretion of the court. "Sodomy" has been defined by its courts as "unlawful and intentional sexual relations per anum between two human males. (Decriminalization pending)
- September 25LGBT 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.
- September 18Same-sex marriage becomes not legal.The state passed a referendum question defining marriage to be a union between one man and one woman.
- September
- August 25Same-sex marriage becomes unrecognized.Marriage is defined as a union between a man and a woman
- August 18LGBT housing discrimination becomes sexual orientation and gender identity.
- LGBT employment discrimination becomes sexual orientation and gender identity.
- August 17LGBT discrimination becomes illegal.Defines a hate crime as a criminal act committed because the victim's perceived: disability, gender, nationality, race or ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, or association with a person or group with one or more of these actual or perceived characteristics. Protections also include gender identification. Also, In 2014, California became the first state in the U.S. to officially ban the use of gay panic and transgender panic defenses in murder trials.
- August 11Same-sex marriage becomes unrecognized.Proposed on Legalizing Gay marriage by the King of Bhutan.
- Homosexual activity becomes illegal (imprisonment as punishment).Offence of "unnatural" sex is considered a petty misdemeanor in article 213 & 214.
- August 4Same-sex adoption becomes legal.Any adults are permitted to petition jointly or individually before the court to request adoption, regardless of sexual orientation. §19-5-202. Second-parent adoption by same-sex couples is permitted per Colo. Rev. §19-5-203 et seq.
- August 1
- Serving openly in military becomes legal.Bulgaria provides protection against discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation in the fields of employment, health care, and education, recruitment to the military, housing, accommodation, and a range of services available to the public
- July 24LGBT discrimination becomes illegal.Article 13 explicitly prohibits discriminations on the basis of sexual orientations
- July 14Same-sex marriage becomes legal.Became the fourth Jurisdiction to legalize Gay marriage.
- July 1Same-sex marriage becomes unrecognized.Same-sex marriages and civil unions are prohibited in Georgia. Marriages between people of the same sex are not entitled the status of marriage. Foreign same-sex marriages also stand void here and are not covered by the jurisdiction, whatsoever be the circumstances.
- May 17Same-sex marriage becomes legal.In 2004, Massachusetts became the first US state to legalize same-sex marriage.
- May 14Same-sex marriage becomes varies by region.Legal status is extremely variable based on the individual state. Recognized at a Federal level, but not in all states, for all intents and purposes except Social Security. Social Security is based on the state of residence's recognition of marital status.
- May 1Serving openly in military becomes legal.LGBT people are allowed to serve openly under new rules brought into place when Cyprus joined the European Union
- March 19
- March 15Right to change legal gender becomes legal, but requires surgery.Medical OR surgical treatment required to change legal gender.
- March 12LGBT housing discrimination becomes sexual orientation and gender identity.just recently added protection
- March 1Equal age of consent becomes equal.
- February 1LGBT housing discrimination becomes sexual orientation and gender identity.
- LGBT employment discrimination becomes sexual orientation and gender identity.
- LGBT discrimination becomes illegal.Lgbtq+ from Finland are protected from all types of discrimination
- January 9Right to change legal gender becomes legal, but requires surgery.NAC 440.130 provides allowance for persons to change gender on birth certificates and other vital records so long as a certifying physicians signs off on the persons gender identity.
LGBT Organizations Founded in 2004
Sexual Minorities Uganda
Sexual Minorities Uganda [SM-UG] is a non-profit, non-governmental organisation that works towards achieving full legal and social equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual…LGBT Pride Centre of Edmonton
The Pride Centre of Edmonton is a registered charity that was incorporated in August of 2004 (although other incarnations of the Centre have existed since at least 1974.) The…Garden State Equality
With more than 150,000 members, Garden State Equality is New JerseyTrans Youth Support Network
~~ Mission ~~ ~ To make it possible for trans and gender non-conforming youth to survive adultism, racism, sexism and economic injustices in systems we have to engage with to…Colombia Diversa
Founded in 2004, Colombia Diversa is the leading LGBT human rights organization in Colombia. Colombia Diversa focuses on three main areas: 1. Advancing the human and legal…Resource Centre - Bilitis Foundation
Bilitis began its activity as a self-support group of lesbian and bisexual women in 2004. Today, Bilitis advocates actively for eliminating all forms of discrimination and…LGBT Organization Labrys Kyrgyzstan
Labrys is committed to improving the situation of Lesbians, Bisexual women, Gay men and Transgender people in Kyrgyzstan through empowering LGBT themselves and working with…Equal Ground
EQUAL GROUND is a nonprofit organisation seeking human and political rights for the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Intersex and Questioning (LGBTIQ) community of Sri Lanka.…Kif-Kif
The organization is the only one that advocates for LGBT rights for MoroccoUniversity of Washington Q Center
We facilitate and enhance a brave, affirming, liberatory, and celebratory environment for students, faculty, staff, and alumni of all sexual and gender orientations, identities…Onassis Stegi
The Onassis Foundation House (Stegi) is a cultural meeting place for theater, dance, music, visual arts and letters. The mission of the Onassis Stegi is the promotion of modern…