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2006 in LGBT Rights

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In 2006, there were 163 recorded legal changes made affecting LGBT people. In the previous year, there were 99 changes made and 72 in the following year. A total of 1151 legal changes were made in the 2000s.

  • December 27
    Censorship of LGBT issues becomes no censorship.
    In Chihuahua, there are no laws restricting the discussion or promotion of LGBTQ+ topics since the new Penal Code of 2006 which does not mention homosexuality as a corruption of minors.
  • December 23
    Same-sex marriage becomes civil unions (limited rights).
    Under French law, both same sex and different sex couples can get a PACS, a civil union with limited rights. PACS are still available today. This did not take effect in Mayotte until 2006.
  • December 15
    LGBT discrimination becomes illegal.
  • December 14
    LGBT discrimination becomes illegal in some contexts.
    This act makes discrimination illegal in most contexts. However it failed to address hate crime law
  • November 30
    Same-sex marriage becomes legal.
    In 2006, South Africa passed a landmark bill, legalising same-sex marriage and becoming the first African country to do so. However, the law (Section 6 of the Civil Union Act) allows marriage officers to refuse to perform such marriages under personal morals exceptions. The marriage being same-sex is permitted as a sole reason for obejction.
  • November 28
    LGBT housing discrimination becomes sexual orientation only.
    Article 1 of the Law on Equality (2006) prohibits discrimination based on sexual orientation. Article 2 states that the protection applies to the public and private sectors with regard to housing. It does not include gender identity among its protected grounds.
  • LGBT employment discrimination becomes sexual orientation and gender identity.
    Employment discrimination is illegal
  • LGBT discrimination becomes illegal.
    Article 454 to 457 of the Luxembourgian Penal code prohibits discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender.
  • November 21
    Same-sex marriage becomes foreign same-sex marriages recognized only.
    Due to a Supreme Court Ruling, since 1962 Israel must recognize couples that married abroad as legally married even if the marriage didn't fit the legal definition of marriage stablished by Israeli law. In 2006 by a 6-1 decision the Supreme Court decided this applied to same sex couples too.
  • November 13
    LGBT employment discrimination becomes sexual orientation only.
    Article 131 of the Labour Code protects the category of sexual orientation from discrimination in employment since 2006.
  • LGBT discrimination becomes illegal in some contexts.
    Article 131 of the Labour Code protects sexual orientation discrimination in Employment Since 2006. In 2022, a Domestic Violence Act was passed protecting LGBT couples. It states that a public officer or other person providing a service to a victim shall not treat a victim in a discriminatory manner. “Discriminatory manner” includes discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity. The Data Protection Act (2022) protects "sexual orientation" as personal data and sensitive personal data.
  • November 9
    LGBT employment discrimination becomes sexual orientation only.
    only banned on sexual orientation
  • LGBT discrimination becomes illegal in some contexts.
    The labour law was amended to protect LGBTQ+ population in some aspects of the labour market.
  • November 8
    LGBT housing discrimination becomes ambiguous.
    The Constitution of Serbia prohibits discrimination on any ground. However, it does not explicitly mention sexual orientation or gender identity.
  • Same-sex marriage becomes banned.
    There is a constitutional ban on same-sex marriages in Serbia. Article 62 of the Serbian Constitution reads: "Marriage is concluded on the basis of the freely given consent of man and woman..." Other forms of recognition, such as civil unions or domestic partnerships are not explicitly mentioned nor prohibited. The law on same-sex unions has been pending since 2021.
  • Right to change legal gender becomes legal, but requires medical diagnosis.
    Changing your legal gender does not require surgery, however, it does require proof of some form of medical treatment for a period of two years.
  • November 7
    Same-sex marriage becomes banned.
    The state election in 2006 amended the constitution to include clauses that defined marriage as being between a man and a woman.
  • October 11
    Censorship of LGBT issues becomes no censorship.
    In Mendoza, there are no laws restricting the discussion or promotion of LGBTQ+ topics since the removal of Article 80 in 2006, which criminalised people from "dressing and passing themselves off as a person of the opposite sex" in daily life. However, Article 54 remained in force until 2018, stating that women or homosexuals who "exhibit, incite, offer or make provocative signs or gestures to third parties in a public place, open or exposed to the public, for the purpose of engaging in prostitution" would be arrested for 10 to 30 days and receive fines of up to 1,500,000 pesos. No such law was in place for heterosexual men.
  • October 1
    Blood donations by MSMs becomes banned (6-month deferral).
    Men cannot donate blood before May 2014, at the time it was a high risk for HIV and AIDS. They have since nulled the bill. A newer one has passed
  • September 28
    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)."
  • September 12
    LGBT discrimination becomes illegal.
    In 2006, Amazonas passed Law No. 3079 which prohibits discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity in all areas.
  • LGBT employment discrimination becomes sexual orientation and gender identity.
    In 2006, Amazonas passed Law 3079 which prohibited discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity in employment.
  • LGBT housing discrimination becomes sexual orientation and gender identity.
    In 2006, Amazonas passed Law No. 3079 which provided protections from discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity in housing.
  • September
    Same-sex marriage becomes banned.
    Under the Chhattisgarh Compulsory Registration of Marriages Rules of 2006 marriage is defined as between "a male and a female".
  • September 1
    Same-sex marriage becomes civil unions (marriage rights).
    In Guernsey, same-sex couples could have a “union civile” (French for civil union). This gave same-sex couples rights for inheritance, taxation, benefits, and next-of-kin issues.
  • LGBT employment discrimination becomes sexual orientation and gender identity.
    Employment discrimination was banned by the Employment Act 2006, and further enhanced by the Equality Act 2017.
  • August 27
    Censorship of LGBT issues becomes no censorship.
    In 2006, North Carolina amended its education law in 1995 that declared that health education should teach that a "mutually faithful monogamous heterosexual relationship" is the best means to avoid transmission of HIV/AIDS. NC passed House Bill 755 restricting mention of LGBT-related topics in public schools. Also teachers are required to tell students' parents if they are gay. However, the bill was stalled because of a potential veto from Gov. Roy Cooper.
  • August 18
    LGBT housing discrimination becomes sexual orientation and gender identity.
    Section 1 of the General Act on Equal Treatment (Allgemeines Gleichbehandlungsgesetz, AGG) prohibits discrimination on housing.
  • August 14
    LGBT employment discrimination becomes sexual orientation and gender identity.
    Due to Germany being a Federal Republic many states have had anti-discrimination laws as early as 1992. But by signing the Treaty of Amsterdam (EU) Germany amended its national anti-discrimination laws to include sexual orientation.
  • August 9
    Gender-affirming care becomes ambiguous.
    In 2007 a judge ruled that minors could consent to GAC but the scope and availability of the process was unclear.
  • July 31
    LGBT housing discrimination becomes sexual orientation and gender identity.
    In 2006, Maranhao passed Law 8444 which prohibits discrimination in housing on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity.
  • LGBT discrimination becomes illegal in some contexts.
    In 2006, Maranhao passed Law 8444 which provided protections from discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity in employment, housing and goods and services. However, only sexual orientation was protected in education and there were no protections from discrimination in healthcare.
  • LGBT employment discrimination becomes sexual orientation and gender identity.
    In 2006, Maranhao passed Law 8444 which prohibits discrimination in employment on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity.
  • Right to change legal gender becomes legal, but requires surgery.
    Since 2006, transgender individuals have been able change their legal gender and name after undergoing gender affirming surgery and potentially humilitating doctor's inspection as reported by some trans activists, according to Article 121 of The Civil Registry Law (Law No. 31). In 2016, a transgender woman was able, through court permission, to change her legal name according to her gender identity, without the need to undergo surgery.
  • July 23
    Same-sex marriage becomes civil unions (limited rights).
    Same-Sex Partnership Registration Act was adopted on June 22, 2005. The law covered only property rights, the obligation to support a socially weaker partner and some inheritance rights. A bill to legalize same-sex marriage had been approved by Parliament on March 3, 2015. However, it was rejected in a referendum on December 20, 2015.
  • July 17
    LGBT discrimination becomes illegal in some contexts.
    In 2006, Chaco would pass Law 5733 which prohibited discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation in goods and services. However, gender identity remains unprotected. Since 2009, LGBTIQ+ people are protected in the military code of Argentina. In 2009, sexual orientation became a protected characteristic from discrimination in healthcare in Chaco under federal Argentine law. However, gender identity remains unprotected. Conversely, in 2021, gender identity became a protected characteristic from discrimination in employment in Chaco, also under federal Argentine law, but sexual orientation remains unprotected. Later, in 2021, Chaco would prohibit discrimination in housing on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity. Outside of those contexts, there are no discrimination protections provided to LGBTIQ+ people in Chaco.
  • July 11
    Homosexual activity becomes ambiguous.
    On July 11th, 2006, the Fijian High Commissioner confirmed that gay people having consensual sex would not be arrested. However, Article 175 (a) had not been repealed yet. This Article states that any person who has carnal knowledge (sexual intercourse) of any person against the order of nature is guilty of a felony, and is liable to imprisonment for fourteen years, with or without corporal punishment.
  • July 5
    Equal age of consent becomes equal.
    Deputies in Jerseys State Assembly voted to equalize the age of consent for homosexual sex to heterosexual sex
  • July 1
    Right to change legal gender becomes legal, but requires surgery.
    Georgia requires surgery for legal gender recognition. A court order is also required to change your birth certificate.
  • Same-sex marriage becomes civil unions (limited rights).
    The Czech Registered Partnerships have been condemned for not having equal rights to marriage like in some other countries with civil unions. Differences between marriage and registered partnership are: different procedural questions (the ceremony is not the same), no automatic name change, no community property of spouses is created, and no parental rights (no joint-adoption form institutions, no step-parent adoption) etc.
  • June 29
    LGBT discrimination becomes illegal.
    National law was amended in 2006 when the Treaty of Amsterdam was signed - giving all people the same rights under law. The Federal Constitutional Court of Germany clarified in 1 BvR 2019/16 that the general right of personality (Article 2 (1) in conjunction with Article 1 (1) of the Basic Law) protects gender identity. It also protects the gender identity of non-binary people. Article 3 (3) of the Basic Law includes non-binary people on the protection against discrimination on ground of their gender.
  • June 27
    Same-sex adoption becomes legal.
    Legal since 2006
  • June 22
    Right to change legal gender becomes legal, but requires surgery.
    There is and has been no law outlining requirements for changing legal gender. However the supreme court has allowed such procedure with en banc ruling from 2006. The requirements are governed by the guidelines set by the supreme court. These guidelines have included abusive or discriminatory requirements, such being at least 19 years old themselves, as well as being unmarried, diagnosed with “transsexualism” and having undergone hormone therapy and been sterilized.
  • June 15
    Censorship of LGBT issues becomes no censorship.
    Until Russia's 2013 federal ban, there was no known law censoring LGBTQIA+ topics in North Ossetia-Alania.
  • Censorship of LGBT issues becomes no censorship.
    Until Russia's 2013 federal ban, there was no known law censoring LGBTQIA+ topics in Kabardino-Balkar.
  • Censorship of LGBT issues becomes no censorship.
    Until Russia's 2013 federal ban, there was no known law censoring LGBTQIA+ topics in Karachayevo.
  • Censorship of LGBT issues becomes no censorship.
    Until Russia's 2013 federal ban, there was no known law censoring LGBTQIA+ topics in Adyegya.
  • Censorship of LGBT issues becomes no censorship.
    Until 2012, there was no known law censoring LGBTQIA+ topics in Krasnodarskiy.
  • Censorship of LGBT issues becomes no censorship.
    Until Russia's 2013 federal ban, there was no known law censoring LGBTQIA+ topics in Stavropol.
  • Censorship of LGBT issues becomes no censorship.
    Until Russia's 2013 federal ban, there was no known law censoring LGBTQIA+ topics in Dagestan.
  • Censorship of LGBT issues becomes no censorship.
    Until Russia's 2013 federal ban, there was no known law censoring LGBTQIA+ topics in Kalmykiya.
  • Censorship of LGBT issues becomes no censorship.
    Until Russia's 2013 federal ban, there was no known law censoring LGBTQIA+ topics in Rostov.
  • Censorship of LGBT issues becomes no censorship.
    Until Russia's 2013 federal ban, there was no known law censoring LGBTQIA+ topics in Ingushetia.
  • Censorship of LGBT issues becomes no censorship.
    Until Russia's 2013 federal ban, there was no known law censoring LGBTQIA+ topics in Ulyanovsk.
  • Censorship of LGBT issues becomes no censorship.
    Until Russia's 2013 federal ban, there was no known law censoring LGBTQIA+ topics in Chuvash.
  • Censorship of LGBT issues becomes no censorship.
    Until Russia's 2013 federal ban, there was no known law censoring LGBTQIA+ topics in Mariy El.
  • Censorship of LGBT issues becomes no censorship.
    Until Russia's 2013 federal ban, there was no known law censoring LGBTQIA+ topics in Tatarstan.
  • Censorship of LGBT issues becomes no censorship.
    Until 2012, there was no known law censoring LGBTQIA+ topics in Samara.
  • Censorship of LGBT issues becomes no censorship.
    Until Russia's 2013 federal ban, there was no known law censoring LGBTQIA+ topics in Mordovia.
  • Censorship of LGBT issues becomes no censorship.
    Until Russia's 2013 federal ban, there was no known law censoring LGBTQIA+ topics in Penza.
  • Censorship of LGBT issues becomes no censorship.
    Until Russia's 2013 federal ban, there was no known law censoring LGBTQIA+ topics in Saratov.
  • Censorship of LGBT issues becomes no censorship.
    Until Russia's 2013 federal ban, there was no known law censoring LGBTQIA+ topics in Tambov.
  • Censorship of LGBT issues becomes no censorship.
    Until Russia's 2013 federal ban, there was no known law censoring LGBTQIA+ topics in Pskov.
  • Censorship of LGBT issues becomes no censorship.
    Until Russia's 2013 federal ban, there was no known law censoring LGBTQIA+ topics in Smolensk.
  • Censorship of LGBT issues becomes no censorship.
    Until Russia's 2013 federal ban, there was no known law censoring LGBTQIA+ topics in Tver.
  • Censorship of LGBT issues becomes no censorship.
    Until Russia's 2013 federal ban, there was no known law censoring LGBTQIA+ topics in Yaroslavskaya.
  • Censorship of LGBT issues becomes no censorship.
    Until Russia's 2013 federal ban, there was no known law censoring LGBTQIA+ topics in Volodga.
  • Censorship of LGBT issues becomes no censorship.
    Before March 2012's censorship, no laws preventing the free discussion of LGBT issues existed in St Peterburg.
  • Censorship of LGBT issues becomes no censorship.
    Until Russia's 2013 federal ban, there was no known law censoring LGBTIQ+ topics in Vladimir.
  • Censorship of LGBT issues becomes no censorship.
    Until Russia's 2013 federal ban, there was no known law censoring LGBTIQ+ topics in Tula.
  • Censorship of LGBT issues becomes no censorship.
    Until Russia's 2013 federal ban, there was no known law censoring LGBTIQ+ topics in Orlovskaya.
  • Censorship of LGBT issues becomes no censorship.
    Until Russia's 2013 federal ban, there was no known law censoring LGBTIQ+ topics in Moscow City.
  • Censorship of LGBT issues becomes no censorship.
    Until Russia's 2013 federal ban, there was no known law censoring LGBTIQ+ topics in Voronezh.
  • Censorship of LGBT issues becomes no censorship.
    Until Russia's 2013 federal ban, there was no known law censoring LGBTIQ+ topics in Volgograd.
  • Censorship of LGBT issues becomes no censorship.
    Until Russia's 2013 federal ban, there was no known law censoring LGBTIQ+ topics in Udmurt.
  • Censorship of LGBT issues becomes no censorship.
    Until Russia's 2013 federal ban, there was no known law censoring LGBTIQ+ topics in Nenets.
  • Censorship of LGBT issues becomes no censorship.
    Until Russia's 2013 federal ban, there was no known law censoring LGBTIQ+ topics in Komi.
  • Censorship of LGBT issues becomes no censorship.
    Until 2012, there was no known law censoring LGBTIQ+ topics in Bashkortostan.
  • Censorship of LGBT issues becomes no censorship.
    Until Russia's 2013 federal ban, there was no known law censoring LGBTIQ+ topics in Perm.
  • Censorship of LGBT issues becomes no censorship.
    Until Russia's 2013 federal ban, there was no known law censoring LGBTIQ+ topics in Sverlodsk.
  • Censorship of LGBT issues becomes no censorship.
    Until Russia's 2013 federal ban, there was no known law censoring LGBTIQ+ topics in Yamalo Nenets.
  • Censorship of LGBT issues becomes no censorship.
    Until Russia's 2013 federal ban, there was no known law censoring LGBTIQ+ topics in Khanty Mansiyskiy.
  • Censorship of LGBT issues becomes no censorship.
    Until Russia's 2013 federal ban, there was no known law censoring LGBTIQ+ topics in Tyumenskaya.
  • Censorship of LGBT issues becomes no censorship.
    Until Russia's 2013 federal ban, there was no known law censoring LGBTIQ+ topics in Tomsk.
  • Censorship of LGBT issues becomes no censorship.
    Until Russia's 2013 federal ban, there was no known law censoring LGBTIQ+ topics in Altay Kray.
  • Censorship of LGBT issues becomes no censorship.
    Until Russia's 2013 federal ban, there was no known law censoring LGBTIQ+ topics in Altay.
  • Censorship of LGBT issues becomes no censorship.
    Until Russia's 2013 federal ban, there was no known law censoring LGBTIQ+ topics in Khakasiya.
  • Censorship of LGBT issues becomes no censorship.
    Until Russia's 2013 federal ban, there was no known law censoring LGBTIQ+ topics in Krasnoyarskiy.
  • Censorship of LGBT issues becomes no censorship.
    Until Russia's 2013 federal ban, there was no known law censoring LGBTIQ+ topics in Tyva.
  • Censorship of LGBT issues becomes no censorship.
    Until Russia's 2013 federal ban, there was no known law censoring LGBTIQ+ topics in Buratiya.
  • Censorship of LGBT issues becomes no censorship.
    Until Russia's 2013 federal ban, there was no known law censoring LGBTIQ+ topics in Zabaykalskij.
  • Censorship of LGBT issues becomes no censorship.
    Until Russia's 2013 federal ban, there was no known law censoring LGBTIQ+ topics in Sakha.
  • Censorship of LGBT issues becomes no censorship.
    Until Russia's 2013 federal ban, there was no known law censoring LGBTIQ+ topics in Sakhalin.
  • Censorship of LGBT issues becomes no censorship.
    Until Russia's 2013 federal ban, there was no known law censoring LGBTIQ+ topics in Yevrey.
  • Censorship of LGBT issues becomes no censorship.
    Until Russia's 2013 federal ban, there was no known law censoring LGBTIQ+ topics in Primorskiy.
  • Censorship of LGBT issues becomes no censorship.
    Until Russia's 2013 federal ban, there was no known law censoring LGBTIQ+ topics in Khabarovskiy.
  • Censorship of LGBT issues becomes no censorship.
    Until Russia's 2013 federal ban, there was no known law censoring LGBTIQ+ topics in Kamchatskaya.
  • Censorship of LGBT issues becomes no censorship.
    Until 2013, there was no known law censoring LGBTIQ+ topics in Chukotskiy.
  • Censorship of LGBT issues becomes no censorship.
    Until Russia's 2013 federal ban, there was no known law censoring LGBTIQ+ topics in Kareliya.
  • Censorship of LGBT issues becomes no censorship.
    Until Russia's federal ban in 2013, there were no known laws censoring LGBTIQ+ topics in the Orenburg Oblast.
  • Censorship of LGBT issues becomes no censorship.
    Until Russia's federal ban in 2013, there was no known law censoring LGBTIQ+ topics in the Omsk Oblast.
  • Censorship of LGBT issues becomes no censorship.
    Until 2012, there were no known laws censoring LGBTIQ+ topics in the Novosibirsk Oblast.
  • Censorship of LGBT issues becomes no censorship.
    Until Russia's federal ban in 2013, there was no known law censoring LGBTIQ+ topics in the Novgorod Oblast.
  • Censorship of LGBT issues becomes no censorship.
    Until Russia's federal ban in 2013, there was no known law censoring LGBTIQ+ topics in the Nizhnegorod Oblast.
  • Censorship of LGBT issues becomes no censorship.
    Until Russia's federal ban in 2013, there was no known law censoring LGBTIQ+ topics in the Murmansk Oblast.
  • Censorship of LGBT issues becomes no censorship.
    Until 2012, there were no known laws censoring LGBTIQ+ topics in the Magadan Oblast.
  • Censorship of LGBT issues becomes no censorship.
    Until Russia's federal ban in 2013, there was no known law censoring LGBTIQ+ topics in the Lipetsk Oblast.
  • Censorship of LGBT issues becomes no censorship.
    Until Russia's federal ban in 2013, there was no known law censoring LGBTIQ+ topics in the Leningrad Oblast.
  • Censorship of LGBT issues becomes no censorship.
    Until Russia's federal ban in 2013, there was no known law censoring LGBTIQ+ topics in the Kursk Oblast.
  • Censorship of LGBT issues becomes no censorship.
    Until Russia's federal ban in 2013, there was no known law censoring LGBTIQ+ topics in the Kurgan Oblast.
  • Censorship of LGBT issues becomes no censorship.
    Until 2012, there was no known law censoring LGBTIQ+ topics in the Kostroma Oblast.
  • Censorship of LGBT issues becomes no censorship.
    Until Russia's federal ban in 2013, there was no known law censoring LGBTIQ+ topics in the Kirov Oblast.
  • Censorship of LGBT issues becomes no censorship.
    Until Russia's federal ban in 2013, there was no known law censoring LGBTIQ+ topics in the Kemerovo Oblast.
  • Censorship of LGBT issues becomes no censorship.
    Until Russia's federal ban in 2013, there were no known laws censoring LGBTIQ+ topics in the Kaluga Oblast.
  • Censorship of LGBT issues becomes no censorship.
    Until 2013, there was no known law censoring LGBTIQ+ topics in the Kaliningrad Oblast.
  • Censorship of LGBT issues becomes no censorship.
    Until Russia's federal ban in 2013, there was no known law censoring LGBTIQ+ topics in the Ivanovo Oblast.
  • Censorship of LGBT issues becomes no censorship.
    Until 2013, there was no known law censoring LGBTIQ+ topics in the Irkutsk Oblast.
  • Censorship of LGBT issues becomes state-enforced.
    While Chechnya lacked a law formally censoring LGBTIQ+ topics until Russia's federal ban in 2013, the authorities showed little tolerance to LGBTIQ+ people, even compared to the rest of Russia, especially under the rule of Ramzan Kadyrov. It is unknown when the mass killings of gay men officially began but it wasn't widely known until 2017, likely as a result of censorship in Russia proper. Homosexuality was also recriminalised in 1996.
  • Censorship of LGBT issues becomes no censorship.
    Until Russia's federal ban in 2013, there were no known laws censoring LGBTIQ+ topics in the Chelyabinsk Oblast.
  • Censorship of LGBT issues becomes no censorship.
    Until Russia's federal ban in 2013, there was no known law censoring LGBTIQ+ topics in the Bryansk Oblast.
  • Censorship of LGBT issues becomes no censorship.
    Until Russia's federal ban in 2013, there was no known law censoring LGBTIQ+ topics in the Belgorod Oblast.
  • Censorship of LGBT issues becomes no censorship.
    Until Russia's federal ban in 2013, there was no known law censoring LGBTIQ+ topics in the Astrakhan Oblast.
  • Censorship of LGBT issues becomes no censorship.
    Until 2011, there was no known law censoring LGBTIQ+ topics in the Arkhangelsk Oblast.
  • Censorship of LGBT issues becomes no censorship.
    Until Russia's 2013 federal ban, there was no known law censoring LGBTIQ+ topics in the Amur Oblast.
  • Censorship of LGBT issues becomes fine as punishment.
    In 2006, the Ryazan Oblast passed a law prohibiting the promotion of "propaganda" of homosexuality to minors, the first known censorship law in Russia. A known case in 2010 of Irina Fedotova had her convicted and forced to pay a fine of 1500 rubles for displaying two posters that said "Homosexuality is normal" and "I am proud of my homosexuality" near a secondary school. While Russia's Constitutional Court found the conviction lawful, a UN Human Rights Committee found it to be discriminatory. Nine more regions would pass similar laws until it was made federal law in 2013.
  • Censorship of LGBT issues becomes varies by region.
    Before the federal ban, ten regions of Russia enacted laws prohibiting the "propaganda" of homosexuality to minors since 2006, starting with Ryazan. Bans were also reported in Bashkortostan, Krasnodar, Arkhangelsk, Kostroma, Magadan, Novosibirsk, Samara, Kaliningrad and St. Petersurg. The bans are widely believed to have been a response to attempts to hold the country's first pride parade in Moscow on May 27th, 2006, which featured violence against pride paradors by both homophobic demonstrators and the police.
  • June 14
    Censorship of LGBT issues becomes no censorship.
    Until Russia's federal ban in 2013, there were no known laws censoring LGBTIQ+ topics in the Moscow Oblast.
  • June 8
    LGBT discrimination becomes illegal.
    Covers sexual orientation and gender identity in regard to employment, housing, and public accomodations
  • 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 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)."
  • April 21
    Same-sex adoption becomes legal.
    Same sex couples could adopt children in Belgium from 21 April 2006.
  • April 18
    Same-sex marriage becomes banned.
    The 2006 "Karnataka Marriage (Registration and Miscellaneous Provisions) Rules" refer explicitly to a "bride" and "bridegroom".
  • April 13
    LGBT discrimination becomes illegal in some contexts.
    Seychelles provides protection against discrimination in employment based on sexual orientation since 2006. The National Anti-Bullying Policy and Strategy for Primary, Secondary Schools and Professional Centres (2018) includes specific sections referred to homophobic bullying (Section 2.1.2(iii), Section 2.2, paragraph 4, and Section 4.3). On 18 September 2024, the Seychelles National Assembly passed the Penal Code (Amendment) Act 2024. It bans hate-motivated offences by introducing the element of hate as an aggravating factor to any underlying offences. The hate crimes and hate speech provisions specifically include sexual orientation, gender identity, and sex characteristics.
  • LGBT employment discrimination becomes sexual orientation only.
    In 2006, Articles 2, 46A (1) and 46B of the Employment Act 1995 were amended by Act 4 to include sexual orientation as a protected characteristic from discrimination in employment in Seychelles. However, gender identity remains unprotected.
  • March 31
    Same-sex marriage becomes banned.
    The "GUJARAT REGISTRATION OF MARRIAGES ACT, 2006" refers to marriage as between a bride and a bridegroom.
  • March 23
    Same-sex adoption becomes legal.
    In 2006, the Parentage Act of 2004 came into effect, legalising same-sex adoption in the Australian Capital Territory.
  • February 18
    Same-sex marriage becomes banned.
    The 2006 amendments to the Constitution of the Democratic Republic of the Congo explicitly prohibit same-sex marriage. Article 40 in the Dem. Rep. of Congo's constitution states "Every individual has the right to marry the person of their choice, of the opposite sex."
  • February 17
    Censorship of LGBT issues becomes no censorship.
    In Baja California, there are no laws restricting the discussion or promotion of LGBTQ+ topics since the removal of homosexuality as a "corrupt habit" in its corruption of minors law.
  • February 16
    Same-sex adoption becomes single only.
    Joint and stepchild adoption are not legal, but there are no restrictions against single LGBT individuals.
  • Same-sex marriage becomes unrecognized.
    Aricle 14 of the Kosovo Family Law adopted on January 20, 2006: "Marriage is a legally registered community of two persons of different sexes..." Constitution from 2008 does not have definition of marriage. Article 28: "Based on free will, everyone enjoys the right to marry and the right to have a family as provided by law. Marriage and divorce are regulated by law and are based on the equality of spouses". Bearing in mind the fact that the Constitution prohibits discrimination based on sexual orientation, the President of the Constitutional Court said in 2014 that Kosovo de jure allows same-sex marriage but that due to political reasons the issue is unclear.
  • (date unknown)
    Equal age of consent becomes equal.
    Age of consent law in New Mexico does not discriminate against non-heterosexual sex.
  • Censorship of LGBT issues becomes state-enforced.
    Even before the Taliban return to power in 2021, there was state-enforced censorship of LGBTIQ+ topics in Afghanistan. LGBTIQ+ organisations could not legally register, and the 2006 Law on Mass Media prohibited publication of matters "contrary to principles of Islam" which were interpreted to include anything pro-LGBTIQ+.
  • Right to change legal gender becomes legal, but requires surgery.
    In 2006, Maryland provided legal gender recognition but required proof of surgery.
  • Right to change legal gender becomes legal, but requires surgery.
    In 2006, Illinois provided for legal gender recognition but required surgery and full transition.
  • Right to change legal gender becomes legal, but requires surgery.
    In 2006, Delaware provided for legal gender recognition but required surgery.
  • Right to change legal gender becomes legal, but requires surgery.
    In 2006, Massachusetts required proof of surgery for legal gender recognition.
  • Right to change legal gender becomes legal, but requires surgery.
    In 2006, Arizona provided for legal gender recognition but required proof of surgery. This requirement was removed in 2024.
  • Gender-affirming care becomes restricted.
    Gender affirming surgeries are not provided in Armenia, despite rulings requiring them for legal gender recognition and the lack of a ban on such surgeries. Trans Armenians often undergo such care abroad or in secret.
  • Right to change legal gender becomes legal, but requires surgery.
    There are no explicit laws on requiring medical diagnosis for changing gender or name. People will have to go through a medical professional to get a signed document for name change. Surgery was required for birth certificates but not driver’s licences.
  • January 1
    Serving openly in military becomes legal.
    Under federal law.
  • Serving openly in military becomes legal.
    Under federal law.
  • Serving openly in military becomes legal.
    Under federal law.
  • (date unknown)
    Legal recognition of non-binary gender becomes intersex only.
    Birth certificates allow for an "indeterminate" sex to be recorded. It is unknown when intersex recognition was first granted in Chile but estimates range back to 2006.
  • Equal age of consent becomes equal.
    Sexual Offences (Amendment) Act 2006 updated the 1992 Act to bring the age of consent for all into alignment.
  • January 1
    LGBT housing discrimination becomes no protections.
    No protections are afforded to LGBTQ people in housing.
  • (date unknown)
    Right to change legal gender becomes legal, but requires medical diagnosis.
    In Indiana, it is possible for trans people to change their legal gender on their drivers’ licence but they must provide a statement from a physician. Since March 2025, gender change on birth certificates is not provided.
  • Right to change legal gender becomes legal, but requires surgery.
    In 2006, West Virginia provided for legal gender recognition but required proof of surgery or a court order.
  • 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 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.
  • Right to change legal gender becomes legal, but requires surgery.
    Requires notarized statement from attending physician or person in charge of an institution that sex has been changed via surgery, along with a name change order. No options for non-surgical and non-binary trans people. No intersex gender marker.
  • January
    Same-sex marriage becomes banned.
    A 2006 constitutional amendment defined marriage as the union of man and woman and the only type of partnership the state recognizes.
  • January 1
    Serving openly in military becomes legal.
    In Bosnia and Herzegovina, there is no regulation that would prohibit LGBT persons from participating in the Armed Forces of BiH. Article 28 of the Law on Service in the Armed Forces of BiH prohibits discrimination in the army on any basis. However, sexual orientation and gender identity are not particularly emphasized grounds.
  • Equal age of consent becomes equal.
    With new Criminal Code from 2005 the edge of consent of 14 years became equal for everyone.

LGBT Organizations Founded in 2006

  • Affirmation Scotland FaviconAffirmation Scotland
    Scotland, United Kingdom
    Affirmation Scotland is a network in The Church of Scotland of LGBT Christians, their friends and supporters.
  • Gay and Lesbian Coalition of Kenya (GALCK) FaviconGay and Lesbian Coalition of Kenya (GALCK)
    Kenya
    The Gay and Lesbian Coalition of Kenya (GALCK) is focused on promoting recognition, acceptance and defend the interests and rights of LGBTI organizations and their members…
  • One Iowa FaviconOne Iowa
    Iowa, United States
    One Iowa is the state
  • Iniciat FaviconIniciat
    Global
  • Freedom Sudan FaviconFreedom Sudan
    Sudan
    Freedom Sudan is the only LGBT organization in Sudan. Freedom Sudan was formed in secret and all activities are carried out secretly.
  • Project 515 FaviconProject 515
    Minnesota, United States
    Project 515 was founded in 2006 with a single, achievable mission to create a state where marriage laws did not discriminate against LGBT persons. Minnesota had at least 515…
  • Arus Pelangi FaviconArus Pelangi
    Indonesia
    To help the LGBT community in Indonesia
  • interACT FaviconinterACT
    United States
    Advocates for Informed Choice, also known as interACT, is the world’s largest intersex advocacy group for members ages 13-29. A successor to the Intersex Society of North…
  • Pembe Hayat Derneği FaviconPembe Hayat Derneği
    Turkey
    Pembe Hayat LGBTI+ Solidarity Association, the first transgender rights association in Turkey, was founded in Ankara on June 30, 2006. Pembe Hayat LGBTI+ Solidarity…
  • Rainbow Railroad FaviconRainbow Railroad
    Global
    Rainbow Railroad is a non-profit organization that helps at-risk LGBTQI+ people reach safety worldwide. Based in the United States and Canada, it helps people facing persecution…
  • Russian LGBT Network FaviconRussian LGBT Network
    Russia
    The Russian LGBT Network was founded in 2006 to stand up for LGBTQIA+ rights in the Russian Federation. They provide legal and psychological support to LGBT Russians.