In 2007, there were 70 recorded legal changes made affecting LGBT people. In the previous year, there were 163 changes made and 94 in the following year. A total of 1146 legal changes were made in the 2000s.
- December 31
- LGBT employment discrimination becomes no protections.There are no legal protections in employment. In 2021, a Namibian court has found that the constitution bans discrimination based on sexual orientation. In March 2023, the Supreme Court overturned the 2021 decision. Section 139 of the Labour Act of 2004 repealed the Labour Act of 1992 which in Section 107 prohibited sexual orientation discrimination. However, that law never came into effect. The Labour Act 2007, however, does not include sexual orientation.
- December 28
- December 21Right to change legal gender becomes ambiguous.In 2007, a landmark ruling in Nepal provided nonbinary people with legal recognition on the basis of self-determination. Section 12 of the Constitution of Nepal (2015) was written in such a way that requires the Nepalese Citizenship Certificates to include gender identity (as opposed to just gender). This provision only applies to the first Nepalese Citizenship Certificate issued, not to an already-issued certificate. However, the decision of Sunil Babu Pant, Anik Ranamagar and others v. Government of Nepal (2017), ruled that existing citizenship certificates should also be amended. Nepal began issuing passports with “third gender”/“O” markers, after the Supreme Court decision Dilu Dibuja v. the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (2017) ordered that a transgender person should be given a passport that matched their Nepalese Citizenship Certificate. In 2019, Nepal’s House of Representatives proposed a bill to amend the Citizenship Act that would impact the rights of trans persons. The bill proposed an onerous proof of "sex change" as a requirement for a person to obtain a change of gender marker on their Nepalese Citizenship Certificate. This goes in contradiction with the above Supreme Court cases. In addition, many transgender people who have applied for a gender change have been able to see their gender marker changed on behalf of the civil status. Despite this, the process of a legal gender change was only permissible for nonbinary people and trans women couldn't change their markers to female or trans men to male until 2024.
- December 16Equal age of consent becomes equal.The age of consent in South Africa is equal for homosexual sex and heterosexual sex.
- December 3Right to change legal gender becomes legal, but requires medical diagnosis.In Guernsey, you can legally change your gender but you need to acquire a UK GRC which requires a medical diagnosis
- November 29LGBT housing discrimination becomes sexual orientation and gender identity.In 2007, Rio Grande do Norte passed Law No. 9036 which prohibited discrimination in housing on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity.
- LGBT discrimination becomes illegal in some contexts.In 2007, Rio Grande do Norte passed Law 9036 which provided protections from discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity in employment, housing and goods and services. However, there were no protections from discrimination in healthcare and education.
- LGBT employment discrimination becomes sexual orientation and gender identity.In 2007, Rio Grande do Norte passed Law No. 9036 which prohibited discrimination in employment on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity.
- November 19Same-sex marriage becomes banned.
- November 17
- November 16
- November 4Same-sex marriage becomes banned.Article 4 of the Family Law of the Brčko District states: "Marriage is a legally regulated union of life between a woman and a man." The BD Statute does not mention marriage.
- Same-sex adoption becomes illegal.Family Law of Brčko District adopted on Jun 14, 2007 recognizes two categories of adoption: "incomplete adoption" and "full adoption". Both fully and partially can be adopted only by married partners without restrictions. With the existence of particularly justified reasons, both types of adoption can be provided to extramarital partners who have lived in the community for at least 5 years, while single people can only be granted incomplete adoption under the same justified reasons (Articles 86 and 87).
- October 22LGBT housing discrimination becomes no protections.The Constitution of Montenegro prohibits discrimination on any ground. However, it does not explicitly mention sexual orientation or gender identity.
- Same-sex marriage becomes banned.There is constitutional ban on same-sex marriages in Montenegro. Article 71: "Marriage can only be concluded with the free consent of the woman and the man".
- October 16LGBT discrimination becomes illegal in some contexts.Only banned in employment and housing
- October 3
- October 2LGBT employment discrimination becomes sexual orientation only.Under the Employment Relations Promulgation 2007, Section 6(2) prohibits discrimination based on sexual orientation for recruitment, training, promotion, terms and conditions of employment, termination of employment or other matters arising out of the employment relationship.
- September 14
- September 12Same-sex marriage becomes banned.In 2007, the Matrimonial Causes Act took effect in Zambia, explicitly declaring same-sex marriages void. In 2010, Zambia passed another clause in its constitution that explicitly forbids marriage between people of the same sex. The Anti-Gender-Based Violence Act (2011) states that “domestic relationship ” means "a relationship, between a victim and a respondent in any of the following ways: (b) the victim cohabits with the respondent in a relationship in the nature of a marriage notwithstanding that they are not married, were not married to each other or could not or cannot be married to each other." This definition includes people in a same-sex relationship.
- September 1Same-sex adoption becomes illegal.According to article 132 of the 2006 Family Law in Montenegro, adoptive parents can be: - spouses or common-law partners together - the spouse or common-law partner of the child's parent - exceptionally, with the permission of the cabinet minister responsible for social welfare, a person who lives alone if particulary justified reasons exist for doing so. This practically means that single people (regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity) are not allowed to adopt.
- Right to change legal gender becomes legal, but requires surgery.Transgender people in Belgium are required to undergo gender reassignment surgery in order to change their gender on state documents.
- August 31Same-sex marriage becomes banned.The following day, Judge Robert Hanson stayed his ruling, effectively reinstating the ban on same-sex marriage. He stayed his ruling after the county prosecutor requested it so that the Iowa Supreme Court could rule on his appeal.
- August 30Same-sex marriage becomes legal.On August 30th, 2007, Judge Robert Hanson ruled that denying marriage to same-sex couples is unconstitutional. One couple was able to marry before the ruling was stayed.
- August 14Serving openly in military becomes legal.In Slovenia there is no regulation that would prohibit LGBT persons from participating in the Armed Forces. Article 15 of the 2007 Act on Service in the Slovenian Army: Equality during military service is guaranteed, regardless of any personal circumstances.
- August 1Blood donations by MSMs becomes legal.After many years of activism, Costa Rica lifted the ban on gay and bisexual men donating blood. The ban had originally been put in place due to fear of HIV-AIDS.
- LGBT discrimination becomes illegal in some contexts.The Penal Code (2019) provide some protections for LGBT people: -Article 160 (Aggravated Homicide) protects the victim's sexual orientation or gender identity. -Article 191 prohibits incitement to discrimination, hatred, or violence against a person or group of people based on their gender identity. It also prohibits defamation, insults, and threats against transgender people. Sexual orientation is not mentioned in the article. The Advertising Code (2016) prohibits advertising if it contains any discrimination or humiliation based on sexual orientation. Resolution No. 31/2024, which approves the Urbanization Policy, protects sexual orientation in its definition of social inclusion. The 2007 labor law protected against discrimination on employment on grounds of sexual orientation. (Repealed in 2024)
- LGBT employment discrimination becomes sexual orientation only.
- July 26Right to change legal gender becomes legal, but requires medical diagnosis.While there's no actual law support this, Minnesota's Department of Safety had quietly added X gender marker to their licenses. This is still in effect as of 2018, as they roll out REAL ID. Permits are also able to get X gender marker, as of 2018 as well. Although surgery is not required, a letter confirming “appropriate medical treatment” is.
- July 23Same-sex marriage becomes other type of partnership.
- July 10LGBT discrimination becomes illegal in some contexts.In 2007, Buenos Aires passed Law 10,688 which prohibited discrimination in education on the basis of sexual orientation. 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 Buenos Aires under federal Argentine law. However, gender identity remains unprotected. Conversely, in 2021, gender identity became a protected characteristic from discrimination in employment in Buenos Aires, also under federal Argentine law, but sexual orientation remains unprotected. Outside of those contexts, there are no discrimination protections provided to LGBTIQ+ people in Buenos Aires.
- June 28Same-sex marriage becomes banned.Article 2 of Law No. 2007-022 on Marriage and Matrimonial Regimes states that: "Marriage between two persons of the same sex is prohibited, whether celebrated before the Civil Registrar or performed according to traditional ceremonies." Article 39 mentions "gender identity" as a cause for the absolute nullity of marriage.
- June 13LGBT discrimination becomes illegal.
- June 1Same-sex marriage becomes civil unions (limited rights).South Australia's Statutes Amendment (Domestic Partners) Act Proclamation of 2007 permitted civil unions between same-sex people with limited rights.
- May 25LGBT housing discrimination becomes sexual orientation and gender identity.In 2007, the Iowa legislature amended the state’s discrimination law on housing to include protections for sexual orientation and gender identity.
- LGBT employment discrimination becomes sexual orientation and gender identity.In 2007, the Iowa legislature amended the state’s employment discrimination law to include protections for sexual orientation and gender identity. In 2025, Iowa’s governor signed a bill that removed gender identity from the list of protected classes in employment discrimination. However, once this legislation goes into effect, it will not affect employment discrimination because gender identity and sexual orientation have been protected federally since 2020 under Bostock v Clayton County.
- April 17Same-sex marriage becomes foreign same-sex marriages recognized only.Marriages performed in the Kingdom of the Netherlands are recognised since 2007. They are not however performed in Curaçao. However, this doesn't mean equal treatment is given to same sex married couples (as opposed to different sex married couples)
- Same-sex marriage becomes foreign same-sex marriages recognized only.Marriages performed in the Kingdom of the Netherlands are recognised since 2007. They are not however performed in Sint Maarten. Additionally, the official government website specifies a "bride" and "groom".
- April 13LGBT discrimination becomes illegal in some contexts.The Sint Maarten penal code (Article 2:61) makes discrimination illegal if against a hetero- or homosexual orientation.
- April 9
- March 17Same-sex marriage becomes civil unions (limited rights).
- March 16
- March 14Right to change legal gender becomes legal, but requires surgery.The Northern Mariana Islands provide for legal gender recognition but require proof of surgery for it to be granted since 2007.
- February 7
- January 19
- January 1LGBT housing discrimination becomes sexual orientation only.
- (date unknown)
- January 1Same-sex adoption becomes illegal.Under the registered partnership act same sex couples are not able to adopt their partner’s child.
- (date unknown)
- Censorship of LGBT issues becomes no censorship.
- LGBT discrimination becomes illegal in some contexts.
- Same-sex adoption becomes legal.State statute allows married and unmarried persons to adopt per §9-301, and a lower court ruled in MA, 2007 ME 123 (2007) that the law is not exclusionary of same-sex partners. Similarly, second-parent adoption isn't expressly permitted in statute, but case law has been tolerant in lower court rulings.
- LGBT discrimination becomes illegal.In 2007, the Iowa legislature added sexual orientation and gender identity to the state’s discrimination law.
- 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.
- LGBT employment discrimination becomes sexual orientation and gender identity.State law provides for protections against employment discrimination in regards to both sexual orientation and gender identification.
- January 1Serving openly in military becomes legal.Section 1.5 of Ireland's Defence Forces's "Equality, Diversity, and Equal Status Policies" state that "the nine (9) grounds on which discrimination is prohibited are: Gender, marital status, family status, disability, sexual orientation, age, religion, race and membership of the Traveller community."
- Blood donations by MSMs becomes banned (6-month deferral).Individuals who have engaged in anal sex (regardless of gender) have a 6 months deferral.
- (date unknown)Equal age of consent becomes equal.
- January 1Same-sex marriage becomes civil unions (marriage rights).A registered partnership in Switzerland grants equal rights to marriage but differs on three points: access to fertility treatment, joint adoption and facilitated Swiss naturalisation.
- (date unknown)LGBT employment discrimination becomes sexual orientation and gender identity.In 2007 and 2008, the Legislative Yuan passed amendments to two employment laws banning discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity at work. Employment discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity is prohibited under Article 5 of the Employment Service Act (2007) and Chapter II of the Gender Equality in Employment Act (2008).
- Right to change legal gender becomes illegal.Filipinos who undergo gender re-assignment surgery are not permitted to change their legal gender per a supreme court ruling in 2007. Individuals with Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia (CAH), a very rare gender disorder, are permitted to change their gender. Changing gender pending.
LGBT Organizations Founded in 2007
LGBT Network
The LGBT Network is a charity which campaigns and lobbies for policy change and equality for LGBTQ persons.Alaskans Together For Equality
Alaskans Together for Equality (ATE) is AlaskaPINK Armenia
PINK Armenia (Public Information and Need of Knowledge) is a human rights organization that works to promote and protect the rights and well being of the LGBTQ+ community in…Matthew's Place
By LGBT youth for LGBT youth. Resources, Centers, Community, Blog, and stories. MatthewsPlace.com is an online community and resource site for lesbian, gay, bisexual…MyKali Magazine
Online social-conceptual MENA webzine, covers issues of LGBT+, sexuality & genderQueer leaders forum
Queer Leaders Forum (QLF) is a civic association, established from the initiative of the First Lesbian Association Museion, by the creation, followed up by the transformation of…Al-Qaws
Al-Qaws is a Palestinian organization that seeks to challenge societal norms and state violence by advocating for sexual and gender diversity in Palestinian society. It works to…Insight
Insight is a Ukrainian public organization, that is committed to equal rights, freedom, inclusiveness, and diversity for all social groups.Sarajevski otvoreni centar
A civil society organization that advocates for the protection and promotion of human rights with an emphasis on gender equality and the position of LGBTI+ people.Rete Lenford
Rete Lenford – Avvocatura per i diritti LGBTI+ is a non-profit association comprised of lawyers, trainees, jurists, students, and individuals with proven experience or…