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2007 in LGBT Rights

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In 2007, there were 72 recorded legal changes made affecting LGBT people. In the previous year, there were 162 changes made and 94 in the following year. A total of 1150 legal changes were made in the 2000s.

  • December 31
    Same-sex adoption becomes single only.
    Adoption Law 77/2007 Article 13.
  • LGBT discrimination becomes no protections.
    Until 2018, there were no protections from discrimination provided to LGBTIQ+ people in Namibia since the removal of protections in employment in 2007.
  • 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 Section 139 of the Labour Act of 2004 repealed the Labour Act of 1992 which in Section 107 prohibited sexual orientation discrimination.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
    Same-sex marriage becomes civil unions (marriage rights).
    In 2007, Uruguay became the first country in South America to provide recognition to same-sex couples on a national level by providing them recognition as civil unions with the same rights as married couples.
  • December 21
    Equal age of consent becomes equal.
    Nepal statutory rape law is violated when an individual has consensual sexual contact with a person under age 16. This law is applicable to both heterosexual couples, and homosexual men. There is no age of consent for homosexual women.
  • Right 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.
  • Homosexual activity becomes legal.
    In 2007, Nepal became one of the leading LGBTQ countries with holding Supreme court ruling in 2007, that would allow same-sex marriages and grant transgender people the right to gender affirming care.
  • December 16
    Equal age of consent becomes equal.
    The age of consent in South Africa is equal for homosexual sex and heterosexual sex.
  • December 10
    Censorship of LGBT issues becomes imprisonment as punishment.
    In 2007, Kuwait passed Article 198 of its Penal Code, which criminalises "imitation of the opposite sex" with up to a year in prison, effectively criminalising the gender expression of transgender people.
  • December 3
    Right 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 29
    LGBT 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 19
    Same-sex marriage becomes banned.
    Until 2019, Aguascalientes defined a marriage as being between a man and a woman, effectively banning same-sex marriage. Since 2017, federal amparos have provided marriage to couples.
  • November 17
    Homosexual activity becomes legal.
    Homosexuality within Chinandega is legal
  • November 16
    Homosexual activity becomes legal.
    According to Nicaraguan laws.
  • November 4
    Same-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 22
    LGBT 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 16
    LGBT discrimination becomes illegal in some contexts.
    Only banned in employment and housing
  • October 3
    Same-sex marriage becomes banned.
    Until 2021, Zacatecas defined a marriage as between a man and a woman, effectively banning same-sex marriage. However, since 2019, some municipalities have legalised it.
  • October 2
    LGBT 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
    LGBT discrimination becomes illegal in some contexts.
    In 2007, San Juan passed Law 7819 which prohibited discrimination in any context on the basis of sexual orientation. However, gender identity is only protected in employment under a federal law in 2021.
  • LGBT employment discrimination becomes sexual orientation only.
    In 2007, San Juan began providing protections from discrimination in employment on the basis of sexual orientation under Law 7819. However, gender identity remained unprotected until 2021.
  • LGBT housing discrimination becomes sexual orientation only.
    The San Juan Province Code of Offenses (Law 941-R) prohibits discrimination based on sexual orientation, including in housing. However, gender identity remains unprotected.
  • September 12
    Same-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 1
    Same-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 31
    Same-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 30
    Same-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 14
    Serving 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 1
    Blood 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.
    Until February 2024, there was legal protection for sexual orientation under Articles 4, 5 and 108 of the Labour Law 23/2007.
  • July 26
    Right 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 23
    Same-sex marriage becomes other type of partnership.
    In 2007, Washington began provided for the status of domestic partnership to same-sex couples. The rights were limited compared to married couples but would expand in 2008.
  • July 10
    LGBT 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 28
    Same-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 13
    LGBT discrimination becomes illegal.
  • June 1
    Same-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 25
    LGBT 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 17
    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 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 13
    LGBT discrimination becomes illegal in some contexts.
    The Sint Maarten penal code (Article 2:61) makes discrimination illegal if against a hetero- or homosexual orientation.
  • 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 Aruba.
  • April 9
    Same-sex marriage becomes banned.
    The 2007 Family Code of Sonora defines a marriage as between a man and a woman, effectively banning same-sex marriage.
  • March 17
    Same-sex marriage becomes civil unions (limited rights).
    In 2006, Mexico City approved a law recognising same-sex civil unions which took effect in March 2007. While inheritance rights were granted, adoption remained banned.
  • March 16
    Same-sex marriage becomes civil unions (limited rights).
    In 2007, Coahuila passed a law granting same-sex couples recognition as civil unions with the same inheritance rights as heterosexual couples. However, there was no right to adopt granted.
  • March 14
    Right 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.
  • March 1
    Equal age of consent becomes equal.
    In 2007, Vanuatu's Penal Code Amendment of 2006 came into effect, which set the age of consent for both heterosexual and homosexual relations at 16, equalising the age of consent.
  • February 7
    Same-sex marriage becomes unregistered cohabitation.
    In 2007, the Constitutional Cort of Colombia provided several property and pension rights to same-sex couples, the first such recognition provided to same-sex couples.
  • January 19
    Same-sex adoption becomes single only.
    A law entered into force in 2007 in Coahuila which prohibited LGBTIQ+ people from adopting. The law would be ruled unconstitutional in November 2011 but wasn’t change until 2014.
  • January 1
    LGBT housing discrimination becomes sexual orientation only.
    Protections in housing discrimination were extended to LGB people with the "The Equality Act (Sexual Orientation) Regulations (NI) 2006", taking effect in 2007. Currently, they are not extended to protect people on the basis of gender identity.
  • (date unknown)
    Right to change legal gender becomes legal, but requires surgery.
    Since 2007, Lithuania has allowed trans people to change their legal gender but until 2022, this required surgery and a court order.
  • January 1
    Same-sex adoption becomes illegal.
    Under the registered partnership act same sex couples are not able to adopt their partner’s child.
  • (date unknown)
    Serving openly in military becomes illegal.
    The Military penal law No. 19 2007 prohibits its men from engaging Homosexual acts.
  • Censorship of LGBT issues becomes no censorship.
    In the Bahamas, there are no laws restricting the discussion or promotion of LGBTQ+ topics. However, there have been cases of censorship against NGOs and bans on LGBTIQ+ themed films in the past as late as 2006. There have been no cases since 2007 however.
  • Conversion therapy becomes sexual orientation only.
    According to the Mental Health Act (2007) a person is not to be considered mentally ill by reason that the person expresses or refuses or fails to express a particular sexual preference or sexual orientation.
  • LGBT discrimination becomes illegal in some contexts.
    Explicit legal protections under: -Mental Health Act (2007): sexual preference or sexual orientation. -Labour and Employment Relations Act (2013): sex, gender, sexual orientation. -Sentencing Act (2016): gender identity and sexual orientation (Aggravating factor).
  • Same-sex marriage becomes banned.
    The family code of 2007 explicitly and repeatedly refers to marriage as between a man and a woman.
  • 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 1
    Serving 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.
  • Same-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 FaviconLGBT Network
    Scotland, United Kingdom
    The LGBT Network is a charity which campaigns and lobbies for policy change and equality for LGBTQ persons.
  • Alaskans Together For Equality FaviconAlaskans Together For Equality
    Alaska, United States
    Alaskans Together for Equality (ATE) is Alaska
  • PINK Armenia FaviconPINK Armenia
    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 FaviconMatthew's Place
    United States
    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 FaviconMyKali Magazine
    Jordan
    Online social-conceptual MENA webzine, covers issues of LGBT+, sexuality & gender
  • Queer leaders forum FaviconQueer leaders forum
    Slovakia
    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 FaviconAl-Qaws
    Palestine
    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 FaviconInsight
    Ukraine
    Insight is a Ukrainian public organization, that is committed to equal rights, freedom, inclusiveness, and diversity for all social groups.
  • Sarajevski otvoreni centar FaviconSarajevski otvoreni centar
    Bosnia and Herzegovina
    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 FaviconRete Lenford
    Italy
    Rete Lenford – Avvocatura per i diritti LGBTI+ is a non-profit association comprised of lawyers, trainees, jurists, students, and individuals with proven experience or…