2009 in LGBT Rights

In 2009, there were 41 recorded legal changes made affecting LGBT people. In the previous year, there were 50 changes made and 102 in the following year. A total of 583 legal changes were made in the 2000s.

  • December 21
    Same-sex adoption becomes legal.
    Joint adoption legal in the Federal District of Mexico City (2010) and the state of Coahuila. Single gay persons may adopt nationwide.
  • December 10
    Serving openly in military becomes legal.
    The Constitutional Court ruled that ones sexual orientation and gender identity is not good grounds to terminate service in the police or the military
  • December 1
    Same-sex adoption becomes legal.
    Under the Adoption Act.
  • October 1
    LGBT employment discrimination becomes sexual orientation only.
    Sexual orientation has been explicitly protected since 2009 in the Alberta Human Rights Act. Gender identity is read-in by the Alberta Human Rights Commission under "gender" though it is not explicit in the Act, however a lengthy tribunal process makes this implicit protection inaccessible to many Albertans.
  • LGBT housing discrimination becomes sexual orientation only.
    Sexual orientation is officially a protected group. While not explicit in the law, the Alberta Human Rights Commission reads in transgender rights under "gender", but lengthy tribunal process makes this implicit protection inaccessible to many Albertans.
  • LGBT discrimination becomes illegal in some contexts.
    There remains no explicit protection of transgender people under the Act, though the Alberta Human Rights Commission reads in transgender rights under "gender".
  • September 28
    Same-sex adoption becomes legal.
    Either single or coupled LGBT people can adopt children.
  • September 19
    LGBT housing discrimination becomes no protections.
  • LGBT employment discrimination becomes no protections.
  • LGBT discrimination becomes no protections.
  • September 10
    Same-sex adoption becomes legal.
    In 2009, Uruguay became the first Latin American country to allow same-sex couples to adopt children.
  • August 31
    Right to change legal gender becomes legal, but requires surgery.
    Surgery is required in the Vital Statistics Act.
  • July 23
    LGBT housing discrimination becomes sexual orientation and gender identity.
  • LGBT discrimination becomes illegal.
    The law specifically states discrimination on grounds of sexual orientation is punishable by imprisonment
  • July 9
    LGBT discrimination becomes illegal.
    LGBTQ+ members are protected from violence and all aspects of life.
  • July 8
    LGBT discrimination becomes illegal.
  • July 2
    Homosexual activity becomes legal.
    Case law overriding Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code
  • July 1
    Same-sex marriage becomes civil unions.
    The institution of registered partnership is only available to same sex couples. The unregistered cohabitation (élettársi kapcsolat) of same-sex couples was recognised and placed on equal footing with the unregistered cohabitation of different-sex couples in 1996. However, same-sex marriage is banned by the 2012 Constitution.
  • Same-sex adoption becomes step-child adoption only.
    Joint adoption not legal at this time, only adoption of one partners existing children.
  • June 18
    Right to change legal gender becomes legal, but requires surgery.
    Laos legalized changing gender in 2009 but there is no protection laws.
  • June 17
    LGBT housing discrimination becomes sexual orientation and gender identity.
  • LGBT employment discrimination becomes sexual orientation and gender identity.
  • LGBT discrimination becomes illegal.
  • May 15
    Same-sex adoption becomes step-child adoption only.
    Only able to adopt child of the other partner
  • May 1
    Same-sex marriage becomes legal.
    Sweden becomes the seventh country to legalize same-sex marriage.
  • April 27
    Same-sex marriage becomes legal.
    In 2009, Iowa became the third state to legalize same-sex marriage. Varnum v. Brien, Supreme Court of Iowa (2009).
  • April 22
    Homosexual activity becomes illegal (imprisonment as punishment).
    Up to 2 years imprisonment and/or up to 50,000 frank fine
  • April 7
    Same-sex marriage becomes legal.
    In 2009, Vermont became the third US state to legalize same-sex marriage, following Massachusetts in 2004 and Connecticut in 2008. Vermont was the first state to legalize same-sex marriage by legislative means.
  • March 26
    LGBT housing discrimination becomes sexual orientation and gender identity.
  • LGBT employment discrimination becomes sexual orientation and gender identity.
    On 26 March 2009, Parliament approved a unified anti-discrimination law, known as the Anti-Discrimination Act of 2009, which prohibits, among other categories, discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and transgender status in all areas.
  • LGBT discrimination becomes illegal.
  • March 19
    Same-sex adoption becomes legal.
    At the time, gay couples were allowed to have civil unions and thus was able to apply as a couple.
  • March 18
    LGBT discrimination becomes illegal in some contexts.
    Within the penal code, discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation (and discrimination in general) is treated as an aggravating circumstances.
  • March 16
    Same-sex marriage becomes other type of partnership.
    Domestic partnership is recognized by the state as a form of same-sex union
  • March 1
    Blood donations by MSMs becomes banned (5-year deferral).
    No specific date in March. NZBS lists March 2009 on the linked page. NZBS performed a review in 2013 and results are expected to be public shortly.
  • February 27
    Right to change legal gender becomes legal, surgery not required.
  • LGBT discrimination becomes illegal in some contexts.
    Argentina recognizes international convention on human rights. LGBT individuals are explicitly protected in the military code but is not explicitly included in the general discrimination protection code.
  • February 20
    LGBT housing discrimination becomes sexual orientation only.
    Only sexual orientation
  • LGBT employment discrimination becomes sexual orientation only.
    Only sexual orientation
  • LGBT discrimination becomes illegal.
    Discrimination is illegal
  • January 29
    Same-sex marriage becomes other type of partnership.
    A Colombia court ruling implies that even though there are no specific legal provisions, same sex couples can now file for the same right and protection like a different-sex marriage using the provision of a "de facto union" in the 1991 constitution