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2010 in LGBT Rights

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In 2010, there were 96 recorded legal changes made affecting LGBT people. In the previous year, there were 122 changes made and 109 in the following year. A total of 1752 legal changes were made in the 2010s.

  • December 21
    Same-sex marriage becomes banned.
    Until 2022, same-sex marriage was banned in Guerrero.
  • Censorship of LGBT issues becomes imprisonment as punishment.
    Article 83 of the Law on Cybersecurity and Cybercrime of 2010 in Cameroon carried penalties of up to two years imprisonment and a fine for any interactions between the same sex online for the purposes of sexual propositions. The penalties are also doubled if sexual intercourse is followed up on. Section 264 of the Penal Code (2016) criminalises the public utterance of any “immoral speech” and the drawing of the public’s attention to any “occasion of immorality”. In light of the criminalisation of same-sex intimacy, a legal scholar has suggested that a publicly uttered speech advocating “unnatural sexual indulgence” would be considered “immoral”.
  • December 15
    Same-sex marriage becomes banned.
    The 2010 Marriage Act of Anguilla defines a marriage as between a man and a woman, effectively banning same-sex marriage.
  • December 11
    Right to change legal gender becomes legal, but requires medical diagnosis.
    Belarusians have been allowed to update their gender markers and names following a medical diagnosis however applicants were often barred if they were married or had children. Additionally, until 2018 national identification numbers had a gender marker embedded and these could not be changed. This reportedly often leads to discrepancies between the two resulting in denial of employment.
  • December 3
    Conversion therapy becomes banned.
    Article 3(c) of the Law on Mental Health (2010) establishes that a person cannot be diagnosed on their mental health exclusively on the basis of their "sexual choice or identity”. It prevents health professionals, particularly psychiatrists, from legally engaging in sexual orientation change efforts (SOCE). Additionally, at the subnational level, in December 2020, the province of Santa Cruz passed the Integral Law for the recognition and historical reparation of the rights of trans persons (Law No. 3.724), which prohibits "aversion therapies" for trans people under Article 24.
  • December
    Legal recognition of non-binary gender becomes recognized.
    From 2010 until 2024, Arkansas granted individuals the ability to legally identify as 'X' on state-issued driver’s licenses and identification cards.
  • November 12
    LGBT discrimination becomes illegal in some contexts.
    In 2010, Tacna passed Regional Ordinance 016 which prohibited discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity in all areas except for housing.
  • LGBT employment discrimination becomes sexual orientation and gender identity.
    In 2010, Tacna passed Regional Ordinance 016 which prohibits discrimination in employment on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity.
  • November 10
    LGBT housing discrimination becomes sexual orientation and gender identity.
    In 2010, Amazonas began providing protections from discrimination in housing on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity.
  • LGBT discrimination becomes illegal.
    In 2010, Amazonas began providing protections from discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity.
  • LGBT employment discrimination becomes sexual orientation and gender identity.
    In 2010, Amazonas began providing protections from discrimination in employment on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity.
  • November 1
    Same-sex adoption becomes single only.
    Law specifies that married couples or single individuals may adopt, but there is no same sex marriage in Ireland at present.
  • October 10
    (deleted region)
    LGBT housing discrimination becomes sexual orientation and gender identity.
    For Local Authorities they would be bound by Equality Act 2010 and have a duty under Public Sector Equality Duty. For private landlords would be bound by Equality Act 2010
  • (deleted region)
    LGBT employment discrimination becomes sexual orientation and gender identity.
    It is illegal to discriminate based on sexual orientation and gender identity when hiring
  • (deleted region)
    LGBT discrimination becomes illegal.
    Discrimination in the United Kingdom is illegal. This extends to Salford.
  • October 8
    LGBT housing discrimination becomes sexual orientation and gender identity.
    Discrimination is protected for sexual orientation and gender identity as per the law against racism and discrimination of any kind.
  • LGBT employment discrimination becomes sexual orientation and gender identity.
    Discrimination is protected for sexual orientation and gender identity as per the law against racism and discrimination of any kind, including employment under Bolivia's Law against Racism and All Forms of Discrimination passed in 2010.
  • LGBT discrimination becomes illegal.
    The law against racism and all other forms of discrimination, in article 5a explicitly includes sexual orientation and (gender) identity.
  • October 1
    LGBT employment discrimination becomes sexual orientation and gender identity.
    Employment discrimination protections in the UK stem from the Equality Act of 2010. There are, however, exemptions for certain occupations (such as religious organisations).
  • LGBT housing discrimination becomes sexual orientation and gender identity.
    Local authorities would be bound by the Equality Act 2010 and have a duty under the Public Sector Equality Duty. For private landlords, they would be bound by the Equality Act 2010.
  • LGBT discrimination becomes illegal.
    LGBT discrimination in England is illegal, as per the UK's Equality Act of 2010. Sexual orientation and gender identity are covered as protected groups by the act.
  • LGBT discrimination becomes illegal.
    LGBT discrimination in the United Kingdom of Great Britain is illegal, as per the Equality Act of 2010. Sexual orientation and gender identity are covered as protected groups by the Equality Act.
  • (deleted region)
    LGBT employment discrimination becomes sexual orientation and gender identity.
    Employment discrimination protections in the UK stem from several peices of legislation, which were combined into the wide-ranging Equality Act 2010.
  • (deleted region)
    LGBT housing discrimination becomes sexual orientation and gender identity.
    Employment discrimination protections in the UK stem from several peices of legislation, which were combined into the wide-ranging Equality Act 2010.
  • (deleted region)
    LGBT discrimination becomes illegal.
    The Equality Act brings together over 116 separate pieces of legislation into one single Act. Combined, they make up a new Act that provides a legal framework to protect the rights of individuals and advance equality of opportunity for all. The Act simplifies, strengthens and harmonises the current legislation to provide Britain with a new discrimination law which protects individuals from unfair treatment and promotes a fair and more equal society.
  • (deleted region)
    LGBT housing discrimination becomes sexual orientation and gender identity.
    Housing discrimination for sexual orientation and gender identity is illegal.
  • (deleted region)
    LGBT employment discrimination becomes sexual orientation and gender identity.
    It is illegal to discriminate employment based on sexual orientation or gender identity
  • (deleted region)
    LGBT discrimination becomes illegal.
    It is illegal to discriminate against someone on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity in England.
  • (deleted region)
    LGBT housing discrimination becomes sexual orientation and gender identity.
    It is illegal for a service provider to deny a service based on Sexual Orientation or Gender Identity.
  • (deleted region)
    LGBT employment discrimination becomes sexual orientation and gender identity.
    It is illegal to discriminate against someone on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity in England. This extends to Manchester.
  • (deleted region)
    LGBT discrimination becomes illegal.
    Discrimination in Manchester is illegal.
  • (deleted region)
    LGBT housing discrimination becomes sexual orientation and gender identity.
    Both Sexual and gender orientation
  • (deleted region)
    LGBT discrimination becomes illegal.
    LGBTQ+ Communities are protected from any discrimination.
  • LGBT housing discrimination becomes sexual orientation and gender identity.
    The Equality Act 2010 made it illegal for any public or private landlord to discriminate against tenants due to many things, including sexual orientation and gender identity.
  • LGBT employment discrimination becomes sexual orientation and gender identity.
    The Equality Act 2010 makes it illegal for an employer to discriminate against any employee on the grounds of many things, including sexual orientation and gender identity.
  • LGBT employment discrimination becomes sexual orientation and gender identity.
    LGBT discrimination in Employment is illegal, as per the Equality Act of 2010. Sexual orientation and gender identity are covered as protected groups by the Equality Act.
  • LGBT housing discrimination becomes sexual orientation and gender identity.
    LGBT discrimination in housing is illegal, as per the Equality Act of 2010. Sexual orientation and gender identity are covered as protected groups by the Equality Act.
  • LGBT discrimination becomes illegal.
    LGBT discrimination in the United Kingdom of Great Britain is illegal, as per the Equality Act of 2010. Sexual orientation and gender identity are covered as protected groups by the Equality Act. The Act simplifies, strengthens and harmonises the current legislation to provide Britain with a new discrimination law which protects individuals from unfair treatment and promotes a fair and more equal society. The Equality Act of 2010 extends to Scotland. In 2024, Scotland revised its hate crime law to explicitly include gender identity and sexual orientation.
  • Blood donations by MSMs becomes banned (indefinite deferral).
    The Ministry of Health prohibits LGBTIQ+ people from donating blood as expressed in the Manual for the promotion, training and selection of blood donors, a manual issued by the Ministry of Health in October 2010. Annex No.2 shows the form that a person must fill out in order to donate blood. Of the 34 questions on the form, question 27 stands out (Have you or your partner engaged in risky sexual behavior?) because the annex shows a brief description, and in the description, it is stated that people with risky sexual behaviors are men who have sex with their own sex, men or women who have had sex with a bisexual partner, and according to the manual, those people are not eligible to donate blood.
  • LGBT housing discrimination becomes varies by region.
    While England, Wales and Scotland are bound by the Equality Act 2010, Northern Ireland is not and has different discrimination protections in employment.
  • LGBT employment discrimination becomes sexual orientation and gender identity.
    In 2010, the rest of the UK's employment discrimination protections were brought up to standard with those of Northern Ireland in the Equality Act of 2010. There are, however, exemptions for certain occupations (such as religious organisations).
  • September 29
    Same-sex marriage becomes foreign same-sex marriages recognized only.
    In 2010, Tasmania became the first state in Australia to recognise same-sex marriages that are performed abroad. However, marriage still was not legal until 2017.
  • September 13
    Serving openly in military becomes legal.
    In 2010, Australia lifted its ban on transgender people serving in the military.
  • September 2
    Same-sex adoption becomes legal.
    In 2010, New South Wales legalised same-sex adoption.
  • August 14
    LGBT housing discrimination becomes sexual orientation and gender identity.
    The Anti-discrimination law bans discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation, gender identity and intersex characteristics in all areas.
  • LGBT employment discrimination becomes sexual orientation and gender identity.
    Article 16 of the Anti-Discrimination Law from 2010 bans Employment discrimination. Discrimination is prohibited on basis of sexual orientation, gender identity and intersex characteristics among others.
  • LGBT discrimination becomes illegal.
    On July 27, 2010, Montenegrin Parliament passed a Law on Prohibition of Discrimination, which prohibits, among other categories, discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation, gender identity and intersex characteristics in all areas.
  • August 10
    LGBT employment discrimination becomes sexual orientation only.
    Botswana provides protection from discrimination in employment on the basis of sexual orientation but not gender identity. However, the law was not enforced.
  • LGBT discrimination becomes illegal in some contexts.
    In June 2019, the High Court of Botswana ruled that "sex", as defined in Section 3 of the Botswana Constitution, should be "generously and purposively interpreted" to include "sexual orientation". The Employment Act (2010) prohibits employers from terminating contracts of employment on the basis of "sexual orientation". There are no laws that protect gender identity from discrimination
  • July 27
    LGBT discrimination becomes illegal.
    It's illegal
  • LGBT housing discrimination becomes sexual orientation and gender identity.
    In Iceland, homosexual and heterosexual relationships are treated the same under housing laws. Individuals are not allowed to deny a person housing with homophobic or transphobic motivations. This came along with Act 65, The Amending Act which legalized gay marriage.
  • July 15
    Same-sex adoption becomes legal.
    Same-sex adoption is legal in Argentina.
  • Same-sex marriage becomes legal.
    In 2010, Argentina became the first country in Latin America to legalize gay marriage. The Senate passed the bill by a narrow margin (33 votes in favor, 27 against, and 3 abstained). Argentina was the tenth country in the world to enact marriage equality.
  • July 6
    LGBT housing discrimination becomes sexual orientation and gender identity.
    In 2010, Yucatan added gender identity as a protected characteristic in its anti-discrimination law, including in housing.
  • LGBT discrimination becomes illegal.
    In 2010, Yucatan added gender identity as a protected characteristic in its anti-discrimination law.
  • LGBT employment discrimination becomes sexual orientation and gender identity.
    In 2010, Yucatan added gender identity as a protected characteristic in its anti-discrimination law, including in employment.
  • July 1
    Same-sex marriage becomes foreign same-sex marriages recognized only.
    Prior to the federal legalisation of same-sex marriage in Australia, New South Wales recognised same-sex marriages performed overseas. In November 2013, a bill to legalise same-sex marriage in the state narrowly failed by 21 votes to 19 in the upper house of the state Parliament. On 24 June 2015, the New South Wales state Parliament unanimously passed a motion pressuring the federal government to pass the Marriage Equality Bill 2015 to legalise same-sex marriage nationwide.
  • Same-sex adoption becomes single only.
    § 148. (1) "A single person may adopt a child only alone."
  • Same-sex marriage becomes banned.
    § 1 (1) A marriage is contracted between a man and a woman.
  • June 27
    Same-sex marriage becomes legal.
    Iceland granted marriage equality to gay and lesbian couples on June 27, 2010, making it the ninth country in the world to legalise same-sex marriage.
  • May 31
    Same-sex marriage becomes legal.
    In 2010, the XVIII Constitutional Government of Portugal approved a marriage equality bill, making it the eighth country in the world to legalize same-sex marriage.
  • May 21
    Legal recognition of non-binary gender becomes not legally recognized.
    Section 8, 2(a) and 2(b) of the Gender Recognition (Jersey) Law 2010, as amended, allows the acquisition of a binary gender (male or female). There is no further provision for acquiring a non-binary gender.
  • Right to change legal gender becomes legal, but requires medical diagnosis.
    Changing gender is legal in Jersey however the individual must acquire a gender recognition certificate from the government of Jersey. They need to provide reasoning to the court and evidence.
  • May 12
    LGBT employment discrimination becomes sexual orientation and gender identity.
    Under Decree 56 in 2010, it is illegal to discriminate against people working in the public administration service on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity in El Salvador. However, other forms of employment remain unprotected.
  • May 1
    Same-sex adoption becomes single only.
    Any individual can apodt regardless of thair marital status but prefecence has to be given to married couples. Joint adoption is available only for them. Second parent adoption is available for married and opposite sex cohabiting couples but not for registered or cohabiting same sex partners.
  • April 29
    Censorship of LGBT issues becomes no censorship.
    In Santa Fe, there are no laws restricting the discussion or promotion of LGBTQ+ topics since the repeal of a law against crossdressing in 2010.
  • April 15
    LGBT discrimination becomes illegal in some contexts.
    Full discrimination protection in the city of Charlottesville, Alexandria, Arlington county.
  • April 8
    Censorship of LGBT issues becomes no censorship.
    In Santa Cruz, there are no laws restricting the discussion or promotion of LGBTQ+ topics since the repeal of laws criminalising people from "dressing as a person of the opposite sex or pretending to be such" in 2010. A clause that prohibits people from "making proposals tending to homosexual practices" was repealed in 2006.
  • April 7
    Blood donations by MSMs becomes legal.
    In Portugal, blood donations have rules regarding sexual behaviour but they are the same for homosexual and heterosexual people. While discrimination is illegal according to the Portuguese Constitution, discrimination is widely reported amongst the LGBTQ+ community and new legislation was discussed in 2021 to address this.
  • April 1
    Same-sex adoption becomes legal.
    Made officially legal through the Consolidated Children's Act of 2010
  • March 13
    Same-sex marriage becomes legal.
    In December 2009, Mexico City approved the recognition of same-sex marriage with it taking effect in March 2010, becoming the first region of Mexico to recognise such.
  • LGBT housing discrimination becomes sexual orientation and gender identity.
    Article 20 of the Anti-Discrimination Law from 2010 bans discrimination in housing. Discrimination is prohibited on the basis of sexual orientation, gender identity and sex characteristics among others.
  • LGBT employment discrimination becomes sexual orientation and gender identity.
    Chapter II of the Anti-Discrimination Law from 2010 bans discrimination in employment. Discrimination is prohibited on the basis of sexual orientation, gender identity and sex characteristics among others.
  • LGBT discrimination becomes illegal.
    On February 04, 2010, Albanian parliament approved a unified anti-discrimination law, known as the Law on Protection from Discrimination, which prohibits, among other categories, discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation, gender identity and sex characteristics in all areas.
  • March 4
    Same-sex adoption becomes legal.
    In 2010, a legislation passed in 2009 in Mexico City to allow same-sex couples to adopt took effect. This would be the first region of Mexico to allow such adoptions.
  • March 3
    Same-sex marriage becomes legal.
    The Religious Freedom And Civil Marriage Equality Amendment Act 2009 was introduced in October 2009, passed in December 2009, and enacted on March 3rd, 2010. This bill allowed same-sex couples to marry in the District of Columbia.
  • March 1
    Same-sex adoption becomes single only.
    The welfare of children ordinance 2008 allows anyone to adopt but before 2017, same-sex couples could not marry.
  • Censorship of LGBT issues becomes fine as punishment.
    Before 2024, it was illegal to discuss gay relationships with a minor. In 2009, Lithuania's president signed into law an amendment to the Law on the Protection of Minors against the Detrimental Effects of Public Information that banned spreading information that would promote sexual relations or other conceptions of concluding a marriage or creating a family other than established in the Constitution or the Civil Code. The law came into effect on March 1st, 2010. In Lithuania, same-sex marriage has been banned by the constitution since 1992, and therefore this amendment banned discussions of gay relationships with children.
  • February 18
    LGBT housing discrimination becomes sexual orientation and gender identity.
    In 2010, the region passed regulations prohibiting discrimination against LGBT people in housing.
  • February 12
    LGBT housing discrimination becomes varies by region.
    In 2010, Loreto became the first department of Peru to provide protections from discrimination in housing to LGBTIQ+ people. Other departments would do the same until Peru passed federal protections in 2017.
  • LGBT housing discrimination becomes sexual orientation and gender identity.
    In 2010, Loreto passed Regional Ordinance 004 which prohibits discrimination in housing on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity.
  • LGBT discrimination becomes illegal.
    In 2010, Loreto passed Regional Ordinance 004 which prohibits discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity.
  • LGBT employment discrimination becomes sexual orientation and gender identity.
    In 2010, Loreto passed Regional Ordinance 004 which prohibits discrimination in employment on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity.
  • February 10
    LGBT discrimination becomes illegal.
    See the constitution – section 23, paragraph 3.
  • February 2
    Same-sex marriage becomes banned.
    Since 2010, the Constitution of Kenya has defined marriage strictly as a union between a man and woman.
  • February 1
    Equal age of consent becomes equal.
    The age of consent in Fiji is 16, regardless of sexual orientation. It has been equal since homosexual sex has been legal- February 1st, 2010.
  • Homosexual activity becomes legal.
    On February 1st, 2010, the Crimes Decree (2009) came into force. All remaining articles in the Fijian Penal Code that outlawed homosexual sex were repealed.
  • January 26
    Same-sex marriage becomes banned.
    Dominican Republic law does not recognise any marriage or partnership between same sex couples. In 2010 the Constitution was amended to affirm that "The State shall promote and protect the family organization based on the institution of marriage between a man and a woman" (Article 55). In 2018 the IACHR ruled that the American Convention on Human Rights requires Dominican Republic to legalise same-sex marriage.
  • January 14
    Right to change legal gender becomes legal, but requires surgery.
    National Registration Act 13 of 2010 : Section 20(1) provides that where a change in particulars of a registered person materially affect his registration, the district registrar shall record the change and notify the Director of the circumstances and recommend that the person be issued with a new identity card. Section 21(1) provides that every registered person may, when he is satisfied that his appearance has changed so as to make it likely that his identity may be questioned, apply to the district registrar for the issue of a new card with a more recent photograph.
  • January 6
    Censorship of LGBT issues becomes imprisonment as punishment.
    The penal code criminalizes "public expression of love" between persons of the same sex is imprisonment for six months to two years or a fine of between 150,000 and 600,000 CFA francs ($300 and $1,200). When one of the participants is a child, the adult may be sentenced to two to five years' imprisonment or a fine of 100,000 to 800,000 CFA francs ($200 and $1,600); however, there were no reports that police arrested or detained persons [in 2012] under these provisions.
  • (date unknown)
    (deleted region)
    LGBT employment discrimination becomes sexual orientation and gender identity.
    It's against the law for an employer to discriminate against their sexual or gender orientation.
  • January 1
    LGBT discrimination becomes illegal.
    discrimination illegal since 2010
  • (date unknown)
    Conversion therapy becomes sexual orientation only.
    Section 3(1)(d) of the Mental Health Act (Decree No. 54) (2010) states that expressing, refusing, or failing to express a specific sexual preference or sexual orientation should not be grounds for considering someone mentally ill. While this doesn't outright ban "conversion therapy," it does legally prohibit health professionals, especially psychiatrists, from engaging in it.
  • LGBT discrimination becomes illegal in some contexts.
    Some protection for sexual orientation under The Judicial Code of Conduct 2010.
  • January 1
    Same-sex marriage becomes civil unions (marriage rights).
    Civil Union was a recognized status
  • Same-sex marriage becomes legal.
    In 2010, New Hampshire was the fifth state to legalize gay marriage. The bill was signed into law on June 3, 2009.

LGBT Organizations Founded in 2010

  • It Gets Better Project FaviconIt Gets Better Project
    Global
    The It Gets Better Project's mission is to communicate to lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender youth around the world that it gets better, and to create and inspire the changes…
  • Equality Michigan FaviconEquality Michigan
    Michigan, United States
    Equality Michigan works to achieve full equality and respect for all people in Michigan regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression. Equality Michigan…
  • One Colorado FaviconOne Colorado
    Colorado, United States
    One Colorado is a statewide advocacy organization dedicated to securing and protecting equality and opportunity for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) Coloradans and…
  • Identoba FaviconIdentoba
    Georgia
    Identoba is a Georgian gender equality and LGBT rights organization. Identoba is one of the largest LGBT rights NGOs in the country and led the infamous protests in Tbilisi in…
  • All Out FaviconAll Out
    Global
    All Out is mobilizing millions of people to build a world where no person will have to sacrifice their family or freedom, safety or dignity, because of who they are or who they…
  • Geikristlaste Kogu FaviconGeikristlaste Kogu
    Estonia
    Geikristlaste Kogu is a religiously and politically independent non-governmental organization of gay and lesbian Christians working for equal treatment and opportunities for…
  • The Swiss Rainbow Families Association FaviconThe Swiss Rainbow Families Association
    Switzerland
    The Swiss Rainbow Families Association champions the concerns and interests of rainbow families at the federal level. It is the primary contact for all questions related to the…
  • Transgender Support Association FaviconTransgender Support Association
    Greece
    The Transgender Support Association is a Greek LGBTQI+ activist organization based in Athens. It focuses on the rights of transgender and transgender people (transvestites…
  • TGNS - Transgender Network Switzerland FaviconTGNS - Transgender Network Switzerland
    Switzerland
    TGNS aims to represent the interests and networking of individual trans people, their local groups and organizations on a national level. To this end, we are also happy to assist…
  • Trans-Ident e.V. FaviconTrans-Ident e.V.
    Germany
    Trans-Ident e.V. is a non-profit association that has set itself the goal of supporting and caring for transident people and their relatives as well as being the association of…
  • Ambasada PINK FaviconAmbasada PINK
    Albania
    Ambasada PINK works for the protection and advancement of the rights of LGBTIQ people in Albania.
  • LGBT Forum Progress FaviconLGBT Forum Progress
    Montenegro
    Gathers LGBTIQ people in Montenegro and stands for respect and protection of their human rights and equality in society.
  • Transgender Education Network of Texas FaviconTransgender Education Network of Texas
    Texas, United States
    TENT is an organization dedicated to furthering gender-diverse equality in Texas. We work to accomplish this through education and networking in both public and private forums.…
  • Youth Voices Count (YVC) FaviconYouth Voices Count (YVC)
    Philippines
    Youth Voices Count is a regional network in the Asia-Pacific region mobilizing, building capacity, and empowering young people of diverse SOGIESC in the region to advocate for…
  • It Gets Better FaviconIt Gets Better
    Global
    In September 2010, in response to a rash of suicides that claimed the lives of several LGBTQ+ youth, Dan Savage and his partner Terry Miller posted the first It Gets Better video…