In 2012, there were 132 recorded legal changes made affecting LGBT people. In the previous year, there were 109 changes made and 299 in the following year. A total of 1742 legal changes were made in the 2010s.
- December 29Same-sex marriage becomes legal.
- December 25Blood donations by MSMs becomes legal.NOM 253 removes targeted restrictions on blood donations from gay and bisexual men. Instead, it prohibits donations from individuals with HIV or hepatitis, their partners, and those who participate in "high-risk sexual practices," irrespective of their sexual orientation.
- December 15
- December 14Right to change legal gender becomes legal, but requires surgery.Transgender people are allowed to change their gender, however surgery is required.
- December 12
- December 6Same-sex marriage becomes legal.SB 6239 - 2011-12 amended RCW 26.04.010 to legalize same-sex marriage by replacing gendered terms with gender-neutral language. The law, meant to take effect on June 7, 2012, was delayed by Referendum 74 which put the issue to voters who affirmed the legislation. The law went into effect on December 6, 2012. Same-sex marriage was further protected by the US Supreme Court in OBERGEFELL v. HODGES on June 26, 2015, under the Due Process and Equal Protection Clauses of the Fourteenth Amendment. The 117th US Congress legislated additional protections in H.R.8404, the Respect for Marriage Act, on December 13, 2022, mandating all states recognize any public act, record, or judicial proceeding pertaining to marriage in any other state; enforceable by the Attorney General and subject to injunctive and declaratory relief.
- December 5Same-sex marriage becomes ambiguous.
- December 1Same-sex marriage becomes legal.In 2012, the Federal District ruled that marriage licenses should be granted to same-sex couples without a judge's intervention.
- Legal recognition of non-binary gender becomes recognized.New Zealand allows an "X" marker on birth certificates and passports.
- November 28Same-sex marriage becomes unregistered cohabitation.The Supreme Court adopted a resolution on the interpretation of Art. 691 k.c. in which it ruled: “A person actually cohabiting with the tenant (within the meaning of Article 691 § 1 of the Civil Code) is a person connected with the tenant by emotional, physical and economic bonds; also a person of the same sex."
- November 26
- November 5
- October 12
- October 11
- September 29Conversion therapy becomes banned.Note that this only applies to youth (under 18 years olds)
- September 24Serving openly in military becomes don't ask, don't tell.Law No. 64/2024 Governing the Rwanda Defence Force and Ministerial Order no. 01/Minadef/2012 Establishing the Disciplinary Code in the Rwanda Defence Forces do not specifically exclude LGBT people from serving. However, they include provisions relating to morality and unethical behaviour as grounds for dismissal, prohibitions and serious offences.
- August 15Same-sex marriage becomes legal.In 2012, a state justice in Espirito Santo issued a letter stating that the civil registry must recognise same-sex marriage.
- August 6LGBT employment discrimination becomes sexual orientation and gender identity.
- LGBT employment discrimination becomes sexual orientation and gender identity.
- LGBT employment discrimination becomes sexual orientation and gender identity.
- LGBT employment discrimination becomes sexual orientation and gender identity.
- LGBT discrimination becomes illegal in some contexts.
- July 31LGBT employment discrimination becomes sexual orientation and gender identity.Article 1 of Law No. 2001-1066 (2001) amended Article 122-45 of the Labour Code to afford explicit protection from discrimination based on "sexual orientation" in employment. It also amended Article 225-2 of the Penal Code (1994) to criminalise acts of discrimination in employment based on "sexual orientation", specifically when the discriminatory action consisted a refusal to hire, admonishment or dismissal based on "sexual orientation" (at 225-2.3), making an offer of employment, internship request, or training (at 225- 2.5), or refusal to accept a person for an internship (at 225-2.6) on such grounds. In 2008, Article 122-45 was replaced by Article L1132-1 in the Labour Code (2008), which was located under the Chapter establishing the principle of non-discrimination, keeping the explicit protection based on "sexual orientation" in employment. This provision replaced article L122-45. In 2013, Article 1 of the Law Opening Marriage to Same-Sex Couples (Law No. 2013-404) (2013) inserted Art. 1132-3-2 to the Labour Code establishing that no employee may be sanctioned, dismissed or be the subject of a discriminatory measure referred to in Article L1132-1 (cited above) for “having refused, because of their "sexual orientation", a geographical transfer to a State criminalising homosexuality”. Note : prior to the enactment of Law No. 2001-1066 (2001), French law did not include any reference to the term “sexual orientation”. However, it has been argued that there has been some form protection against discrimination based on sexual orientation, first in criminal matters since 1985, under Law No. 85-772 (1985), and then in labour law under Law No. 86-76 (1986) and then under Law No. 92-1446 (1992). These laws did not speak to “sexual orientation”: the term chosen was that of “mœurs” (French equivalent for “manners”. Articles 225-1 and 225-2 of the Penal Code (1994), as amended by Law on Sexual Harassment (Law No. 2012-954) (2012), banned discrimination based on "sexual identity". Moreover, Article L1132-1 in the Labour Code, as amended also by Law No. 2012-954 (2012), explicitly bans discrimination based on "sexual identity" in employment. Since the adoption of the Law on modernisation of the justice of the 21th Century (Law No. 2016-1547) (2016), the terminology has been changed to "gender identity" in both texts.
- July 25Censorship of LGBT issues becomes fine as punishment.In 2012, Bashkortostan passed a law prohibiting "homosexual propaganda" to minors.
- July 24LGBT housing discrimination becomes sexual orientation and gender identity.The anti-discrimnation law penalizes the arbitrary discrimination and includes protection for discrimination of sexual orientation and gender identity
- LGBT employment discrimination becomes sexual orientation and gender identity.
- Serving openly in military becomes legal.
- July 12Same-sex marriage becomes varies by region.
- July 5Equal age of consent becomes equal.The age of consent for homosexuality and heterosexuality is equal in São Tomé and Principe.
- Homosexual activity becomes legal.A new Penal Code was adopted in 2012 removing previous punishments and legalising homosexuality in São Tomé and Principe.
- July 1
- June 30Censorship of LGBT issues becomes fine as punishment.
- June 27
- June 26Censorship of LGBT issues becomes fine as punishment.In 2012, Samara passed a law banning "homosexual propaganda" to minors.
- June 20Censorship of LGBT issues becomes fine as punishment.In 2012, Krasondar passed a law prohibiting the "propaganda of homosexuality" from being taught to minors.
- June 15
- June 13LGBT housing discrimination becomes sexual orientation only.
- LGBT discrimination becomes illegal in some contexts.
- LGBT employment discrimination becomes sexual orientation only.
- June 12
- June 7Censorship of LGBT issues becomes fine as punishment.In April 2012, the regional legislature of Novosibirsk unanimously passed legislation banning "homosexual propaganda" to minors with the law taking effect in June. This follows an increasing trend of regions in Russia banning "homosexual propaganda" to minors until the 2013 federal law banned it throughout the whole country.
- June 1
- Right to change legal gender becomes legal, no restrictions.People have a right to change their legal gender without approval from a doctor or a judge. Sex reassignment surgery and hormonal treatments are not required, but they are provided by the state for free to anyone who requests them. Several people had had their legal gender changed before the Gender Identity Law through court decisions, including popular actress, TV host and trans woman Flor de la V.
- May 11Conversion therapy becomes banned.In Ecuador, conversion therapies are prohibited by two legal provisions. - Ministerial Agreement No. 767, issued in May 2012 by the Ministry of Public Health, prohibits "conversion therapies" in rehabilitation institutions. - Article 151(3) of the Penal Code (2014) establishes that the crime of torture is aggravated when it is committed with the intent to modify a person's sexual orientation or gender identity.
- Censorship of LGBT issues becomes no censorship.In Formosa, there are no laws restricting the discussion or promotion of LGBTQ+ topics since the repeal of articles in the Code of Misdemeanours criminalising people from "publicly or privately but with transcendence to the public, offering to perform sexual, perverse or homosexual acts, or incite the public to perform them" and "dressing or passing themselves off as a person of the opposite sex" in 2012. Formosa became the last province in Argentina to decriminalise LGBTIQ+ expression.
- Censorship of LGBT issues becomes no censorship.Since the end of the military dictatorship in 1983, there are no laws restricting the discussion or promotion of LGBTQ+ topics in Argentina on the federal level. Province laws that punished public displays of homosexuality and crossdressing were repealed since the 1990s with the last one being repealed in Formosa in 2012. However, there are still cases of trans people being arbitrarily arrested under laws in some provinces for "passing off as a member of the opposite sex" despite the laws being repealed and a ban on gender-neutral language in schools was passed in Buenos Aires City in 2022.
- May 8Same-sex marriage becomes banned.
- May 7
- May 3Same-sex marriage becomes legal.Same-Sex Marriage became legal in Quintana Roo on May 12, 2012 after the Secretary of State announced to legalize Same-Sex Marriage
- April 27
- April 20LGBT employment discrimination becomes sexual orientation and gender identity.In a landmark decision, Democratic President Obama's EEOC ruled that gender identity was included under Title VII protections from the Civil Rights Act (originally written to protect people based on sex discrimination). This added to the sexual orientation protections at the state level
- LGBT employment discrimination becomes gender identity only.In a landmark decision, Democratic President Obama's EEOC ruled that gender identity was included under Title VII protections from the Civil Rights Act (originally written to protect people based on sex discrimination). No protections exist at the state level.
- LGBT employment discrimination becomes gender identity only.In a landmark decision, Democratic President Obama's EEOC ruled that gender identity was included under Title VII protections from the Civil Rights Act (originally written to protect people based on sex discrimination). No protections exist at the state level.
- LGBT employment discrimination becomes gender identity only.In a landmark decision, Democratic President Obama's EEOC ruled that gender identity was included under Title VII protections from the Civil Rights Act (originally written to protect people based on sex discrimination). No protections exist at the state level.
- LGBT employment discrimination becomes gender identity only.In a landmark decision, Democratic President Obama's EEOC ruled that gender identity was included under Title VII protections from the Civil Rights Act (originally written to protect people based on sex discrimination). No protections exist at the state level.
- LGBT employment discrimination becomes gender identity only.In a landmark decision, Democratic President Obama's EEOC ruled that gender identity was included under Title VII protections from the Civil Rights Act (originally written to protect people based on sex discrimination). No protections exist at the state level.
- LGBT employment discrimination becomes gender identity only.In a landmark decision, Democratic President Obama's EEOC ruled that gender identity was included under Title VII protections from the Civil Rights Act (originally written to protect people based on sex discrimination). Statewide protections do not exist.
- LGBT employment discrimination becomes gender identity only.In a landmark decision, Democratic President Obama's EEOC ruled that gender identity was included under Title VII protections from the Civil Rights Act (originally written to protect people based on sex discrimination). No private sector, statewide protections exist.
- LGBT employment discrimination becomes gender identity only.In a landmark decision, Democratic President Obama's EEOC ruled that gender identity was included under Title VII protections from the Civil Rights Act (originally written to protect people based on sex discrimination). No state protections exist.
- LGBT employment discrimination becomes gender identity only.In a landmark decision, Democratic President Obama's EEOC ruled that gender identity was included under Title VII protections from the Civil Rights Act (originally written to protect people based on sex discrimination). No statewide protections exist for private employment.
- LGBT employment discrimination becomes gender identity only.In a landmark decision, Democratic President Obama's EEOC ruled that gender identity was included under Title VII protections from the Civil Rights Act (originally written to protect people based on sex discrimination). No statewide protections for private employees existed.
- LGBT employment discrimination becomes gender identity only.No statewide protections exist, but in May of 2013, the state senate passed a bill giving protections for discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation however, the state house never considered it and no state protections exist. In a landmark decision, Democratic President Obama's EEOC ruled that gender identity was included under Title VII protections from the Civil Rights Act (originally written to protect people based on sex discrimination).
- LGBT employment discrimination becomes gender identity only.In a landmark decision, Democratic President Obama's EEOC ruled that gender identity was included under Title VII protections from the Civil Rights Act (originally written to protect people based on sex discrimination). No statewide protections exist.
- LGBT employment discrimination becomes gender identity only.In a landmark decision, Democratic President Obama's EEOC ruled that gender identity was included under Title VII protections from the Civil Rights Act (originally written to protect people based on sex discrimination).
- LGBT employment discrimination becomes gender identity only.In a landmark decision, Democratic President Obama's EEOC ruled that gender identity was included under Title VII protections from the Civil Rights Act (originally written to protect people based on sex discrimination). No statewide protections exist.
- LGBT employment discrimination becomes sexual orientation and gender identity.In a landmark decision, Democratic President Obama's EEOC ruled that gender identity was included under Title VII protections from the Civil Rights Act (originally written to protect people based on sex discrimination). This added to the existing protections at the state level for sexual orientation.
- LGBT employment discrimination becomes gender identity only.In a landmark decision, Democratic President Obama's EEOC ruled that gender identity was included under Title VII protections from the Civil Rights Act (originally written to protect people based on sex discrimination). No statewide protections exist; some were proposed, but all failed in committee.
- LGBT employment discrimination becomes gender identity only.In a landmark decision, Democratic President Obama's EEOC ruled that gender identity was included under Title VII protections from the Civil Rights Act (originally written to protect people based on sex discrimination).
- LGBT employment discrimination becomes gender identity only.In a landmark decision, Democratic President Obama's EEOC ruled that gender identity was included under Title VII protections from the Civil Rights Act (originally written to protect people based on sex discrimination). No protections existed statewide.
- LGBT employment discrimination becomes sexual orientation and gender identity.In a landmark decision, Democratic President Obama's EEOC ruled that gender identity was included under Title VII protections from the Civil Rights Act (originally written to protect people based on sex discrimination).
- LGBT employment discrimination becomes gender identity only.In a landmark decision, Democratic President Obama's EEOC ruled that gender identity was included under Title VII protections from the Civil Rights Act (originally written to protect people based on sex discrimination). No statewide protections exist for the private sector.
- LGBT employment discrimination becomes sexual orientation and gender identity.In a landmark decision, Democratic President Obama's EEOC ruled that gender identity was included under Title VII protections from the Civil Rights Act (originally written to protect people based on sex discrimination). Sexual orientation protections still existed at the state level.
- LGBT employment discrimination becomes gender identity only.In a landmark decision, Democratic President Obama's EEOC ruled that gender identity was included under Title VII protections from the Civil Rights Act (originally written to protect people based on sex discrimination). No statewide protections exist.
- LGBT employment discrimination becomes gender identity only.In a landmark decision, Democratic President Obama's EEOC ruled that gender identity was included under Title VII protections from the Civil Rights Act (originally written to protect people based on sex discrimination). No statewide protections existed.
- LGBT employment discrimination becomes gender identity only.In a landmark decision, Democratic President Obama's EEOC ruled that gender identity was included under Title VII protections from the Civil Rights Act (originally written to protect people based on sex discrimination). No statewide protections exist.
- LGBT employment discrimination becomes gender identity only.In a landmark decision, Democratic President Obama's EEOC ruled that gender identity was included under Title VII protections from the Civil Rights Act (originally written to protect people based on sex discrimination).
- LGBT employment discrimination becomes gender identity only.In a landmark decision, Democratic President Obama's EEOC ruled that gender identity was included under Title VII protections from the Civil Rights Act (originally written to protect people based on sex discrimination). No state protections exist.
- LGBT employment discrimination becomes gender identity only.In a landmark decision, Democratic President Obama's EEOC ruled that gender identity was included under Title VII protections from the Civil Rights Act (originally written to protect people based on sex discrimination). No statewide protections exist.
- LGBT employment discrimination becomes gender identity only.At the state level, Democratic Governor Steve Bullock, via executive order, expanded existing protections for employees in the public sector to include gender identity and to state contractors. Federally, in a landmark decision, Democratic President Obama's EEOC ruled that gender identity was included under Title VII protections from the Civil Rights Act (originally written to protect people based on sex discrimination).
- LGBT employment discrimination becomes gender identity only.In a landmark decision, Democratic President Obama's EEOC ruled that gender identity was included under Title VII protections from the Civil Rights Act (originally written to protect people based on sex discrimination). No statewide protections exist.
- LGBT employment discrimination becomes gender identity only.In a landmark decision, Democratic President Obama's EEOC ruled that gender identity was included under Title VII protections from the Civil Rights Act (originally written to protect people based on sex discrimination).
- LGBT employment discrimination becomes gender identity only.In a landmark decision, Democratic President Obama's EEOC ruled that gender identity was included under Title VII protections from the Civil Rights Act (originally written to protect people based on sex discrimination). No protections exist at the state level.
- LGBT employment discrimination becomes sexual orientation and gender identity.In a landmark decision, Democratic President Obama's EEOC ruled that gender identity was included under Title VII protections from the Civil Rights Act (originally written to protect people based on sex discrimination). In 2014 (October 1st), Maryland enacted a law prohibiting discrimination on the basis of gender identity in employment.
- LGBT employment discrimination becomes gender identity only.In a landmark decision, Democratic President Obama's EEOC ruled that gender identity was included under Title VII protections from the Civil Rights Act (originally written to protect people based on sex discrimination). No statewide protections existed at the time.
- LGBT employment discrimination becomes gender identity only.In a landmark decision, Democratic President Obama's EEOC ruled that gender identity was included under Title VII protections from the Civil Rights Act (originally written to protect people based on sex discrimination). Additionally, in 2014, an executive order prohibited discrimination in public jobs based on sexual orientation and gender identity.
- April 11
- April 9Same-sex adoption becomes ambiguous.There is no specific exclusion for same-sex couples. It is legal, however, to deny adoption based on religious grounds.
- March 26Blood donations by MSMs becomes legal.Colombia permits men who have had sex with men to donate blood.
- March 17Censorship of LGBT issues becomes fine as punishment.
- March 9
- February 28Censorship of LGBT issues becomes fine as punishment.
- February 23
- Censorship of LGBT issues becomes state-enforced.In 2012, a law was passed in Basarabeasca banning "homosexual propaganda" from being presented to minors. It is unknown when this law was passed or repealed.
- Censorship of LGBT issues becomes state-enforced.In 2012, a law was passed in Anenii Noi banning "homosexual propaganda" from being presented to minors. It is unknown when this law was passed or repealed.
- Censorship of LGBT issues becomes varies by region.A proclamation censoring "homosexual propaganda" was issued in the city of Ceadir Lunga in 2012. It is unknown when it was adopted or repealed.
- February 21LGBT employment discrimination becomes no protections.
- January 6Same-sex marriage becomes civil unions (marriage rights).
- January 5LGBT discrimination becomes illegal in some contexts.Section 127(4) of the Children's Protection and Welfare Act 2011 states that "No child may be unfairly discriminated against on the basis of sexual orientation in the selection of a diversion programme, process or option and all children shall have equal access to diversion options. The law came into effect in 2012. The Labor Code (2024) bans discrimination based on gender and sexual orientation. It bans violence, harassment and sexual harassment based on gender identity.
- (date unknown)Right to change legal gender becomes legal, but requires medical diagnosis.Alaska requires medical documentation but not surgery for legal gender recognition.
- Gender-affirming care becomes legal.Since 2012, Montenegro has provided gender affirming care after it was added to the list of publicly insured medical procedures.
- January 1Same-sex adoption becomes married couples only.Jersey allowed same sex couples to adopt if they had a civil partnership
- Same-sex marriage becomes civil unions (marriage rights).Delaware legalized civil unions at the start of 2012
- (date unknown)Blood donations by MSMs becomes legal.MSMs are allowed to donate blood following the same criteria as any other donor.
- January 1Same-sex marriage becomes civil unions (marriage rights).
- (date unknown)Censorship of LGBT issues becomes state-enforced.The Kenyan Film Classification Board Guidelines of 2012 explicitly list homosexuality as requiring a restricted classification in a more egregious sense than heterosexuality. This has led to cases like of cartoons with LGBTIQ+ themes despite the lack of sexual content still getting banned from airing, such as Steven Universe, Adventure Time and Gravity Falls for being "pro-gay". The Family Protection Bill of 2023 also explicitly prohibits the "promotion" of homosexuality.
- January 1
- Serving openly in military becomes ambiguous.No laws restricting or allowing MSM to donate blood.
- (date unknown)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 1Blood donations by MSMs becomes varies by region.Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina and Republika Srpska do not discriminate towards MSMs while Brčko District still does.
- (date unknown)Right to change legal gender becomes legal, but requires surgery.Trans Bosnians are required to undergo surgery to achieve legal gender recognition.
- January 1LGBT employment discrimination becomes sexual orientation only.
- JanuaryServing openly in military becomes lesbians, gays, bisexuals permitted, transgender people banned.Gay people are allowed to serve on the condition of no PDA, transgender people were not allowed.
- (date unknown)Same-sex adoption becomes ambiguous.Cambodia no longer bans gay foreign couples from adopting. It is, however, still unclear if gay and lesbian Cambodian citizens can adopt.
LGBT Organizations Founded in 2012
TransMan Pilipinas
TransMan Piilipinas is a group for transgender men in the Philippines. It is a safe place to express yourself, opinion and experiences regarding your transition/pre…LGBT Jordan
Informal LGBT group advocate for LGBT rights in Jordan.NELFA Network of European LGBTIQ* Families Associations
NELFA is the European platform of LGBTIQ* families associations, bringing together LGBTI parents and parents-to-be from all over Europe. NELFA currently represents 29…Proud To Be Us Laos
Proud To Be Us Laos is the country's first LGBTQ organization. Their main goals are: 1. Support people with sexual and gender diversity (LGBTIQ) to participate in national…Jeunailissime is an LGBTIQ + association of young Congolese and Congolese who works on social inclusion.Milchjugend - falschsexuelle Welten
Swiss youth organization found in 2012 in order to publish a youth magazine "Milchjugend" for young LGBTQIA+ people (16-25 y/o). Since then Milchjugend has grown and organizes…Rainbow Families Greece
Rainbow Families Greece is an NGO focusing on LGBTQI+ parents and their families as well as on parents of LGBTQI+ children.Trans-Kinder-Netz e.V.
The Trans-Kinder-Netz e.V. or TRAKINE e.V. (Trans Children’s Network) is a non-profit organization that provides support and resources for transgender children and their…LGBTI United
Works to strengthen the LGBT+ community, promote awareness of human rights and freedoms, as well as sexual and gender diversity.Queer Montenegro
Building a broad Montenegrin LGBT movement that will actively and permanently fight for the protection of human rights, the suppression of homophobia and transphobia, the…Proud Haven
Proud Haven's mission is to provide a safe shelter for LGBTQIA+ youth (ages 18-25) experiencing homelessness in Pittsburgh. They also provide emotional support and resources to…