▸   ▸ 

2017 in LGBT Rights

View All Years

In 2017, there were 122 recorded legal changes made affecting LGBT people. In the previous year, there were 183 changes made and 75 in the following year. A total of 1252 legal changes have been made so far in the 2010s.

  • December 30
    Right to change legal gender becomes ambiguous.
    no laws in place.
  • December 29
    Same-sex adoption becomes single only.
    Homosexuality is still illegal there. No laws in place for same sex couples.
  • December 27
    Right to change legal gender becomes legal, surgery not required.
    legal to provide but not required.
  • Conversion therapy becomes not banned.
    Only in a few countries in Asia.
  • December 23
    Conversion therapy becomes not banned.
    No laws in place.
  • Same-sex adoption becomes single only.
    No
  • Conversion therapy becomes not banned.
    Some people don't practice.
  • Conversion therapy becomes not banned.
    Conversion therapy ban pending.
  • December 20
    Same-sex marriage becomes legal.
    the island just legalized Gay Marriage.
  • December 19
    Same-sex adoption becomes single only.
    No laws in place for same sex couples.
  • December 9
    Same-sex marriage becomes legal.
    Same-sex marriage has been legal in Australia since 9 December 2017. The legislation to allow same-sex marriage, the Marriage Amendment (Definition and Religious Freedoms) Act 2017, passed the Australian Parliament on 7 December 2017 and received royal assent from the Governor-General the following day.
  • Same-sex marriage becomes legal.
    Same-sex marriage has been legal in Australia since 9 December 2017. The legislation to allow same-sex marriage, the Marriage Amendment (Definition and Religious Freedoms) Act 2017, passed the Australian Parliament on 7 December 2017 and received royal assent from the Governor-General the following day.
  • Same-sex marriage becomes legal.
    Following a nation-wide postal vote, 61.6% of Australians voted 'Yes' for Same-sex Marriage in November 2017. The Marriage Amendment (Definition and Religious Freedoms) Act 2017 subsequently passed parliament on 7th December and was given Royal Assent on 8th December, coming into effect from 9th December 2017, Australia-wide (including Victoria).
  • Same-sex marriage becomes legal.
    Same-sex marriage has been legal in Australia since 9 December 2017. The legislation to allow same-sex marriage, the Marriage Amendment (Definition and Religious Freedoms) Act 2017, passed the Australian Parliament on 7 December 2017 and received royal assent from the Governor-General the following day.
  • Same-sex marriage becomes legal.
    Same-sex marriage has been legal in Australia since 9 December 2017. The legislation to allow same-sex marriage, the Marriage Amendment (Definition and Religious Freedoms) Act 2017, passed the Australian Parliament on 7 December 2017 and received royal assent from the Governor-General the following day.
  • Same-sex marriage becomes legal.
    Same-sex marriage has been legal in Australia since 9 December 2017. The legislation to allow same-sex marriage, the Marriage Amendment (Definition and Religious Freedoms) Act 2017, passed the Australian Parliament on 7 December 2017 and received royal assent from the Governor-General the following day.
  • Same-sex marriage becomes legal.
    Same-sex marriage has been legal in Australia since 9 December 2017. The legislation to allow same-sex marriage, the Marriage Amendment (Definition and Religious Freedoms) Act 2017, passed the Australian Parliament on 7 December 2017 and received royal assent from the Governor-General the following day.
  • Same-sex marriage becomes legal.
    Same-sex marriage has been legal in Australia since 9 December 2017. The legislation to allow same-sex marriage, the Marriage Amendment (Definition and Religious Freedoms) Act 2017, passed the Australian Parliament on 7 December 2017 and received royal assent from the Governor-General the following day.
  • Same-sex marriage becomes legal.
    Same-sex marriage has been legal in Australia since 9 December 2017. The legislation to allow same-sex marriage, the Marriage Amendment (Definition and Religious Freedoms) Act 2017, passed the Australian Parliament on 7 December 2017 and received royal assent from the Governor-General the following day.
  • Same-sex marriage becomes legal.
    Same-sex marriage has been legal in Australia since 9 December 2017. The legislation to allow same-sex marriage, the Marriage Amendment (Definition and Religious Freedoms) Act 2017, passed the Australian Parliament on 7 December 2017 and received royal assent from the Governor-General the following day.
  • October 16
    LGBT housing discrimination becomes ambiguous.
    City protections in the city of Birmingham and Montevallo.
  • LGBT discrimination becomes illegal in some contexts.
    There is full discrimination protections in the city of Birmingham, Montevallo. Full state employment discrimination protections pending. Full employment discrimination protections pending state wide. Also protected under Section VII. as well under the case of Glenn v. Brumby.
  • LGBT employment discrimination becomes ambiguous.
    In the city of Birmingham, Montevallo. Full state employment discrimination protections pending.
  • October 15
    Homosexuals serving openly in military becomes legal.
    No
  • Homosexuals serving openly in military becomes legal.
    No
  • Homosexuals serving openly in military becomes legal.
    No
  • Homosexuals serving openly in military becomes legal.
    No
  • Homosexuals serving openly in military becomes legal.
    No
  • Homosexuals serving openly in military becomes legal.
    No
  • Homosexuals serving openly in military becomes legal.
    No
  • Homosexuals serving openly in military becomes legal.
    No
  • Homosexuals serving openly in military becomes legal.
    No
  • Homosexuals serving openly in military becomes legal.
    No
  • Homosexuals serving openly in military becomes legal.
    No
  • Homosexuals serving openly in military becomes legal.
    No
  • Homosexuals serving openly in military becomes legal.
    No
  • Homosexuals serving openly in military becomes legal.
    No laws in place criminalizing lgbt serving. As well Same sex activity is legal.
  • October 14
    LGBT employment discrimination becomes ambiguous.
    Only for state employments. As well sex discrimination protection under section VII under sex includes sexual orientation. Hate crime law to come into effect. Pending statewide.
  • LGBT employment discrimination becomes ambiguous.
    State Discrimination protection only. As well as sexual orientation and gender identity discrimination protection in public employment only.
  • LGBT discrimination becomes illegal in some contexts.
    Only in state discrimination. Employment discrimination protections pending
  • October 12
    Same-sex adoption becomes single only.
    No laws in place for same sex couples.
  • October 11
    LGBT employment discrimination becomes ambiguous.
    Only gender identity is illegal state wide. Pending in Some counties.
  • October 10
    Same-sex adoption becomes single only.
    No restrictions. No laws in place for same sex couples.
  • Right to change legal gender becomes legal, surgery not required.
    No requirements since 2017. Missing non binary options on drivers licenses.
  • October 7
    Same-sex adoption becomes single only.
    No laws in place for same sex couples.
  • Right to change legal gender becomes ambiguous.
    Full legalization required under 2018 IACHR Ruling. No laws in place.
  • Same-sex adoption becomes single only.
    No restrictions. No laws in place for same sex couples.
  • Same-sex adoption becomes single only.
    Required legalization under 2018 IACHR ruling.
  • Same-sex adoption becomes single only.
    No laws in place for same sex couples.
  • October 6
    Same-sex adoption becomes single only.
    Full Legalization under the 2018 IACHR Ruling. No laws in place for same sex couples.
  • Same-sex adoption becomes single only.
    No laws in place for same sex couples. Legalization pending.
  • Same-sex adoption becomes single only.
    Homosexuality is currently illegal. Legalization pending.
  • Same-sex adoption becomes single only.
    Legalization pending. Gay marriage will be legal in 2020.
  • Same-sex adoption becomes single only.
    No laws in place for same sex couples.
  • Right to change legal gender becomes legal, surgery not required.
    No requirements
  • October 2
    Right to change legal gender becomes legal, surgery not required.
    under state and federal law. Non binary options pending.
  • Same-sex adoption becomes single only.
    Legalization pending.
  • Same-sex adoption becomes single only.
    No restrictions. No laws in place for same sex couples.
  • October 1
    Same-sex marriage becomes legal.
    A bill for legalisation passed the Bundestag on 30 June 2017 and the Bundesrat on 7 July
  • Same-sex adoption becomes married couples only.
    Missing laws for joint adoption, step child adoption.
  • Same-sex adoption becomes single only.
    according to the us adoption. No other laws in place.
  • LGBT employment discrimination becomes sexual orientation and gender identity.
    Since June 1, 2015. Also under Bill C-16. As well there is a hate crime unit investigating complaints.
  • LGBT housing discrimination becomes sexual orientation and gender identity.
    Under the Bill 7 of Alberta legislature. As well under Bill C-16.
  • Same-sex marriage becomes legal.
    Same-sex marriage has been legal since 1 October 2017, after the Bundestag passed legislation giving same-sex couples full marital and adoption rights on 30 June 2017. Prior to that, registered partnerships were available to same-sex couples, having been legalised in 2001.
  • September 18
    Same-sex adoption becomes single only.
    No laws in place for same sex couples.
  • Blood donations by MSMs becomes legal.
    No
  • Right to change legal gender becomes legal, surgery not required.
    Missing non binary options on documents.
  • September 14
    Same-sex adoption becomes single only.
    No laws for same sex couples.
  • September 12
    Right to change legal gender becomes legal, surgery not required.
    No Requirements.
  • September 10
    Conversion therapy becomes not banned.
    Conversion therapy ban pending. Not criminalized or regulated. Widely condemned.
  • September 5
    Conversion therapy becomes not banned.
    Southern Alberta LGBT group is trying to ban this practice. Ban on conversion therapy pending. been called to be criminalized since August 2016.
  • Conversion therapy becomes ambiguous.
    No banned. Conversion therapy ban pending.
  • September 4
    Homosexual activity becomes legal.
    All legal.
  • September 1
    Same-sex marriage becomes legal.
    Same-sex marriage became legal in Malta under the Marriage Act and other Laws (Amendment) Bill
  • Conversion therapy becomes not banned.
    Not criminalized in the country.
  • August 24
    Conversion therapy becomes not banned.
    Conversion therapy ban pending. Widely condemned.
  • August 22
    Same-sex adoption becomes legal.
    No
  • August 10
    Homosexual activity becomes male illegal, female legal.
    4- 14 years in prison. Not enforced. decriminalization pending.
  • Homosexual activity becomes male illegal, female legal.
    5- 10 years in prison. Not enforced. Decriminalization pending. Since 2013 police officers have to take lgbt sensitivity training.
  • August 8
    Homosexual activity becomes male illegal, female legal.
    Punishment of between 5 to 14 years in prison. Not enforced. Decriminalization pending. it is one of the 69 countries where it is illegal.
  • Conversion therapy becomes banned.
    as of August 10, 2017. It is one of the 10 states and dc that have outlawed this.
  • August 7
    Blood donations by MSMs becomes banned (1-year deferral).
    since 2017. Legalization pending.
  • August 1
    Same-sex marriage becomes legal.
    Puebla is recognized now the marriage equality
  • July 31
    Same-sex adoption becomes single only.
    State wide adoption pending.
  • July 14
    Right to change legal gender becomes legal, surgery not required.
    Transgender people can change their document without surgery not required
  • July 1
    Right to change legal gender becomes legal, surgery not required.
    Transgender people can change their document without surgery not required
  • June 30
    Same-sex adoption becomes single only.
    No laws in place for same sex couples. Legalization pending.
  • June 1
    LGBT employment discrimination becomes sexual orientation and gender identity.
    Protections since 2017. Under revisions to the criminal code and under Bill C-16
  • May 19
    Homosexual activity becomes male illegal, female legal.
    5 to 10 years in prison. Not enforced. Decriminalization pending.
  • May 16
    LGBT employment discrimination becomes sexual orientation only.
    Only for sexual orientation. Under the revision of the employment law. As well discrimination protection through human rights institute. Full employment discrimination protections pending.
  • May 1
    Same-sex marriage becomes legal.
    Under a ruling from the supreme court.
  • Right to change legal gender becomes ambiguous.
    No laws in place. Missing non binary options on documents.
  • April 18
    LGBT employment discrimination becomes ambiguous.
    Sexual orientation discrimination protections under human rights institute. Homosexuality is illegal.
  • March 25
    Blood donations by MSMs becomes legal.
    According to Prezi. com
  • March 24
    LGBT housing discrimination becomes sexual orientation and gender identity.
    No
  • March 17
    Conversion therapy becomes varies by region.
    Conversion therapy ban pending. Mental health policies changes pending. Conversion therapy ban pending in Ireland.
  • March 6
    Homosexual activity becomes illegal (imprisonment as punishment).
    1 to 9 years in prison and 10 to 30 whipping. Not enforced.
  • LGBT housing discrimination becomes no protections.
    No
  • LGBT employment discrimination becomes no protections.
    No
  • LGBT discrimination becomes no protections.
    As well as heavy social attitudes towards lgbt.
  • March 5
    Homosexual activity becomes male illegal, female legal.
    10 years to 16 years in prison. Not enforced. it is the next country that activists are working to get homosexuality Decriminalized. Decriminalization pending. Barbados held its first pride parade on July 24, 2018.
  • Homosexuals serving openly in military becomes legal.
    LGBT people can serve in military
  • March 1
    Same-sex marriage becomes legal.
    Legalized marriage
  • Same-sex adoption becomes legal.
    Just became legal 3 days ago.
  • February 25
    Conversion therapy becomes not banned.
    Not outlawed.
  • Conversion therapy becomes not banned.
    Not criminalized anywhere in Central Midwest.
  • Conversion therapy becomes not banned.
    According to the Movement Advancement Project.
  • Conversion therapy becomes not banned.
    Not outlawed in this state.
  • February 24
    Conversion therapy becomes banned.
    under federal law. pending nationwide.
  • February 22
    LGBT housing discrimination becomes sexual orientation and gender identity.
    under the Honduras Criminal Code.
  • February 14
    Conversion therapy becomes banned.
    Passed by Senate Committee of New Mexico
  • February 12
    Homosexual activity becomes male illegal, female legal.
    Up to 10 years in prison in the Gaza strip. Under British Mandate criminal code Ordinance number. 74. Not enforced. Female always legal.
  • February 11
    Homosexual activity becomes male illegal, female legal.
    3 or six months to 3 years in prison under public morality laws.
  • February 1
    Blood donations by MSMs becomes banned (1-year deferral).
    In July of 2017 it will become legal.
  • January 28
    Same-sex marriage becomes ambiguous.
    LGBT couple can marry in Aguascalientes after gaining protection.
  • January 25
    Equal age of consent becomes unequal.
    Under ivory coast criminal code.
  • January 23
    LGBT employment discrimination becomes sexual orientation and gender identity.
    Protection under section VII under sex discrimination covers sexual orientation and gender identity. As well protections for state employees only.
  • January 19
    Homosexuals serving openly in military becomes legal.
    No Countries in South America still have a law or ban in place.
  • January 18
    Equal age of consent becomes unequal.
    age of consent is set at 18 years old. Homosexuality is illegal.
  • January 15
    Blood donations by MSMs becomes legal.
    just dropped life time ban.
  • January 7
    LGBT discrimination becomes illegal.
    Legislative Decree #1323 states that crimes motivated by intolerance or discrimination including sexual orientation and gender identity will receive stronger penalizations.
  • January 2
    Conversion therapy becomes banned.
    The Health Complaints Bill 2016 bans all conversion therapies and received royal assent on 5 May 2016, coming into force 2 February 2017. The Health Commissioner's office, as created under the original act, received strengthened powers granted on 28 February 2018.