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2017 in LGBT Rights

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In 2017, there were 115 recorded legal changes made affecting LGBT people. In the previous year, there were 166 changes made and 73 in the following year. A total of 1169 legal changes were made in the 2010s.

  • 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.
  • 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.
  • November 29
    Blood donations by MSMs becomes banned (1-year deferral).
    In early May 2017, the National Council approved a motion calling on all restrictions on gay and bisexual men donating blood to be lifted. According to the National Council, only risky behaviour should be a factor for blood donation, not one's sexual orientation. The motion, introduced by the Conservative Democrats, was approved 97–89.[66] However, this was rejected by the Council of States on 29 November 2017.[67] The 1 year deferral period for gay and bisexual men donating blood therefore remains in place.
  • November 7
    Blood donations by MSMs becomes banned (3-month deferral).
    3 month deferral. Changes pending.
  • Blood donations by MSMs becomes banned (3-month deferral).
    it is a 3 month deferral. As part of UK.
  • November 1
    Blood donations by MSMs becomes banned (3-month deferral).
    3 month deferral. Legalization pending.
  • 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
    Right to change legal gender becomes legal, surgery not required.
    Surgery is not required under state or federal law.
  • Homosexuals serving openly in military becomes legal.
  • Homosexuals serving openly in military becomes legal.
  • Homosexuals serving openly in military becomes legal.
  • Homosexuals serving openly in military becomes legal.
  • Homosexuals serving openly in military becomes legal.
  • Homosexuals serving openly in military becomes legal.
  • Homosexuals serving openly in military becomes legal.
  • Homosexuals serving openly in military becomes legal.
  • Homosexuals serving openly in military becomes legal.
  • Homosexuals serving openly in military becomes legal.
  • Homosexuals serving openly in military becomes legal.
  • Homosexuals serving openly in military becomes legal.
  • Homosexuals serving openly in military becomes 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.
    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.
    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 marriage equality passed the Bundestag on 30 June 2017 and the Bundesrat on 7 July, becoming law on 1 October.
  • Same-sex adoption becomes married couples only.
    Missing laws for joint adoption, step child adoption.
  • 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.
  • September 18
    Same-sex adoption becomes single only.
    No laws in place for same sex couples.
  • Blood donations by MSMs becomes legal.
  • 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 6
    Legal recognition of non-binary gender becomes recognized.
    The Gender Identity Gender Expression and Sex Characteristics Act provided a method for individuals to apply to have identification documents, including passport, updated with an "X" gender marker.
  • 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 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.
  • August 13
    Legal recognition of non-binary gender becomes recognized.
    The Canadian federal government now allows individuals to put "X" on their passport to indicate an unspecified gender.
  • August 8
    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).
    A 1-year deferral is currently in effect. A change has been proposed but as of October 2021 it is not clear when the new law will take effect.
  • August 1
    Homosexual activity becomes illegal (imprisonment as punishment).
    Imprisonment of 8 to 15 years as penalty.
  • 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.
    Legal status has changed.
  • Same-sex marriage becomes legal.
    Just got legalized In 2017.
  • Right to change legal gender becomes legal, surgery not required.
    Transgender people can change their document without surgery not required
  • LGBT discrimination becomes illegal.
    The new criminal code outlaws discrimination against LGBT people.
  • June 1
    Blood donations by MSMs becomes banned (1-year deferral).
    1 year deferral
  • 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
    Same-sex marriage becomes legal.
    The Supreme Court ruled that same sex-marriage was allowed under the Marriage Act 1944 and the Human Rights Act.
  • May 1
    Right to change legal gender becomes ambiguous.
    No laws in place. Missing non binary options on documents.
  • April 28
    Blood donations by MSMs becomes banned (1-year deferral).
    Blanket ban replaced by a 1 year deferral period.
  • April 18
    LGBT employment discrimination becomes ambiguous.
    Sexual orientation discrimination protections under human rights institute. Homosexuality is illegal.
  • April 1
    Blood donations by MSMs becomes banned (1-year deferral).
    In 2016 the Norwegian Directorate of Health decided that from April 2017 MSMs and men who had sold themselves sexually would be accepted as blood donors, provided that there had been at least 12 months since their last sexual contact.
  • March 24
    LGBT housing discrimination becomes sexual orientation and gender identity.
  • March 17
    Conversion therapy becomes not banned.
    Conversion therapy ban has been discussed for many years. Was included in the Queen's Speech in 2021 but is still under consultation.
  • 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.
  • LGBT employment discrimination becomes no protections.
  • 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.
  • March 1
    Same-sex adoption becomes legal.
    Full adoption is now legal in Finland.
  • 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 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
    Same-sex adoption becomes step-child adoption only.
    In February of 2017, a lesbian woman successfully adopted her partner’s child. Since then, many other same-sex couples adopted their partners child.
  • January 28
    Same-sex marriage becomes ambiguous.
    LGBT couple can marry in Aguascalientes after gaining protection.
  • 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 15
    Blood donations by MSMs becomes banned (1-year deferral).
    Also applies to women who have had sex with a man who has ever had sex with another man.
  • 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.

LGBT Organizations Founded in 2017