▸   ▸ 

2017 in LGBT Rights

View All Years

In 2017, there were 117 recorded legal changes made affecting LGBT people. In the previous year, there were 169 changes made and 82 in the following year. A total of 1260 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
    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 n/a.
    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.
  • Serving openly in military becomes legal.
  • Serving openly in military becomes legal.
  • Serving openly in military becomes legal.
  • Serving openly in military becomes legal.
  • Serving openly in military becomes legal.
  • Serving openly in military becomes legal.
  • Serving openly in military becomes legal.
  • Serving openly in military becomes legal.
  • Serving openly in military becomes legal.
  • Serving openly in military becomes legal.
  • Serving openly in military becomes legal.
  • Serving openly in military becomes legal.
  • 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 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.
    To change one's legal gender in Greece, the legal requirements are a forced divorce (if married, due to the inability of performing same-sex marriage) and a court order. Non-binary people are to choose male or female.
  • 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 adoption becomes legal.
    The law that allows same-sex marriage in Germany also gives adoption rights to those couples.
  • 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 illegal.
    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. Parent/Guardians must apply on behalf of minors.
  • 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 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.
  • September
    Right to change legal gender becomes legal, surgery not required.
    In September 2017, the Botswana High Court ruled that the refusal of the Registrar of National Registration to change a transgender man's gender marker was "unreasonable and violated his constitutional rights to dignity, privacy, freedom of expression, equal protection of the law, freedom from discrimination and freedom from inhumane and degrading treatment". LGBT activists celebrated the ruling, describing it as a great victory. At first, the Botswana Government announced it would appeal the ruling, but decided against it in December, supplying the trans man with a new identity document that reflects his gender identity. A similar case, where a transgender woman sought to change her gender marker to female, was heard in December 2017. The High Court ruled that the Government must recognise her gender identity. She dedicated her victory to "every single trans diverse person in Botswana".
  • 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 varies by region.
    Legal, but surgery requirements vary by region. Most states don't allow you to change your gender marker more than once in a 12-month period. The High Court of Australia has ruled that gender reassignment surgery does not need to be comprehensive, just be socially identifiable as your preferred gender. • Any government department that operates at a federal level does not require surgery. • In NSW a gender marker change requires GRS, top surgery, or orchiectomy. • In Queensland gender change requires an application confirming surgery or proof of reassignment surgery. • In South Australia no surgery is required, only proof of psychological counseling. • In Tasmania no surgery is required, they may require proof of psychological counseling for persons under 18. • In Victoria no surgery is required, you just have to attest you are the gender you claim. • In Western Australia surgery is required. • In Northern Territory clinical treetment, either: surgery, hormone therapy, or counseling is required.
  • 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 15
    Legal recognition of non-binary gender becomes recognized.
    Oregon became the first state to legally recognize the non-binary/non-confirming gender on licenses.
  • 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 30
    Same-sex marriage becomes legal.
    The Marriage (Amendment) Bill 2017 introduced Civil Partnerships and modified the Marriage Ordinance 1996 to state that same-sex marriages are lawful and would be treated the same as marriage between a man and a woman.
  • 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. Prime Minister Boris Johnson promised to ban conversion therapy in July 2020 and this was reiterated in the 2021 Queen's Speech. In March 2022 it the plans were dropped, only for a partial U-turn just hours later when the government announced that the ban would go ahead but not cover trans people.
  • 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 24
    Same-sex marriage becomes civil unions.
    The civil unions act of Slovenia was just legalized on Feb 24, 2017.
  • 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

  • PFLAG - Fort Dodge FaviconPFLAG - Fort Dodge
    Iowa, United States
    PFLAG - Fort Dodge PFLAG promotes the health and well-being of LGBTQ+ persons, their families and friends through: support to cope with an adverse society, education to…
  • Chaplains on Call and Emergency Response, Inc FaviconChaplains on Call and Emergency Response, Inc
    Zimbabwe
    Chaplains on Call and Emergency Response, Inc is an international, non-profit, educational and religious organization that trains, maintains and dispatches highly skilled…
  • Out On The Shelves FaviconOut On The Shelves
    New Zealand
    InsideOUT works to give rainbow young people in Aotearoa New Zealand a sense of safety and belonging in their schools and communities. We are a national charity providing…
  • Union Nacional de Empresarios Turísticos LGBT+ A.C. FaviconUnion Nacional de Empresarios Turísticos LGBT+ A.C.
    Global
    Non profit organisation to promote LGBT tourism, no discrimination, equality, same rights in tourism industry, safe travel.
  • Safe Place Greece FaviconSafe Place Greece
    Greece
    Safe Place Greece’s core mission is to empower double-marginalized populations, such as LGBTQI+ refugees and single moms, through community-member driven projects focusing on…