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2020 in LGBT Rights

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In 2020, there were 149 recorded legal changes made affecting LGBT people. In the previous year, there were 85 changes made and 128 in the following year. A total of 431 legal changes have been made so far in the 2020s.

  • December 16
    Blood donations by MSMs becomes legal.
    From December 16, 2020, the rules changed, and now Gay men can donate blood under the same conditions as the rest of the population.
  • December 15
    Same-sex adoption becomes illegal.
    Although same-sex couples cannot adopt jointly, adoption by individuals is illegal regardless of sexual orientation or partnership status. Stepchild adoption is only available for married (different-sex) couples.
  • December 12
    Same-sex marriage becomes civil unions.
    Since 2020, legal cases have set precedent for civil unions in Bolivia after a gay couple has achieved a legally recognized civil union. Only one civil union has been recognized ever since. The couple, together for more than 11 years, took their case to court. While the Bolivian Constitution still does not contemplate same sex unions, the couple argued successfully the prohibition violated international human rights standards and constituted discrimination under Bolivian law.
  • December 1
    Blood donations by MSMs becomes banned (3-month deferral).
    12 month deferral periods were dropped to 3 months across multiple categories of donor, including MSMs.
  • November 20
    Conversion therapy becomes not banned.
    Florida government passed “negative law” protecting conversion therapy from any bans.
  • October
    Legal recognition of non-binary gender becomes recognized.
    Arizona residents can change their gender marker to an X on their driver's license, provided they can show a government issued ID with the same marker.
  • October 1
    Same-sex marriage becomes not legal.
    Same-sex marriage was ruled to be incompatible with the Catholic Church, however same-sex civil unions were favored by Pope Francis.
  • September 4
    Same-sex marriage becomes civil unions.
    Civil Partnership Law, 2020
  • September 1
    LGBT discrimination becomes illegal in some contexts.
    Pursuant to rule 7(1) of the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court (Sentencing Guidelines) Rules (2019), adopted by the Commonwealth of Dominica under Statutory Instrument No. 3 (2019), Practice Direction 8E No. 1 (effective 1 September 2020) includes under Section 5(j) the crime of murder motivated by the victim’s sexual orientation among the exceptionally serious crimes that could lead to the imposition of life imprisonment for the perpetrator.
  • Right to change legal gender becomes legal, surgery not required.
    Since September 1, 2020, Transgender individuals will just need “appropriate clinical treatment” to change sex on a birth certificate - under recently passed and signed laws by both the Virginia General Assembly and the Governor of Virginia cutting red tape.
  • LGBT discrimination becomes illegal in some contexts.
    Pursuant to rule 7(1) of the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court (Sentencing Guidelines) Rules (2019), adopted by Saint Kitts and Nevis under Statutory Rules and Orders No. 26 (2019), Practice Direction 8E No. 1 (effective 1 September 2020) includes under Section 5(j) the crime of murder motivated by the victim’s sexual orientation among the exceptionally serious crimes that could lead to the imposition of life imprisonment for the perpetrator.
  • LGBT discrimination becomes illegal in some contexts.
    Pursuant to rule 7(1) of the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court (Sentencing Guidelines) Rules 2019, adopted by Antigua and Barbuda under Statutory Instrument No. 49 (2019), Practice Direction 8E No. 1 (effective 1 September 2020) includes under Section 5(j) the crime of murder motivated by the victim’s sexual orientation among the exceptionally serious crimes that could lead to the imposition of life imprisonment for the perpetrator.
  • August 21
    LGBT housing discrimination becomes sexual orientation and gender identity.
    In August 2020, the Kansas Human Rights Commission announced that it will investigate and resolve cases alleging discrimination on basis of sexual orientation and gender identity in housing and public accommodations.
  • August 13
    Conversion therapy becomes banned.
    The Health Leislation Ammendment Act of 2020 modified the Public Health Act of 2005 to make conversion therapy illegal. Penalties are up to 18 months in jail for attempting to change or suppress a person's sexual orientation or gender identity using practices such as aversion therapy, hypnotherapy and psychoanalysis.
  • August 5
    LGBT employment discrimination becomes sexual orientation only.
    The Employment (Prevention of Discrimination) Act protects against discrimination on grounds of sexual orientation.
  • August 1
    LGBT discrimination becomes varies by region.
    In Tuscany, Piedmont, Liguria, Marche, Umbria, Sicily, Emilia-Romagna and Campania discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity is banned
  • July 31
    Conversion therapy becomes varies by region.
    Some states have banned conversion therapy. Nationwide ban pending.
  • July 23
    Legal recognition of non-binary gender becomes recognized.
    Pennsylvania residents can change their gender marker to X on their state IDs and driver's licenses.
  • July 18
    LGBT employment discrimination becomes sexual orientation and gender identity.
    Protected federally under a Supreme Court ruling. Full discrimination protection in state employment. As well as full discrimination protection in city of Charlottesville. Sexual orientation discrimination protection Only in the Alexandria. As well sexual orientation in the county of Arlington.
  • July 14
    Legal recognition of non-binary gender becomes recognized.
    Illinois-born citizens can change their gender marker to X on their birth certificate. X gender marker will be available on driver's licenses in 2024.
  • Legal recognition of non-binary gender becomes recognized.
    Maine-born residents can ask for an X gender marker on their birth certificates and IDs.
  • July 1
    Legal recognition of non-binary gender becomes recognized.
    Hawaii residents can self-identify as non-binary on official forms and ask for an X gender marker on state IDs.
  • LGBT discrimination becomes illegal in some contexts.
    Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam signed into law sweeping legislation in most counties that not only protects the rights of lgbtq Virginians in employment and accommodations but also expands the ability of plaintiffs to sue in Virginia state court.
  • LGBT discrimination becomes illegal in some contexts.
    Discrimination is only illegal for sexual orientation and not gender identity.
  • July
    Homosexual activity becomes illegal (up to life in prison as punishment).
    5 years in prison for the first offense. Third time offenders are punishable by life in prison.
  • June 29
    Serving openly in military becomes legal.
    Serving openly in the military is legal.
  • Homosexual activity becomes legal.
    Homosexual acts are not criminalized.
  • Equal age of consent becomes unequal.
    Age of consent is unequal as the age of consent for homosexuality is 21.
  • June 24
    Conversion therapy becomes banned.
    The Law for the Protection Against Conversion Treatments (KonvBehSchG) bans providing, arranging and advertising conversion therapy. Conducting conversion therapy on minors, or persons of legal age is those whose consent was obtained without their volition, is also explicitly banned. Providing, arranging or advertising conversion therapy is punishable by a fine up to €30,000. Carrying out conversion therapy on a minor, or an adult whose consent was obtained without their volition, is punishable by up to a year of imprisonment or a fine.
  • June 18
    Right to change legal gender becomes legal, surgery not required.
    In 2020, the West Virginia Supreme Court ruled to not issue revised birth certificates anymore, but simply cross out the old gender marker and write the new one under it. This makes transgender people easily identifiable.
  • June 15
    LGBT employment discrimination becomes sexual orientation and gender identity.
    Protected federally under a Supreme Court ruling.
  • LGBT employment discrimination becomes sexual orientation and gender identity.
    Protected federally under a Supreme Court ruling.
  • LGBT employment discrimination becomes sexual orientation and gender identity.
    Protected federally under a Supreme Court ruling.
  • LGBT employment discrimination becomes sexual orientation and gender identity.
    Protected federally under a Supreme Court ruling.
  • LGBT employment discrimination becomes sexual orientation and gender identity.
    Protected federally under a Supreme Court ruling.
  • LGBT employment discrimination becomes sexual orientation and gender identity.
    Protected federally under a Supreme Court ruling.
  • LGBT employment discrimination becomes sexual orientation and gender identity.
    Protected federally under a Supreme Court ruling.
  • LGBT employment discrimination becomes sexual orientation and gender identity.
    Protected federally under a Supreme Court ruling.
  • LGBT employment discrimination becomes sexual orientation and gender identity.
    Protected federally under a Supreme Court ruling.
  • LGBT employment discrimination becomes sexual orientation and gender identity.
    Protected federally under a Supreme Court ruling.
  • LGBT employment discrimination becomes sexual orientation and gender identity.
    Protected federally under a Supreme Court ruling.
  • LGBT employment discrimination becomes sexual orientation and gender identity.
    Protected federally under a Supreme Court ruling.
  • LGBT employment discrimination becomes sexual orientation and gender identity.
    Protected federally under a Supreme Court ruling.
  • LGBT employment discrimination becomes sexual orientation and gender identity.
    Protected federally under a Supreme Court ruling.
  • LGBT employment discrimination becomes sexual orientation and gender identity.
    Protected federally under a Supreme Court ruling.
  • LGBT employment discrimination becomes sexual orientation and gender identity.
    Protected federally under a Supreme Court ruling.
  • LGBT employment discrimination becomes sexual orientation and gender identity.
    Protected federally under a Supreme Court ruling.
  • LGBT employment discrimination becomes sexual orientation and gender identity.
    Protected federally under a Supreme Court ruling.
  • LGBT employment discrimination becomes sexual orientation and gender identity.
    Protected federally under a Supreme Court ruling.
  • LGBT employment discrimination becomes sexual orientation and gender identity.
    Protected federally under a Supreme Court ruling.
  • LGBT employment discrimination becomes sexual orientation and gender identity.
    Protected federally under a Supreme Court ruling.
  • LGBT employment discrimination becomes sexual orientation and gender identity.
    Protected federally under a Supreme Court ruling.
  • LGBT employment discrimination becomes sexual orientation and gender identity.
    Protected federally under a Supreme Court ruling.
  • LGBT employment discrimination becomes sexual orientation and gender identity.
    Protected federally by a Supreme Court ruling.
  • LGBT employment discrimination becomes sexual orientation and gender identity.
    Protected federally by a Supreme Court ruling.
  • LGBT employment discrimination becomes sexual orientation and gender identity.
    Protected federally by a Supreme Court ruling.
  • LGBT employment discrimination becomes sexual orientation and gender identity.
    Protected federally by a Supreme Court ruling.
  • LGBT employment discrimination becomes sexual orientation and gender identity.
    Protected federally by a Supreme Court ruling.
  • LGBT employment discrimination becomes sexual orientation and gender identity.
    As of June 15th, 2020 the Supreme Court of the United States has ruled that discrimination in employment based on sexual orientation or gender identity is illegal under Title VII the Civil Rights Act of 1964, classified as sex discrimination. As of June 15, 2020, all persons working for employers that employ more than 15 people are protected from discrimination based solely on the grounds of sexual orientation or gender identity via the Supreme Court's landmark decision in Bostock v. Clayton County.
  • LGBT employment discrimination becomes sexual orientation and gender identity.
    As of June 15, 2020, all persons working for employers that employ more than 15 people are protected from discrimination based solely on the grounds of sexual orientation or gender identity via the Supreme Court's landmark decision in Bostock v. Clayton County, Georgia
  • LGBT discrimination becomes varies by region.
    Each state has different laws.
  • June 12
    Legal recognition of non-binary gender becomes recognized.
    New York state-born residents can ask for an X gender marker on their birth certificate since June 12 2020. This was already the case since 2018 for those born in New York City.
  • Same-sex marriage becomes unrecognized.
    Under Indian Laws.
  • Same-sex marriage becomes unregistered cohabitation.
    The Uttarakhand High Court acknowledged that cohabitation and "live-in relationships" are protected by law.
  • June 1
    Blood donations by MSMs becomes banned (3-month deferral).
    1-year deferral reduced to a 3-month deferral in line with other UK regions (at the time).
  • May 28
    Right to change legal gender becomes ambiguous.
    On International Transgender Day of Visibility 2020 Hungary's parliament submitted a bill to amend the definition of sex to match sex at birth, making it impossible for individuals to change their legal gender, However, It is illegal in Hungary to be discriminated for your gender identity and there is other pieces of legislation that de facto recognise transgenders
  • May 26
    Same-sex adoption becomes legal.
    Adoption was legalized for gay couples when gay marriage became legal. Single individuals (whether gay or straight) have been allowed to adopt equally before then.
  • Same-sex marriage becomes legal.
    Same-sex marriage in Costa Rica has been legal since May 26, 2020 as a result of a ruling by the Supreme Court of Justice. Costa Rica was the first country in Central America to recognize and perform same-sex marriages.
  • May 8
    Blood donations by MSMs becomes legal.
    Under federal regulation.
  • Blood donations by MSMs becomes legal.
    Under federal regulation.
  • Blood donations by MSMs becomes legal.
    Under federal regulation.
  • Blood donations by MSMs becomes legal.
    Under federal regulation.
  • Blood donations by MSMs becomes legal.
    The Supreme Court has ruled that the blood donation ban is unconstitutional in May of 2020.
  • May 1
    Legal recognition of non-binary gender becomes recognized.
    Same birth laws that allowed gender change without GRS.
  • Right to change legal gender becomes legal, surgery not required.
    Amended birth certificate laws.
  • May
    Conversion therapy becomes banned.
    Banned for minors.
  • April 28
    Legal recognition of non-binary gender becomes recognized.
    Manitoba residents can opt for a gender neutral marker on their IDs or birth certificates, or decide to remove the marker altogether.
  • April 20
    Blood donations by MSMs becomes banned (3-month deferral).
    Blood donation centers follow the new FDA 3-month deferral guidance.
  • April 17
    Same-sex adoption becomes illegal.
    Current Adoption Laws (Law No. 6486/Law No. 1136) do not explicitly prohibit single people from adopting regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity. However, Paraguay has declared itself a "Pro-Family and Pro-Life" country and they do not allow and ignore adoptions requested by LGBTQIAP+ people.
  • April 12
    Same-sex marriage becomes civil unions.
    Civil unions legalized.
  • April 2
    Blood donations by MSMs becomes banned (3-month deferral).
    Blood donation centers follow the new FDA 3-month deferral guidance.
  • Blood donations by MSMs becomes banned (3-month deferral).
    Blood donation centers follow the new FDA 3-month deferral guidance.
  • Blood donations by MSMs becomes banned (3-month deferral).
    Blood donation centers follow the new FDA 3-month deferral guidance.
  • Blood donations by MSMs becomes banned (3-month deferral).
    Blood donation centers follow the new FDA 3-month deferral guidance.
  • Blood donations by MSMs becomes banned (3-month deferral).
    Blood donation centers follow the new FDA 3-month deferral guidance.
  • Blood donations by MSMs becomes banned (3-month deferral).
    Blood donation centers follow the new FDA 3-month deferral guidance.
  • Blood donations by MSMs becomes banned (3-month deferral).
    Blood donation centers follow the new FDA 3-month deferral guidance.
  • Blood donations by MSMs becomes banned (3-month deferral).
    Blood donation centers follow the new FDA 3-month deferral guidance.
  • Blood donations by MSMs becomes banned (3-month deferral).
    Blood donation centers follow the new FDA 3-month deferral guidance.
  • Blood donations by MSMs becomes banned (3-month deferral).
    Blood donation centers follow the new FDA 3-month deferral guidance.
  • Blood donations by MSMs becomes banned (3-month deferral).
    Blood donation centers follow the new FDA 3-month deferral guidance.
  • Blood donations by MSMs becomes banned (3-month deferral).
    Blood donation centers follow the new FDA 3-month deferral guidance.
  • Blood donations by MSMs becomes banned (3-month deferral).
    Blood donation centers follow the new FDA 3-month deferral guidance.
  • Blood donations by MSMs becomes banned (3-month deferral).
    Blood donation centers follow the new FDA 3-month deferral guidance.
  • Blood donations by MSMs becomes banned (3-month deferral).
    Blood donation centers follow the new FDA 3-month deferral guidance.
  • Blood donations by MSMs becomes banned (3-month deferral).
    Blood donation centers follow the new FDA 3-month deferral guidance.
  • Blood donations by MSMs becomes banned (3-month deferral).
    Blood donation centers follow the new FDA 3-month deferral guidance.
  • Blood donations by MSMs becomes banned (3-month deferral).
    Blood donation centers follow the new FDA 3-month deferral guidance.
  • Blood donations by MSMs becomes banned (3-month deferral).
    Blood donation centers follow the non-binding FDA 3-month deferral guidance.
  • Blood donations by MSMs becomes banned (3-month deferral).
    Blood donation centers follow the new FDA 3-month deferral guidance.
  • Blood donations by MSMs becomes banned (3-month deferral).
    Blood donation centers follow the new FDA 3-month deferral guidance.
  • Blood donations by MSMs becomes banned (3-month deferral).
    Blood donation centers follow the new FDA 3-month deferral guidance.
  • Blood donations by MSMs becomes banned (3-month deferral).
    Blood donation centers follow the new FDA 3-month deferral guidance.
  • Blood donations by MSMs becomes banned (3-month deferral).
    Blood donation centers follow the new FDA 3-month deferral guidance.
  • Blood donations by MSMs becomes banned (3-month deferral).
    Blood donation centers follow the non-binding FDA 3-month deferral guidance.
  • Blood donations by MSMs becomes banned (3-month deferral).
    Blood donation centers follow the non-binding FDA three-month deferral guidance.
  • Blood donations by MSMs becomes banned (3-month deferral).
    Blood donation centers follow the non-binding FDA 3-month deferral guidance.
  • Blood donations by MSMs becomes banned (3-month deferral).
    Blood donation centers follow the non-binding FDA 3-month deferral guidance.
  • Blood donations by MSMs becomes banned (3-month deferral).
    Blood donation centers follow the non-binding FDA 3-month deferral guidance.
  • Blood donations by MSMs becomes banned (3-month deferral).
    Blood donation centers follow the non-binding FDA 3-month deferral guidance.
  • Blood donations by MSMs becomes banned (3-month deferral).
    Blood donation centers follow the new FDA 3-month deferral guidance.
  • Blood donations by MSMs becomes banned (3-month deferral).
    Blood donation centers follow the new FDA 3-month deferral guidance.
  • Blood donations by MSMs becomes banned (3-month deferral).
    Blood donation centers follow the new FDA 3-month deferral guidance.
  • Blood donations by MSMs becomes banned (3-month deferral).
    Blood donation centers follow the non-binding FDA 3-month deferral guidance.
  • Blood donations by MSMs becomes banned (3-month deferral).
    Blood donation centers follow the non-binding FDA 3-month deferral guidance.
  • Blood donations by MSMs becomes banned (3-month deferral).
    Blood donation centers follow the non-binding FDA 3-month deferral guidance.
  • Blood donations by MSMs becomes banned (3-month deferral).
    Blood donation centers follow the new FDA 3-month deferral guidance.
  • Blood donations by MSMs becomes banned (3-month deferral).
    Blood donation centers follow the new FDA 3-month deferral guidance.
  • Blood donations by MSMs becomes banned (3-month deferral).
    Blood donation centers follow the new FDA 3-month deferral guidance.
  • Blood donations by MSMs becomes banned (3-month deferral).
    Blood donation centers follow the new FDA 3-month deferral guidance.
  • Blood donations by MSMs becomes banned (3-month deferral).
    Blood donation centers in Washington follow the new FDA 3-month deferral guidance.
  • Blood donations by MSMs becomes banned (3-month deferral).
    Blood donation centers follow the non-binding FDA three-month deferral guidance.
  • Blood donations by MSMs becomes banned (3-month deferral).
    Blood donation centers follow the new FDA 3-month deferral guidance.
  • Blood donations by MSMs becomes banned (3-month deferral).
    Blood donation centers follow the new FDA 3-month deferral guidance.
  • Blood donations by MSMs becomes banned (3-month deferral).
    Blood donation centers follow the new FDA 3-month deferral guidance.
  • Blood donations by MSMs becomes banned (3-month deferral).
    Blood donation centers follow the new FDA 3-month deferral guidance.
  • Blood donations by MSMs becomes banned (3-month deferral).
    Blood donation centers follow the new FDA 3-month deferral guidance.
  • Blood donations by MSMs becomes banned (3-month deferral).
    Blood donation centers follow the new FDA 3-month deferral guidance.
  • Blood donations by MSMs becomes banned (3-month deferral).
    Blood donation centers follow the new FDA 3-month deferral guidance.
  • Blood donations by MSMs becomes banned (3-month deferral).
    Blood donation centers follow the new FDA 3-month deferral guidance.
  • Blood donations by MSMs becomes banned (3-month deferral).
    Blood donation centers follow the new FDA 3-month deferral guidance.
  • Blood donations by MSMs becomes banned (3-month deferral).
    Blood donation centers follow the new FDA 3-month deferral guidance.
  • Blood donations by MSMs becomes banned (3-month deferral).
    Blood donation centers follow the new FDA 3-month deferral guidance.
  • Blood donations by MSMs becomes banned (3-month deferral).
    Blood donation centers follow the new FDA 3-month deferral guidance.
  • Blood donations by MSMs becomes banned (3-month deferral).
    Blood donation centers follow the new FDA 3-month deferral guidance.
  • Blood donations by MSMs becomes banned (3-month deferral).
    The FDA announced changes to blood donor eligibility policy on 2nd April 2020, reducing the MSM deferral period from 12 months to 3 months, it is not legally binding but most agencies and the American Red Cross treat it as such.
  • Blood donations by MSMs becomes banned (3-month deferral).
    Blood donation centers follow the new FDA 3-month deferral guidance.
  • Blood donations by MSMs becomes banned (3-month deferral).
    In July 2019, Minister of Health Agnès Buzyn announced that the deferral period would be reduced to four months of abstinence from 2 April 2020.
  • March 31
    Legal recognition of non-binary gender becomes recognized.
    There is now an option to have “X” written for the gender mark on your license.
  • March 11
    Censorship of LGBT Issues becomes no censorship.
    The U.S. District Court for the District of South Carolina entered a consent decree that declares South Carolina’s 1988 discriminatory anti-LGBTQ curriculum law unconstitutional and bars its enforcement.
  • March 3
    Conversion therapy becomes banned.
    Virginia becomes first southern state to ban gay conversion therapy.
  • March
    Blood donations by MSMs becomes banned (3-month deferral).
    In March 2020, the life-time ban was reduced to a 4 month deferral period.
  • Blood donations by MSMs becomes banned (3-month deferral).
    A four month deferral is in place following Denmark's decision.
  • February 11
    Right to change legal gender becomes legal, surgery not required.
    Law was changed to allow trans people to apply through the Family Court under section 28 of the Births, Deaths, Marriages, and Relationship Registration Act 1995. Currently through the Family Court, you are required to provide 'supporting evidence' of some form of medical treatment, which does not have to be surgery but may be.
  • January 27
    Legal recognition of non-binary gender becomes recognized.
    Connecticut residents can select an X for their gender marker on IDs and driver's licenses.
  • January 21
    Conversion therapy becomes banned.
    Utah is the 19th U.S State to ban conversion therapy.
  • January 13
    Same-sex marriage becomes legal.
    Northern Ireland (Executive Formation etc) Act 2019
  • Same-sex marriage becomes legal.
    Marriage equality in Northern Ireland was brought into line with the rest of the UK via the Northern Ireland (Executive Formation etc) Act 2019.
  • January 10
    Right to change legal gender becomes legal, but requires surgery.
    The Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act, 2019 allows for transgender individuals who have had sex reassignment surgery to change their legal gender from male to female and vice versa. An option for third gender is available without surgery required under the 2014 Supreme Court ruling.

LGBT Organizations Founded in 2020

  • Western Equality Zone foundation FaviconWestern Equality Zone foundation
    Global
    Western equality zone (WEZ)provide a safe place where the LGBT community members can be themselves, have fun, meet new people, make new friends and partake in all activities. We…
  • Western Equality Zone foundation FaviconWestern Equality Zone foundation
    Global
    Western equality zone (WEZ)provide a safe place where the LGBT community members can be themselves, have fun, meet new people, make new friends and partake in all activities. We…
  • Western Equality Zone Foundation FaviconWestern Equality Zone Foundation
    Global
    SERVICES WEZ provide a safe place where the LGBT community members can be themselves, have fun, meet new people, make new friends and partake in all activities. We render…