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2021 in LGBT Rights

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In 2021, there were 113 recorded legal changes made affecting LGBT people. In the previous year, there were 145 changes made and 97 in the following year. A total of 359 legal changes have been made so far in the 2020s.

  • December 30
    Same-sex marriage becomes legal.
    Legalized in 2021.
  • December 20
    Same-sex marriage becomes legal.
    On 20 December 2021, the Secretary General of Government, Libia Dennise García Muñoz, issued an official directive addressed to officials of the state civil registry that, effective immediately, same-sex couples can marry in the state.
  • December 15
    Legal recognition of non-binary gender becomes ambiguous.
    The Justice of Paraná granted S.G.S the civil registration of a person with non-binary gender. The decision was signed on Wednesday (15) in Foz do Iguaçu, in western Paraná. Is unknown if it will serve as a basis for future requests from non-binary people.
  • December 9
    Same-sex adoption becomes legal.
    The new law that legalizes same-sex marriage also provides adoption benefits to same-sex couples.
  • December 7
    Conversion therapy becomes banned.
    Banned in all of Canada
  • Conversion therapy becomes banned.
    Banned in all of Canada
  • Conversion therapy becomes banned.
    Banned through all of Canada
  • December 2
    Blood donations by MSMs becomes banned (3-month deferral).
    Estonia has put in place a 4 month deferral period for MSMs in place of its life-time ban.
  • November 2
    Legal recognition of non-binary gender becomes recognized.
    The Michigan Secretary of State permits individuals to request a ‘Nonbinary (X)’ sex designation on their state ID and driver’s license.
  • November 1
    Legal recognition of non-binary gender becomes recognized.
    (ADI) 4.275
  • October 28
    Censorship of LGBT Issues becomes varies by region.
    Censorship became "other punishment" in the state of Texas, and in Florida Govt. DeSantis wants to ban LGBT topics from being discussed in schools. Generally, LGBT Topics are considered under the Free Speach Clause. Due to the nature of the current laws, and state decisions such as in Flordia; "Varies by region" is the best indicator to use.
  • Censorship of LGBT Issues becomes other punishment.
    Numerous schools and libraries in Texas have been instructed to terminate or remove books with topics that, "make students feel uneasy". The topics under fire include (but are not limited to) lgbtq characters, same-sex relationships and gender discussion. Teachers that ignore this law could be fired.
  • October 21
    LGBT discrimination becomes illegal in some contexts.
    "A Namibian court has found that the constitution bans discrimination based on sexual orientation."
  • LGBT housing discrimination becomes sexual orientation only.
    "A Namibian court has found that the constitution bans discrimination based on sexual orientation."
  • LGBT employment discrimination becomes sexual orientation only.
    "A Namibian court has found that the constitution bans discrimination based on sexual orientation." Section 139 of the Labour Act of 2004 repealed the Labour Act of 1992 which in Section 107 prohibited sexual orientation discrimination.
  • October 19
    Conversion therapy becomes banned.
    The Congress of the State of Tlaxcala approved a reform that prohibits and punishes with up to 4 years in prison conversion therapies.
  • October 15
    Legal recognition of non-binary gender becomes recognized.
    The Justice of Alagoas recognized for the first time a non-binary person. The decision allows a person registered with a male name and gender, but who does not recognize themselves as male or female, to have a new birth certificate, without gender. Coordinator of the Itinerant Justice project, Emanuella Porangaba highlighted that the sentence will serve as a basis for future requests from non-binary people. “Fenix was the first, certainly not the last person to fall into this situation. The judiciary has already taken the first step and is open to accepting these fair and dignified claims that grant citizens the fullest citizenship, which until then this was mitigated”.
  • September 28
    Conversion therapy becomes banned.
    The Congress of Colima approved reforms to the state Penal Code to sanction whoever imparts, promotes, offers, applies, finances, submits or forces, with or without profit, another to receive conversion therapies . People who break the law will be sentenced to two to five years in prison and will receive 50 to 100 hours of work in favor of the community. This crime may be prosecuted ex officio.
  • September 26
    Same-sex adoption becomes legal.
    The new law of same sex marriage for Switzerland also guarantees adoption rights for same sex couples.
  • September 24
    Blood donations by MSMs becomes legal.
    On September 24, 2021, new guidelines were introduced. Men in monogamous relationships with men can donate blood with no deferral. However, men who have sex with men outside of a monogamous relationship still face a 4 month deferral.
  • Blood donations by MSMs becomes ambiguous.
    The Greek Minister of Health requested the review of the “Blood Donor History” form of the National Blood Donation Center, which, among other things, prohibits anyone who has had even a homosexual relationship since 1977 from becoming a voluntary blood donor.
  • September 23
    Right to change legal gender becomes ambiguous.
    The decision was the result of a lawsuit filed by Xiao E, who was denied the right to change her gender on her national ID card. Under the archaic legislation, transgender people were required to surgically remove their reproductive organs in order to legally change their gender. The Taipei High Administrative Court ruled the requirement was unconstitutional on Thursday (23 September). They also cited that the plaintiff had provided the necessary requirements to undergo the process of legally changing her name without being subjected to surgery. Unfortunately, this ruling will only effect Xiao E. Other trans individuals looking to legally change their gender – without “proof of surgery” – will have to wait for the regulations to be revised or pursue legal action.
  • Same-sex marriage becomes legal.
    The congress of Sonora has voted to legalize same sex marriage.
  • September 22
    Same-sex marriage becomes legal.
    The congress of Querétaro approved to legalize same sex marriage.
  • September 12
    Legal recognition of non-binary gender becomes intersex only.
    Children born with no gender defined as male or female, in a condition known as Sex Differentiation Anomaly, – also know as intersex – may be registered with the “unknown” gender on the birth certificate. And also perform, at any time, the option of assigning sex at any Civil Registry Office, without the need for judicial authorization, proof of sexual surgery and hormonal treatment or presentation of a medical or psychological report.
  • September 1
    Blood donations by MSMs becomes legal.
    People who are in a monogamous same sex relationship can now donate blood without deferral.
  • August 25
    Conversion therapy becomes banned.
    The Yucatán Congress voted unanimously for prison sentences of up to three years for anyone administering conversion therapy treatment. Those who administer therapy on minors can be faced with up to six years of prison sentences.
  • Same-sex marriage becomes legal.
    The Yucatán Congress passed the marriage equality bill in a 20-5 vote margin.
  • Conversion therapy becomes banned.
    The Zacatecas Congress approved banning and sanctioning conversion therapies or ECOSIG (Efforts to Correct Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity) almost on a par with Yucatan.
  • August 24
    Legal recognition of non-binary gender becomes intersex only.
    Nationwide, expect in some states.
  • Legal recognition of non-binary gender becomes intersex only.
    Nationwide, expect in some states.
  • Legal recognition of non-binary gender becomes intersex only.
    Nationwide, expect in some states.
  • Legal recognition of non-binary gender becomes intersex only.
    Nationwide; expect in some states.
  • Legal recognition of non-binary gender becomes intersex only.
    Nationwide; expect in some states.
  • Legal recognition of non-binary gender becomes intersex only.
    Nationwide; expect in some states.
  • Legal recognition of non-binary gender becomes intersex only.
    Nationwide; expect in some states.
  • Legal recognition of non-binary gender becomes intersex only.
    Nationwide; expect in some states.
  • Legal recognition of non-binary gender becomes intersex only.
    Nationwide; expect in some states.
  • Legal recognition of non-binary gender becomes intersex only.
    Nationwide; expect in some states.
  • Legal recognition of non-binary gender becomes intersex only.
    Nationwide; expect in some states.
  • Legal recognition of non-binary gender becomes intersex only.
    Nationwide; expect in some states.
  • Legal recognition of non-binary gender becomes intersex only.
    Nationwide; expect in some states.
  • Legal recognition of non-binary gender becomes intersex only.
    Nationwide; except in some states.
  • Legal recognition of non-binary gender becomes intersex only.
    Nationwide; expect in some states.
  • Legal recognition of non-binary gender becomes intersex only.
    Nationwide; expect in some states.
  • Legal recognition of non-binary gender becomes intersex only.
    Nationwide; expect in some states.
  • Legal recognition of non-binary gender becomes intersex only.
    Nationwide, expect in some states.
  • August 16
    Blood donations by MSMs becomes legal.
    Blood donation criteria brought in line with UK rules, after being delayed since June 2021.
  • August 6
    Conversion therapy becomes banned.
    The Sexual Offences and Obscene Publications Act was revised to ban any therapy that attempts to change or suppress a person’s sexual orientation or gender identity.
  • August 3
    Conversion therapy becomes banned.
    The Senate approved the bill that modifies and strengthens Law No. 20,609, which establishes measures against discrimination, adding as arbitrary discrimination any act, practice and/or medical, psychological, psychiatric treatment or of any other nature that aims to modify the sexual orientation or gender identity and expression of a person or a group of people.
  • Conversion therapy becomes banned.
    Under Chilean Law.
  • July 21
    Legal recognition of non-binary gender becomes recognized.
    Decree in place since july 21th of 2021 as of Presidential Decree N ° 476/21. Recognizing identities outside the male and female binomial by incorporating the nomenclature "X" in the National Identity Document as an option, for all people who do not identify themselves as male or female.
  • July 15
    Same-sex marriage becomes civil unions.
    In July 2020, the Parliament of Montenegro passed a bill to recognise life partnerships for same-sex couples and started recognising them in July 2021. The law also applies in Kološin.
  • Conversion therapy becomes banned.
    On July 15, The governor of Minnesota signed an executive order restricting conversion therapy for LGBTQ youth in the state.
  • Same-sex marriage becomes civil unions.
    In July 2020, the Parliament of Montenegro passed a bill to recognise life partnerships for same-sex couples and started recognising them in July 2021.
  • June 30
    Right to change legal gender becomes legal, surgery not required.
    Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel declared unconstitutional a state law requiring sex-reassignment surgery to change the sex designation on a birth certificate.
  • June 29
    Blood donations by MSMs becomes legal.
    "fin des descriminations au don du sang pour les hommes ayant des relations sexuelles avec des hommes."
  • June 28
    Conversion therapy becomes banned.
    The Government of Baja California Sur approved the 'Trans Identity Law' that prohibits conversion therapies and allows gender self-determination.
  • June 15
    Same-sex marriage becomes legal.
    The legalization of same-sex marriage was approved in a unanimous vote in Sinaloa, however, a number of lawmakers abstained to vote.
  • June 14
    Blood donations by MSMs becomes legal.
    In line with England and UK.
  • Blood donations by MSMs becomes legal.
    In line with UK rules.
  • Blood donations by MSMs becomes legal.
    Donors of any gender will be asked about their recent sexual activity, and those who have only had one sexual partner within the last 3-months will be eligible to donate.
  • Blood donations by MSMs becomes legal.
    Donors of any gender will be asked about their recent sexual activity, and those who have only had one sexual partner within the last 3-months will be eligible to donate.
  • Blood donations by MSMs becomes legal.
    The 3-month deferral for MSM has been dropped in England, Wales and Scotland. Instead, donors of any gender will be asked about their recent sexual activity, and those who have only had one sexual partner within the last 3-months will be eligible to donate. Northern Ireland is due to follow suit with these changes in September 2021.
  • Conversion therapy becomes banned.
    On June 14, 2021, Michigan governor signed an executive order to prohibit the use of state and federal funds for conversion therapy practiced on minors. The state is looking at implementing a total ban.
  • June 8
    Conversion therapy becomes banned.
    On June 8, 2021, the Administrative Rules Committee voted to prohibit licensed social workers from practicing conversion therapy to change a person's sexual orientation or gender identity. This doesn't prevent religious leaders or non-licensed counselors from practicing it, however.
  • Conversion therapy becomes banned.
    Under a section titled “Physical and Mental Health Professionals”, justice Venkatesh said healthcare professionals should offer support to LGBT+ people “who are facing stigma and discrimination from society”. However, he also prohibited “any attempt to medically ‘cure’ or change the sexual orientation of LGBTIQA+ people to heterosexual or the gender identity of transgender people to cisgender.” Justice Venkatesh also ordered the National Medical Commission, the Indian Psychiatric Society and the Rehabilitation Council of India to revoke the licence of any professionals who involve themselves “in any form or method of conversion ‘therapy'”.
  • June 7
    Conversion therapy becomes banned.
    On 7 June 2021, in delivering the verdict on this case, Justice N Anand Venkatesh prohibited Conversion Therapy with India becoming only the 2nd country in Asia to ban conversion therapy behind Taiwan
  • Conversion therapy becomes banned.
    Nationwide.
  • June 1
    Conversion therapy becomes banned.
    On June 1, 2021, Wisconsin governor signed an executive order prohibiting state and federal funds being used for conversion therapy which aims to change a minor's sexual orientation or gender identity. Cities like Milwaukee and Lacrosse also have a complete ban on conversion therapy.
  • June
    Same-sex marriage becomes unregistered cohabitation.
    Cambodian national law does not recognize same sex marriage. Some provinces have begun recognizing lesbian partnerships as marriages. As of June 2021, same sex relationship recognition offering limited legal rights known as "declaration of family relationship" was available in 68 Communes.
  • May 3
    Blood donations by MSMs becomes banned (3-month deferral).
    In all of Finland.
  • Blood donations by MSMs becomes banned (3-month deferral).
    In all of Finland.
  • Blood donations by MSMs becomes banned (3-month deferral).
    In all of Finland.
  • Blood donations by MSMs becomes banned (3-month deferral).
    In all of Finland.
  • Blood donations by MSMs becomes banned (3-month deferral).
    In all of Finland.
  • Blood donations by MSMs becomes banned (3-month deferral).
    In all of Finland.
  • Blood donations by MSMs becomes banned (3-month deferral).
    In all of Finland.
  • Blood donations by MSMs becomes banned (3-month deferral).
    In all of Finland.
  • Blood donations by MSMs becomes banned (3-month deferral).
    In all of Finland (4 months).
  • Blood donations by MSMs becomes banned (3-month deferral).
    In all of Finland (4 months).
  • Blood donations by MSMs becomes banned (3-month deferral).
    In all of Finland (4 months).
  • Blood donations by MSMs becomes banned (3-month deferral).
    In all of Finland (4 months).
  • Blood donations by MSMs becomes banned (3-month deferral).
    In all of Finland (4 months).
  • Blood donations by MSMs becomes banned (3-month deferral).
    In all of Finland (4 months).
  • Blood donations by MSMs becomes banned (3-month deferral).
    In all of Finland (4 months).
  • Blood donations by MSMs becomes banned (3-month deferral).
    In all of Finland (4 months).
  • Blood donations by MSMs becomes banned (3-month deferral).
    In all of Finland (4 months).
  • Blood donations by MSMs becomes banned (3-month deferral).
    In all of Finland (4 months).
  • Blood donations by MSMs becomes banned (3-month deferral).
    In all of Finland.
  • Blood donations by MSMs becomes banned (3-month deferral).
    Since May 3, 2021, the deferral period has been reduced to four months.
  • Homosexual activity becomes illegal (up to life in prison as punishment).
    The Sexual Offences Bill (2019), first tabled in 2015, criminalises sexual activity between persons of the same gender.
  • May 1
    Blood donations by MSMs becomes banned (6-month deferral).
    A proposal was made for a 6-month deferral for MSMs by the Swedish National Board of Health and Welfare as early as 2006.
  • May
    Legal recognition of non-binary gender becomes recognized.
    While making gender marker change on birth certificates available to transgender individuals, an X gender marker option was also added for non-binary individuals.
  • Right to change legal gender becomes legal, surgery not required.
    Ohio's birth certificate law was struck down in December 2020 and judged discriminatory against transgender individuals. Thus, Ohio-born citizens will now be able to modify their gender marker. There is no specific requirement to modify the gender marker, since each court will have their own ruling, but it is advised that their requirement be as accessible as possible.
  • March 16
    Conversion therapy becomes banned.
    Nationwide
  • March 6
    Legal recognition of non-binary gender becomes recognized.
    Prince Edward Island residents can change their IDs and birth certificate to a gender neutral marking.
  • March
    Conversion therapy becomes banned.
    Banned by passing of Change or Suppression (Conversion) Practices Prohibition Bill 2020
  • Same-sex adoption becomes illegal.
    Same sex couples banned from adopting.
  • February 26
    Serving openly in military becomes legal.
    Legalized in every state.
  • February 17
    Homosexual activity becomes legal.
    Same-sex sexual activity was decriminalized in Bhutan on February 17, 2021.
  • January 31
    Blood donations by MSMs becomes banned (3-month deferral).
    Since January 31, 2021, the deferral period has been reduced to three months.
  • Blood donations by MSMs becomes banned (3-month deferral).
    Since January 31, 2021, the deferral period has been lowered to three months.
  • Blood donations by MSMs becomes banned (3-month deferral).
    Since January 31, 2021, the deferral period has been reduced to three months.
  • Blood donations by MSMs becomes banned (3-month deferral).
    Since January 31, 2021, the deferral period has been reduced to three months.
  • Blood donations by MSMs becomes banned (3-month deferral).
    Since January 31, 2021, deferral time has been reduced to three months.
  • Blood donations by MSMs becomes banned (3-month deferral).
    Since January 31, 2021, the deferral time for MSMs has been reduced to three months.
  • Blood donations by MSMs becomes banned (3-month deferral).
    As of January 31 2021, Australian Red Cross’s Lifeblood service requires a 3-month deferral.
  • Blood donations by MSMs becomes banned (3-month deferral).
    Reduced to 3-months on Jan 31, 2021.
  • Blood donations by MSMs becomes banned (3-month deferral).
    Since January 31, 2021, the deferral period has been reduced to three months.
  • Blood donations by MSMs becomes banned (3-month deferral).
    Since January 31, 2021, the deferral period has been reduced to three months.
  • January 26
    Serving openly in military becomes legal.
    On January 26, 2021 the biden administration made it so transgender individuals can openly serve in the military, 10 years after don’t ask don’t tell was repelled.
  • January 25
    Serving openly in military becomes varies by region.
    Biden administration overturns Trump administration's policy against transgender people serving in the military, however, Texas govt. Greg Abbot kept the ban in place for his state.

LGBT Organizations Founded in 2021

  • Intersex Greece FaviconIntersex Greece
    Greece
    Intersex Greece is a nationwide collective of intersex adults, parents of intersex children, supportive individuals and related professionals located in Greece. Intersex Greece…