Timeline of LGBT Rights

Number of LGBT-related laws changed over time

This year, there were 77 recorded legal changes made affecting LGBT people. In the previous year, there were 123 changes made. A total of 625 legal changes have been made so far in the 2020s.

  • December 3
    Gender-affirming care becomes varies by region.
    Gender Affirming Care is legal for adults in all provinces, however, with the passage of the Health Statues Amendment Act (No 2), 2024 in the Alberta Legislature, Hormone Therapy and Puberty Blockers are banned for minors under the age of 16, and Gender Affirming Surgeries are banned for all individuals under the age of 18 in Alberta.
  • Gender-affirming care becomes legal, but restricted for minors.
    As of December 3rd (2024), the Alberta Legislature passed the Health Statutes Amendment Act, 2024. The Act Bans Puberty Blockers and Hormone Replacement Therapy for individuals under the age of 16 Alberta covers the following procedures for those above 18: -Phalloplasty -Metoidioplasty -Vaginoplasty -Hysterectomy and ovary removal -Breast augmentation and mastectomy (patient must get pre-approval) -Voice therapy Hormones are covered under the Alberta Drug Benefit List. Hormones replacement therapy only allowed for Individuals aged 16 and above. To be eligible, patients must be diagnosed with gender dysphoria by two physicians licensed in Alberta.
  • November 30
    Blood donations by MSMs becomes legal.
    Executive Agreement 002-2024 struck down the ban on LGBTQ+ blood donations in Honduras.
  • November 1
    Legal recognition of non-binary gender becomes recognized.
    The Self-Determination Act (Selbstbestimmungsgesetz) applies (see: right to change legal gender).
  • Right to change legal gender becomes legal, no restrictions.
    The Self-Determination Act (Selbstbestimmungsgesetz) allows transgender, non-binary, and intersex people to change their legal first names and gender entry once a year through self-identification. From the age of 14, minors may make the declaration themselves with the consent of their guardians; to protect the personal rights of young people, the family court can replace the parents' decision at the request of the minor in cases where the custodians do not consent, based on the best interests of the child. Children under 14 will need their parents or guardians to make a registry office application on their behalf. For the declaration to be effective, the registry office must be notified of the upcoming declaration at least 3 months and at most 6 months before the declaration is made. Outing or deadnaming one against their will in a way that caused them harm can be punished with a fine of up to €10,000. If the gender entry is changed from "male" to another and "a case of tension or defense" arises within two months after the change, the person will still be considered male for military conscription. People who went through the previous process can apply for monetary compensation.
  • September 18
    Conversion therapy becomes banned.
    Governor Andy Beshear banned conversion therapy on minors with an executive order. He used his executive powers after Republicans who control the state legislature repeatedly blocked efforts to enact a state law banning the practice. Beshear said he would no longer wait for others to “do what’s right.”
  • September 17
    Gender-affirming care becomes banned.
    Georgia’s new law bans gender-affirming care, blocking all medical treatments related to gender transition.
  • Censorship of LGBT issues becomes state-enforced.
    Georgia’s new anti-LGBTQ+ law bans Pride events, rainbow flags, and allows censorship of LGBTQ+ content in media.
  • Right to change legal gender becomes illegal.
    Georgia recently passed strict anti-LGBTQ+ legislation banning gender changes on official documents
  • August 26
    Gender-affirming care becomes restricted.
    SB 254, a bill which heavily restricts gender-affirming care became law again, after a new ruling from the 11th Court of appeals stated that the law was constitutional.
  • August 20
    Right to change legal gender becomes legal, but requires medical diagnosis.
    Although the Non-Binary gender is not recognized in Arizona, it is now legal to change your gender on markers only with a provider’s approval. The surgery requirement to change gender marker was overturned by a Federal Court on August 20, 2024.
  • August 15
    Censorship of LGBT issues becomes state-enforced.
    On August 7th, the Bulgarian parliament passed a law prohibiting so-called 'LGBT propaganda' in schools. The parliament vote 135 for, 57 against. The bill took effect on August 15th after the president signed the bill into law the previous day.
  • August 6
    Right to change legal gender becomes legal, but requires surgery.
    Transgender people were already required to have gender-affirming surgery to change their gender id on birth certificates, but it was different for drivers licenses. Previously, for drivers licenses, transgender people were required to provide the signature of a physician, therapist or social worker to approve a change in gender designation. Now, transgender people are mandated to provide documentation of gender reassignment surgery or a court order. The change in policy is expected to have happened because of a controversy that erupted earlier this month over a transgender woman who used the women’s locker rooms at a private gym in Ellisville.
  • Gender-affirming care becomes legal, but banned for minors.
    On August 6th, 2024, an Ohio judge upheld a law which bans gender-affirming care such as puberty blockers and hormones for transgender minors.
  • July 12
    Same-sex marriage becomes legal.
    On July 12th, 2024, the Dutch Supreme court ruled that Aruba and Curaçao must allow same-sex couples to marry.
  • Same-sex marriage becomes legal.
    On July 12th, 2024, the Dutch Supreme court ruled that Aruba and Curaçao must allow same-sex couples to marry.
  • July 1
    Blood donations by MSMs becomes legal.
    On July 1st, 2024, Denmark lifted it's four month deferral that was specifically aimed toward MSM blood donors. Now, deferrals and rules regarding blood donations apply to everyone regardless of their sexual orientation.
  • Blood donations by MSMs becomes legal.
    The Ministry of Health in the Czech Republic is revising its blood donation guidelines for hospitals. They are eliminating the automatic exclusion of men who have sex with men from donating blood. Gender and sexual orientation no longer effect a person's eligibility to donate blood.
  • Right to change legal gender becomes illegal.
    Transgender people are no longer able to change their gender on official documents in Idaho after the passage of House Bill 421. The bill came into effect on July 1st, 2024.
  • Legal recognition of non-binary gender becomes not legally recognized.
    While legal recognition is federally recognition Idaho will not recognize any government IDs with gender X marker. This includes out of state ids, and passports.
  • Censorship of LGBT issues becomes ambiguous.
    Idaho school districts will soon be required to remove any mandates for teachers to use transgender students' preferred pronouns. Governor Brad Little recently signed House Bill 538, sponsored by Rep. Ted Hill, R-Eagle, which provides protections for public employees, including teachers, who decline to use preferred names and pronouns. The bill prohibits teachers from using a name or pronoun that doesn't match a student's birth sex without parental consent, and it grants teachers the option to sue their district if they face discipline for refusing to comply. The bill will become effective on July 1st, 2024.
  • Gender-affirming care becomes restricted.
    Gender Affirming Care will no longer be accessible in the state of Idaho unless seeking outside of Idaho. House Bill 668 bans the right to gender affirming care for adults and minors when state funds are revoked. This bill also restricts non-profits and organizations from using funds for gender affirming care.
  • Gender-affirming care becomes legal, but banned for minors.
    Senate Bill 99 will now remove the ability to have gender affirming care for minors, as well as penalize the physician who does the procedure. Physicians who do the procedures, or proscribe hormones will be removed of their license. Senate bill 99 is also named Chloe's law, it was named after a transgender boy who detransitioned back into a female from California.
  • Same-sex marriage becomes civil unions (limited rights).
    On November 9th, 2023, the Saeima passed legislation establishing same-sex civil unions, and the unions were approved by President Edgars Rinkevics on January 9th, 2024. The law took effect on July 1st, 2024. Same-sex couples are not able to inherit from their partners even if they are in a registered partnership.
  • June 25
    Censorship of LGBT issues becomes state-enforced.
    Regulation 43-170 received automatic approval on Tuesday as lawmakers did not bring the regulation to a vote in the past session. The new guidelines prohibit materials containing any "descriptions or visual depictions of sexual conduct" from being allowed in South Carolina's schools. Although this does not seem like a bad thing, the regulations provided are very vague and will most likely lead to the banning of a number of books that are age-appropriate and should be allowed for children to read.
  • Right to change legal gender becomes legal, no restrictions.
    A judge ruled that Senate Bill 458, which defined sex as only male or female and made changing your gender on your birth certificate impossible, was unconstitutional because its subject wasn’t clear in its title as required by the Montana Constitution.
  • Legal recognition of non-binary gender becomes not legally recognized.
    As of June 25th 2024, it is illegal to change birth certificates to fit non-binary people. HB4322 bars all people from getting their birth certificates changed unless it is to male or female. Drivers licenses still remain the same as in 2022, please see the other entry below.
  • June 21
    Equal age of consent becomes equal.
    Equal since 2024, the age of consent is 16 for all people and all sexual orientations.
  • Homosexual activity becomes legal.
    A Namibian High Court ruled that certain Namibian laws which criminalized sodomy were unconstitutional. The laws had been in place since right after Namibia gained independence. The three judges in the High Court said in a joint ruling that the laws that had banned “sodomy” and "unnatural sexual offenses" between men were unfair discrimination and should be removed.
  • June 18
    Legal recognition of non-binary gender becomes not legally recognized.
    Ruling 143/2024 of the Italian constitutional court published on 18/06/2024 stated that a third gender is not permissible for non-binary people.
  • June 11
    Gender-affirming care becomes legal.
    SB 254, restricted gender affirming care for adults, and banned it for minors under the age of 18. Federal court Judge Robert Hinkle has permanently blocked the bill from ever being enacted. He cited that gender affirming care was necessary for everyone. The court case was originally filed in December 2023, along side GLAD, Southern Legal Florida, and Human Rights Campaign of Florida.
  • June 8
    Conversion therapy becomes banned.
    Conversion therapy is a federal offence under Article 209 Quintus of the Federal Penal Code (Código Penal Federal) and Article 465 Ter of the General Health Law (Ley General de Salud). Conversion therapy is defined as any treatment, service, therapy, or practice intended to obstruct, restrict, impede, diminish, annul, or suppress sexual orientation or gender identity/expression. Those liable under the law include anyone who practices, conducts, imparts, applies, forces, or funds such activities. Sanctions include: - 2 to 6 years in prison and a fine of 2,000 UMA (Unidad de Medida y Actualización, a unit updated yearly based on inflation. In 2024, 2,000 UMA exceeded $11,000 USD). - Sanctions are doubled if the victim is a minor (-18), an elderly person (+60), or a person with a disability; or if the perpetrator is a public/government employee, or they have any relationship with the victim (such as family member; or employer, teacher, medical professional, doctor, nurse, or psychologist). Additionally, the latter will face professional dismissal, disqualification, and suspension (1 to 3 years or equivalent to the prison sentence). - Sanctions are further doubled if any kind of violence (physical, psychological, or moral) is used against the victim.
  • June 3
    Gender-affirming care becomes legal, but banned for minors.
    On May 29th 2024, the UK voted to "close the loophole" by banning private care physicians as well as prescribers registered in the European Economic Area or Switzerland from prescribing puberty blockers to children for gender incongruence. This measure also applies to Wales and Scotland. Those who already had a prescription can continue their treatment. This measure is set to last from June 3rd until September 3rd, but could be extended.
  • Gender-affirming care becomes legal, but banned for minors.
    On May 29th 2024, the UK voted to "close the loophole" by banning private care physicians as well as prescribers registered in the European Economic Area or Switzerland from prescribing puberty blockers to children for gender incongruence. This measure also applies to Scotland and Wales. Those who already had a prescription can continue their treatment. This measure is set to last from June 3rd until September 3rd, but could be extended.
  • Gender-affirming care becomes legal, but banned for minors.
    On May 29th 2024, the UK Parliament voted to "close the loophole" by banning private care physicians as well as prescribers registered in the European Economic Area or Switzerland from prescribing puberty blockers to children for gender incongruence. Those who already had a prescription can continue their treatment.
  • Gender-affirming care becomes legal, but banned for minors.
    On May 29th 2024, the UK voted to "close the loophole" by banning private care physicians as well as prescribers registered in the European Economic Area or Switzerland from prescribing puberty blockers to children for gender incongruence. Those who already had a prescription can continue their treatment. This measure is set to last from June 3rd until September 3rd, but could be extended.
  • May 28
    LGBT discrimination becomes illegal.
    The Law on Equal Treatment and Anti-Discrimination, approved in May 2024, entered into force. It bans discrimination on grounds of sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression and gender characteristics.
  • May 22
    Conversion therapy becomes banned.
    May 22, 2024 – The State Congress approved additions to the Penal Code of the State of Guerrero to classify conversion therapies as a crime, conceived as an instrument to forcibly change a person's sexual orientation, which will be punished with up to 6 years in prison.
  • May 21
    Gender-affirming care becomes legal, but banned for minors.
    South Carolina's governor signed legislation that bans gender-affirming care treatments and procedures for those under 18. The legislation takes effect immediately. The bill that he signed was HB4624.
  • May 16
    Conversion therapy becomes varies by region.
    On May 2, 2023 Neuchâtel banned conversion therapy. Valais Canton banned conversion therapy through the Cantonal parliament on the 16th of May 2024. Neuchâtel and Valais are cantons of Switzerland, of which there are 26. In the other 24 member states of the Swiss Confederation, conversion therapy remains legal. At the federal level, a bill has been languishing in parliament to ban conversion therapy at the national level.
  • May 12
    Conversion therapy becomes banned.
    The Ministry of Health reiterated on the 12th of May that doctors should not preform conversion therapy, prohibiting medical professionals from attempting and adding strength against the notion that these therapies can be reperative in any capacity.
  • May 9
    Blood donations by MSMs becomes legal.
    Blood donation rules were finally brought in line with international standards once "The Bermuda Hospitals Board" established new standards.
  • April 27
    Intersex infant surgery becomes not banned.
    In 2024, a law against Prostitution and Changing Physical Sex characteristics (i.e. gender reassignment surgery) was passed, with the exception added for "congenital anomalies that require surgical intervention to confirm a person's sex”.
  • Right to change legal gender becomes illegal.
    Article 3 of the new bill Iraq’s Parliament passed April 27th, prohibits altering a person's biological sex based on psychological desires, and Article 6 imposes penalties of imprisonment for those attempting or performing such changes.
  • Gender-affirming care becomes banned.
    On April 27th, 2024, the Iraqi Parliament passed the amendment to the Law Against Prostitution and Sexual Deviance. Article 2 of the bill criminalizes "acts of effeminacy," defined as imitating women through actions such as wearing women’s cosmetics or clothes in public, taking hormones to display feminine traits, or any other behavior deemed effeminate by medical and social standards. Offenders could face imprisonment ranging from one to three years or fines between five and ten million dinars. Additionally, Article 3 prohibits altering a person's biological sex based on psychological desires, with Article 6 imposing penalties of imprisonment for those attempting or performing such changes, except in cases of necessary surgical interventions for congenital anomalies.
  • Homosexual activity becomes illegal (imprisonment as punishment).
    On April 27th, 2024, Iraq's parliament passed a law that criminalizes same-sex relationships with a maximum 15-year prison sentence.
  • Equal age of consent becomes n/a.
    On April 27th, 2024, Iraq's parliament passed a law that criminalizes same-sex relationships. So, the age of consent for homosexual sex is N/A.
  • April 26
    Same-sex adoption becomes legal.
    The Tabasco state congress legalized adoption by same-sex couples in April 2024.
  • April 24
    Same-sex marriage becomes ambiguous.
    Nepal is waiting for a final decision by its supreme court, but meanwhile all local governments are ordered to temporarily register same-sex marriages in a separate record. In April 2024 the National ID and Civil Registration Department issued a circular to all local governments that they register such marriages. However, simply being registered does not grant same-sex couples the legal rights of marriage, and registered same-sex couples cannot inherit property, get tax subsidies, make spousal medical decisions or adopt children, etc.
  • April 22
    Equal age of consent becomes equal.
    The ban of homosexuality got strucked down by the Supreme Court, so the age of consent is now equal.
  • Homosexual activity becomes legal.
    Dominica legalized homosexual sex on April 22nd, 2024. The ban on gay relations was overturned after a gay man brought up certain laws to a court, which criminalized homosexual sex, and said the laws violated his constitutional rights. The court then ruled that sections 14 and 16 of the Sexual Offences Act were unconstitutional. Those sections had previously criminalized homosexual sex.
  • April 15
    Gender-affirming care becomes legal, but banned for minors.
    Idaho law bans any changes with gender affirming care for minors, calling it gender mutilation in HB-71. Minors under the age of 18 cannot access gender affirming care even with parental consent. Doctors who do preform gender affirming care will be removed of their license and possibly face jail time. There will be a law into effect July 1st, 2024 that bans gender affirming care for all.
  • April 2
    LGBT employment discrimination becomes sexual orientation and gender identity.
    The Labor Code (2024) explicitly bans discrimination based on gender and sexual orientation. It also bans violence, harassment and sexual harassment based on gender identity.
  • April 1
    LGBT discrimination becomes illegal.
    The Hate Crime and Public Order (Scotland) Act Increased protections: It strengthens existing protections against hate crimes based on disability, race, religion, sexual orientation, and transgender identity. New characteristic: Age is now included as a protected characteristic. Stirring up hatred: It introduces a new crime for threatening or abusive behavior that aims to stir up hatred towards these groups. Online hate: The law applies to online threats and abuse as well. Replacing blasphemy: The act abolishes the old offense of blasphemy. Overall, the Act aims to create a safer environment for all in Scotland by cracking down on hate-motivated crimes and intimidation.
  • March 28
    Right to change legal gender becomes legal, no restrictions.
    On Thursday, March 28th, 2024, a self-identification bill for the gender identity of the trans population in Yucatán was approved. The bill, which had been presented over a year ago on April 19th, 2023, was passed unanimously by the Congress of Yucatán.
  • March 12
    Gender-affirming care becomes legal, but restricted for minors.
    On March 12th 2024, England stopped the NHS from prescribing puberty blockers to minors. The drugs can still be accessed in the private sector, but are no longer covered in the public healthcare system. UK Government has put an emergency order up for puberty blockers, this bans HRT and puberty blockers for those under 18. This was effective dated 29/05/2024. This is effective June 3rd until Sept 3rd for 2024, Scotland and Wales have done the same earlier in the year.
  • Gender-affirming care becomes legal, but restricted for minors.
    On March 12th 2024, England stopped the NHS from prescribing puberty blockers to minors. The drugs can still be accessed in the private sector, but are no longer covered in the public healthcare system. UK Government has put an emergency order up for puberty blockers, this bans HRT and puberty blockers for those under 18. This was effective dated 29/05/2024. This is effective June 3rd until Sept 3rd for 2024, Scotland and Wales have done the same earlier in the year.
  • March 1
    Blood donations by MSMs becomes legal.
    Since March 1st, 2024, there are no restrictions for MSMs donating blood.
  • Conversion therapy becomes banned.
    A bill that bans conversion therapy was passed by the parliament on December 21st, 2023. It was signed by the President a few weeks later, and took effect on March 1st, 2024.
  • February 28
    Censorship of LGBT issues becomes state-enforced.
    On February 28, 2024, the Minister of Education indicated that "any usage of gender ideology has been thrown out of public schools", which means it is no longer possible to teach about LGBT topics in schools.
  • February 27
    Gender-affirming care becomes legal, but banned for minors.
    SB 480 effectively banning gender affirming care for minors, adults still can get gender affirming care. Minors are not able to get gender affirming care under this bill even with parental consent. Doctors who preform gender affirming care will be subject to fines or more under Indiana law. The law was set to go into effect on July 1st, 2023, however on June 16, 2023, a federal judge temporarily blocked the law from taking effect. Several months later on February 27, 2024, the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals reversed this decision, allowing the ban to be enforced.
  • February 23
    Same-sex adoption becomes illegal.
    In Kazakhstan, anyone who adheres to "non-traditional" sexual orientation are banned. Although adoption is legal for single and married trans people, this section is named "same-sex adoption" and therefore the status is illegal.
  • February 21
    LGBT discrimination becomes no protections.
    Tennessee has laws removing the right to discrimination in same-sex marriages. Same-sex couples can be discriminated against, in any setting. This law also applies to transgender people as well, LGBTQ discrimination is illegal in the USA. However, Tennessee has laws against same-sex marriage and transgender people.
  • February 16
    LGBT discrimination becomes illegal.
    The marriage equality bill changed the 4443/2016 law, extending the prohibition of discrimination to social protection, social benefits, education and access to the availability and provision of goods and services protections (including housing), enshrining full legal coverage against discrimination.
  • Same-sex adoption becomes legal.
    Greece is the first orthodox country to legalize same-sex marriage. The country’s Parliament also extended equal parental rights to same-sex couples, including clearing the way for them to adopt children.
  • Same-sex marriage becomes legal.
    On February 15th, 2024, the Hellenic Parliament voted with 173 votes (76 against and 46 abstentions), on legalizing same-sex marriage, becoming the first orthodox country to do so. The next day, February 16, the president signed the bill into law.
  • February 12
    Censorship of LGBT issues becomes imprisonment as punishment.
    Any public expression of support or sympathy for members of the LGBT community could be punishable by fines, arrest, or even imprisonment. A bill banning “propaganda of homosexuality” was submitted to the TMR’s “Supreme Council” on February 12, 2024. Its authors claim that the purpose of the law is to protect “traditional family values” and “the moral health of the nation. Absurdly, they even dared to claim that the law does not violate human rights but only regulates the field of education and information.
  • February
    Same-sex adoption becomes legal.
    The first couple was able to legally adopt in February of 2024 after years of work.
  • January 8
    Serving openly in military becomes legal.
    Transgender and non-binary people are now allowed to serve after executive order 318/202. Executive order 318/202, stipulates that “other endocrine dysfunctions, namely dysfunctions of the gonadal hormonal system, congenital or acquired and requiring permanent chronic hormone replacement therapy” are no longer grounds for excluding candidates.
  • Gender-affirming care becomes legal.
    Minors over the age of 16 (with certain younger exceptions) and Adults can receive gender-affirming care in Maryland. In 2024, Department of Health of Maryland required Medicaid to give access to gender-affirming care to those who are on Medicaid. This includes hormones, gender-affirming surgeries, voice surgery and therapy, facial surgery, preventative care after transition, and reversal of gender-affirming surgeries for detransitioners.
  • January 1
    Blood donations by MSMs becomes banned (6-month deferral).
    From 2024, the deferral period for gay and bisexual men to donate blood will be lowered from 1 year to 6 months, the same deferral period applies to everyone.
  • Gender-affirming care becomes legal.
    Adults are able to get gender affirming care under HB-2002 stating that all insurances must cover gender affirming care within the state of Oregon. Minors are able to get gender affirming care as well, they need to speak with their provider and parents.
  • Gender-affirming care becomes legal, but banned for minors.
    In Louisiana, Minors under the age of 18 under SB463 are prohibited for gender affirming care. Those on gender affirming care are to "ween" off of it. Minors have until the end of this year in December of 2024 to "ween" off of it according to the new bill. Adults are still able to get gender affirming care as of 2024. The House and Senate of Louisiana passed the bill after a Governor veto.
  • (date unknown)
    Gender-affirming care becomes ambiguous.
    Adults are still able to get gender affirming care in Kansas, Minors are still pending after Governor Kelly vetoed a bill that would have effectively banned gender affirming care for minors. Currently as of 2024, Minors are unable to get gender affirming care until another bill is passed that protects or restricts gender affirming care for minors.
  • January 1
    Blood donations by MSMs becomes legal.
    Since January 1st 2024, all restrictions regarding MSMs have been lifted. They now have to follow the same criteria as everyone else.
  • Same-sex adoption becomes legal.
    Estonia's parliament approved a law to legalise same-sex marriage as well as joint adoption by same-sex couples. The law will take effect on January 1, 2024.
  • Same-sex marriage becomes legal.
    Estonia's parliament approved a law to legalise same-sex marriage, making it the first post-Soviet country to do so. The law went into effect on January 1, 2024.

LGBT Organizations Founded in 2024