1907 in LGBT Rights

In 1907, there were 6 recorded legal changes made affecting LGBT people. In the previous year, there were changes made and in the following year. A total of 14 legal changes were made in the 1900s.

  • February 22
    Equal age of consent becomes female equal, male n/a.
    The age of consent in Eswatini is 18 for heterosexual sex. However, sodomy is illegal in Eswatini so the age of consent is irrelevant for males. Regarding lesbian sex, due to there being no laws criminalizing it, the age of consent is also 18.
  • Homosexual activity becomes male illegal, female legal.
    Sodomy in Eswatini is considered illegal under the 1907 Roman-Dutch common law, that Eswatini uses as their own. The common laws carry penalties ranging from death to lesser punishments as decided by the court. The term “sodomy” was defined by the courts as “unlawful and intentional sexual relations per anum between two human males.” However, punishment is not enforced, and The Minister of Justice has consistently stated that their policy is to refrain from prosecuting consenting adults.
  • (date unknown)
    Homosexual activity becomes legal.
    The Qing Dynasty decriminalized being gay in 1907 in an attempt to modernize, leading the succeeding states to have no anti-gay laws
  • January 1
    LGBT housing discrimination becomes no protections.
    Homosexuality is illegal.
  • LGBT employment discrimination becomes no protections.
    None exist in article 20 of the criminal code.
  • LGBT discrimination becomes no protections.
    None exist.