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1945 in LGBT Rights

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In 1945, there were 4 recorded legal changes made affecting LGBT people. In the previous year, there were 3 changes made and in the following year. A total of 56 legal changes were made in the 1940s.

  • May 5
    Homosexual activity becomes legal.
    Canadian, British, Polish, Dutch, and American troops liberated the Netherlands during WW2 on this day.
  • Homosexual activity becomes legal.
    Canadian, British, Polish, Dutch, and American troops liberated the Netherlands during WW2 on this day.
  • May 1
    Homosexual activity becomes illegal (imprisonment as punishment).
    On May 1st, 1945 the Fijian Penal Code of 1945 went into effect and outlawed homosexual sex. In Article 175 (a) it states that any person who has carnal knowledge (sexual intercourse) of any person against the order of nature is guilty of a felony, and is liable to imprisonment for fourteen years, with or without corporal punishment.
  • January 1
    Homosexual activity becomes legal.
    The 1932 law came into force in Poland again after World War II, but it included homosexual prostitution as a punishable offense. Homosexuality in Poland was fully decriminalized only in 1970.