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1950 in LGBT Rights

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In 1950, there were 2 recorded legal changes made affecting LGBT people. In the previous year, there were 9 changes made and 19 in the following year. A total of 89 legal changes were made in the 1950s.

  • May 1
    Same-sex marriage becomes banned.
    On May 1st, 1950, The Marriage Law of 1950 came into effect. It defined marriage in heterosexual terms. The Marriage Law of the People's Republic of China, which went into effect on January 1st, 1981, replaced The Marriage Law of 1950. It defines marriage as between a man and a woman.
  • January 1
    Homosexual activity becomes varies by region.
    Male and female homosexuality is punishable by 14 years in prison by the Federal Criminal Code in all Southern States under Section 214. The Section reads "Any person who – (a) has carnal knowledge of any person against the order of nature; or (c) permits a male person to have carnal knowledge of him or her against the order of nature; is guilty of a felony, and is liable to imprisonment for fourteen years." In Northern Nigeria, the laws and punishments regarding homosexuality are different. Section 284 of the Penal Code (Northern States) Federal Provisions Act, which applies to all states in Northern Nigeria, states that "Whoever has carnal intercourse against the order of nature with any man, woman or animal shall be punished with imprisonment for a term which may extend to fourteen years and shall also be liable to fine" In some states in Northern Nigeria, same-sex couples can be punished with the death penalty, because of the implementation of Shari'a Law. The Shari'a criminal laws apply to those who voluntarily consent to the jurisdiction of the Shari'a courts and to all Muslims. The first state of Nigeria to implement Shari'a law was Zamfara on January 27th, 2000.

LGBT Organizations Founded in 1950

  • RFSL FaviconRFSL
    Global
    RFSL - Swedish Federation for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and queer rights