In 1951, there were 24 recorded legal changes made affecting LGBT people. In the previous year, there were 9 changes made and 3 in the following year. A total of 70 legal changes were made in the 1950s.
- October 7
- LGBT discrimination becomes no protections.
- July 1Homosexual activity becomes male illegal, female legal.The Criminal Code of the Federal People's Republic of Yugoslavia adopted on February 27, 1951 criminalized consensual sexual intercourse between men throughout its territory, including Serbia and its two provinces Vojvodina and Kosovo & Metohija. Article 186: for unnatural fornication between persons of the male sex, the perpetrator shall be punished with imprisonment for up to two years. The 1959 amendment reduced the prison sentence to up to one year.
- Homosexual activity becomes male illegal, female legal.The Criminal Code of the Federal People's Republic of Yugoslavia adopted on February 27, 1951 criminalized consensual sexual intercourse between men throughout its territory, including North Macedonia. Article 186: for unnatural fornication between persons of the male sex, the perpetrator shall be punished with imprisonment for up to two years. The 1959 amendment reduced the prison sentence by one year.
- Homosexual activity becomes male illegal, female legal.The Criminal Code of the Federal People's Republic of Yugoslavia adopted on February 27, 1951 criminalized consensual sexual intercourse between men throughout its territory, including Bosnia and Herzegovina. Article 186: for unnatural fornication between persons of the male sex, the perpetrator shall be punished with imprisonment for up to two years. The 1959 amendment reduced the prison sentence by one year.
- Homosexual activity becomes male illegal, female legal.The Criminal Code of the Federal People's Republic of Yugoslavia adopted on February 27, 1951 criminalized consensual sexual intercourse between men throughout its territory, including Montenegro. Article 186: for unnatural fornication between persons of the male sex, the perpetrator shall be punished with imprisonment for up to two years. The 1959 amendment reduced the prison sentence by one year.
- Homosexual activity becomes male illegal, female legal.The Criminal Code of the Federal People's Republic of Yugoslavia adopted on February 27, 1951 criminalized consensual sexual intercourse between men throughout its territory, including Slovenia. Article 186: for unnatural fornication between persons of the male sex, the perpetrator shall be punished with imprisonment for up to two years. The 1959 amendment reduced the prison sentence by one year.
- Homosexual activity becomes male illegal, female legal.The Criminal Code of the Federal People's Republic of Yugoslavia adopted on February 27, 1951 criminalized consensual sexual intercourse between men throughout its territory, including Serbia. Article 186: for unnatural fornication between persons of the male sex, the perpetrator shall be punished with imprisonment for up to two years. The 1959 amendment reduced the prison sentence by one year.
- Homosexual activity becomes male illegal, female legal.The Criminal Code of the Federal People's Republic of Yugoslavia adopted on February 27, 1951 criminalized consensual sexual intercourse between men throughout its territory including Croatia. Article 186: for unnatural fornication between persons of the male sex, the perpetrator shall be punished with imprisonment for up to two years. The 1959 amendment reduced the prison sentence by one year.
- March 13
- (date unknown)
- January 1LGBT housing discrimination becomes no protections.None exist. As well Homosexuality is currently illegal.
- (date unknown)
- Same-sex adoption becomes illegal.
- January 1Homosexual activity becomes illegal (imprisonment as punishment).The Penal Code of Brunei (revised edition 2001), Chapter 22, Page 152 states: "Unnatural offences. 377. Whoever voluntarily 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 10 years, and shall also be liable to fine. [S 12/97]"
- (date unknown)Homosexual activity becomes legal.Homosexual activity has been legal in Jordan since 1951, however, the Penal Code includes vague provisions around "morality" and "indecent acts" that could be used to target LGBTQ+ people. In 2014, for example, Jordan authorities arrested 10 gay men and women who were holding a reception at a party hall. A security official said it was to "prevent a disturbance of the peace" but did not elaborate. Public opinion data shows that homosexuality is widely seen as unacceptable.
- January 1Homosexual activity becomes varies by region.Homosexuality remains taboo in Palestinian territories. Mixed Legality: - West Bank (Partially still occupied by Israel): Legal since 1951 In 2022, the brutal killing of Ahmad Abu Murkhiyeh, a gay Palestinian man who had sought asylum in Israel, ignited shock and sparked discussions about LGBTQ+ safety and rights within Palestinian territories. In August 2019, the Palestinian Authority police banned the LGBTQ+ rights group Al Qaws from holding events in the West Bank, sparking debate on Palestinian social media and drawing attention in Israel. Al Qaws, which advocates for sexual and gender diversity in a largely conservative society, condemned the intimidation and called for a focus on addressing broader issues like occupation.
- (date unknown)Equal age of consent becomes unequal.Article 347 of the Greek Criminal Code; which provides for a higher age of consent of 17, for seducing a male person if the male partner is over 18 and for lesbians and both male/female heterosexuals (regardless of close-in-age or not) and for only close-