In 1979, there were 18 recorded legal changes made affecting LGBT people. In the previous year, there were 13 changes made and 16 in the following year. A total of 186 legal changes were made in the 1970s.
- September 4Right to change legal gender becomes legal, but requires surgery.
- July 1Equal age of consent becomes equal.Age of consent is governed by RCW 9A.44 and is equal, regardless of gender or orientation.
- February 11Same-sex marriage becomes banned.Definition of marriage used follows from the Islamic definition of a union between a man and women. The marriage is prohibited and same-sex sexual activity is punished as stated in the Penal code.
- Homosexual activity becomes illegal (death penalty as punishment).The punishment for homosexuality is currently death for men. (Unless if there is sex between a mature person and a minor; in which can the mature person will be killed while minor will receive up to 74 lashes. Same case applies for 2 minors.) For women, the punishment is up to 100 lashes. Women with a certain number of repeat offenses can become subject to the death penalty as well.
- (date unknown)Right to change legal gender becomes legal, but requires surgery.In 1979, Louisiana passed Regional Statute 40:62, which provides for legal gender recognition after surgery has been completed. Trans Louisianans must also petition the court for a change on their birth certificates while other documents don’t require a court order.
- Gender-affirming care becomes restricted.Bosnia and Herzegovina provides for hormone replacement but not sex reassignment surgery.
- Gender-affirming care becomes banned.Until 2012, there was no gender affirming care provided in Montenegro, forcing trans people to go abroad for such procedures.
- Gender-affirming care becomes legal.Gender-affirming care is legal in Croatia, however it is very difficult to access. Transgender Croatians often have to travel abroad to receive treatment.
- Gender-affirming care becomes legal.Gender affirming care in Belgium is among the world’s most accessible with several clinics and some care is even insured.
- Gender-affirming care becomes legal.There are no major restrictions on the use or supply of gender affirming care in the Netherlands.
- January 1
- Same-sex adoption becomes illegal.It is illegal to get married to the same sex, therefore there is no adoption for same-sex couples in Oman.
- (date unknown)LGBT discrimination becomes illegal.People are protected from discrimination based upon both sexual orientation and gender identification.
- Homosexual activity becomes legal.Private, non-commercial sexual relations between same-sex consenting adults 16 and over have been legal in Cuba since 1979. Prior to 1979, a provision in the Social Defense code labeled "homosexual practices" as a "social threat". This prior code did not technically criminalize homosexuality but left LGBT folks in a state of limbo as they were de-facto prosecuted and some even sent to labor camps in post-revolutionary Cuba.
- Equal age of consent becomes n/a.Homosexual sex is illegal. Also, sexual activity outside of marriage is illegal.
LGBT Organizations Founded in 1979
Equality North Carolina
Equality NC is dedicated to securing equal rights and justice for LGBT North Carolinians. To accomplish these goals, the organization lobbies the North Carolina General…National LGBT Federation
GlobalEstablished in 1979, the NXF is the oldest lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) NGO in Ireland. The NXF publishes Gay Community News (GCN) and campaigns for the equal…PGH Equality Center
PGH Equality Center serves as a bridge that promotes education, advocacy, and social justice for all LGBTQIA+ people and allies in Western Pennsylvania. Their vision is to…