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1979 in LGBT Rights

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In 1979, there were 35 recorded legal changes made affecting LGBT people. In the previous year, there were 14 changes made and 33 in the following year. A total of 216 legal changes were made in the 1970s.

  • October 24
    LGBT housing discrimination becomes no protections.
    Homosexuality is illegal in Iran. No protections exist.
  • LGBT employment discrimination becomes no protections.
    Homosexuality is illegal in Iran, so no protections for Employment exist if you are an LGBT person.
  • LGBT discrimination becomes no protections.
    Formally, Iranian government believes every citizen to be heterosexual, stripping protection for LGBTQ+ community.
  • July 1
    Equal age of consent becomes equal.
    Age of consent is governed by RCW 9A.44 and is equal, regardless of gender or orientation.
  • February 11
    Same-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.
  • January 1
    Serving openly in military becomes illegal.
    Homosexual activity is illegal in Oman, since 1979 homosexual people are not to do such.
  • 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)
    Gender-affirming care becomes legal, but restricted for minors.
    In 1979, Kosovo adopted the ICD-9 classification, which included codes allowing for the diagnosis of transsexualism in adults.
  • Gender-affirming care becomes legal, but restricted for minors.
    In 1979, Japan adopted the ICD-9 classification, which included codes allowing for the diagnosis of transsexualism in adults.
  • Gender-affirming care becomes legal, but restricted for minors.
    In 1979, Israel adopted the ICD-9 classification, which included codes allowing for the diagnosis of transsexualism in adults.
  • Gender-affirming care becomes legal, but restricted for minors.
    In 1979, Honduras adopted the ICD-9 classification, which included codes allowing for the diagnosis of transsexualism in adults.
  • Gender-affirming care becomes legal, but restricted for minors.
    In 1979, Netherlands adopted the ICD-9 classification, which included codes allowing for the diagnosis of transsexualism in adults.
  • January 1
    Gender-affirming care becomes legal, but restricted for minors.
    In 1979, Italy adopted the ICD-9 classification, which included codes allowing for the diagnosis of transsexualism in adults.
  • (date unknown)
    Gender-affirming care becomes legal, but restricted for minors.
    In 1980, Guatemala adopted the ICD-9 classification, which included codes allowing for the diagnosis of transsexualism in adults.
  • Gender-affirming care becomes legal, but restricted for minors.
    In 1979, Guyana adopted the ICD-9 classification, which included codes allowing for the diagnosis of transsexualism in adults.
  • Gender-affirming care becomes legal, but restricted for minors.
    In 1979, Greece adopted the ICD-9 classification, which included codes allowing for the diagnosis of transsexualism in adults.
  • Gender-affirming care becomes legal, but restricted for minors.
    In 1979, Ecuador adopted the ICD-9 classification, which included codes allowing for the diagnosis of transsexualism in adults.
  • Gender-affirming care becomes legal, but restricted for minors.
    In 1979, Dominica adopted the ICD-9 classification, which included codes allowing for the diagnosis of transsexualism in adults.
  • Gender-affirming care becomes legal, but restricted for minors.
    In 1997, Czechoslovakia adopted the ICD-9 classification, which included codes allowing for the diagnosis of transsexualism in adults.
  • Gender-affirming care becomes legal, but restricted for minors.
    In 1979, Montenegro adopted the ICD-9 classification, which included codes allowing for the diagnosis of transsexualism in adults.
  • Gender-affirming care becomes legal, but restricted for minors.
    In 1979, Croatia adopted the ICD-9 classification, which included codes allowing for the diagnosis of transsexualism in adults.
  • Gender-affirming care becomes legal, but restricted for minors.
    In 1979, Brazil adopted the ICD-9 classification, which included codes allowing for the diagnosis of transsexualism in adults.
  • Gender-affirming care becomes legal, but restricted for minors.
    In 1979, Bosnia and Herzegovina adopted the ICD-9 classification, which included codes allowing for the diagnosis of transsexualism in adults.
  • Gender-affirming care becomes legal, but restricted for minors.
    In 1979, Barbados adopted the ICD-9 classification, which included codes allowing for the diagnosis of transsexualism in adults.
  • Gender-affirming care becomes legal, but restricted for minors.
    In 1979, Belgium adopted the ICD-9 classification, which included codes allowing for the diagnosis of transsexualism in adults.
  • Gender-affirming care becomes legal, but restricted for minors.
    In 1979, Australia adopted the ICD-9 classification, which included codes allowing for the diagnosis of transsexualism in adults.
  • Gender-affirming care becomes legal, but restricted for minors.
    In 1979, Argentina adopted the ICD-9 classification, which included codes allowing for the diagnosis of transsexualism in adults.
  • January 1
    Equal age of consent becomes equal.
  • Blood donations by MSMs becomes legal.
    Donating blood a is legal with no deferral after sex.
  • Equal age of consent becomes equal.
    The Age of Consent is currently legal in Cuba.
  • LGBT housing discrimination becomes sexual orientation and gender identity.
    Under the Home Rule Act
  • (date unknown)
    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.
  • Homosexual activity becomes legal.
    In 1979 Adolfo Suárez Government reversed the previous prohibitions on same sex activity. The 1970 Law on Danger and Social Rehabilitation remained active until 1995 but was unenforced after Spain adopted democracy.

LGBT Organizations Founded in 1979

  • Equality North Carolina FaviconEquality North Carolina
    North Carolina, United States
    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 FaviconNational LGBT Federation
    Global
    Established 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…