In 1980, there were 15 recorded legal changes made affecting LGBT people. In the previous year, there were 18 changes made and 12 in the following year. A total of 150 legal changes were made in the 1980s.
- December 18Homosexual activity becomes legal.A court in the case of New York v Onofre found New York's sodomy ban to be unconstitutional. Two decades later, the state legislature formally repealed the ban.
- Equal age of consent becomes equal.The age of consent in New York is 17 for heterosexual and homosexual sex.
- September 10Right to change legal gender becomes legal, but requires surgery.Section 8 § 1 of the German Transsexuellengesetz (Transsexuals Act of September 10, 1980) states that transgender people can change their first names and gender entry under the condition of gender-affirming surgery, sterilization, and divorce.
- August 13
- Homosexual activity becomes illegal (imprisonment as punishment).Homosexuality in Togo is punishable by 1-3 years in prison and a 100,000-500,000 CFA fine.
- July 1Right to change legal gender becomes legal, but requires surgery.South Dakota requires surgery for legal gender recognition.
- May 30Equal age of consent becomes equal.The Age of consent in Pennsylvania is 16, and the laws applies equally regardless of gender or orientation.
- Homosexual activity becomes legal.
- (date unknown)Gender-affirming care becomes legal.There are no known laws restricting gender affirming care.
- Homosexual activity becomes legal.Homosexual Activity is Legal in Trentino Alto Adige
- Homosexual activity becomes legal.Homosexual acts were legalized prior to the federal ruling which legalized homosexuality for all federal jurisdictions in 2003.
- January 1
- (date unknown)Blood donations by MSMs becomes banned (indefinite deferral).Homosexual men in Turkey cannot donate blood. The Turkish Red Crescent considers homosexuality to be a risk factor for HIV/AIDS.
LGBT Organizations Founded in 1980
Human Rights Campaign
The Human Rights Campaign is America's largest civil rights organization working to achieve lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender equality.Taiwan Tongzhi Hotline Association
The Taiwan Tongzhi Hotline Association is a organization that provides peer counseling and support for people, with a focus on the LGBT community.BAGLY (Boston Alliance of GLBT Youth)
The Boston Alliance of LGBTQ+ Youth (BAGLY) was formed in 1980 and is a youth-led, adult-supported organization committed to social justice, and creating, sustaining and…Human Rights Campaign New York
HRC of New York is committed to give people rights across New York, they helped pass the Gender Recognition Act back in 2022Aide aux Trans du Québec (ATQ)
Since 1980, the ATQ fights for trans people’s rights to live life to the fullest in society and the right to grow in respect and dignity. The organization is also a center for…Oklahomans For Equality
Oklahomans for Equality seeks equal rights for 2SLGBTQIA+ individuals and families through intersectional advocacy, education, programs, alliances, and the operation of the…