1980s in LGBT Rights

Number of LGBT-related laws changed over time
  • (date unknown)
    Same-sex marriage becomes civil unions (limited rights).
    Before 01 April 2001, gay couples could have civil unions but were not able to marry.
  • Gender-affirming care becomes legal, but restricted for minors.
    In 1990, Zimbabwe adopted the ICD-9 classification, which included codes allowing for the diagnosis of transsexualism in adults.
  • Gender-affirming care becomes restricted.
    In 1990, Sudan legalized sterilization, which de facto meant legalizing sex reassignment surgery, however, medical records regarding transsexualism had to be obtained abroad.
  • Gender-affirming care becomes restricted.
    In 1990, Sudan legalized sterilization, which de facto meant legalizing sex reassignment surgery, however, medical records regarding transsexualism had to be obtained abroad.
  • Homosexual activity becomes legal.
    Christmas Island follows the law of West Australia, as the island belongs to Australia. West Australia decriminalized homosexual activity with the Decriminalisation of Sodomy Act. However, the age of consent for homosexuals stood at 21, while the heterosexual age of consent was 16. This was equalized in 2002.
  • Equal age of consent becomes unequal.
    Female same-gender sexual activity always legal. Male same-gender sexual activity legalised in 1990. This does not include 'sodomy' (anal intercourse)- it is illegal for anyone regardless of orientation or gender under 18 to partake in.
  • Homosexual activity becomes legal.
    Female always legal, male legal as of 1990.
  • Equal age of consent becomes equal.
  • Homosexual activity becomes illegal (imprisonment as punishment).
    Prison up to 10 years. (Decriminalization pending)
  • Same-sex marriage becomes civil unions (marriage rights).
    Before April 1st 2001, gay people could not marry, but had access to civil unions.
  • November 2
    LGBT discrimination becomes illegal.
    Article 3 of the Constitution of the State, November 2, 1989. Establishing equal conditions to all people, regardless of sex, color, race, sexual orientation.
  • October 15
    Homosexual activity becomes male illegal, female legal.
    After the constitutional amendments in Serbia were adopted in March 1989 and Serbia regained sovereignty in its provinces (Vojvodina and Kosovo & Metohija), the criminal code of (Central) Serbia became valid in the entire territory of Serbia. Consensual sex between two men was punishable by up to one year in prison.
  • October 5
    LGBT discrimination becomes n/a.
    State Constitution
  • October 1
    Same-sex marriage becomes civil unions (marriage rights).
    Denmark becomes the first country in the world to legally recognize same-sex unions as the Danish Registered Partnership Act goes into effect. "Two persons of the same sex may have their partnership registered."
  • January 17
    Same-sex marriage becomes banned.
    Article 101 of Senegal's Family Code states: "An engagement is a solemn agreement by which a man and a woman promise marriage to each other." This explicitly defines marriage as between a man and a woman.
  • January 1
    Intersex infant surgery becomes parental approval required.
    In the UK it is illegal to perform medical treatment onto any person without consent. For infants, consent is given by their parents on their behalf under the Children’s Act
  • Intersex infant surgery becomes parental approval required.
    In the UK it is illegal to perform medical treatment onto any person without consent. For infants, consent is given by their parents on their behalf under the Children’s Act
  • Intersex infant surgery becomes parental approval required.
    In the UK it is illegal to perform medical treatment onto any person without consent. For infants, consent is given by their parents on their behalf under the Children’s Act
  • Intersex infant surgery becomes parental approval required.
    In the UK it is illegal to perform medical treatment onto any person without consent. For infants, consent is given by their parents on their behalf under the Children’s Act
  • Intersex infant surgery becomes parental approval required.
    It is illegal to perform medical treatment onto any person without consent. However, consent is given by their parents on their behalf under the Children’s Act.
  • Intersex infant surgery becomes parental approval required.
    In the UK it is illegal to perform medical treatment onto any person without consent. For infants, consent is given by their parents on their behalf under the Children’s Act
  • Right to change legal gender becomes legal, but requires surgery.
    Change legal gender is possible but requires sterilization
  • (date unknown)
    Homosexual activity becomes legal.
    Same-sex sexual activity in the Falkland Islands has been legal since 1989.
  • Homosexual activity becomes legal.
    Homosexuality was legalised by the removal of sections 129 and 130 of the Criminal Code.
  • December 31
    LGBT housing discrimination becomes no protections.
  • LGBT employment discrimination becomes no protections.
  • Same-sex marriage becomes banned.
    Homosexuality is illegal and same sex marriage is not recognized.
  • LGBT discrimination becomes no protections.
    As homosexual conduct is illegal, discrimination is permitted for these people. The government has also explicitly stated their disapproval of homosexual conducts.
  • Homosexual activity becomes illegal (imprisonment as punishment).
    Article 325 of the Guinea Penal Code states that homosexuality is illegal with punishment being 6 months to three years in prison and a fine of 100,000 to 1,000,000 Guinean francs. If the act was committed with a minor (under 21 years), the individual will face the maximum penalty.
  • December 23
    Homosexual activity becomes legal.
    Homosexuality is legal
  • October 5
    Censorship of LGBT issues becomes no censorship.
    Laws enforcing any kind of censorship in Brazil are explicitly against the Brazilian Constitution of 1988, that severely punishes it. Every time a State Congress tries to introduce a bill like this on a state level, the Supreme Court intervenes on the case.
  • LGBT discrimination becomes no protections.
    The Brazilian Constitution of 1988 criminalizes any form of discrimination based on ethnicity, race, sex, color and age, but it does not include sexual orientation or gender identity.
  • LGBT housing discrimination becomes no protections.
    Although the Brazilian constitution of 1988 prohibits any form of discrimination, it was not until 2019 that homosexuals and trans people were definitively recognized as one of these groups.
  • August 4
    Same-sex marriage becomes unrecognized.
    Legalization pending. Law makers say denying gay marriage is unconstitutional. Same sex weddings do happen in The Philippines and can be blessed, but just not registered. Civil unions pending.
  • May 24
    Censorship of LGBT issues becomes other punishment.
    Section 28 was put in place during Margaret Thatcher’s government and prohibited the “promotion of homosexuality” by local authorities. This harmed LGBT+ support groups and prevented schools from discussing LGBT+ matters, impacts which have been felt for years after the law was repealed.
  • May 4
    Right to change legal gender becomes legal, but requires surgery.
    Never was banned, officially legalized in 1988. In Turkey, the minimum age required to get sex reassignment surgery is 18. In order for one to legally change their gender, the surgery must be conducted at a state hospital.
  • March 24
    Censorship of LGBT issues becomes other punishment.
    Section 28 of the Local Government Act 1988 stated that local authorities could not "intentionally promote homosexuality or publish material with the intention of promoting homosexuality" or "promote the teaching in any maintained school of the acceptability of homosexuality as a pretended family relationship". The law did not create a criminal offence, leaving staff to fear losing their jobs if they breached the rules.
  • March 4
    Equal age of consent becomes unequal.
    Section 14 of the Sexual Offences Act 23 of 1957, as inserted by the Immorality Amendment Act 2 of 1988, set the age of consent for gay and lesbian sex at 19, as opposed to 16 for straight sex. Gay male sex was in any case illegal for all ages.
  • (date unknown)
    Gender-affirming care becomes restricted.
    In 1988, Niger legalized sterilization, which de facto meant legalizing sex reassignment surgery, however, medical records regarding transsexualism had to be obtained abroad.
  • Gender-affirming care becomes restricted.
    In 1988, Nepal legalized sterilization, which de facto meant legalizing sex reassignment surgery, however, medical records regarding transsexualism had to be obtained abroad.
  • Censorship of LGBT issues becomes state-enforced.
    An archaic 1988 law "banning homosexual or gay topics within school classrooms" was made.
  • Blood donations by MSMs becomes banned (indefinite deferral).
    In 1988, Denmark implemented a life-time ban on blood donations from men who have sex with men.
  • January 1
    Blood donations by MSMs becomes banned (indefinite deferral).
    no description
  • Same-sex marriage becomes banned.
    Published in 1988, the Marshall Islands government legislation established rules for registering births, deaths, and marriages. The expressions used for marriages only described different-sex couples (i.e., one man, and one woman) and did not include any information relating to same-sex marriage. No gay marriages have been officiated in the Marshall Islands.
  • (date unknown)
    Equal age of consent becomes equal.
    The age of consent of 14 years is equal for everyone.
  • Right to change legal gender becomes legal, but requires surgery.
    Transgender citizens are permitted to change their legal gender in Taiwan provided they undergo gender re-assignment surgery.. In 2008 the Taiwanese Health Department announced it would recommend that female to male transexuals would no longer be required
  • Homosexual activity becomes male illegal, female legal.
    According to sections 136–142 of the The Criminal Offences Act, the maximum penalty for same-sex sexual activity in Tonga is 10 years in prison and whipping. Decriminalization pending.
  • April 30
    Same-sex marriage becomes banned.
    Article 72 of the constitution states that marriage is between a man and a woman.
  • (date unknown)
    LGBT discrimination becomes illegal in some contexts.
    The anti-discrimination provision in the penal code was changed in 1987 after recommendation of the above mentioned commission to include sexual orientation, so that it now reads: " Persons who publicly or deliberately disseminate statements or other reports by which any group of people are threatened, ridiculed or degraded on account of their racial origin, skin colour, national or ethnic origin, beliefs or sexual orientation, are liable to fines, short-term detention or imprisonment for up to two years."
  • January 1
    Gender-affirming care becomes restricted.
    The process of undergoing sex reassignment surgery is extensive and arduous, and is restricted to those over the age of 18. There further exists a requirement for adult trans individuals to provide formal certification of parental approval to be issued a permit for surgery. Access to HRT likely requires similar steps.
  • Homosexual activity becomes illegal (imprisonment as punishment).
    In 2021, Mauritanian officials announced at its third Universal Periodic Review, that moratorium on the death penalty has been in place since 1987. This has been verified by various UN mechanisms such as the Committee Against Torture. However, arrests in the country are still common.
  • Gender-affirming care becomes ambiguous.
    In 1987, Liechtenstein legalized sterilization, which de facto meant legalizing sex reassignment surgery, however, medical records regarding transsexualism had to be obtained abroad. As of 2024 is unclear if trans people can seek gender affirming care in Liechtenstein or have to go abroad.
  • (date unknown)
    Gender-affirming care becomes legal, but restricted for minors.
    In 1987, Finland adopted the ICD-9 classification, which included codes allowing for the diagnosis of transsexualism in adults.
  • January 1
    Serving openly in military becomes illegal.
    not allowed at all
  • Legal recognition of non-binary gender becomes not legally recognized.
    not recognized a tall
  • (date unknown)
    LGBT discrimination becomes illegal in some contexts.
    Discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation was made unlawful through inclusion in the provisions of the Swedish Penal Code.
  • January 1
    Same-sex marriage becomes banned.
    The Philippines does not recognize any form of same-sex union under any circumstance. The Philippine Supreme Court has also denied and dismissed the petition to legalize same-sex marriage.
  • (date unknown)
    Right to change legal gender becomes legal, but requires surgery.
    Became legal due to a fatwa from Khomeini in 1987. Trans individuals have the gender they identify with legally recognized and sex reassignment surgeries are publicly funded.
  • January 1
    Homosexual activity becomes male illegal, female legal.
    Article 431 in Grenada’s Criminal Code of 1958, which was amended in 1987 states “If any two persons are guilty of unnatural connexion, or if any person is guilty of unnatural connexion with any animal, every such person shall be liable to imprisonment for ten years.” Unnatural connexion is a term that has been used in legal and moral contexts to refer to sexual activities that were considered deviant or immoral by societal standards of the time. This often included homosexual acts, both between men and between women. However in this Criminal Code, while the language is gender-neutral, only sexual acts between men are criminalized.
  • Same-sex marriage becomes banned.
    Same-sex marriage in the United Arab Emirates is not legal.
  • (date unknown)
    Serving openly in military becomes legal.
  • Homosexual activity becomes legal.
    Homosexual activity is legal in Argentina.
  • December 31
    Same-sex marriage becomes unrecognized.
    Homosexuality is currently illegal.
  • December 6
    LGBT discrimination becomes illegal in some contexts.
    The Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission Act of 1986 prevents discriminatory activities, however, the Sex Discrimination Act 1984 provides exemptions for religious institutions.
  • November 11
    Homosexual activity becomes illegal (imprisonment as punishment).
    Anal intercourse between two consenting male adults is punishable by twenty-five (25) years imprisonment. Anal intercourse committed by a minor is punishable by five (5) years imprisonment. Serious indecency between two adults of the same sex is punishable by five years imprisonment. ("An act of “serious indecency” is an act, other than sexual intercourse (whether natural or unnatural), by a person involving the use of the genital organ for the purpose of arousing or gratifying sexual desire.")
  • August 8
    Equal age of consent becomes equal.
    Equal age of consent since homosexual (male-and-male) activity was legalised with the commencement of the Homosexual Law Reform Act on 8 August 1986.
  • Homosexual activity becomes legal.
    Legalised with the commencement of the Homosexual Law Reform Act 1986, introduced as a bill by former member of Parliament Fran Wilde.
  • April 12
    Right to change legal gender becomes legal, but requires surgery.
    The civil law of the People's Republic of China allows for legal gender change and requires undergoing sex reassignment surgery
  • January 1
    Serving openly in military becomes lesbians, gays, bisexuals permitted, transgender people banned.
    Until 1986, "sexual deviance" was a reason for exclusion for military service. At that time, some men claimed to be homosexual to avoid the draft. Lesbians have never been banned from the Italian military since women were first allowed to serve in 2000. Since 2010, discrimination against gays and lesbians in military service is banned, but the situation for transgender people is unclear. The organization Polis Aperta estimates that 5 to 10% of Italians in uniformed service (military or police) are LGB. Despite the ban on discrimination, some service personnel unfortunately face harassment or violence because of their sexual orientation. Unfortunately transgenders have not yet gained the right to military service in Italy
  • (date unknown)
    Gender-affirming care becomes restricted.
    In 1986, Rwanda legalized sterilization, which de facto meant legalizing sex reassignment surgery, however, medical records regarding transsexualism had to be obtained abroad.
  • Gender-affirming care becomes legal, but restricted for minors.
    In 1986, Monaco adopted the ICD-9 classification, which included codes allowing for the diagnosis of transsexualism in adults.
  • Gender-affirming care becomes restricted.
    In 1986, Kenya legalized sterilization, which de facto meant legalizing sex reassignment surgery, however, medical records regarding transsexualism had to be obtained abroad.
  • January 1
    Gender-affirming care becomes restricted.
    In 1986, India legalized sterilization, which de facto meant legalizing sex reassignment surgery, however, medical records regarding transsexualism had to be obtained abroad.
  • Same-sex adoption becomes legal.
    In all aspects since 2013. under federal law since 2015.
  • Right to change legal gender becomes legal, but requires surgery.
    Section 18(2) of the the Births and Deaths Registration Act 11 of 1986 allows a person to change their forename. Section 18(3) provides for the change of a surname, but the Registrar-General must be satisfied that it is for a “lawful purpose”.
  • Equal age of consent becomes equal.
  • (date unknown)
    Serving openly in military becomes legal.
    Greenland allows LGBTQ+ individuals to serve openly as per Danish law.
  • January 1
    Right to change legal gender becomes legal, but requires surgery.
    Israelis can change their legal gender only after a sex-reassignment surgery.
  • Serving openly in military becomes lesbians, gays, bisexuals permitted, transgender people banned.
    Until 1986, "sexual deviance" was a reason for exclusion for military service. At that time, some men claimed to be homosexual to avoid the draft. Lesbians have never been banned from the Italian military since women were first allowed to serve in 2000. Since 2010, discrimination against gays and lesbians in military service is banned, but the situation for transgender people is unclear. The organization Polis Aperta estimates that 5 to 10% of Italians in uniformed service (military or police) are LGB. Despite the ban on discrimination, some service personnel unfortunately face harassment or violence because of their sexual orientation. Unfortunately transgenders have not yet gained the right to military service in Italy
  • April 30
    Homosexual activity becomes legal.
    Homosexual activity has been legal since 1985.
  • April 17
    LGBT discrimination becomes illegal in some contexts.
    Non-inclusion of Gender Identity in Charter.
  • March 12
    Homosexual activity becomes legal.
  • January 1
    Blood donations by MSMs becomes banned (indefinite deferral).
    The UK banned gay men from donating blood in 1985 due to fear over the aids epidemic. This ban applied to Jersey law.
  • (date unknown)
    Gender-affirming care becomes restricted.
    In 1985, Botswana legalized sterilization, which de facto meant legalizing sex reassignment surgery, however, medical records regarding transsexualism had to be obtained abroad.
  • Gender-affirming care becomes legal, but restricted for minors.
    In 1985, Bahrain adopted the ICD-9 classification, which included codes allowing for the diagnosis of transsexualism in adults.
  • Gender-affirming care becomes restricted.
    In 1985, Saud Arabia legalized sterilization, which de facto meant legalizing sex reassignment surgery, however, medical records regarding transsexualism had to be obtained abroad.
  • Blood donations by MSMs becomes banned (indefinite deferral).
    In reaction to the HIV/AIDS crisis, MSMs were banned from donating blood for life.
  • January 1
    Homosexual activity becomes legal.
    Decriminalised by the Legislature of the Virgin Islands in 1985.
  • (date unknown)
    Equal age of consent becomes equal.
  • Right to change legal gender becomes legal, but requires surgery.
    Dutch Civil Law provides that in order for a citizen to change their legal gender they must first undergo gender re-assignment surgery.
  • June 8
    Homosexual activity becomes legal.
    There are no legal restrictions against gay sex in New South Wales.
  • (date unknown)
    Gender-affirming care becomes legal, but restricted for minors.
    In 1984, Sao Tome and Principe 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 1984, Grenada adopted the ICD-9 classification, which included codes allowing for the diagnosis of transsexualism in adults.
  • Equal age of consent becomes equal.
  • Equal age of consent becomes equal.
  • July 9
    Equal age of consent becomes n/a.
    Homosexual activity is illegal in Mauritania.
  • Same-sex adoption becomes illegal.
    Same-sex adoption is not possible due to homosexual activities being punishable
  • Same-sex marriage becomes banned.
    Same-sex marriage is not possible due to the laws on Homosexual activity
  • Homosexual activity becomes illegal (death penalty as punishment).
    Illegal, public execution by stoning for men, [not enforced]; prison and fines for women Mauritanian representatives informed the United Nations that executions have effectively been suspended since 1987. On April 27, 2018, the National Assembly approved legislation replacing article 306 of the Criminal Code, mandating the death penalty for individuals convicted of "blasphemous speech" and "sacrilegious" acts. However, the death penalty for homosexual acts has not been enforced since 1986. The law removes the option, previously available under article 306, to substitute prison sentences for death penalties for certain apostasy-related offenses upon prompt repentance. Additionally, the law broadens the death penalty's reach to include "renegade acts."
  • July 8
    Serving openly in military becomes illegal.
    As homosexuality is illegal, serving in the military by LGBTQ+ individuals are also illegal
  • January 1
    Homosexual activity becomes legal.
    Male homosexual acts between adults over the age of 21 were partially decriminalized by the Sexual Offences (Bailiwick of Guernsey) Law 1983.
  • (date unknown)
    Gender-affirming care becomes legal, but restricted for minors.
    In 1983, transsexualism began to be professionally diagnosed in the Soviet Union, which allowed the prescription of hormone therapy.
  • Gender-affirming care becomes legal, but restricted for minors.
    In 1983, transsexualism began to be professionally diagnosed in the Soviet Union, which allowed the prescription of hormone therapy.
  • Gender-affirming care becomes legal, but restricted for minors.
    In 1983, transsexualism began to be professionally diagnosed in the Soviet Union, which allowed the prescription of hormone therapy.
  • Gender-affirming care becomes legal, but restricted for minors.
    In 1983, transsexualism began to be professionally diagnosed in the Soviet Union, which allowed the prescription of hormone therapy.
  • Gender-affirming care becomes legal, but restricted for minors.
    In 1983, transsexualism began to be professionally diagnosed in the Soviet Union, which allowed the prescription of hormone therapy.
  • Gender-affirming care becomes legal, but restricted for minors.
    In 1983, transsexualism began to be professionally diagnosed in the Soviet Union, which allowed the prescription of hormone therapy.
  • Gender-affirming care becomes legal, but restricted for minors.
    In 1983, transsexualism began to be professionally diagnosed in the Soviet Union, which allowed the prescription of hormone therapy.
  • January 1
    Gender-affirming care becomes legal, but restricted for minors.
    In 1983, transsexualism began to be professionally diagnosed in the Soviet Union, which allowed the prescription of hormone therapy
  • Gender-affirming care becomes legal, but restricted for minors.
    In 1983, transsexualism began to be professionally diagnosed in the Soviet Union, which allowed the prescription of hormone therapy
  • Gender-affirming care becomes legal, but restricted for minors.
    In 1983, transsexualism began to be professionally diagnosed in the Soviet Union, which allowed the prescription of hormone therapy
  • (date unknown)
    Gender-affirming care becomes legal, but restricted for minors.
    In 1983, transsexualism began to be professionally diagnosed in the Soviet Union, which allowed the prescription of hormone therapy
  • January 1
    LGBT discrimination becomes illegal.
    under the Sex Discrimination Amendment Act.
  • Equal age of consent becomes equal.
  • Homosexual activity becomes legal.
    According to American Pink
  • (date unknown)
    LGBT employment discrimination becomes sexual orientation and gender identity.
    State law prohibits employment discrimination on the basis of "homosexuality" and "transgender status". The relevant law is Part 3A and Part 4C of the Anti-Discrimination Act 1977. Federal law prohibits employment discrimination on the basis of "sexual orientation", "gender identity" and "intersex status". The relevant law is section 14 of the Sex Discrimination Act 1984.
  • Right to change legal gender becomes legal, but requires surgery.
  • January 1
    Blood donations by MSMs becomes banned (indefinite deferral).
    In 1983, in response to the HIV epidemic, the Directorate General of Health banned MSMs from donating blood indefinitely. This ban was reiterated in 2009.
  • (date unknown)
    Blood donations by MSMs becomes banned (indefinite deferral).
    Starting in 1983, the United States implemented a full ban on blood donations from gay men. The primary justification for the ban was the perceived high risk of HIV transmission, with health regulators identifying men who have sex with men (MSM) as a significant risk to the safety of the blood supply.
  • December 8
    Homosexual activity becomes legal.
    Homosexual activity in Northern Ireland has been legal since 1982.
  • December 4
    Same-sex adoption becomes illegal.
    The China Center of Adoption Affairs (CCAA) does not allow same-sex couples to adopt, nor does it allow foreign same-sex couples to adopt a baby from China.
  • September 23
    Homosexual activity becomes legal.
    Homosexuality was decriminalised within Portugal in 1982.
  • August 14
    Right to change legal gender becomes legal, but requires surgery.
    It is legal for individuals to change their legal gender without having to go through gender reassignment surgery.
  • August 4
    Equal age of consent becomes equal.
    The age of consent in France is 15 for both male-male, female-female, and male-female sex.
  • May 8
    Homosexual activity becomes illegal (imprisonment as punishment).
    Up to 5 years imprisonment and/or 1,000,000 franc fine.
  • April 14
    Right to change legal gender becomes legal, but requires surgery.
    Law no. 164 of 14 April 1982 was the first law in Italy to introduce the possibility of changing sex. This law was published in the Official Gazette no. 106 of 19.04.1982 and came into force on 4 May 1982. Before 1982, Transgender people did not have the possibility of changing sex and name, living as if trapped in a biological body that they did not feel was their own. At the end of the 70s there were several protests in Italy by the LGBT movement that pushed politics to take an interest in the issue of sexual transition. With Law 164/1982, however, sex rectification was only possible after surgery.
  • Right to change legal gender becomes legal, but requires surgery.
    Surgery is required
  • January 1
    LGBT housing discrimination becomes sexual orientation only.
    Full discrimination protection pending.
  • Same-sex adoption becomes single only.
    Under state law only. Legalization pending.
  • LGBT employment discrimination becomes ambiguous.
    in all areas of Employment for discrimination protection. Full discrimination protection pending state wide.
  • (date unknown)
    Same-sex adoption becomes legal.
    Individuals and married couples jointly may petition for adoption per La. CHC 1198, 1202. Second-parent adoption is not legal.
  • LGBT employment discrimination becomes sexual orientation only.
    State law provides protections from discrimination based on sexual orientation only. However, public state employees are allowed domestic partner benefits.
  • Equal age of consent becomes equal.
  • Equal age of consent becomes equal.
  • April 7
    Gender-affirming care becomes legal, but restricted for minors.
    In 1981, the first sex reassignment surgery in China's history took place, and standards of care for transgender patients were also established, which was confirmed by the adoption of the ICD classification in 1987
  • February 1
    Homosexual activity becomes legal.
    Homosexual activities were legalised in Scotland — on the same basis as that which was used for the 1967 Act – by Section 80 of the Criminal Justice
  • (date unknown)
    Gender-affirming care becomes legal, but restricted for minors.
    In 1981, Iceland 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 1981, the Department of Sexology and Pathology of Interpersonal Relationships was established in Warsaw, which was the first facility in Poland providing help to transgender people, including the diagnosis of gender dysphoria and hormone therapy. Since then, many similar healthcare facilities have been established, including private ones, after the fall of the communist system in Poland.
  • January 1
    Same-sex adoption becomes illegal.
    The Law on Marriage and Family Relations adopted on June 5, 1980 also recognized two categories of adoption: "incomplete adoption" and "full adoption". In the first case, adoptive parents could be both individuals and married partners (Article 157). In the second case, adoptive parents are married partners, and exceptionally unmarried persons if there are justified reasons for that (Article 191).
  • (date unknown)
    LGBT employment discrimination becomes sexual orientation and gender identity.
    As of 1981, Employment discrimination was outlawed as well as LGBTQ discrimination.
  • LGBT discrimination becomes illegal.
    Section 5 of the Act on the Prohibition of Discrimination on the grounds of Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity and Gender Expression bans discrimination towards LGBTQ+ persons. Norway was the first country in the world to enact a law against the discrimination of LGBT people by amending Paragraph 349a of the Norwegian Penal Code. In the same year Paragraph 135a was amended to prohibit hate speech directed at sexual minorities.
  • January 1
    Same-sex marriage becomes banned.
    The Marriage Law of the People's Republic of China which went into effect on January 1st, 1981, defines marriage as between a man and a woman. However, there wasn’t an explicit ban on same-sex civil unions, so the door has been left open for these.
  • December 18
    Homosexual activity becomes legal.
    Homosexuality has been legal since the New York v. Onofre case in 1980.
  • September 10
    Right 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
    LGBT housing discrimination becomes no protections.
    None exist.
  • LGBT employment discrimination becomes no protections.
    None exist.
  • LGBT discrimination becomes no protections.
    None exist in the criminal code.
  • Same-sex marriage becomes banned.
    Same sex marriage is not legal.
  • Homosexual activity becomes illegal (imprisonment as punishment).
    1-3 years in prison, 100 000-500 000 cfa fine. Decriminalization pending
  • May 30
    Homosexual activity becomes legal.
    Homosexual sex has been legal in the state of Pennsylvania since the case of Commonwealth v. Bonadio. In this case, the judges declared that the statute against homosexuality was unconstitutional due to invasion of privacy. The decision was made on May 30th, 1980.
  • April 18
    LGBT housing discrimination becomes ambiguous.
    Unknown.
  • LGBT discrimination becomes no protections.
    Although Zimbabwean constitution does state "All citizens are equal", sexual orientations and gender identities are not protected.
  • February 20
    LGBT housing discrimination becomes no protections.
  • LGBT employment discrimination becomes no protections.
  • LGBT discrimination becomes no protections.
    There have been measures proposed during 2000 and 2003 to include sexual orientations and gender identities in grounds to protect against discriminations but these measures failed.
  • (date unknown)
    Gender-affirming care becomes legal, but restricted for minors.
    In 1980, Papua New Guinea 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 1980, Jamaica 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 1980, Spain 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 1980, Haiti 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 1980, Egypt 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 1980, Dominican Republic 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 1980, Chile 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 1980, Bulgaria 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 1980, Belize 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 1980, Bahamas 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 1980, Austria adopted the ICD-9 classification, which included codes allowing for the diagnosis of transsexualism in adults.
  • Homosexual activity becomes legal.
    Homosexual Activity is Legal in Trentino Alto Adige
  • January 1
    Equal age of consent becomes equal.
  • (date unknown)
    Homosexual activity becomes legal.
    Homosexual acts were legalized prior to the federal ruling which legalized homosexuality for all federal jurisdictions in 2003.
  • Blood donations by MSMs becomes banned (indefinite deferral).
    Prior to November 2011, a lifetime ban was in place for MSM
  • January 1
    Homosexual activity becomes legal.
  • Homosexual activity becomes legal.
    Legislative repeal, effective 1980.
  • (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.
  • Blood donations by MSMs becomes banned (indefinite deferral).
    .