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 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.
  • Serving openly in military becomes legal.
    No restrictions on LGBTQ+ serving.
  • 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.
  • December 20
    Serving openly in military becomes n/a.
    Panama abolished its military in 1989 following the overthrow of military dictator Manuel Noriega. Article 133 of the Disciplinary Regulations of the National Police (1997) considers practicing lesbianism and homosexuality to be very serious misconduct.
  • 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
    (deleted region)
    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
  • (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
    Same-sex marriage becomes banned.
    Homosexuality is illegal and same sex marriage is not recognized.
  • 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
  • November 15
    Right to change legal gender becomes legal, but requires surgery.
    In 1988, the Sexual Reassignment Act passed in South Australia which provided for legal gender recognition after surgery.
  • Right to change legal gender becomes varies by region.
    On November 15, 1988, South Australia passed the Sexual Reassignment Act, the first law providing legal gender recognition in Australia. Federally, there are no requirements for surgery for legal changes to federal documents since 2013 under the Australian Government Guidelines on the Recognition of Sex and Gender. However, state documents have varying requirements. Most states don't allow you to change your gender marker more than once in a 12-month period. The High Court of Australia has ruled that gender reassignment surgery does not need to be comprehensive, just be socially identifiable as your preferred gender. • Any government department that operates at a federal level does not require surgery. • In NSW a gender marker change requires GRS, top surgery, or orchiectomy. • In Queensland gender change requires an application confirming surgery or proof of reassignment surgery. • In South Australia no surgery is required, only proof of psychological counseling. • In Tasmania no surgery is required, they may require proof of psychological counseling for persons under 18. • In Victoria no surgery is required, you just have to attest you are the gender you claim. • In Western Australia surgery is not required. • In Northern Territory clinical treatment, either: surgery, hormone therapy, or counselling is required.
  • 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.
  • August 3
    Same-sex marriage becomes banned.
    Article 1 of an executive order titled "Family Code of the Philippines" defines marriage as "a special contract of permanent union between a man and a woman".
  • July 26
    Censorship of LGBT issues becomes state-enforced.
    In 1987, House Bill 484 was passed in Louisiana and took effect in 1988. It prohibited sex education from utilising any "sexually explicit materials depicting male or female homosexual activity". Unlike most laws, this was never repealed. In 2024, House Bill 122 was passed and prohibited the discussion of anything relating to sexual orientation or gender identity to students.
  • May 24
    Censorship of LGBT issues becomes state-enforced.
    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.
  • 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 state-enforced.
    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.
  • Censorship of LGBT issues becomes varies by region.
    Section 28 of the Local Government Act 1988, which applied to England, Wales and Scotland, 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.
  • Censorship of LGBT issues becomes state-enforced.
    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. This law extends to Scotland.
  • 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 legal.
    Gender affirming care is provided in Switzerland, including for minors since 1988. A restriction on it only being provided after two years of therapy was lifted in 2010. The Swiss national council rejected a motion to ban gender affirming care for minors in 2023 saying that the legislature should decide the policies.
  • Gender-affirming care becomes legal, but restricted for minors.
    Turkey provides for gender affirming care and it is comparatively more affordable than in other countries. However, you must be 18 to undergo SRS.
  • 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.
  • December 8
    Censorship of LGBT issues becomes imprisonment as punishment.
    In the United Arab Emirates, access to many websites discussing LGBTQ+ topics is blocked by ISPs. The 2012 Law on Combating Cybercrimes criminalises the "condoning, provoking, or promoting of sin through the computer network or any information technology means or a website". In 2016, an amendment to the Federal Penal Code punishes production, possession or display of any material "against public morals" with imprisonment. This is frequently used against the LGBTIQ+ community. Additionally, trans women are effectively criminalised in terms of gender expression due to the Federal Penal Code of 1987 containing Article 359 which punishes “any male disguised in a female apparel” entering a women-only space with up to one year in prison.
  • July 1
    Censorship of LGBT issues becomes varies by region.
    Since 1987, there have been laws in the United States that have restricted the discussion of LGBTIQ+ issues in several states. While some laws enacted in the 80s and 90s were repealed, some were not and more laws would pass in the 2020s. Alabama Public Television banned an episode of “Arthur” (entitled “Mr Ratburn and the Special Someone”) because Mike McKenzie (director of programming for the station) deemed the episode “inappropriate” for young viewers. It is unknown about other American states’ censorship laws regarding LGBTQIA+ issues.
  • Censorship of LGBT issues becomes state-enforced.
    In 1987, House Bill 1476 came into effect in Oklahoma requiring HIV/AIDS education to state that homosexual activity is a primary responsible cause for contact with the HIV/AIDS virus. The law was never repealed. This would be the first education law censoring LGBTIQ+ topics in the United States.
  • January 31
    Censorship of LGBT issues becomes other punishment.
    The 1986 Press Law contains Article 6 which prohibits content that undermines Islam, including the spread of "fornication and forbidden practices and publishing photographs, pictures, and materials which "violate public chastity". Punishments include flogging and imprisonment. Article 237 of Iran's Penal Code provides that same-sex affection between men or between women other than ‘liwat’ or ‘tafkhiz’ (Anal Sex between men and frotting), such as “kissing or touching as a result of lust”, is punishable with 31-74 lashes. In Iran, there are no laws restricting to discussing LGBT topics in the Internet. However those who are accused of Political dissidence or plotting to " overthrow the Islamic Republic " could be subjected to the death penalty as well, of which charges are also included with Homosexuality . An estimated number from the Amnesty International reports is that more than 5,000 Gay men and Lesbians have been executed since the 1979 Islamic Revolution.
  • (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. It is unclear if trans people can seek gender affirming care in Liechtenstein or have to go abroad but they are not explicitly prohibited.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • (date unknown)
    Homosexual activity becomes legal.
    Homosexual activity is legal in Argentina.
  • 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.
    In 1986, homosexuality was legalised with the commencement of the Homosexual Law Reform Act.
  • 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
  • (date unknown)
    Gender-affirming care becomes legal.
    While gender-affirming care in Israel is legal since 1986, there are many practical barriers. To go through the public health system for gender confirmation surgery you must be approved by a very selective committee, additionally, they only allow one surgeon to perform such an operation. It is theorised that the committee is much more likely to reject under-18 applicants, however these claims are unproven. Private healthcare however is much more expensive.
  • 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. Hormone therapy is not available however.
  • 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.
  • 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
  • July 11
    Right to change legal gender becomes legal, but requires surgery.
    In 1985, Manitoba required surgery for legal gender recognition.
  • April 30
    Homosexual activity becomes legal.
    Homosexual activity has been legal since 1985.
  • Same-sex marriage becomes banned.
    The 1985 Civil Code of Puebla defined a marriage as between a man and a woman, effectively banning same-sex marriage.
  • April 17
    LGBT discrimination becomes illegal in some contexts.
    Before the 2017 amendment, only sexual orientation was included as a protected class.
  • (date unknown)
    Right to change legal gender becomes legal, but requires surgery.
    Wisconsin provides legal gender recognition on the condition of surgery having been performed.
  • 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 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.
  • January 1
    (deleted region)
    Homosexual activity becomes legal.
    Decriminalised by the Legislature of the Virgin Islands in 1985.
  • (date unknown)
    Homosexual activity becomes legal.
    Homosexuality was decriminalised in French Polynesia in 1985.
  • 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.
  • November 19
    Right to change legal gender becomes legal, but requires surgery.
    In 1984, New Jersey provided for legal gender recognition but required proof of surgery.
  • May 11
    Homosexual activity becomes legal.
    Homosexual sex was decriminalized in New South Wales on May 11th, 1984. The Crimes Amendment Bill removed all parts of the Crimes Act, 1900, that criminalized consensual homosexual sex.
  • January 1
    Homosexual activity becomes legal.
    Consensual same-sex activity has been legal in the Northern Territory since 1984.
  • (date unknown)
    Equal age of consent becomes equal.
  • Equal age of consent becomes equal.
  • December 27
    Homosexual activity becomes legal.
    The 1983 Criminal Code of the Northern Mariana Islands removed all mentions of criminalisation of consensual sodomy and only penalises cases of sodomy without consent as rape, decriminalising homosexuality.
  • December 10
    Censorship of LGBT issues becomes no censorship.
    Since the end of the military dictatorship in 1983, there are no laws restricting the discussion or promotion of LGBTQ+ topics in Argentina
  • July 15
    Same-sex marriage becomes unrecognized.
    The 1976 "Karnataka Marriages (Registration and Miscellaneous Provisions) Act" did not explicitly define marriage as between a man and a woman. The law did not receive assent and therefore take effect until 7 years later.
  • July 9
    Censorship of LGBT issues becomes imprisonment as punishment.
    The Mauritanian authorities uses provisions such as “indecency” and “incitation to debauchery” in the 1983 Penal Code on those who challenge the country with LGBT social movements.
  • 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
  • July 1
    Right to change legal gender becomes legal, but requires medical diagnosis.
    Trans people require a medical diagnosis in order to change their legal gender in Mississippi.
  • May 5
    Equal age of consent becomes equal.
    Wisconsin's age of consent for same-sex and different-sex couple is 18. State Statute provides an exemption for people who are married between the ages of 16 and 17.
  • Homosexual activity becomes legal.
    Wisconsin repealed its laws against sodomy in 1983. In order to secure enough votes to pass the legislation that repealed the ban on sodomy, legislators agreed to add to the bill that “the state does not condone or encourage any form of sexual conduct outside the institution of marriage.”
  • (date unknown)
    Gender-affirming care becomes restricted.
    Gender affirming care is not banned in Belarus but is extremely difficult to access with huge state overreach resulting in 80% of requests being rejected in 2023 and specialists requiring more “social transition” before even prescribing hormones.
  • January 1
    Right to change legal gender becomes illegal.
    A 2014 HRW report found that while there is no law in Malaysia that prohibits explicitly legal gender recognition most people find it virtually impossible.
  • 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 restricted.
    Malaysia banned gender affirming surgeries (but not hormonal treatment) in 1983. Transgender people generally go to Thailand to receive care.
  • 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
  • (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
  • Right to change legal gender becomes legal, but requires medical diagnosis.
    Section 8(3) of the Births, Marriages and Deaths Registration Act (1983) states: "If after registration of birth, the change in any other particular of a person not provided for in this section has occurred, he, if he is twenty-one years of age, or either of his parents or his guardian of he is under twenty-one years of age, may apply to the Registrar directly or through respective district registrar or assistant district registrar for alteration of such a particular in the births register. Thereupon the Registrar shall, if satisfied that the applicant is competent to make the application and on production of documentary proof (in case of change of sex of the child medical certificate from the medical practitioner shall be produced) and on payment of the prescribed fee, cause the said particular of the person to be altered in the original birth information form filed in his office, but without erasing the original entry, and shall instruct the registration officer of the district or sub-district in which the birth of the person was registered to make a similar inscription in his births register and duplicate birth information form filed in his office." The Act must be interpreted in accordance with the Children’s Protection and Welfar Act. Section 8(3) of the Act should be interpreted to provide for the change of sex or gender in the Register. The Act does not specify that ‘change of sex’ must happen in any specific way, nor does it require documentary proof only from a healthcare provider.
  • 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.
    Austria allowed for legal gender recognition for trans people but they must have undergone surgery first. This changed in 2009.
  • 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 9
    Homosexual activity becomes legal.
    15 years after the rest of the UK legalized sexual acts between two men who were 21 or older, the legalisation was extended to Northern Ireland with the "Homosexual Offences (Northern Ireland) Order 1982". The act prohibited sex in places where a third party was likely to be present.
  • 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 in Portugal in 1982.
  • August 14
    Right to change legal gender becomes legal, no restrictions.
    Under Hungarian law, individuals can request legal gender changes without any requirement for proof of medical treatment or diagnosis.
  • 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).
    The law forbade "sexual acts “against nature.” This is understood to ban same-sex sexual activity, it is punishable by up to 5 years imprisonment and/or a 1,000,000 Comorian franc fine. However, it is not believed to be actively enforced except for the prosecution of a lesbian couple in 2024. The 2024 case is the only known prosecution in the country's history.
  • 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.
    Before the landmark 2015 decision surgery was required for people to change their legal gender.
  • March 5
    LGBT employment discrimination becomes sexual orientation only.
    In 1982, Republican Governor Dreyfus signed a bill giving LGB people employment discrimination protections, making Wisconsin the first state in the union to do so.
  • February 13
    Censorship of LGBT issues becomes imprisonment as punishment.
    Article 333 bis of the Penal Code, as amended on 13 February 1982 by Law n° 82-04, criminalizes the distribution of anything against "decency" with up to 2 years in prison and a fine up to 2,000 dinars. Article 333, also amended in 1982, criminalizes indecent exposure of any "act against the order of nature with an individual of the same sex" with up to 3 years in prison and a fine up to 10,000 dinars. In January 2023 the Ministry of Commerce announced that all rainbow colored products, including flags, toys, and Qurans, are no longer allowed to be sold in the country. The Algerian government mass SMS texted citizens to warn them of fines for violating this order. In August 2023, Algeria's Ministry of Culture and Arts forced movie theaters to immediately stop showing the film, "Barbie." An official source told Reuters that the film "promotes homosexuality and other Western deviances."
  • (date unknown)
    Same-sex adoption becomes legal.
    The 1982 legislation governing adoption in Quebec was written gender neutrally, allowing LGB couples to adopt. It states: "any person of full age may, alone or jointly with another person, adopt a child".
  • January 1
    Right to change legal gender becomes legal, but requires surgery.
    Since 1982, Alberta required surgery for legal gender recognition.
  • (date unknown)
    Same-sex marriage becomes banned.
    Article 44 of Venezuela’s Penal Code in 1982 states that a marriage may only be entered into by one man and one woman and that otherwise it would not be recognised, effectively banning same-sex marriage.
  • 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.
  • Equal age of consent becomes equal.
  • Equal age of consent becomes equal.
  • September 18
    Right to change legal gender becomes legal, but requires surgery.
    Before the JaParker Deoni Jones Birth Certificate Equality Amendment Act of 2013 trans people could only change their birth certificates upon confirmation of sex reassignment surgery under the D.C. Vital Records Act of 1981.
  • July 7
    Censorship of LGBT issues becomes imprisonment as punishment.
    The 1981 Penal Code of Cote d'Ivoire contained Article 360, which gives a penalty of three months to two years imprisonment for "acts of outrage to public decency". The code also contained a clause stating that if it was an "improper or unnatural act with a person of the same sex", the sentence would be imprisonment from six months to two years instead. There was no information as to whether it was used to persecute LGBTIQ+ people in practice but the explicit provision was removed in the 2019 Penal Code.
  • February 1
    (deleted region)
    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)
    Same-sex marriage becomes banned.
    The 1981 "MUSLIM MARRIAGES REGISTRATION ACT" refers to marriage as between a "bride" and a "bridegroom"
  • 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.
  • 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
    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)
    Censorship of LGBT issues becomes state-enforced.
    Tanzania has a history of enforcing strict laws against the LGBT community. Same-sex sexual activity is illegal and can be punished by imprisonment. The government has also taken steps to restrict LGBT rights organizations and their activities. Public attitudes towards the LGBT community in Tanzania can be quite hostile, which contributes to a challenging environment for individuals who identify as LGBT. It's important to stay informed about the current situation and exercise caution when discussing or engaging in LGBT-related issues in Tanzania. The 1981 Penal Code criminalises selling, distributing or exhibiting "materials that are tending to corrupt morals" in Article 175 which is often used to censor LGBTIQ+ topics.
  • LGBT housing discrimination becomes sexual orientation and gender identity.
    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. Norwegian law prohibits discrimination against sexual orientation and gender identity. This extends to housing and employment sectors.
  • 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 19
    Censorship of LGBT issues becomes no censorship.
    Since the repeal of the Mirguet Amendment in 1980, there have been no laws that restrict the discussion or promotion of LGBTQ+ topics in France.
  • December 18
    Homosexual 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 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
    Same-sex marriage becomes banned.
    Same sex marriage is not legal.
  • 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 1
    Right to change legal gender becomes legal, but requires surgery.
    South Dakota requires surgery for legal gender recognition.
  • May 30
    Equal 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.
    Homosexual sex has been legal in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania since 1980. In the case of Commonwealth v. Bonadio, the judges declared that the statute that criminalized homosexuality was unconstitutional due to invasion of privacy. The decision was made on May 30th, 1980.
  • (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
    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).
    Before 2017, blood donations by MSMs were illegal. They remained illegal until the health minister removed such bans.