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1983 in LGBT Rights

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In 1983, there were 24 recorded legal changes made affecting LGBT people. In the previous year, there were 15 changes made and 5 in the following year. A total of 165 legal changes were made in the 1980s.

  • 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).
    Though the deferral impacts all MSMs who have had sex with a man since 1977, the policy did not go into effect until 1983. The policy applied retroactively to 1977.

LGBT Organizations Founded in 1983

  • Resource Center FaviconResource Center
    Texas, United States
    Resource Center is a trusted leader that empowers the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) communities and all people affected by HIV through improving health and…
  • Resource Center of Dallas FaviconResource Center of Dallas
    Texas, United States
    Resource Center is a trusted leader that empowers the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) communities and all people affected by HIV through improving health and…