1989 in LGBT Rights

In 1989, there were 14 recorded legal changes made affecting LGBT people. In the previous year, there were 23 changes made and 21 in the following year. A total of 165 legal changes were made in the 1980s.

  • 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.

LGBT Organizations Founded in 1989

  • National LGBT Bar Association FaviconNational LGBT Bar Association
    The National LGBT Bar Association is a national association of lawyers, judges and other legal professionals, law students, activists and affiliated lesbian, gay, bisexual and…
  • Stonewall FaviconStonewall
    Stonewall works to achieve equality and justice for lesbians, gay men and bisexual people by focusing on policy development, cultural and attitudinal change, lobbying for legal…
  • Rainbow Youth FaviconRainbow Youth
    Rainbow Youth is a charitable organisation providing support, information, advocacy and education for queer and trans* young people (aged between 13 and 28), their friends and…
  • Equality Texas FaviconEquality Texas
    Equality Texas advocates and lobbies for the elimination of discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity/expression. Equality Texas Foundation educates and…
  • akt Faviconakt
    akt supports lgbtq+ young people aged 16-25 in the uk who are facing or experiencing homelessness or living in a hostile environment.
  • LOS - für Lesben, Bisexuelle und queere Frauen in der Schweiz FaviconLOS - für Lesben, Bisexuelle und queere Frauen in der Schweiz
    The Lesbian Organization Switzerland LOS is the national umbrella organization for lesbians, bisexuals and queer women in Switzerland. They fight for the legal and social…
  • AKT FaviconAKT
    Akt is a voluntiary organisation based in England.