▸ 

1991 in LGBT Rights

View All Years

In 1991, there were 34 recorded legal changes made affecting LGBT people. In the previous year, there were 21 changes made and 52 in the following year. A total of 372 legal changes were made in the 1990s.

  • December 25
    Serving openly in military becomes don't ask, don't tell.
    Only 22 countries allow trans service, Kyrgyzstan is not one of them
  • LGBT discrimination becomes ambiguous.
    No laws about discrimination
  • December 23
    LGBT discrimination becomes ambiguous.
    The Constitution of Slovenia from 1991 guarantees the equality of people under the law in general. However, it does not explicitly mention sexual orientation or gender identity.
  • December 16
    Censorship of LGBT issues becomes no censorship.
    There used to be no laws restricting the discussion or promotion of the LGBTQ+ related topics. The earliest case of censorship known in this country was when the government announced a n animated movie ban in 2022 due to a one-second scene showing a same-sex kiss
  • Same-sex marriage becomes unrecognized.
    Though not banned constitutionally, neither same-sex marriage nor civil unions are legal.
  • December 12
    Homosexual activity becomes legal.
    Same-sex sexual activity has been legal in Ukraine since 1991.
  • October
    Homosexual activity becomes legal.
    Consensual homosexual intercourse between men has been decriminalized nationwide since 1991.
  • Homosexual activity becomes legal.
    Consensual homosexual intercourse between men has been decriminalized nationwide since 1991.
  • Homosexual activity becomes legal.
    Consensual homosexual intercourse between men has been decriminalized nationwide since 1991.
  • Homosexual activity becomes legal.
    In 1991, Parliament of Bosnia and Herzegovina repealed paragraph 2 of article 93 of Criminal Code and thus decriminalized male homosexuality.
  • August 25
    LGBT employment discrimination becomes no protections.
    No discrimination protections exist.
  • LGBT housing discrimination becomes no protections.
    No protection
  • LGBT discrimination becomes no protections.
    Even though article 22 states all citizens are equal, sexual orientations and gender identities are not included in the forms of discriminations covered.
  • July 12
    LGBT employment discrimination becomes no protections.
    No protection is granted as homosexuality still carries a death sentence.
  • LGBT discrimination becomes no protections.
    Homosexuality is illegal in Mauritania. As such, date provided is the date where the most recent version of the constitution came into effect.
  • Same-sex marriage becomes banned.
    Article 46 of The Constitution of Bulgaria (1991) defines marriage as a “free union between a man and a woman.” Bulgaria has recognized one gay marriage because of a court ruling, and only one being recognized does not mean they recognize foreign gay marriages.
  • June 21
    Homosexual activity becomes legal.
    Homosexual acts were not mentioned anymore in the revision of the Penal Code of 1991. Therefore the age of consent was lowered to 16 years old for all consenting sexual intercourse.
  • June 11
    Same-sex marriage becomes banned.
    Marriage in Burkina Faso is defined as between a man and a woman. Article 23 of the country's constitution of 1991 states: "Marriage is founded on the free consent of the man and of the woman. All discrimination founded on race, colour, religion, ethnicity, caste, social origin, or fortune is forbidden in the matter of marriage."
  • April 3
    Homosexual activity becomes legal.
    The penal code adopted in 1991 did not mention if homosexuality was illegal. However there are several reports of local laws against loitering and indecent exposure being used disproportionately against LGBT people, especially trans women.
  • April 1
    Homosexual activity becomes male illegal, female uncertain.
    Article 354 of the Federal Penal Code could be Imprisonment,fines, floggings,and deportation for foreigners In Abu Dhabi Article 80 of the Penal Code punishable by imprisonment of up to 14 years. In Dubai Article 177 of the Penal Code imposes imprisonment of up to 10 years . Not enforced .If you a travelers or foreigner you will be in jail followed by deportation or directed deportation
  • February 1
    Same-sex marriage becomes banned.
    Homosexuality is not legal in Sudan.
  • (date unknown)
    Censorship of LGBT issues becomes state-enforced.
    Texas is one of five states with a "no promo homo" law since 1991 under Section 21.06 of the Penal Code. Educational materials for minors must state that homosexual conduct is unacceptable and a criminal offense. This is still actively in the penal code.
  • Gender-affirming care becomes varies by region.
    Australian youth can begin accessing puberty blockers at the age of 10, full HRT is not typically prescribed until 16 and GCS is often not done until 18. However nobody can access irreversible treatment until 15. For Oestrogen or Testosterone two independent child and adolescent psychiatrists must do a standardised assessment of psychological development as well as a formal assessment of the child’s gender identification and capacity to understand the proposed treatment. A paediatric endocrinologist establishes the child’s pubertal stage, excludes disorders and discusses with the child and parents the effects and risks of puberty suppression. For Puberty blockers a young person requires a multidisciplinary team consisting of a paediatrician, two mental health professionals (one must be a psychiatrist), and a fertility expert, to agree treatment is in the child’s best interests. It is then necessary to make an application to the Family Court for authorisation of treatment.
  • Gender-affirming care becomes restricted.
    In 1991, Mongolia legalized sterilization, which de facto meant legalizing sex reassignment surgery, however, medical records regarding transsexualism had to be obtained abroad.
  • Homosexual activity becomes illegal (death penalty as punishment).
    Homosexuality under the third conviction can result in the death penalty. This was later removed in 2020 following the revolution.
  • January 1
    Equal age of consent becomes equal.
  • Homosexual activity becomes legal.
  • Equal age of consent becomes equal.
  • Equal age of consent becomes equal.
  • Equal age of consent becomes equal.
  • Serving openly in military becomes lesbians, gays, bisexuals permitted, transgender people banned.
    Legal for LGB people, but not transgender people.
  • Homosexual activity becomes legal.
  • (date unknown)
    Homosexual activity becomes legal.
    Legal between consenting adults.
  • Homosexual activity becomes legal.

LGBT Organizations Founded in 1991