In 1999, there were 36 recorded legal changes made affecting LGBT people. In the previous year, there were 59 changes made and 75 in the following year. A total of 409 legal changes were made in the 1990s.
- December 30Same-sex marriage becomes banned.Article 77 of the constitution states that marriage is a union between a man and a woman. It also limits de facto unions to opposite-sex couples only. Article 77 of the Constitution reads as follows: «Marriage between a man a woman, which is based on free consent and absolute equality of rights and obligations of the spouses, is protected. A stable de facto union between a man and a woman which meets the requirements established by law shall have the same effects as marriage.» Efforts to legalize marriage equality or civil unions in the legislatures have come and gone, with symbolic marriages being recognized in one city. These marriages were criticized as being expensive by LGBT activists, providing nothing. Some indigenous two spirit individuals are recognized by the Warao people, known as tida wena. They participated in two-spirit marriages. The relative comfort these individuals enjoyed for centuries were shattered at the beginning of Spanish settlement and prevailing norms have changed.
- December 28LGBT housing discrimination becomes no protections.
- Same-sex adoption becomes illegal.According to a study by the Council of Europe or the Office of the Commissioner for Human Rights, same-sex couples cannot adopt since Article 120 of the Family Code (1999) states that joint adoption is only allowed for married couples. The report suggests that in principle, there aren't any legal restrictions around adopting as an individual — gay or straight — however, all individuals are usually denied the right to adopt.
- December 21Equal age of consent becomes equal.The age of consent is 16 years old. However, this is due to the LGBT population not being officially mentioned or recognized in the law
- November 15Same-sex marriage becomes civil unions (limited rights).Under French law, both same sex and different sex couples can get a PACS, a civil union with limited rights. PACS are still available today.
- October 29
- October 25Intersex infant surgery becomes parental approval required.In 1999, in Judgment SU-337/99 (1999), the Constitutional Court ruled that surgery on a child's genitals can only be authorized with the consent of the intersex child and that the recommendations of doctors and the consent of parents are not enough for authorization to take place. In addition, the Court suggested that less invasive medical interventions could be carried out gradually if the child is not considered sufficiently autonomous to make the decision.
- October 18LGBT employment discrimination becomes sexual orientation and gender identity.
- August
- July 12Equal age of consent becomes unequal.Article 365 of the Penal Code establishes 18 as age if consent for gay couples, whereas 14 is the standard age if consent for straight couples.
- July 1
- Same-sex marriage becomes unrecognized.
- May 7Right to change legal gender becomes legal, but requires medical diagnosis.The current law concerning legal gender recognition dates from 7 May 1999, the Common Requirements for Medical Operations for Gender Reassignment. Transgender people are not required to undergo sex reassignment surgery since 1997, sterilisation or divorce their partner, due to the specific wording of the Family Law Act. From October 2021, neither genetic testing or hormone replacement therapy are mandatory to later change legal data. First appointment with a medical expert committee is required to receive a ministerial decree authorizing hormone replacement therapy, followed by a second appointment with the same committee authorizing the change of legal data. Diagnosis from a psychiatrist before first committee appointment strongly recommended, committee bases its decision on this diagnosis as well as self-determination.
- March 22Conversion therapy becomes sexual orientation only.On March 22, 1999, Brazil became the first country to ban gay conversion therapy. The Federal Council of Psychology enacted Resolution CFP No. 001/99, which explicitly states that "homosexuality does not constitute a disease, disorder, or perversion." This landmark decision prevents psychologists from engaging in practices intended to 'cure' or alter an individual's sexual orientation.
- March 19Same-sex marriage becomes banned.Marriage was defined as "a civil contract whereby a man and a woman mutually agree to become husband and wife." with the passing of H.B 1013 in 1999. Article 68 of the Civil Code also explicitly prohibited marriages "between persons of the same sex or transsexuals contracted in other jurisdictions" from being recognized in Puerto Rico.
- Blood donations by MSMs becomes banned (indefinite deferral).The Northern Estonia Blood Centre did not initially allow MSM persons to donate blood.
- February 16Blood donations by MSMs becomes banned (indefinite deferral).Homosexual behavior is one of the grounds for permanent exclusion from donating blood (Guidelines on blood and blood components, Article 16)
- February 1Censorship of LGBT issues becomes imprisonment as punishment.not allowed entirelty
- January 19Homosexual activity becomes legal.Settlement of Williams v. Glendening, Baltimore Circuit Court. In 2023, Maryland removed the statute criminalising sodomy from its state law.
- January 9Homosexual activity becomes illegal (death penalty as punishment).LGBT activities are illegal in the UAE. Punishments (under sharia law) include death, life in prison, floggings, fines, deportation, chemical castration, forced psychological treatments, honor killings, beatings, forced anal examinations, forced hormone injections, and torture.
- (date unknown)Gender-affirming care becomes legal.In 1999, Trinidad and Tobago adopted the ICD-10 classification, which contains codes for diagnosing transsexualism in adulthood and childhood, which authorize the initiation of medical transition.
- Gender-affirming care becomes legal.In 1999, Turkmenistan adopted the ICD-10 classification, which contains codes for diagnosing transsexualism in adulthood and childhood, which authorize the initiation of medical transition.
- Gender-affirming care becomes legal.In 1999, Philippines adopted the ICD-10 classification, which contains codes for diagnosing transsexualism in adulthood and childhood, which authorize the initiation of medical transition.
- Homosexual activity becomes male illegal, female legal.Male homosexuality is explicitly illegal and sodomy— defined as sexual intercourse between men —is punishable by up to two years in prison, with additional terms of two to five years in a labor camp possible, under the Criminal Code of Turkmenistan, Chapter 3; Article 135, section. In addition, the provisions of Article 19 of the code allow for increased penalties for repeat convictions, applying to any crime under the code. Prior to a 2019 amendment, the 1997 code's maximum term was two years.
- January 1
- Serving openly in military becomes lesbians, gays, bisexuals permitted, transgender people banned.Portugal is not one of the 22 countries that allows trans military service. Trans people aren't explicitly banned from joining the army, but due to discrimination and regulations that also apply to cis people, but more commonly affect trans people, they are unable to join.
LGBT Organizations Founded in 1999
Hegoak
Hegoak is a non-profit association focused on deepening the freedom of expression and sexual-affective life from a progressive and transforming viewpoint. It is based in Bilbao…LifeLong Adoptions
LifeLong Adoptions is an organization specializing in LGBT adoptions. Their mission is to keep the adoption process affordable while creating the bond between Birthmothers and…Labrisz Lesbian Association
Labrisz Lesbian Association was founded in 1999 in Budapest, Hungary. Its purpose is making the lives and issues of lesbian, bisexual and transgender women more visible, along…Ruth Ellis Center
Named in honor of a resilient Detroit icon, Ruth Ellis Center works to create a supportive environment and community with LGBTQ+ young peopleTransMann e.V.
Transmann e.V. is a German non-profit organization that provides support and resources for transgender men. The organization aims to provide a safe and supportive environment for…Rainbow Sky Association of Thailand
The Rainbow Sky Association of Thailand (RSAT) aims to improve healthcare access for LGBT individuals, particularly focusing on HIV counseling and testing. They work on…MindOut
MindOut is a mental health service for LGBTQ+ people in the United Kingdom, no matter how old or young they are.