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2000 in LGBT Rights

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In 2000, there were 75 recorded legal changes made affecting LGBT people. In the previous year, there were 36 changes made and 76 in the following year. A total of 714 legal changes were made in the 2000s.

  • December 31
    Blood donations by MSMs becomes ambiguous.
    Italy legalizes blood donations as Health Minister lifts blood ban. However, Italy still denies men who engaged in "risky behaviors"
  • December 27
    Homosexual activity becomes illegal (death penalty as punishment).
    The Sharia Penal Code Law 2000 took effect in Jigawa on December 27th, 2000. Within the Penal Code, consensual same-sex sexual activity is punished with caning of one hundred lashes if unmarried, and the offender shall also be liable to imprisonment for the term of one year. If married, they shall be punished with stoning to death (rajm).
  • December 10
    Homosexual activity becomes illegal (death penalty as punishment).
    The Borno State law on Prostitution, Homosexuality, Brothels and Other Sexual Immoralities (2000) punishes homosexuality by the death. Article 7 states "Any person who engages in sexual intercourse with another person of the same gender shall upon conviction be punished with death."
  • December 2
    LGBT housing discrimination becomes sexual orientation and gender identity.
    Housing discrimination is illegal against all LGBT people
  • LGBT employment discrimination becomes sexual orientation only.
    Transgenders have yet to receive discrimination protections in employment. Something Ilga Europe advices Romania to do
  • December 1
    Homosexual activity becomes illegal (death penalty as punishment).
    The Penal Code (Amendment) Law 2000 took effect in Kebbi on December 1st, 2000. Within the Penal Code, consensual same-sex sexual activity is punished with stoning to death (rajm).
  • November 30
    Homosexual activity becomes legal.
    Legal in the UK extending to Liverpool.
  • Homosexual activity becomes legal.
    Legal since 2000
  • Homosexual activity becomes legal.
    On November 30, 2000 a bill was signed to make the ages of consent equitable, regardless of gender. The law came into effect on August 1, 2001. The age of consent for men who have sex with men was reduced from 18 to 16, on par with different sex individuals.
  • Equal age of consent becomes equal.
    On November 30, 2000 a bill was signed to make the ages of consent equitable, regardless of gender. The law came into effect on August 1, 2001. The age of consent for men who have sex with men was reduced from 18 to 16, on par with different sex individuals.
  • Homosexual activity becomes legal.
    As in the United Kingdom, the law is the same
  • Equal age of consent becomes equal.
    Same as in England.
  • Equal age of consent becomes equal.
    The age of consent is 16 (or 18 for those in a position of authority) for all couples.
  • Homosexual activity becomes legal.
    The Sexual Offences (Amendment) Act 2000 repealed all criminal provisions regarding homosexuality; setting an equal age of consent for sexual activity between men.
  • November 27
    LGBT employment discrimination becomes sexual orientation only.
  • November 26
    Homosexual activity becomes illegal (death penalty as punishment).
    The Sharia Penal Code Law 2000 took effect in Kano on November 26th, 2000. Within the Penal Code, consensual same-sex sexual activity is punished with caning of one hundred lashes if unmarried, and offenders shall also be liable to imprisonment for the term of one year. If married or have been previously married they shall be punished with stoning to death (rajm).
  • September 26
    LGBT discrimination becomes illegal in some contexts.
    In the Lithuania criminal code in Article 170, sexual orientation is among the things that are explicitly banned from being discriminated against. Gender identity is not one of those things.
  • September 12
    Same-sex adoption becomes legal.
  • September 1
    Homosexual activity becomes legal.
    In 2000 a new criminal code was introduced, repealing article 121 against homosexuality.
  • August 16
    Same-sex marriage becomes banned.
    Same-sex marriage is outlawed by the Marriage Amendment Act 2000. In 2007, the law was amended to state that "no person shall be permitted to marry another person who is of the same gender as him or herself".
  • July 23
    LGBT discrimination becomes no protections.
  • June 24
    Homosexual activity becomes legal.
    It has been legal since 1988 but the current criminal code was enacted in 2000.
  • June 9
    Same-sex adoption becomes single only.
  • Same-sex marriage becomes banned.
    The marriage law explicitly prohibits marriage between same-sex couples
  • June 1
    Same-sex adoption becomes legal.
    Any person or couple may adopt a child regardless of orientation pursuant Connecticut Public Act Number 00-228.
  • May 15
    LGBT discrimination becomes illegal.
    Law Number 3406
  • May 4
    Homosexual activity becomes illegal (death penalty as punishment).
    The Penal Code (Amendment) Law 2000 took effect in Niger on May 4th, 2000. Unlike most other Nigerian states, Niger enacted the Penal Code (Amendment) Law (2000) to reform its existing Penal Code, instead of adopting a whole new Sharia Penal Code. The amendment added Section 68A. Under this, Islamic criminal law is applied as found in the basic and classical sources: the Qur’an, the Hadith, and the fiqh, thereby punishing consensual same-sex sexual acts between adults (liwat) with death by stoning.
  • February 15
    Equal age of consent becomes equal.
    According to article 140 and 141 of the Georgian Penal Code, the age of consent for both homosexual and heterosexual sex is 16.
  • Homosexual activity becomes legal.
    Homosexuality has been legal for all genders in Georgia since 2000.
  • January 27
    Homosexual activity becomes illegal (death penalty as punishment).
    The Sharia Penal Code Law 2000 took effect in Zamfara on January 27th, 2000. Within the Penal Code, consensual same-sex sexual activity is punished with "caning of one hundred lashes if unmarried, and the offender shall also be liable to imprisonment for the term of one year." If married they shall be punished with stoning to death (rajm).
  • January 21
    Serving openly in military becomes legal.
    The British military actively recruits gay men and lesbians, all three services have deployed recruiting teams to gay pride events, and punishes any instance of intolerance or bullying. The Royal Navy advertises for recruits in gay magazines and has allowed gay sailors to hold civil partnership ceremonies on board ships and, since 2006, to march in full naval uniform at a gay pride marches. British Army and Royal Air Force personnel could march but had to wear civilian clothes until 2008, now all military personnel are permitted to attend Gay Pride marches in uniform.
  • January 12
    Serving openly in military becomes legal.
    Guernsey relies on British military for its defence so therefore it’s the same as the UK
  • Serving openly in military becomes legal.
    The island's militia, the Jersey Field Squadron, is part of the Royal Monmouthshire Royal Engineers reserve unit of the British Army and follows the rules set by the UK Ministry of Defence.
  • Serving openly in military becomes legal.
    Regardless of gender identity or sexual orientation one may serve in the military within the UK
  • Serving openly in military becomes legal.
    The Ministry of Defence were forced to change their stance on when the European Court of Human Rights ruled in September 1999 that the then current ban on gays in the military was unlawful.
  • Serving openly in military becomes legal.
    Military service is allowed regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity.
  • Serving openly in military becomes legal.
    LGBT+ personnel have the same terms and conditions as everyone else; this includes maternity benefits and pension arrangements for same-sex spouses or civil partners. The Army welcomes transgender personnel and all who apply to join the Army must meet the same mental and physical entry standard as any other candidate.
  • Serving openly in military becomes legal.
    Defence as part of United Kingdom
  • Serving openly in military becomes legal.
    The British military actively recruits gay men and lesbians, all three services have deployed recruiting teams to gay pride events, and punishes any instance of intolerance or bullying. The Royal Navy advertises for recruits in gay magazines and has allowed gay sailors to hold civil partnership ceremonies on board ships and, since 2006, to march in full naval uniform at a gay pride marches. British Army and Royal Air Force personnel could march but had to wear civilian clothes until 2008, now all military personnel are permitted to attend Gay Pride marches in uniform.
  • Serving openly in military becomes legal.
    As a British Overseas Territory, Gibraltar is defended by the United Kingdom's armed forces.
  • Serving openly in military becomes legal.
    Military service is allowed regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity.
  • Serving openly in military becomes legal.
    United Kingdom responsible for defence.
  • Serving openly in military becomes legal.
  • Serving openly in military becomes legal.
    Serving openly in the military is legal as of the 2000's.
  • Serving openly in military becomes legal.
    The Ministry of Defence were forced to change their stance on when the European Court of Human Rights ruled in September 1999 that the then current ban on gays in the military was unlawful.
  • January 1
    Gender-affirming care becomes legal.
    French law applies.
  • (date unknown)
    Gender-affirming care becomes legal.
    In 2000, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 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 2000, New Zealand 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 2000, Maldives 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 Morocco, medical gender transitions are framed by a circular issued by the Ministry of Health in 2016. This circular allows transgender people to access medical treatments such as hormone therapy and sex reassignment surgery, under certain conditions and after obtaining the advice of several specialists. ICD-10 classification, containing codes for diagnosing transsexualism in adulthood and childhood, governs gender medical transitions in Morocco.
  • Gender-affirming care becomes legal.
    In 2000, Kyrgyzstan 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 2000, Jamaica 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 2000, Bolivia 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 2000, Barbados 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.
    Gender-affirming care falls under provincial jurisdiction. Currently no province or territory restricts it, however some provinces like Alberta have spoken about restricting or outright banning care for minors in the future. In 2000, Canada 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.
    Ontario covers the following procedures: -Assessment for hormone therapy -Counselling -Augmentation mammoplasty or mastectomy -Private clinic stay and/or ministry-approved services outside Canada -Orchiectomy -Hysterectomy -Salpingo-oophorectomy -Vaginoplasty -Clitoroplasty -Clitoral release -Labiaplasty -Vaginectomy -Metoidioplasty -Phalloplasty -Testicular implants with scrotoplasty -Penile implant Hormones and hormone blockers are partially covered. To get coverage, patients must be referred by a qualified provider.
  • January 1
    LGBT employment discrimination becomes ambiguous.
    While no law offers explicit protection on the basis of sexual orientation in employment, it could be argued that Article 2 of the General Law on Youth (Law No. 49) (2000), which prohibits discrimination based on sexual orientation, could apply to employment matters. However, this law only protects youth between 14 and 25 years of age.
  • LGBT housing discrimination becomes ambiguous.
    in three cities and one county.
  • LGBT employment discrimination becomes ambiguous.
    City discrimination protection in a few cities. in one county.
  • Serving openly in military becomes legal.
    Defended by UK.
  • (date unknown)
    Right to change legal gender becomes legal, but requires medical diagnosis.
    Under the Gender Reassignment Act (2000), in order to amend their gender markers, applicants must submit an application to the Gender Reassignment Board. Upon examination of the application, the Board verifies that the applicant has undergone gender affirming surgery (Article 15.b.i), that they have adopted "the lifestyle" and has "the gender characteristics of a person of the gender to which the person has been reassigned" (Article 15.b.ii), and that they have received "proper counselling" in relation to their gender identity (Article 15.b.iii). However, in 2011, the High Court of Australia held in AB and AH v. Western Australia (2011) that the surgical procedure is no longer a requirement, but some sort of physical alteration must have taken place. In this instance, HRT can be seen to fulfill this requirement. If the Board is satisfied, they will issue a "recognition certificate" that enables the applicant to request a gender marker change on the birth certificate.
  • January 1
    Equal age of consent becomes equal.
  • LGBT discrimination becomes illegal in some contexts.
    Protection from discrimination based on sexual orientation was probited by the General Law on Youth (Law 49/2000) and Article 11 of the Code of Criminal Procedure. In 2011 Law 135/2011 on HIV/AIDS prohibited discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity. Several attempts have been made to prohibit discrimination for LGBT folks since 2015 in the state legislatures but have encountered many barriers. A new penal code project has been considered since but has lingered in parliament.
  • Serving openly in military becomes n/a.
    UK defends them
  • Serving openly in military becomes legal.
  • (date unknown)
    LGBT employment discrimination becomes sexual orientation only.
    Sexual orientation protections only.
  • Same-sex adoption becomes illegal.
    Miss. Code § 93-17-3(5) restricts adoptions making it illegal for a same-sex couple to adopt a child. Additionally, statute permits sexual orientation to be utilized as an adverse consideration in custody disputes.
  • Same-sex adoption becomes illegal.
    Utah Code Ann. § 78B-6-117(3): Adoption may not be permitted to individuals who are not entered into a legal marriage in a cohabitation situation. This applies to foster parenting as well (§ 62A-4a-602). Second parent adoption is outlawed as well for same-sex couples.(§ 62A-4a-60)
  • January 1
    LGBT housing discrimination becomes no protections.
    This state does not provide any legal protections from discrimination based upon sexual orientation or gender identification. However, the Human Rights Campaign states, "The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) requires grantees and participants of HUD programs to comply with local and state non-discrimination laws that include sexual orientation and gender identity. HUD also prohibits inquiries regarding the sexual orientation or gender identity of a prospective tenant or applicant for assisted housing in every state (March 2012)."
  • (date unknown)
    LGBT discrimination becomes illegal in some contexts.
    While anti-discrimination laws may apply to transgender individuals in Romania, only sexual orientation is stated in their constitution. "Anti-discrimination legislation sanctions ‘any difference, exclusion, restriction or preference based on race, nationality, ethnic origin, language, religion, social status, beliefs, sex, sexual orientation, age, disability, chronic disease, HIV positive status, belonging to a disadvantaged group or any other criterion, aiming to or resulting in a restriction or prevention of the equal recognition, use or exercise of human rights and fundamental freedoms in the political, economic, social and cultural field or in any other fields of public life.'"
  • Serving openly in military becomes legal.
    Article 3 (1) of the Basic Law of the Federal Republic of Germany and Article 14 of the European Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms protect against unequal treatment on grounds of sexual orientation.
  • Homosexual activity becomes ambiguous.
    Contemporary Egyptian law does not explicitly criminalize same-sex sexual acts. Instead, the state uses several morality provisions for the de facto criminalization of homosexual conduct. Any behavior, or the expression of any idea that is deemed to be immoral, scandalous or offensive to the teachings of a recognized religious leader may be prosecuted using these provisions. These public morality and public order laws have been used to target the LGBT community.
  • January 1
    Serving openly in military becomes legal.
    Military protection is responsibility of the United Kingdom, hence their law applies.
  • LGBT discrimination becomes illegal in some contexts.
  • Same-sex marriage becomes other type of partnership.
    Statutory Cohabitation grants specific rights to cohabiting persons. Although not specifically intended for LGBT couples it was open for same sex couples.

LGBT Organizations Founded in 2000