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2001 in LGBT Rights

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In 2001, there were 97 recorded legal changes made affecting LGBT people. In the previous year, there were 73 changes made and 42 in the following year. A total of 813 legal changes were made in the 2000s.

  • December 21
    LGBT employment discrimination becomes ambiguous.
    Article 12 of the 2001 Labour Law prohibited discrimination in employment but did not mention sexual orientation or gender identity.
  • November 27
    LGBT employment discrimination becomes sexual orientation only.
    A new, legally binding, directive issued by the EU in 2000 prohibited discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation in employment. French law followed suit and introduced protections on the basis of sexual orientation the next year.
  • November 23
    Homosexual activity becomes illegal (death penalty as punishment).
    The Sharia Penal Code Law 2001 took effect in Gombe on November 23rd, 2001. 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 the offender is married they shall be punished with stoning to death (rajm).
  • November 5
    LGBT discrimination becomes illegal.
  • LGBT discrimination becomes illegal in some contexts.
    Some anti-discrimination laws provided limited protections for LGBT people.
  • October 1
    LGBT employment discrimination becomes sexual orientation only.
    Maryland's state legislature passed and the governor signed the Anti-Discrimination Act of 2001, prohibiting discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation in employment. It took effect in October of that year.
  • September 28
    Same-sex marriage becomes civil unions (marriage rights).
    Same-sex couples are legally able to form registered partnerships, with all the rights of marriage exept for adoption rights and taking your partner’s surname.
  • September 19
    Right to change legal gender becomes legal, but requires surgery.
    In 2001, an amendment was made to Tasmania’s Births, Deaths and Marriages Registration Act which provided for legal gender recognition provided that surgery had been performed.
  • September 14
    Blood donations by MSMs becomes banned (indefinite deferral).
    On September 14th, 2001, the Russian Ministry of Health announced that men who have sex with men would be considered part of high risk groups along with prostitutes and drug addicts and be banned from donating blood.
  • September 1
    Equal age of consent becomes equal.
    Age of consent is equal at 16 years old.
  • August 22
    Censorship of LGBT issues becomes no censorship.
    In Chiapas, there are no laws restricting the discussion or promotion of LGBTQ+ topics since the removal of homosexuality as a "corrupt habit" in its corruption of minors law in 2001.
  • August 1
    (deleted region)
    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.
  • (deleted region)
    Equal age of consent becomes equal.
    Consent is equal.
  • (deleted region)
    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.
  • (deleted region)
    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.
  • (deleted region)
    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.
  • Same-sex marriage becomes civil unions (marriage rights).
    Germany recognizes civil unions and provides tax benefits to couples in a civil union.
  • 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.
  • July 11
    Intersex infant surgery becomes parental approval required.
    All surgeries require parental consent
  • July 10
    Same-sex adoption becomes legal.
    On July 10th 2001, a Nova Scotia judge invalidates the requirement for marriage for adoption after a same-sex couple pleaded their case. Before then, same-sex couples were banned from adopting as they could not be married.
  • June 21
    Censorship of LGBT issues becomes no censorship.
    In 2001, Article 200, a law which criminalised “propaganda or any other act of proselytism” of homosexuality, was repealed in Romania.
  • June 20
    Homosexual activity becomes illegal (death penalty as punishment).
    The Sharia Penal Code Law 2001 took effect in Katsina on June 20th, 2001. Within the Penal Code, consensual same-sex sexual activity is punished with stoning to death (rajm).
  • June 12
    Same-sex marriage becomes other type of partnership.
    Marriage Law is subject to Federal Law, Victoria afforded same sex relationships equal status as defacto heterosexual relationships (as domestic partnerships) in 2001
  • May 8
    Equal age of consent becomes equal.
    Equal since the Arizona Equity Act of 2001 repealed the state's sodomy laws and legalised homosexuality.
  • Homosexual activity becomes legal.
    Legislative repeal, effective 2001.
  • May 2
    Homosexual activity becomes legal.
    Homosexuality is now legal in Minnesota, although the state would not repeal its legislative sodomy provisions until 2023.
  • May
    Homosexual activity becomes illegal (death penalty as punishment).
    The Sharia Penal Code Law 2001 does not have a documented specific date of when it came into effect. However, it has been guessed to have came into effect in Bauchi in May of 2001. Within the Penal Code, consensual same-sex sexual activity is punished with stoning to death (rajm) or by any other means decided by the state.
  • April 26
    Right to change legal gender becomes legal, but requires medical diagnosis.
    Transgender people are allowed to change their legal name and gender on official documents in Moldova, but require a psychiatric diagnosis confirming their "transgenderism" to do so. This also applies in the Moldovan-controlled areas of Stinga Nistrului. For information on the parts controlled by the Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic, see Transnistria’s entry.
  • Right to change legal gender becomes legal, but requires medical diagnosis.
    Transgender people are allowed to change their legal name and gender on official documents in Moldova, but require a psychiatric diagnosis confirming their "transgenderism" to do so. This also applies in Donduseni.
  • Right to change legal gender becomes legal, but requires medical diagnosis.
    Transgender people are allowed to change their legal name and gender on official documents in Moldova, but require a psychiatric diagnosis confirming their "transgenderism" to do so. This also applies in Glodeni.
  • Right to change legal gender becomes legal, but requires medical diagnosis.
    Transgender people are allowed to change their legal name and gender on official documents in Moldova, but require a psychiatric diagnosis confirming their "transgenderism" to do so. This also applies in Taraclia.
  • Right to change legal gender becomes legal, but requires medical diagnosis.
    Transgender people are allowed to change their legal name and gender on official documents in Moldova, but require a psychiatric diagnosis confirming their "transgenderism" to do so. This also applies in Telenesti.
  • Right to change legal gender becomes legal, but requires medical diagnosis.
    Transgender people are allowed to change their legal name and gender on official documents in Moldova, but require a psychiatric diagnosis confirming their "transgenderism" to do so. This also applies in Drochia.
  • Right to change legal gender becomes legal, but requires medical diagnosis.
    Transgender people are allowed to change their legal name and gender on official documents in Moldova, but require a psychiatric diagnosis confirming their "transgenderism" to do so. This also applies in Cantemir.
  • Right to change legal gender becomes legal, but requires medical diagnosis.
    Transgender people are allowed to change their legal name and gender on official documents in Moldova, but require a psychiatric diagnosis confirming their "transgenderism" to do so. This also applies in Singerei.
  • Right to change legal gender becomes legal, but requires medical diagnosis.
    Transgender people are allowed to change their legal name and gender on official documents in Moldova, but require a psychiatric diagnosis confirming their "transgenderism" to do so. This also applies in Soldanesti.
  • Right to change legal gender becomes legal, but requires medical diagnosis.
    Transgender people are allowed to change their legal name and gender on official documents in Moldova, but require a psychiatric diagnosis confirming their "transgenderism" to do so. This also applies in Falesti.
  • Right to change legal gender becomes legal, but requires medical diagnosis.
    Transgender people are allowed to change their legal name and gender on official documents in Moldova, but require a psychiatric diagnosis confirming their "transgenderism" to do so. This also applies in Nisporeni.
  • Right to change legal gender becomes legal, but requires medical diagnosis.
    Transgender people are allowed to change their legal name and gender on official documents in Moldova, but require a psychiatric diagnosis confirming their "transgenderism" to do so. This also applies in Hincesti.
  • Right to change legal gender becomes legal, but requires medical diagnosis.
    Transgender people are allowed to change their legal name and gender on official documents in Moldova, but require a psychiatric diagnosis confirming their "transgenderism" to do so. This also applies in Ialoveni.
  • Right to change legal gender becomes legal, but requires medical diagnosis.
    Transgender people are allowed to change their legal name and gender on official documents in Moldova, but require a psychiatric diagnosis confirming their "transgenderism" to do so. This also applies in Edinet.
  • Right to change legal gender becomes legal, but requires medical diagnosis.
    Transgender people are allowed to change their legal name and gender on official documents in Moldova, but require a psychiatric diagnosis confirming their "transgenderism" to do so. This also applies in Ocnita.
  • Right to change legal gender becomes legal, but requires medical diagnosis.
    Transgender people are allowed to change their legal name and gender on official documents in Moldova, but require a psychiatric diagnosis confirming their "transgenderism" to do so. This also applies in Ungheni.
  • Right to change legal gender becomes legal, but requires medical diagnosis.
    Transgender people are allowed to change their legal name and gender on official documents in Moldova, but require a psychiatric diagnosis confirming their "transgenderism" to do so. This also applies in Rezina.
  • Right to change legal gender becomes legal, but requires medical diagnosis.
    Transgender people are allowed to change their legal name and gender on official documents in Moldova, but require a psychiatric diagnosis confirming their "transgenderism" to do so. This also applies in Floresti.
  • Right to change legal gender becomes legal, but requires medical diagnosis.
    Transgender people are allowed to change their legal name and gender on official documents in Moldova, but require a psychiatric diagnosis confirming their "transgenderism" to do so. This also applies in Calarasi.
  • Right to change legal gender becomes legal, but requires medical diagnosis.
    Transgender people are allowed to change their legal name and gender on official documents in Moldova, but require a psychiatric diagnosis confirming their "transgenderism" to do so. This also applies in Stefan Voda.
  • Right to change legal gender becomes legal, but requires medical diagnosis.
    Transgender people are allowed to change their legal name and gender on official documents in Moldova, but require a psychiatric diagnosis confirming their "transgenderism" to do so. This also applies in Criuleni.
  • Right to change legal gender becomes legal, but requires medical diagnosis.
    Transgender people are allowed to change their legal name and gender on official documents in Moldova, but require a psychiatric diagnosis confirming their "transgenderism" to do so. This also applies in Leova.
  • Right to change legal gender becomes legal, but requires medical diagnosis.
    Transgender people are allowed to change their legal name and gender on official documents in Moldova, but require a psychiatric diagnosis confirming their "transgenderism" to do so. This also applies in Straseni.
  • Right to change legal gender becomes legal, but requires medical diagnosis.
    Transgender people are allowed to change their legal name and gender on official documents in Moldova, but require a psychiatric diagnosis confirming their "transgenderism" to do so. This also applies in Tighina.
  • Right to change legal gender becomes legal, but requires medical diagnosis.
    Transgender people are allowed to change their legal name and gender on official documents in Moldova, but require a psychiatric diagnosis confirming their "transgenderism" to do so. This also applies in Briceni.
  • Right to change legal gender becomes legal, but requires medical diagnosis.
    Transgender people are allowed to change their legal name and gender on official documents in Moldova, but require a psychiatric diagnosis confirming their "transgenderism" to do so. This also applies in Anenii Noi.
  • Right to change legal gender becomes legal, but requires medical diagnosis.
    Transgender people are allowed to change their legal name and gender on official documents in Moldova, but require a psychiatric diagnosis confirming their "transgenderism" to do so. This also applies in Riscani.
  • Right to change legal gender becomes legal, but requires medical diagnosis.
    Transgender people are allowed to change their legal name and gender on official documents in Moldova, but require a psychiatric diagnosis confirming their "transgenderism" to do so. This also applies to Causeni.
  • Right to change legal gender becomes legal, but requires medical diagnosis.
    Transgender people are allowed to change their legal name and gender on official documents in Moldova, but require a psychiatric diagnosis confirming their "transgenderism" to do so. This law also applies in Soroca.
  • Right to change legal gender becomes legal, but requires medical diagnosis.
    Transgender people are allowed to change their legal name and gender on official documents in Moldova, but require a psychiatric diagnosis confirming their "transgenderism" to do so. This law also applies in Cahul.
  • Right to change legal gender becomes legal, but requires medical diagnosis.
    Transgender people are allowed to change their legal name and gender on official documents in Moldova, but require a psychiatric diagnosis confirming their "transgenderism" to do so. This law also applies in Orhei.
  • Right to change legal gender becomes legal, but requires medical diagnosis.
    Transgender people are allowed to change their legal name and gender on official documents in Moldova, but require a psychiatric diagnosis confirming their "transgenderism" to do so. This law also applies in Balti.
  • Right to change legal gender becomes legal, but requires medical diagnosis.
    Transgender people are allowed to change their legal name and gender on official documents in Moldova, but require a psychiatric diagnosis confirming their "transgenderism" to do so. This law also applies in Basarabeasca.
  • Right to change legal gender becomes legal, but requires medical diagnosis.
    Transgender people are allowed to change their legal name and gender on official documents in Moldova, but require a psychiatric diagnosis confirming their "transgenderism" to do so. This law also applies in Dubasari.
  • Right to change legal gender becomes legal, but requires medical diagnosis.
    Transgender people are allowed to change their legal name and gender on official documents in Moldova, but require a psychiatric diagnosis confirming their "transgenderism" to do so. This law also applies in Cimislia.
  • Right to change legal gender becomes legal, but requires medical diagnosis.
    Transgender people are allowed to change their legal name and gender on official documents in Moldova, but require a psychiatric diagnosis confirming their "transgenderism" to do so. The law also applied to Chișinău.
  • Right to change legal gender becomes legal, but requires medical diagnosis.
    Transgender people are allowed to change their legal name and gender on official documents in Moldova, but require a psychiatric diagnosis confirming their "transgenderism" to do so. The law also applied to Gagauzia.
  • Right to change legal gender becomes legal, but requires medical diagnosis.
    Transgender people are allowed to change their legal name and gender on official documents in Moldova, but require a psychiatric diagnosis confirming their "transgenderism" to do so.
  • April 25
    Homosexual activity becomes illegal (death penalty as punishment).
    The Sharia Penal Code Law 2000 took effect in Yobe on April 25th, 2001. In Yobe, along with Kaduna, the definition of sodomy is vague. In these states, "sodomy" is committed by "[w]hoever has anal coitus with any man". The punishment for sodomy in Yobe under the Sharia Penal Code Law 2000, is stoning to death (rajm). The punishment for lesbianism ("[w]hoever, being a woman, engages another woman in carnal intercourse through her sexual organ or by means of stimulation or sexual excitement of one another.") is caning which may extend to fifty lashes and in addition be sentenced to a term of imprisonment which may extend to six months.
  • April 1
    Same-sex marriage becomes legal.
    In April 2001, the Kingdom of the Netherlands was the first jurisdiction to legalise same-sex marriage.
  • Same-sex marriage becomes legal.
    The Netherlands became the first country in the world to legalize gay marriage. The Lower Chamber voted 109 in favor on the same-sex marriage, with 33 against on September 12, 2000. On December 19, the Higher Chamber votes 'yes' on the bill. Queen Beatrix ratified the law on December 21st and it went into effect on April 1, 2001.
  • Same-sex marriage becomes legal.
    The Netherlands became the first country in the world to legalize gay marriage. The Lower Chamber voted 109 in favor on the same-sex marriage, with 33 against on September 12, 2000. On December 19, the Higher Chamber votes 'yes' on the bill. Queen Beatrix ratified the law on December 21st and it went into effect on April 1, 2001.
  • March 13
    Equal age of consent becomes equal.
    With the Criminal Code Amendments of 2001, the age of consent of 14 became equal for everyone.
  • January 31
    Homosexual activity becomes illegal (death penalty as punishment).
    The Sharia Penal Code Law 2000 took effect in Sokoto on January 31st, 2001. Within the Penal Code, consensual same-sex sexual activity is punished with stoning to death. If the act is committed by a minor on an adult person the adult person shall be punished by way of ta'azir which may extend to 100 lashes and minor with correctional punishment.
  • January 8
    Equal age of consent becomes equal.
  • (date unknown)
    Right to change legal gender becomes legal, but requires surgery.
    In 2001, Colorado provided for legal gender recognition but required proof of surgery.
  • Blood donations by MSMs becomes legal.
    Italy uses a risk-based donor selection system that treats MSM and heterosexual partners equally.
  • Homosexual activity becomes legal.
    Homosexuality has been decriminalised in 2001
  • Censorship of LGBT issues becomes state-enforced.
    The Government of South Korea practiced censorship of gay content websites from 2001 to 2003, through its Information and Communications Ethics Committee, an official organ of the Ministry of Information and Communication.
  • Censorship of LGBT issues becomes state-enforced.
    Utah used to censor supportive speech about LGBT topics in public schools since 2001, but the laws were repealed in 2017
  • January 1
    Equal age of consent becomes equal.
    The age of concent was equalised at the same time as homosexual activity was decriminalised.
  • Equal age of consent becomes unequal.
    On 13 December 2000, Caribbean Territories (Criminal Law) Order 2000 decriminalised consensual same-sex acts in private for two people over the age of 18. Age of consent for heterosexual couples is under 16.
  • (date unknown)
    Equal age of consent becomes equal.
    Although homosexual activity has been legal since 1989, the age of consent between homosexual couples and the age of consent between heterosexual couples was not equalized until 2001. The age of consent is currently 14 years old.
  • January 1
    Right to change legal gender becomes legal, but requires surgery.
    In a 2001 amendment, sex change is possible but only with surgery.
  • (date unknown)
    LGBT employment discrimination becomes sexual orientation and gender identity.
    State law provides for protections against employment discrimination in regards to both sexual orientation and gender identification.
  • January 1
    Equal age of consent becomes equal.
  • (date unknown)
    Equal age of consent becomes equal.
  • Homosexual activity becomes legal.
    There are no laws against homosexuality in South Georgia and the South Sandwich islands.
  • January 1
    Homosexual activity becomes legal.
    On 13 December 2000, Caribbean Territories (Criminal Law) Order 2000 decriminalised consensual same-sex acts in private for two people over the age of 18. The order came in to force on 1 January 2001. It does not apply to acts with more than two parties, or in public lavatories.
  • Homosexual activity becomes legal.
    On 13 December 2000, Caribbean Territories (Criminal Law) Order 2000 decriminalised consensual same-sex acts in private for two people over the age of 18. The order came in to force on 1 January 2001. It does not apply to acts with more than two parties, or in public lavatories.
  • Homosexual activity becomes legal.
    On 13 December 2000, Caribbean Territories (Criminal Law) Order 2000 decriminalised consensual same-sex acts in private for two people over the age of 18. The order does not apply to acts with more than two parties, or in public lavatories.
  • Homosexual activity becomes legal.
    On 13 December 2000, Caribbean Territories (Criminal Law) Order 2000 decriminalised consensual same-sex acts in private for two people over the age of 18. The order does not apply to acts with more than two parties, or in public lavatories.
  • (date unknown)
    Serving openly in military becomes legal.
    Norway has been allowing all genders to serve openly in the miliary since 2001
  • January 1
    Homosexual activity becomes legal.
    The UK government decriminalised homosexual acts between two consenting adults via Sections 3(1) and 3(7) of the Caribbean Territories (Criminal Law) Order, 2000.
  • (date unknown)
    Homosexual activity becomes legal.
    Before decriminalisation, enforcement of the law was reportedly rare and in 2001 Romania fully decriminalised homosexuality.
  • January 1
    Same-sex adoption becomes single only.
  • (date unknown)
    Equal age of consent becomes equal.
    Equal age of consent is 16.
  • Blood donations by MSMs becomes banned (indefinite deferral).
    Gay, lesbian, bisexual, and other "high risk HIV" groups are banned from donating blood in Taiwan.
  • Blood donations by MSMs becomes legal.
    Italy uses a risk-based donor selection system that treats MSM and heterosexual partners equally.
  • Equal age of consent becomes equal.

LGBT Organizations Founded in 2001