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2011 in LGBT Rights

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In 2011, there were 115 recorded legal changes made affecting LGBT people. In the previous year, there were 117 changes made and 108 in the following year. A total of 1464 legal changes were made in the 2010s.

  • December 2
    Same-sex adoption becomes illegal.
    Included in Article 522 of Mali’s people and family code is a ban on adoption by gay people. This part of the article when translated to English reads: “ Under no circumstances is a homosexual allowed to adopt a child under any regime whatsoever.”
  • November 30
    LGBT housing discrimination becomes sexual orientation only.
    Article 134A of the Criminal Code (2000), as amended by Article 3 of the Law No. 1,482 (2011) criminalises acts of discrimination based on "sexual orientation". This provision is formulated in broad terms and its scope of application necessarily applies to housing. Articles 136C(3) and 136C(4) aggravate the penalty if such acts are committed by public servants or while providing public services.
  • LGBT employment discrimination becomes sexual orientation only.
    Article 134A of the Criminal Code (2000), as amended by Law No. 1,482 (2011), criminalises discrimination based on "sexual orientation", while Article 136C (3) and (4) aggravate the penalty if such discrimination is committed by public servants or while providing public services. These provisions ban "sexual orientation" discrimination in broad terms and therefore apply to employment. Article 136C (6) also includes the motive of denying or restricting labour rights as an aggravating factor.
  • LGBT discrimination becomes illegal.
    Sexual orientation is explicitly covered in the law. Gender Identity on the other hand, is not mentioned explicitly but is implied.
  • November 7
    Blood donations by MSMs becomes banned (1-year deferral).
    Following an evidence-based review by the Advisory Committee on the Safety of Blood, Tissues and Organs (SaBTO) the lifetime ban was reduced to a 1-year deferral period in England, Wales, and Scotland.
  • Blood donations by MSMs becomes banned (1-year deferral).
    Although you can't have sex for a year.
  • Blood donations by MSMs becomes banned (indefinite deferral).
    The Irish Blood Transfusion Service bans blood from men who have sex with men. Their policy states: "In order to assure the continued safety of the blood supply, we currently ask those people who may have a particularly high risk of carrying blood-borne viruses not to give blood. This includes men who have ever had sex with another man / men."
  • November 5
    Same-sex marriage becomes legal.
  • November 1
    Blood donations by MSMs becomes banned (1-year deferral).
    In 2011, The Island of Jersey began allowing the donation of blood by gay men so long as they had not had sex with another man in the past year.
  • September 26
    Blood donations by MSMs becomes ambiguous.
    Usually legal according to the American Red Cross, but not legal for LGBTQ people in Djibouti.
  • September 20
    Serving openly in military becomes legal.
    Don't Ask, Don't Tell is officially repealed throughout the United States, and gays and lesbians may openly serve.
  • Serving openly in military becomes legal.
    Don't Ask, Don't Tell is officially repealed throughout the United States, and gays and lesbians may openly serve.
  • Serving openly in military becomes legal.
    Don't Ask, Don't Tell is officially repealed throughout the United States, and gays and lesbians may openly serve.
  • Serving openly in military becomes legal.
    Don't Ask, Don't Tell is officially repealed throughout the United States, and gays and lesbians may openly serve.
  • Serving openly in military becomes legal.
    Don't Ask, Don't Tell is officially repealed throughout the United States, and gays and lesbians may openly serve.
  • Serving openly in military becomes legal.
    Don't Ask, Don't Tell is officially repealed throughout the United States, and gays and lesbians may openly serve.
  • Serving openly in military becomes lesbians, gays, bisexuals permitted, transgender people banned.
    Don't Ask, Don't Tell is officially repealed throughout the United States, and gays and lesbians may openly serve. "Transvestites" barred from service.
  • Serving openly in military becomes legal.
    Don't Ask, Don't Tell is officially repealed throughout the United States, and gays and lesbians may openly serve.
  • Serving openly in military becomes legal.
    Don't Ask, Don't Tell is officially repealed throughout the United States, and gays and lesbians may openly serve.
  • Serving openly in military becomes legal.
    Don't Ask, Don't Tell is officially repealed throughout the United States, and gays and lesbians may openly serve.
  • Serving openly in military becomes legal.
    Don't Ask, Don't Tell is officially repealed throughout the United States, and gays and lesbians may openly serve.
  • Serving openly in military becomes legal.
    Don't Ask, Don't Tell is officially repealed throughout the United States, and gays and lesbians may openly serve.
  • Serving openly in military becomes legal.
    Don't Ask, Don't Tell is officially repealed throughout the United States, and gays and lesbians may openly serve.
  • Serving openly in military becomes legal.
    Don't Ask, Don't Tell is officially repealed throughout the United States, and gays and lesbians may openly serve.
  • Serving openly in military becomes legal.
    Don't Ask, Don't Tell is officially repealed throughout the United States, and gays and lesbians may openly serve.
  • Serving openly in military becomes legal.
    Don't Ask, Don't Tell is officially repealed throughout the United States, and gays and lesbians may openly serve.
  • Serving openly in military becomes legal.
    Don't Ask, Don't Tell is officially repealed throughout the United States, and gays and lesbians may openly serve.
  • Serving openly in military becomes legal.
    Don't Ask, Don't Tell is officially repealed throughout the United States, and gays and lesbians may openly serve.
  • Serving openly in military becomes legal.
    Don't Ask, Don't Tell is officially repealed throughout the United States, and gays and lesbians may openly serve.
  • Serving openly in military becomes legal.
    Don't Ask, Don't Tell is officially repealed throughout the United States, and gays and lesbians may openly serve.
  • Serving openly in military becomes legal.
    Don't Ask, Don't Tell is officially repealed throughout the United States, and gays and lesbians may openly serve.
  • Serving openly in military becomes legal.
    Don't Ask, Don't Tell is officially repealed throughout the United States, and gays and lesbians may openly serve.
  • Serving openly in military becomes legal.
    Don't Ask, Don't Tell is officially repealed throughout the United States, and gays and lesbians may openly serve.
  • Serving openly in military becomes legal.
    Don't Ask, Don't Tell is officially repealed throughout the United States, and gays and lesbians may openly serve.
  • Serving openly in military becomes legal.
    Don't Ask, Don't Tell is officially repealed throughout the United States, and gays and lesbians may openly serve.
  • Serving openly in military becomes legal.
    Don't Ask, Don't Tell is officially repealed throughout the United States, and gays and lesbians may openly serve.
  • Serving openly in military becomes legal.
    Don't Ask, Don't Tell is officially repealed throughout the United States, and gays and lesbians may openly serve.
  • Serving openly in military becomes legal.
    Don't Ask, Don't Tell is officially repealed throughout the United States, and gays and lesbians may openly serve.
  • Serving openly in military becomes legal.
    Don't Ask, Don't Tell is officially repealed throughout the United States, and gays and lesbians may openly serve.
  • Serving openly in military becomes legal.
    Don't Ask, Don't Tell is officially repealed throughout the United States, and gays and lesbians may openly serve.
  • Serving openly in military becomes legal.
    Don't Ask, Don't Tell is officially repealed throughout the United States, and gays and lesbians may openly serve.
  • Serving openly in military becomes legal.
    Don't Ask, Don't Tell is officially repealed throughout the United States, and gays and lesbians may openly serve.
  • Serving openly in military becomes legal.
    Don't Ask, Don't Tell is officially repealed throughout the United States, and gays and lesbians may openly serve.
  • Serving openly in military becomes legal.
    Don't Ask, Don't Tell is officially repealed throughout the United States, and gays and lesbians may openly serve.
  • Serving openly in military becomes legal.
    Don't Ask, Don't Tell is officially repealed throughout the United States, and gays and lesbians may openly serve.
  • Serving openly in military becomes legal.
    Don't Ask, Don't Tell is officially repealed throughout the United States, and gays and lesbians may openly serve.
  • Serving openly in military becomes legal.
    Don't Ask, Don't Tell is officially repealed throughout the United States, and gays and lesbians may openly serve.
  • Serving openly in military becomes legal.
    Don't Ask, Don't Tell is officially repealed throughout the United States, and gays and lesbians may openly serve.
  • Serving openly in military becomes legal.
    Don't Ask, Don't Tell is officially repealed throughout the United States, and gays and lesbians may openly serve.
  • Serving openly in military becomes legal.
    Don't Ask, Don't Tell is officially repealed throughout the United States, and gays and lesbians may openly serve.
  • Serving openly in military becomes legal.
    Don't Ask, Don't Tell is officially repealed throughout the United States, and gays and lesbians may openly serve.
  • Serving openly in military becomes legal.
    Don't Ask, Don't Tell is officially repealed throughout the United States, and gays and lesbians may openly serve.
  • Serving openly in military becomes legal.
    Don't Ask, Don't Tell is officially repealed throughout the United States, and gays and lesbians may openly serve.
  • Serving openly in military becomes legal.
    Legalized with national passing of Don't Ask, Don't Tell Repeal Act of 2010.
  • Serving openly in military becomes legal.
    Don't Ask, Don't Tell is officially repealed throughout the United States, and gays and lesbians may openly serve.
  • Serving openly in military becomes legal.
    Don't ask don't tell was officially repealed.
  • Serving openly in military becomes legal.
  • Serving openly in military becomes lesbians, gays, bisexuals permitted, transgender people banned.
    Lesbian, gay, and bisexual individuals are permitted to serve openly in the military, however, transgender individuals are still banned.
  • September 1
    Same-sex marriage becomes civil unions (marriage rights).
    In 2011, Liechtenstein approved registered partnerships following a referendum.
  • July 22
    Same-sex marriage becomes ambiguous.
    There has been an officially recognised female-female marriage
  • July 17
    Same-sex adoption becomes second parent adoption only.
    On June 16, 2011, the Slovenia National Assembly voted 43 to 38 in favor of repealing the previous law that prevented same-sex couples from adopting children. The new Family Code was supposed to allow stepchild adoption but it was rejected on referendum held on March 25, 2012. The right to step-parent adoption for same-sex couples was recognised by the Ministry of Labour, Family, Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities on July 17, 2011, (by allowing a woman to adopt her same-sex partner's biological child) on the basis of the Law on Marriage and Family Relations (1976). This is despite the fact that Article 135 stipulates that adopters must be married. This raised the possibility that such an adoption would be possible even if the 2011 Family Code were to be repealed in a referendum.
  • July 9
    LGBT housing discrimination becomes no protections.
  • LGBT employment discrimination becomes no protections.
    LGBT community is taboo.
  • Serving openly in military becomes illegal.
    No protection granted as homosexuality is illegal
  • LGBT discrimination becomes no protections.
    No protection is granted as homosexuality is illegal
  • Homosexual activity becomes illegal (imprisonment as punishment).
    Up to 10-14 years in prison and a fine. Not enforced.
  • July 8
    Same-sex marriage becomes banned.
    As homosexuality is a punishable offense, same sex marriage is also not legal
  • June 24
    Same-sex marriage becomes legal.
    Marriage Equality Act was signed into law by Former Governor Cuomo on June 24, 2011, allowing same-sex couples to marry legally in New York for the first time. The New York City Clerk started issuing Marriage Licenses and performing civil marriage ceremonies for same-sex couples on July 24, 2011. The USA also followed later in 2015 with the Marriage Equality Act (2015)
  • May 25
    Same-sex marriage becomes n/a.
    In May 2011, a question to amend the Minnesota Constitutional is placed on the November 2012 ballot by the state legislature. The amendment failed to pass in 2012, but marriage remained illegal in MN due to a state law.
  • May 13
    LGBT discrimination becomes illegal.
    Discrimination is prohibited on the grounds of "sexual orientation"
  • May 5
    Same-sex marriage becomes civil unions (marriage rights).
    Although the first formal legal recognition of a civil union took place in 2004 (See first source), the Supreme Court did not rule in favor of civil unions throughout the country until May 5, 2011.
  • April 18
    Same-sex adoption becomes ambiguous.
    While same-sex adoption is legal in Arizona, 2011 Ariz Legis Serv. 147 (S.B. 1188) gives preference to "a married man and woman" over an individual. Thus, the preference for married individuals not only discriminates against unwed individuals of all orientations, but the wording also carries allows for discrimination against LGBT couples. Second parent adoption is not permitted for same-sex couples.
  • April 9
    Equal age of consent becomes equal.
    On 8 April 2011, the Supreme Court of Gibraltar ruled that a higher age of consent of 18 for all gay sex was deemed unconstitutional, and thus mandated an equal age of consent of 16. Also at the same time decriminalised heterosexual anal sex and set the age of consent at 16 for that as well.
  • April 7
    Same-sex marriage becomes banned.
    Constitutional Ban. In 2011, the Parliament passed The Charter of Fundamental Rights and Freedoms (Constitutional Amendment) Act, 2011 which explicitly banned same-sex marriage and any other kind of union to be recognized in Jamaica.
  • Same-sex adoption becomes legal.
    Originally banned in a measure on a ballot, but Arkansas Supreme Court Overruled. Any unmarried individual may petition for adoption, and any married individuals must petition jointly before the court. While the Supreme Court of Arkansas has struck down bans to limit same-sex adoption on privacy grounds, all adoption cases are handled on a case by case basis before a lower court judge. Lower courts have a history of hostile rulings for same-sex adoptive parents as displayed in Larson v. Larson, 902 S.W.2d 254 (App. 1995).
  • April 6
    Same-sex marriage becomes civil unions (marriage rights).
    Civil Partnerships were introduced by the Civil Partnership Act 2011.
  • April 1
    Blood donations by MSMs becomes banned (6-month deferral).
    Red Cross Japan reduces deferral for high HIV risk individual from 12 months to 6 months.
  • March 15
    Right to change legal gender becomes legal, but requires surgery.
    Individuals in Portugal can legally change their gender and name on their birth certificate.
  • February 4
    Right to change legal gender becomes legal, but requires surgery.
    Previously required surgery.
  • January 4
    Blood donations by MSMs becomes legal.
  • (date unknown)
    Gender-affirming care becomes legal.
    In 2011, Cape Verde 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 2011, Bosnia and Herzegovina 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 2011, Andorra adopted the ICD-10 classification, which contains codes for diagnosing transsexualism in adulthood and childhood, which authorize the initiation of medical transition.
  • January 1
    LGBT housing discrimination becomes ambiguous.
    The Law on Prohibition of Discrimination from 2010 prohibited discrimination in Housing, but sexual orientation and gender identity were not explicitly mentioned as grounds.
  • (date unknown)
    Right to change legal gender becomes legal, but requires surgery.
    In 2011, new guidelines were established and allowed change to identity documents only after sex reassignment surgery, physical and psychiatric medical examinations, hormone therapy and sterilization. Additionally, people under 21 are not allowed to change their gender on their official identity documents.
  • Same-sex adoption becomes legal.
    The Civil Partnership Act 2011 enabled adoption for same-sex couples.
  • Legal recognition of non-binary gender becomes recognized.
    Australia does have recognition of nonbinary gender through the X marker on passports since 2011, making it one of the first countries to offer it. However, for other IDs, the availability of the X gender marker varies by states. It's not recognised in New South Wales, for example.
  • January 1
    Right to change legal gender becomes ambiguous.
    No laws in place.
  • (date unknown)
    Right to change legal gender becomes legal, no restrictions.
    they gender identity law
  • January 1
    LGBT housing discrimination becomes sexual orientation and gender identity.
    Under the Constitution.
  • Blood donations by MSMs becomes legal.
    3 month deferral as part of the UK
  • Same-sex marriage becomes legal.
  • Same-sex marriage becomes foreign same-sex marriages recognized only.
    Required legalization. Gay Marriage and Gay Unions pending. Under the 2018 IACHR Ruling.
  • LGBT employment discrimination becomes sexual orientation and gender identity.
    Under the Constitution.
  • LGBT discrimination becomes illegal.
    Under the Constitution.
  • Same-sex marriage becomes legal.
  • Same-sex marriage becomes legal.
  • Same-sex marriage becomes legal.
  • Same-sex adoption becomes legal.
  • Same-sex marriage becomes legal.
  • Blood donations by MSMs becomes banned (less than 6-month deferral).
    As of 2011, a 3 month deferral is applied after same-sex intercourse. Meaning, the couple must wait 3 months after intercourse to donate blood.
  • Same-sex adoption becomes single only.
    lgbt may adopt. Legalization pending.
  • Serving openly in military becomes legal.
    But they don't have a military.
  • (date unknown)
    Right to change legal gender becomes legal, but requires medical diagnosis.
    Following the amendment of the Act on the Amendment of Names and Sex Determination in Special Cases, known as the Law on Transsexuality (1981) by Judgment No. 1 BvR 3295/07 (2011) of the Federal Constitutional Court, the criteria for changing the name or both the name and the gender marker were unified. Currently, the law requires applicants to (i) prove that "due to their transsexual status, they do not feel comfortable with their sex registered at birth", (ii) they have lived for at least three years "in accordance with the gender they identify with" and (iii) that their "situation of transexuality is foreseeably stable". This procedure is carried out before a municipal judge, which has to verify that these requirements are met by subjecting the applicant to an examination carried out by two expert witnesses "specialised in transsexualism". (ILGA) In 2017, the Federal Ministry for Family Affairs, Senior Citizens, Women and Youth (BMFSJ) commissioned the Humboldt University in Berlin to prepare an expert opinion on the "need for regulation and reform for transgender people". It found that the current assessment procedure is in many cases characterized by disproportionate time and expense as well as degrading and discriminatory experiences and violates the fundamental rights of the applicants. The non-governmental organization Deutsche Gesellschaft für Transidentität und Intersexualität e.V. (dgti) issues a supplemental ID card which contains one's self-chosen first names, pronouns and gender before a legal name change has taken place. It is known and accepted by German ministries, the police, and many authorities. The supplemental ID card is often a condition to correct one's name at, among others, schools, universities, banks and insurance companies. In five German states, references to the ID have been included in coronavirus ordinances and associated explanations to recognize it as an identification document, e.g., together with vaccination certificates. It has a special status of recognition in Germany. The legal basis of the supplemental ID card is the implementation of the request of the European Parliament, communicated in the 11th legislative period of the German parliament. When the Self-Identification law was introduced, people who went through this old process could apply for a monetary compensation.
  • Blood donations by MSMs becomes banned (1-year deferral).
    As in England
  • LGBT housing discrimination becomes sexual orientation and gender identity.
    Article 5 of the Law for the Regulation and Control of Housing Leasing, enacted in 2011, bans discrimination and provides protection to those who are especially vulnerable, or vulnerable to discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity, among others.
  • LGBT employment discrimination becomes sexual orientation and gender identity.
    Legal protections from discrimination based upon sexual orientation and gender identification exist.
  • 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.
  • 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
    Blood donations by MSMs becomes banned (1-year deferral).
    In 2011 the rules were relaxed from a lifetime ban to a year ban.
  • January 1
    LGBT employment discrimination becomes sexual orientation only.
    The Equal Treamtent Law of 2010 prohibits sexual orientation discrimination in employment.
  • (date unknown)
    Serving openly in military becomes legal.
    Don't Ask, Don't Tell is officially repealed throughout the United States, and gays and lesbians may openly serve.
  • Serving openly in military becomes legal.
    Military policies are under federal jurisdiction in the United States.
  • January 1
    LGBT discrimination becomes illegal in some contexts.
    In all Federal positions, discrimination based on sexual orientation is against the law in instances related to work and employment. In non-federal government jobs, it is based on the state's laws as no federal protections currently exist for non-employees. Additionally, even federal employees could face discrimination unrelated to work in areas of life such as housing, health care, etc. In fact, many groups are advocating the repeal of protections or the introduction of laws to permit discrimination.
  • Same-sex marriage becomes civil unions (marriage rights).
    Granted under the Civil Partnership and Certain Rights and Obligations of Cohabitants Act, 2010.

LGBT Organizations Founded in 2011

  • Equality Louisiana FaviconEquality Louisiana
    Louisiana, United States
    Equality Louisiana is a coalition of LGBT and allied organizations from all over Louisiana committed to full equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people.
  • Akahat FaviconAkahat
    Argentina
    AKAHAT
  • Community Business FaviconCommunity Business
    Global
    Creator of Hong Kong and Asia's first Diversity and Inclusion Index, which is now done annually for corporates that are LGBTQ inclusive.
  • Pride Legal FaviconPride Legal
    Global
    The most trusted network of independent attorneys for the LGBTQ community in California.
  • Colour Youth FaviconColour Youth
    Greece
    Colour Youth is an LGBTQ group, which aims to create a strong community of young people, support its members and claim its rights!
  • CAN-Myanmar FaviconCAN-Myanmar
    Myanmar
    Civil Authorize Negotiate Organization (C.A.N-Myanmar) is an LGBTIQ people-led a Non-Governmental Organization established on May 10, 2011, in Mandalay for Myanmar Society…
  • Irca Casa Abierta FaviconIrca Casa Abierta
    Costa Rica
    Eng: Focused on migratory assistance & the establishment process on the country, for LGBTQIA people who has left their original country for this…
  • Okvir FaviconOkvir
    Bosnia and Herzegovina
    Promotion and protection of culture, identity and human rights of LGBTIQA persons.
  • Beograd Prajd FaviconBeograd Prajd
    Serbia
    Organization of the pride parade in Belgrade, Serbia.
  • Pro LGBT FaviconPro LGBT
    Albania
    Promotion and advocacy for the improvement of LGBT rights in Albania.