In 2018, there were 112 recorded legal changes made affecting LGBT people. In the previous year, there were 183 changes made and 168 in the following year. A total of 1261 legal changes were made in the 2010s.
- December 18
- December 14Legal recognition of non-binary gender becomes intersex only.nique at the international level": the Austrian LGBTQ+ umbrella HOSI yesterday welcomed the decree of the federal government that establishes six options for its citizens in the official definition of their sex. In addition to the masculine, feminine and «various» (the «X» instituted last year in passports), the categories «inter» and «offen» (open) are available, as well as the possibility of choosing none. The latter option may be required when children with sexual variation are born. They – or their legal representative – may decide later. However, says Queer.de, the transition from conventional categories to other options will only be possible with the favourable opinion of an expert. This condition is challenged by LGBTI activists, who regret the «pathologization» of intersex people. 'The stage of self-determination is still far away,' said Luan Pertl of Plattform Intersex Österreich. The organizations also call for a ban on surgical interventions on intersex children and adolescents, which was part of the programme of the ruling coalition in Vienna.
- December 11LGBT employment discrimination becomes sexual orientation only.Protections for employment are only for sexual orientation. "No law shall be enacted which discriminates against any person on account of race, sex, sexual orientation, language, or religion, nor shall the equal protection of the laws be denied."
- December 6Right to change legal gender becomes legal, but requires medical diagnosis.In 2018. the Northern Territory removed the requirement for surgery for legal gender recognition in its Births, Deaths and Marriages Regulations Act but retained that proof of “appropriate clinical treatment” be provided.
- November 29Legal recognition of non-binary gender becomes recognized.People can register their gender on their birth certificate as non-binary, intersex, indeterminate or other.
- November 16Same-sex marriage becomes civil unions (marriage rights).San Marino passed a law recognizing same sex civil unions.
- Same-sex adoption becomes second parent adoption only.Stepchild adoption for same sex couples.
- November 1Legal recognition of non-binary gender becomes recognized.British Columbia residents can ask for an X gender marker on their driver’s license, identity card, birth certificate and BC Services Card.
- NovemberLGBT discrimination becomes illegal in some contexts.Section 107 of Chapter 1 of the Code of the Federated States of Micronesia reads: No law shall be enacted which discriminates against any person on account of race, sex, sexual orientation, language, or religion, nor shall the equal protection of the laws be denied.
- October 31LGBT discrimination becomes illegal in some contexts.
- October 29
- Right to change legal gender becomes legal, but requires medical diagnosis.Person applying for gender change must submit all documents and medical analyzes confirming their request, then their documents are submitted to the Ministry of the Interior, obtain the consent of the minister's office.
- October 18Gender-affirming care becomes legal.Every trans person in Uruguay has the right to access comprehensive gender-affirming care, including hormone therapy and surgical interventions, through the public healthcare system (SNIS), private healthcare providers, or a combination of both. For minors, access to gender-affirming care requires either the consent of their legal representatives or judicial authorization. In cases requiring judicial authorizations, the court must determine that the procedure is in the best interest of the minor before granting approval. When it comes to irreversible genital surgeries for minors, the consent of their legal representatives is mandatory. Law No. 19,684 2018 (Article 19-21) guarantees the training of a team specialized in gender identity and sexual diversity, informed consent, data confidentiality, access to relevant information/guidance/advice, and a collaborative decision-making process. It also prohibits discrimination in healthcare, ensuring equal access for all.
- October 1Legal recognition of non-binary gender becomes recognized.Residents of Minnesota can change their gender marker to an X on their driver's license.
- September 25Conversion therapy becomes banned.
- September 24LGBT employment discrimination becomes no protections.As a matter of fact , in the decision of the 22nd Civil Chamber of the Court of Cassation dated 24.09.2018 and numbered 2015/35120 Main, 2018/19675 , it is emphasized that discrimination due to the sexual orientation of the worker is within the scope of the prohibition (although the concept of "sexual preference" is used with an incorrect terminology) : The prohibition of discrimination can be added to this, due to the employee's sexual preference that does not cause any adverse effects in the workplace. Again, discrimination based on factors such as political reasons and worldview should be protected.” However, despite this, discrimination still exists.
- September 18LGBT employment discrimination becomes no protections.There is currently is no legal prohibition of sexual orientation-based employment discrimination in the private sector.
- September 16Right to change legal gender becomes legal, no restrictions.all acts of surgery abolished since 2018. Missing non binary options on documents.
- September 14LGBT discrimination becomes illegal in some contexts.Articles 11-3 and 18-3a of the Labour Code (1997), as amended in 2003, prohibit direct or indirect discrimination on the basis of "sexual orientation" in employment. Article 94(2b) establishes the employer’s duty to act against such discrimination. Under Article 8(1), the prohibition on discrimination based on "sexual orientation" is contained in the Law on Equal Treatment (2010) applies to employment and access to labour market instruments and services. There is no legal protection in all other areas.
- September 10Homosexual activity becomes illegal (imprisonment as punishment).Liable, upon conviction, to imprisonment for a term not less than fifteen years and may be liable to imprisonment for 14-15 years to life. Decriminalization pending.
- September 8
- September 6Blood donations by MSMs becomes banned (less than 6-month deferral).In all of France.
- Same-sex adoption becomes single only.Single nationwide. but laws might be pending for same sex couples in some areas.
- Homosexual activity becomes legal.In the Supreme Court case of Navtej Singh Johar v. Union of India, a five-judge Constitutional Bench overturned the Supreme Court's decision in Suresh Kumar Koushal v. Naz Foundation and decriminalized homosexuality by striking down the provisions of Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code that deemed sexual acts between consenting adults as a crime.
- Same-sex marriage becomes banned.Article 90 of the Family Code establishes that it is a cause for absolute nullity of marriage when the parties are of the same sex.
- Equal age of consent becomes equal.The age of consent has been equal since decriminalization. In the Supreme Court case of Navtej Singh Johar v. Union of India, a five-judge Constitutional Bench overturned the Supreme Court's decision in Suresh Kumar Koushal v. Naz Foundation and decriminalized homosexuality by striking down the provisions of Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code that deemed sexual acts between consenting adults as criminal.
- SeptemberSame-sex adoption becomes illegal.The last paragraph of Article 22 of the Special Adoption Law establishes that "It is prohibited to give girls or boys or adults for adoption to marriages or de facto unions formed by persons of the same sex."
- September 1
- Serving openly in military becomes lesbians, gays, bisexuals permitted, transgender people banned.Legal for LGB but not for transgender
- Right to change legal gender becomes legal, no restrictions.Individuals can legally change their gender in France. Sex reassignment surgery is state-funded. Requires court approval to change gender marker and first-name. According to media reports, in 2010, France became the first country to remove "transsexualism" from their official list of mental illnesses.
- August 31Gender-affirming care becomes banned.The 2018 Medical Liability Law explicitly prohibits "gender change surgeries", which criminalise gender affirming care for trans people in Jordan with a penalty of 10 years' imprisonment with hard labour for surgeons who provide it. The law points out a difference between gender change and gender reassignment, which is used for intersex people based on endosexnormative norms of correction and is legal.
- August 20Same-sex adoption becomes legal.Single adoption by unmarried individuals, joint adoption by married couples and second parent adoption by married couples are all legal.
- August 8Right to change legal gender becomes legal, no restrictions.The law allows adults to change their legal gender based on self-detirmination without any requirements. Minors aged 16 and 17 must have parental consent and a professional psychological opinion.
- August 7
- August 2LGBT employment discrimination becomes sexual orientation and gender identity.In August of 2018, the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission ruled that sexual orientation and gender identity were both protected under state law from employment discrimination. On June 15th, 2020, the Supreme Court of the United States ruled that discrimination in employment based on sexual orientation or gender identity is illegal under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, classified as sex discrimination.
- August 1
- July 29Same-sex adoption becomes illegal.Ethiopian law prohibits same-sex couples from adopting a child.
- July 24Conversion therapy becomes banned.Delaware is the 15th state to ban conversion therapy.
- July 9Right to change legal gender becomes legal, but requires surgery.Tunisian court granted legal gender recognition to a transgender man who received gender-affirming care in Germany, overruling a lower court’s verdict.
- July 8LGBT housing discrimination becomes sexual orientation and gender identity.
- LGBT discrimination becomes illegal.
- July 1
- Same-sex adoption becomes legal.Single adoption, joint adoption by married couples and second parent adoption by married couples are legal. However, Kansas allows discrimination against LGBT people on the basis of religion, which means LGBT couples can be refused by some adoption agencies.
- June 29
- June 28Right to change legal gender becomes legal, no restrictions.In 2018, Costa Rica allowed for legal gender recognition on the basis of self-identification.
- June 8
- LGBT employment discrimination becomes sexual orientation and gender identity.Governor Sununu signed a bill (HB 1319) in June of 2018 to ban discrimination on the basis of gender identity in employment.
- June 7Conversion therapy becomes banned.SB 5722 - 2017-18 amended RCW 18.130.020 to define conversion therapy and RCW 18.130.180 to discipline licensed health care providers that perform conversion therapy on any patient under the age of eighteen. The ban does not apply to religious practices unless they are performed by licensed health care providers. The US Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals upheld the bill's constitutionality in TINGLEY V. ROBERT FERGUSON, ET AL, No. 21-35815
- June 4Equal age of consent becomes equal.Article 545 of The Penal Code (2018) establishes greater penalties for anyone who has committed an indecent or unnatural act with a minor of the same sex. However, the age of sexual consent is equal regardless of gender. Previously, article 331 established the age of consent for same-sex relations at 21.
- June 1Legal recognition of non-binary gender becomes recognized.In 2018, the Costa Rican government introduced a third gender option, X, for passports, allowing individuals who do not identify as exclusively male or female to have legal documentation that reflects their gender identity. This makes Costa Rica one of the most progressive countries in Latin America when it comes to recognizing non-binary and X gender marker identities.
- LGBT employment discrimination becomes sexual orientation and gender identity.In 1998, Ecuador became the first country in the Americas (and only the third worldwide after South Africa and Fiji) to include sexual orientation as a protected category in its Constitution. An unofficial English language translation of Article 11(2) states: All persons are equal and shall enjoy the same rights, duties and opportunities. No one shall be discriminated against for reasons of ethnic belonging, place of birth, age, sex, gender identity, cultural identity, civil status, language, religion, ideology, political affiliation, legal record, socio-economic condition, migratory status, sexual orientation, health status, HIV carrier, disability, physical difference or any other distinguishing feature, whether personal or collective, temporary or permanent, which might be aimed at or result in the diminishment or annulment of recognition, enjoyment or exercise of rights. All forms of discrimination are punishable by law. The State shall adopt affirmative action measures that promote real equality for the benefit of the rights-bearers who are in a situation of inequality. In 2015, a labor law reform made it illegal for employers to discriminate against people due to their sexual orientation. In June 2018, the Justice Ministry approved a new policy concerning the rights of LGBT people. The policy aims to guarantee and strengthen their rights in relation to health, education, work, security, social protection and justice.
- May 26Legal recognition of non-binary gender becomes recognized.Saskatchewan residents can request an X gender marker on their IDs or birth certificates or opt to remove the marker altogether.
- May 18Homosexual activity becomes male illegal, female legal.5 to 10 years in prison. Not enforced. Decriminalization pending.
- May 15Conversion therapy becomes banned.On May 15th, 2018, the Republican governor of Maryland, Larry Hogan, signed SB 1028 (also known as the Youth Mental Health Protection Act) into law, banning conversion therapy for young people.
- May 11
- Legal recognition of non-binary gender becomes recognized.Transgender people in Pakistan are allowed to identify as male, female, a blend of both, or neither.
- Legal recognition of non-binary gender becomes recognized.Countrywide recognized, Transgender people are allowed to identify as male, female, a blend of both, or neither.
- May 10Gender-affirming care becomes legal.While it has been called un-Islamic by an official governmental advisory group and has faced several attempts at banning it, gender-affirming care is legal and state-funded in Pakistan.
- May 9LGBT discrimination becomes illegal in some contexts.Pakistani law only prohibits discrimination on the basis of gender identity.
- May 8
- LGBT housing discrimination becomes gender identity only.Pakistani law only prohibits discrimination on the basis of gender identity.
- LGBT employment discrimination becomes gender identity only.Pakistani law only prohibits discrimination on the basis of gender identity.
- May 7LGBT employment discrimination becomes sexual orientation and gender identity.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. Added to the previous factor we have ruling SU440-21 from the Constitutional Court of Colombia. The Colombian Supreme Court "Corte Constitucional de Colombia" decided on December 9, 2021 based on ruling SU440-21 that transgender people in Colombia cannot be discriminated against due to their gender identity when receiving state financial pensions, despite the decision to have as its object the receipt of state financial pensions, the sentence in its paragraph 55, section III makes it clear that the principle by which this decision was taken is that gender identity is protected by the general constitutional clause of article 13 of the Constitution of Colombia making it clear that discrimination based on gender identity is prohibited in other areas, which includes housing and employment discrimination.
- MayBlood donations by MSMs becomes banned (5-year deferral).In March 2018, the Government gazetted, for a two-month public consultation, amendments to the Standards on Assessing Donor Suitability for Blood Donation that included allowing gay and bisexual men who have not had sex with another man for five years to donate blood. A spokesperson for the Ministry of Health and Welfare said that the abstinence period would be further reduced to one year in the future, so as to bring the Taiwanese standard in line with Western countries.
- April 20Right to change legal gender becomes legal, but requires medical diagnosis.Residents of Puerto Rico can change their gender thanks to a lawsuit from 2018. In 2017, a bill was enacted that sought to restrict gender changes; however, the lawsuit was initiated shortly after the bill's passage. By 2018, the lawsuit was resolved, granting LGBTQ individuals the right to change their gender. However, the law requires medical documentation for changes to one’s birth certificate but not surgery.
- April 17
- April 12Homosexual activity becomes legal.On April 12th, the High Court of Justice ruled the ban on same-sex sexual activity unconstitutional and it was therefore overturned.
- Equal age of consent becomes equal.Since decriminalization of homosexuality in 2018, the age of consent has been equal.
- April 6Right to change legal gender becomes legal, no restrictions.In March 2018, the US District Court in Idaho ruled that the state must allow trans people to change their legal gender effective April 6th. The recognition did not require surgery or medical diagnosis.
- AprilBlood donations by MSMs becomes legal with restrictions.A more complex testing process is in place for MSM donations but you cannot skip this test.
- March 16LGBT discrimination becomes illegal in some contexts.There is limited protection against hate speech based on sexual preference. Section 11(2)(d) of The Electronic and Postal Communications (Radio and Television Broadcasting Content) Regulations 2018 reads: "A licensee shall not broadcast any matter which incites or perpetuates hatred or vilify any person or section of the community on account of race, ethnicity, nationality, gender, sexual preference, age, disability, religion or culture of that person or section of the community."
- March 13
- Same-sex adoption becomes legal.On March 13, 2018, the Northern Territory passed a new law allowing same-sex couples to adopt children.
- March 1Right to change legal gender becomes legal, no restrictions.In March 2018, the Brazilian Supreme Court ruled that transgender people have the right to change name and sex on their birth certificate without the need of sexual reassignment surgery or doctor letters. The change can be made at a notary's office now.
- FebruaryBlood donations by MSMs becomes banned (less than 6-month deferral).
- February 1Same-sex marriage becomes banned.There is no legal recognition of same-sex couples in Nauru. Section 49 of The Births Deaths and Marriages Registration Act (2017) states that "Marriage in the Republic shall be the voluntary union of one man and one woman." Section 70 states that "A marriage solemnized in a foreign country shall not be recognized as a marriage in the Republic if the marriage is (a) between a male and another male; (b) between a female and another female."
- January 27Legal recognition of non-binary gender becomes recognized.WAC 246-490-075 includes the legal gender marking "X" as a gender that is not exclusively male or female, including, but not limited to, intersex, agender, amalgagender, androgynous, bigender, demigender, female-to-male, genderfluid, genderqueer, male-to-female, neutrois, nonbinary, pangender, third sex, transgender, transsexual, Two Spirit, and unspecified.
- Right to change legal gender becomes legal, no restrictions.Since 2018, Washington provides for legal gender recognition on the basis of self-identification. However, parents or guardians must apply on behalf of minors.
- January 19
- January 9
- (date unknown)
- Censorship of LGBT issues becomes varies by region.In 2018, Água Boa became the first locality of Mato Grosso to begin censoring LGBT issues in school, since then, at least one more locality has but no statewide policy exists.
- January 1Right to change legal gender becomes legal, no restrictions.As of 2018, Illinois has made a update to a Vital records act stating that people are able to get their birth certificates updated. Drivers Licenses are also able to be updated to the correct gender.
- Right to change legal gender becomes legal, no restrictions.Adults and Minors are able to change genders as well as gender marker X is available to adults and minors.
- Intersex infant surgery becomes not banned.In October 2018, as a response to Control Yuan's report on intersex rights, the Ministry of Health and Welfare issued the “Recommended common principles regarding corrective surgery on non-adult intersex persons”. The guideline prohibits “non-essential and irreversible” intersex medical interventions considered to be "sex assignment surgery" on anyone under the age of 12, except in grave medical conditions. For adolescents aged between 12 and 18, "sex assignment surgery" is permitted for those "suffering difficulty in adapting to their condition", requiring approval by a medical team consisting of psychiatrist, pediatrician, pediatric surgeon and child psychologist. Assessment by a medical team as such is also needed before an intersex adult undergoes sex assignment surgery. While Hiker Chiu, the spokesperson for Oii-Chinese, conceded that the guideline was not on the statute book, she expressed optimism that medical practitioners would abide by this official guideline.
- Blood donations by MSMs becomes banned (1-year deferral).The indefinite deferral was changed to 12 months.
- (date unknown)Legal recognition of non-binary gender becomes recognized.It has been possible to have an X on passports since 2018, but doing so required hiring an attorney and going through a costly process. However, judges in Arnhem have ruled that a non-binary person does not have to involve an outside expert to assess whether they should be allowed to have X in their passport, rather than M or V.
- LGBT discrimination becomes illegal in some contexts.Housing discrimination is illegal in Japan. Japan does not have national employment anti-discrimination laws, although Tokyo, Ibaraki and Akita offer local protections.
- January
- (date unknown)
- January 1Legal recognition of non-binary gender becomes intersex only.The Civil Status Act (PStG) was amended to include Parapraph 45b to allow intersex people to identify themselves as "diverse" ("divers") or remove the gender entry.
- (date unknown)Legal recognition of non-binary gender becomes recognized.
- January 1Same-sex adoption becomes legal.
- Homosexual activity becomes illegal (imprisonment as punishment).fines, 3 years in prison and Caning.
- Same-sex adoption becomes legal.Under Gay adoption legalization under the supreme court. Single adoption, joint adoption by married couples and second parent adoption by married couples all allowed. However, Michigan allows adoption agencies to discriminate against LGBT individuals on the basis of faith.
- Right to change legal gender becomes legal, no restrictions.Surgery no longer necessary to change legal gender.
- Same-sex adoption becomes second parent adoption only.The registered partnership act was amended to allow second parent adoption by same sex couples.
- (date unknown)LGBT housing discrimination becomes sexual orientation only.According to ILGA data base: In 2018, the Micronesian Congress passed Bill No. 20-258 (2018), which updated the country's anti-discrimination law to include "sexual orientation" in Article 107 of Chapter 1 of the Code of the Federated States of Micronesia (2014). This prohibition is expressed in broad terms and, therefore, applies to housing.
- January 1Conversion therapy becomes banned.Banned under the Code of Criminal Procedure and the Protection of Children and Youths Welfare and Rights Act
- (date unknown)
- January 1
- (date unknown)LGBT discrimination becomes illegal in some contexts.The Information, Communications and Media Act of Bhutan (2018) protects sexual orientation as “Sensitive Personal Data or Information”. Section 8.2(i) of the Bhutan Filming Regulation 2025, reads: "The tone and content of programming shall not in any way incite discrimination, hatred or violence against any individual or identifiable group based on race, national or ethnic origin, religion, gender, sexual orientation, age, disability, marital or family status, or political affiliation."
- January 1Conversion therapy becomes banned.Conversion Therapy aimed to change someone's sexual orientation or gender identity done by medical practitioners is illegal. The law however has a religious exemption. The bill however has a religious exemption.
- Right to change legal gender becomes ambiguous.Both the repealed Civil Status Law (1964) and its replacement, the Law Relating to Civil Status (Law No. 2018-862) (2018) indicate in Chapter 7 that the President of the Abidjan Court of First Instance has the authority to order the "rectification of civil status records" when petitioned by an applicant or by a public prosecutor. The legislation does not specify what data may be changed and under what circumstances, so it is unclear whether trans and gender-diverse persons would be permitted to make amendments thereunder. Any amendments made must be noted in the records of the Civil Registry.
- (date unknown)Same-sex marriage becomes unregistered cohabitation.Since 2018, Slovakia recognizes a close person, defined as a sibling or a spouse. A family member or a person in a relationship shall be considered under law a close person if an injury suffered by one of them is "reasonably felt by the other person as an injury suffered by him or her." Limited rights are granted, namely in the area of inheritance.
LGBT Organizations Founded in 2018
International Family Equality Day
GlobalIFED goals & mission: - Raise awareness, provide advocacy, empower, demand social and legal acceptance for our families, and celebrate family diversity worldwide. - Ensure…Unite UK
Unite UK is an LGBTQ+ blog run by two queer women, Charlotte & Aislinn. We strive ourselves on being a source of information, guidance and support for all members of the lgbtq+…Goa Rainbow Trust
Goa Rainbow Trust was legally established on October 31, 2018. However, Chris Fernandes, who is the CEO and Founder, began having meetings back in 2013 under the name Goa Rainbow…Trans Dynamics
Trans Dynamics (TD) is an unregistered organization by and for Trans people. TD is the only trans-specific organization based in Morocco. TD fight all forms of discrimination…Marriage for All Japan
GlobalA Japanese organisation campaigning for marriage equality.Lambda Szczecin
Pride in Gloucestershire
A Pride organisation running 6 pride events across the county, an employers group and trans social group. Seeking to celebrate, campaign for and connect the LGBTQ+ communityDiversAnd
Established after Som com Som ceased operations, DiversAnd is the sole Andorran LGBTQIA+ organisation dedicated to supporting local queer communities. Their most notable…