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1974 in LGBT Rights

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In 1974, there were 17 recorded legal changes made affecting LGBT people. In the previous year, there were 13 changes made and 14 in the following year. A total of 217 legal changes were made in the 1970s.

  • November 1
    Homosexual activity becomes legal.
    Massachusetts legalised homosexual activity via a court ruling in 1974, although dormant sodomy laws still exist on its state constitution.
  • Homosexual activity becomes ambiguous.
    Manus falls under Papua New Guinea, making homosexuality illegal under Section 212. But this has not been enforced since 2015.
  • June 15
    Serving openly in military becomes legal.
    No restrictions for lgbt serving.
  • Equal age of consent becomes equal.
  • Homosexual activity becomes legal.
    The penal code does not mention homosexuality explicitly and thus is assumed to be legal
  • April 15
    Homosexual activity becomes legal.
    People v. Gibson, Colorado Supreme Court (1974)
  • February 16
    Homosexual activity becomes illegal (imprisonment as punishment).
    According to Article 33 of the Omani Penal Code: "The following are deemed as disgracing crimes: [...] Homosexual and lesbian intercourses." Article 223, "Homosexual and Lesbian Intercourses" states: "Any one who commits erotic acts with a person of the same sex shall be sentenced to imprisonment from six months to three years. The suspects of homosexual or lesbian intercourse shall be prosecuted without a prior complaint, if the act results in a public scandal. The suspects of lesbian intercourse among ascendants, descendants or sisters shall only be prosecuted upon a complaint from a relative or a relative by marriage forth-degree removed."
  • (date unknown)
    Gender-affirming care becomes restricted.
    In 1974, Fiji legalized sterilization, which de facto meant legalizing sex reassignment surgery, however, medical records regarding transsexualism had to be obtained abroad.
  • Gender-affirming care becomes restricted.
    In 1974, Austria legalized sterilization, which de facto meant legalizing sex reassignment surgery, however, medical records regarding transsexualism had to be obtained abroad.
  • January 1
    Right to change legal gender becomes legal, but requires surgery.
    The Births, Deaths and Marriages Registration Act 51 of 1974 provided the legal foundation for—ostensibly white—South Africans who had “undergone a change of sex” to alter their “sex description” in the country’s birth register.
  • (date unknown)
    Same-sex adoption becomes legal.
    Alaskan State Statute provides any unmarried individual may petition for adoption; married individuals must petition together. Second parent adoption has been permitted by some lower court judges, but it is not confirmed by appellate court case law or state statute.
  • Serving openly in military becomes legal.
    The Netherlands is responsible for defence.
  • Serving openly in military becomes legal.
    The Netherlands is responsible for defence.
  • Serving openly in military becomes legal.
    The Netherlands is responsible for defence.
  • Serving openly in military becomes legal.
    The Netherlands became the first country to allow gay soldiers to serve in the military openly.
  • January 1
    Equal age of consent becomes unequal.
    The age of consent for males and females engaged in heterosexual activity is 19 and 16 in a marriage. For homosexual activity, the age of consent is 18.
  • (date unknown)
    Homosexual activity becomes illegal (imprisonment as punishment).
    Kentucky Revised Statutes were revised in 1974 to criminalize non-procreative sexual acts only between people of the same sex. A conviction could have led to up to 12 months in prison and a fine of up to $500.

LGBT Organizations Founded in 1974

  • Seta ry FaviconSeta ry
    Finland
    A sexual equality rights organization in Finland. It's goal is a equal society where human rights and wellbeing are realised regardless of ones sexual orientation, identity or…