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1987 in LGBT Rights

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In 1987, there were 16 recorded legal changes made affecting LGBT people. In the previous year, there were 16 changes made and 34 in the following year. A total of 225 legal changes were made in the 1980s.

  • April 30
    Same-sex marriage becomes foreign same-sex marriages recognized only.
    Gay Marriage and Gay Unions pending. Required by 2018 IACHR Ruling.
  • Same-sex marriage becomes unrecognized.
    Article 72 of the constitution states that marriage is between a man and a woman.
  • (date unknown)
    Gender-affirming care becomes restricted.
    In 1987, Liechtenstein legalized sterilization, which de facto meant legalizing sex reassignment surgery, however, medical records regarding transsexualism had to be obtained abroad.
  • Gender-affirming care becomes legal, but restricted for minors.
    Since 1987, transgender women in Iran, based on the Fatwa of Ali Khamenei, have had the opportunity to undergo medical transition and function fully in society as women.
  • Gender-affirming care becomes legal, but restricted for minors.
    In 1987, Finland adopted the ICD-9 classification, which included codes allowing for the diagnosis of transsexualism in adults.
  • Gender-affirming care becomes restricted.
    In 1987, Albania adopted the ICD-9 classification, which included codes allowing for the diagnosis of transsexualism in adults. That same year, Canada legalized sterilization.
  • January 1
    Serving openly in military becomes illegal.
    not allowed at all
  • Legal recognition of non-binary gender becomes not legally recognized.
    not recognized a tall
  • (date unknown)
    LGBT discrimination becomes illegal in some contexts.
    Discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation was made unlawful through inclusion in the provisions of the Swedish Penal Code.
  • January 1
    Same-sex marriage becomes banned.
    The Philippines does not recognize any form of same-sex union under any circumstance. The Philippine Supreme Court has also denied and dismissed the petition to legalize same-sex marriage.
  • Homosexual activity becomes male illegal, female legal.
    8-14 years in prison under unnatural connections. Not enforced. Decriminalization pending. the president of the senate in Grenada suggested in may 2013 for decriminalization of Homosexuality.
  • (date unknown)
    Right to change legal gender becomes legal, but requires surgery.
    Became legal due to a fatwa from Khomeini in 1987. Trans individuals have the gender they identify with legally recognized and sex reassignment surgeries are publicly funded.
  • Homosexual activity becomes male illegal, female legal.
    Homosexuality is illegal in Grenada, with up to 10 years prison as a penalty. (Decriminalization pending)
  • January 1
    Same-sex marriage becomes banned.
    Same-sex marriage in the United Arab Emirates is not legal.
  • (date unknown)
    Serving openly in military becomes legal.
  • Homosexual activity becomes legal.
    Homosexual activity is legal in Argentina.

LGBT Organizations Founded in 1987