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1998 in LGBT Rights

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In 1998, there were 61 recorded legal changes made affecting LGBT people. In the previous year, there were 40 changes made and 43 in the following year. A total of 423 legal changes were made in the 1990s.

  • November 28
    Same-sex marriage becomes unrecognized.
    Albania does not legally recognize same-sex marriages, civil unions or domestic partnership benefits. There is no definition of marriage in the 1998 Constitution. Article 53: Everyone has the right to get married and have a family.... The entering into and dissolution of marriage are regulated by law." In the Family Law from 2003, Article 7 reads: "Marriage can be concluded between a man and a woman who are 18 years or older."
  • November 23
    Homosexual activity becomes legal.
    Powell v. The State, Supreme Court of Georgia (1998).
  • October 9
    Homosexual activity becomes legal.
    While it remained illegal until the court gave its ruling on 9 October 1998, the 1998 ruling was ordered to be retroactively applied to 27 April 1994.
  • September 26
    Blood donations by MSMs becomes banned (indefinite deferral).
    Following Canadian Blood Services guidelines.
  • Blood donations by MSMs becomes banned (indefinite deferral).
    Following Canadian Blood Services guidelines.
  • Blood donations by MSMs becomes banned (indefinite deferral).
    Following Canadian Blood Services guidelines.
  • September 1
    Right to change legal gender becomes legal, but requires medical diagnosis.
    The Family Code states that "correction of civil status records when changing gender is allowed only upon the conclusion of the health authorities".
  • Equal age of consent becomes equal.
  • Homosexual activity becomes legal.
  • August 20
    Equal age of consent becomes equal.
    In 1998, Malta's age of consent became equalized at 18.
  • July 1
    Homosexual activity becomes illegal (up to life in prison as punishment).
    Section 16 of the Sexual Offences Special Provisions Act (1998) amended Section 154 of the Code to aggravate the penalty for "carnal knowledge against the order of nature”, raising it to "imprisonment for life and in any case to imprisonment for a term of not less than 30 years".
  • June 5
    LGBT discrimination becomes illegal.
    In the 1998 constitution, article 23.3 extended discrimination protection to sexual orientations. In its 2008 constitution included gender identity in its protection in article 11.2
  • May 21
    Equal age of consent becomes unequal.
    Age of consent for homosexual couples set at 18 versus 16 for heterosexual couples.
  • Homosexual activity becomes legal.
    Homosexuality legalised following the European Court of Human Rights case of Modinos v. Cyprus.
  • May 20
    LGBT discrimination becomes illegal in some contexts.
    General law on HIV/AIDS protects LGBT people from discrimination in some contexts.
  • May 8
    Serving openly in military becomes legal.
    President of Bahamas made an announcement in 1998, explicitly supporting LGBTQ+ individuals to serve in the military
  • April 22
    Homosexual activity becomes illegal (imprisonment as punishment).
    Imprisonment of up to 5 years for "gross indecency" (Decriminalization pending)
  • April 2
    LGBT employment discrimination becomes sexual orientation only.
    Sexual orientation was not included in the Alberta Human Rights act until 2009 but was "read in" by the Alberta Human Rights Commission since 1998.
  • LGBT discrimination becomes illegal in some contexts.
    Sexual orientation had been read-in as a protected ground in spite of no explicit mention in the law during this span. Reading-in of transgender under "gender" is a more recent development.
  • (date unknown)
    Gender-affirming care becomes legal.
    In 1998, Syria 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 1998, Saint Kitts and Nevis 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 1998, Panama 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 1998, Mexico 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 1998, Luxembourg 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 1998, Lithuania 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 1998, Israel 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 1998, Georgia 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 1998, Belgium adopted the ICD-10 classification, which contains codes for diagnosing transsexualism in adulthood and childhood, which authorize the initiation of medical transition.
  • January 1
    Gender-affirming care becomes legal.
    The cost for gender affirming care in Germany is covered by public health insurance. Condition for hormone therapy is a letter of indication from a psychotherapist, voice therapy a letter of indication from a medical professional, epilation of hair (laser/needle) 6 months of psychotherapy of 12/24 sessions with 50/25 minutes each (10 hours in total), mastectomy 10 hours of psychotherapy, genital surgeries 10 hours of psychotherapy and one year of “daily life test”, breast augmentation 10 hours of psychotherapy, 2 years of hormone therapy, and a breast size of smaller than an A cup, facial and vocal feminization, tracheal shave and rib section are approved in an appraisal process with the medical service if “the appearance is not yet sufficiently adjusted” after one year. In 1998, Germany adopted the ICD-10 classification, which contains codes for diagnosing transsexualism in adulthood and childhood, which authorize the initiation of medical transition.
  • (date unknown)
    Gender-affirming care becomes legal.
    In 1998, Australia 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 1998, Antigua and Barbuda adopted the ICD-10 classification, which contains codes for diagnosing transsexualism in adulthood and childhood, which authorize the initiation of medical transition.
  • Equal age of consent becomes equal.
    The age of consent started being equal when homosexuality was legalized
  • Homosexual activity becomes legal.
    Homosexuality in Zhambyl Oblysy is legal since it was legalized countrywide in 1998
  • January 1
    Same-sex adoption becomes legal.
    Under state and federal law. Under a ruling by the supreme court.
  • Equal age of consent becomes equal.
  • Homosexual activity becomes legal.
    nationwide since 1998.
  • Equal age of consent becomes equal.
    Got equalized when it was legalized.
  • Homosexual activity becomes legal.
  • Homosexual activity becomes legal.
  • Homosexual activity becomes legal.
  • Homosexual activity becomes legal.
  • Homosexual activity becomes legal.
  • Equal age of consent becomes equal.
  • Homosexual activity becomes legal.
  • Equal age of consent becomes equal.
  • Homosexual activity becomes legal.
    legalized when they also equalized age of consent.
  • Equal age of consent becomes equal.
  • Equal age of consent becomes equal.
  • Same-sex adoption becomes legal.
    Under Federal Bill and provincial Bill. The provincial bill is Adoption Act 1998
  • (date unknown)
    Same-sex adoption becomes single only.
    Single LGBT individuals may adopt children, but same-sex couples may not adopt jointly or by way of second parent adoption.
  • January 1
    Serving openly in military becomes illegal.
    Homosexuality is currently illegal in Tanzania
  • LGBT housing discrimination becomes sexual orientation and gender identity.
    Discrimination is illegal for both sexual orientation and gender identity
  • LGBT employment discrimination becomes sexual orientation and gender identity.
    Discrimination is illegal for both sexual orientation and gender identity.
  • (date unknown)
    LGBT housing discrimination becomes sexual orientation only.
    This state explicitly bans housing discrimination based upon sexual orientation only. Additionally, the Human Rights Campaign states, "The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) requires grantees and participants of HUD programs to comply with local and state non-discrimination laws that include sexual orientation and gender identity. HUD also prohibits inquiries regarding the sexual orientation or gender identity of a prospective tenant or applicant for assisted housing in every state (March 2012)."
  • LGBT employment discrimination becomes sexual orientation only.
    State law provides protections from discrimination based on sexual orientation only. Additionally, public state employees are granted some benefits solely based upon marriage, same-sex partners are eligible to receive these benefits.
  • Same-sex marriage becomes banned.
    Since homosexual activity is illegal in Tonga, same-sex marriage is not legal.
  • January 1
    LGBT discrimination becomes illegal.
    There are several provision that bans discrimination against the basis of sexual orientations and gender identities. A court ruling has also stated that the general anti-discrimination law in the constitution extends its coverage to sexual orientation and gender identities as well.
  • Equal age of consent becomes equal.
    With Criminal Law from 1997 the edge of consent of 14 years became equal for everyone. The limit was raised to 15 years with Criminal Law adopted in 2011.
  • (date unknown)
    Homosexual activity becomes legal.
    De facto legal since late 1997 (equalized age of consent), de jure since 1998
  • Blood donations by MSMs becomes banned (indefinite deferral).
    In 1998, China banned homosexual men and women from donating blood out of fear of spreading HIV.
  • Homosexual activity becomes male illegal, female legal.
    up to 2 years imprisonment for men

LGBT Organizations Founded in 1998

  • Equality California FaviconEquality California
    California, United States
    Equality California is the largest statewide LGBT advocacy organization in California working to secure full and lasting equality for and acceptance of LGBT people.
  • Out & Equal FaviconOut & Equal
    United States
    Out & Equal Workplace Advocates educates and empowers organizations, human resources professionals, employee resource groups, and individual employees through programs and…
  • The Trevor Project FaviconThe Trevor Project
    United States
    ~~ Mission ~~ The mission of The Trevor Project is to end suicide among gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and questioning young people. The organization works to fulfill…
  • JFLAG FaviconJFLAG
    Jamaica
    J-FLAG is the first human rights organisation in the history of Jamaica to serve the needs of LGBT peoples and over time it became the first port of call for the media, resulting…
  • Deutsche Gesellschaft für Transidentität und Intersexualität e.V. FaviconDeutsche Gesellschaft für Transidentität und Intersexualität e.V.
    Germany
    The dgti (German Association for Transidentity and Intersexuality) is an association representing transgender, intersex and non-binary people. It is well known for issuing an…