Laws and documented incidents affecting trans people worldwide, tracked by country. Every entry links to its source.
2026 Lebanon legal gender recognition Protective Enacted Legislation
A Lebanese judge ruled to allow a transgender woman to change her gender in her civil status records, citing a 2016 appeals court decision. The ruling, filed in April and published in July, may still be appealed. The woman had undergone gender-affirming surgery in Thailand and obtained a medical report proving gender dysphoria. The judge noted that the decision was criticized by some clerics but argued that legal gender change remains within restrictions due to the difficulty of surgery.
Source: Naharnet 2025 Brazil id documents Protective Enacted Legislation
A Brazilian court has ruled for the first time to allow gender-neutral designations on official documents, a decision that affirms the rights of non-binary and transgender individuals in Brazil. The ruling permits individuals to have their documents reflect a gender-neutral option, marking a significant step for legal gender recognition in the country.
Source: AP 2025 China court ruling Protective Enacted Legislation
A Hong Kong court ruled that a transgender person has the right to use bathrooms matching their gender identity, affirming protections against discrimination.
Source: ABC News 2025 Colombia violence incident Neutral Incident Hate crime / incident
Colombian police arrested a suspect in the killing of a transgender woman, a case that sparked national outrage and was investigated as a hate crime.
Source: Malay Mail 2025 Czechia court ruling Protective Enacted Legislation
The Czech Constitutional Court ruled that requiring sterilization and castration for legal gender reassignment violates fundamental rights, including physical integrity and personal autonomy. The court quashed the problematic provisions with effect from July 2025, allowing the legislature time to enact new regulations. This decision reverses the court's earlier stance and aligns with European Court of Human Rights jurisprudence.
Source: Verfassungsblog 2025 Egypt policy Restrictive Ongoing Legislation
A 2025 rapid scoping review documents state surveillance and persecution of LGBTQ+ people in Egypt, noting that while same-sex relations are not formally illegal, authorities use charges like 'debauchery' and 'public morality' to prosecute gay men, and security forces entrap LGBTQI+ individuals via dating apps. The review highlights that a 2018 cybercrime law has been used to explicitly criminalize homosexuality for the first time, and that NGOs supporting LGBT+ rights often operate secretly to avoid persecution.
Source: Institute of Development Studies 2025 Kazakhstan healthcare Restrictive Proposed Legislation
哈萨克斯坦议员提议立法禁止性别变更手术，并向政府总理递交议会质询，质疑此类手术是否符合国家健康战略。卫生部回应称国内尚无性别变更手术记录，且免费医疗保障服务目录中不包含相关手术。
Source: Kazinform 2025 Kyrgyzstan healthcare Restrictive Proposed Legislation
A bill in Kyrgyzstan's parliament would ban legal gender recognition and all gender-affirming healthcare, including hormone therapy and surgery, with exceptions only for 'congenital anomalies.' It also requires parents to raise children according to their biological sex and prohibits actions aimed at changing gender identity in minors. Human Rights Watch warns the bill increases risks of discrimination and violence against transgender people.
Source: Fergana News 2025 Pakistan violence incident Neutral Incident Hate crime / incident
Three transgender women were shot dead and left on a roadside in Karachi, Pakistan's largest city. The incident highlights ongoing violence against transgender people in the country.
Source: Associated Press 2025 Philippines violence incident Neutral Incident Hate crime / incident
A transgender rights activist was shot dead in General Santos City, Philippines; human rights groups demanded a thorough investigation.
Source: ABS-CBN News 2025 Spain other Neutral Ongoing Hate crime / incident
In Catalonia, Spain, the Observatori contra la LGTBfòbia recorded 318 LGTBIphobic incidents in 2024, the highest number on record, with 25.8% targeting trans people. Physical assaults increased, with 83 cases, and 82 confirmed attacks against trans individuals, mostly trans women. The majority of incidents occurred in public spaces, and online attacks rose to 12.6% of cases. The observatory calls for stronger prevention policies from the Catalan government.
Source: El País 2025 United Kingdom court ruling Restrictive Enacted Legislation
The UK Supreme Court unanimously ruled that under the Equality Act 2010, the terms 'woman' and 'sex' refer to biological sex, not legal or certificated sex. This decision, in a case brought by For Women Scotland against the Scottish government, means that sex-based protections apply only to those born female, potentially affecting access to single-sex spaces and services for transgender people. The court stressed that transgender people still have protection against discrimination under the characteristic of gender reassignment.
Source: BBC News 2025 United States policy Restrictive Enacted Legislation
Executive Order 14168, issued on January 20, 2025, defines sex as immutable biological classification and prohibits federal recognition of gender identity. It mandates that government-issued IDs reflect sex at birth, restricts access to single-sex spaces based on biological sex, and directs agencies to remove policies promoting gender ideology. The order also rescinds prior executive orders and guidance that protected transgender rights.
Source: U.S. Government Publishing Office 2025 United States education Restrictive Enacted Legislation
Georgia Governor Brian Kemp signed the Riley Gaines Act of 2025, banning transgender students born male from participating on female sports teams in public and private schools and colleges. The law allows financial penalties and lawsuits against non-compliant institutions, and also prohibits transgender athletes born female from joining male teams. Critics note a lack of evidence of problems in Georgia schools, while supporters argue for fairness and safety. Georgia joins over two dozen states with similar bans.
Source: USA Today 2025 United States violence incident Neutral Incident Hate crime / incident
A 38-year-old man was arrested and charged with first-degree murder while armed in the shooting death of a transgender woman in Washington, D.C., in July 2025. The suspect allegedly made anti-transgender statements before the shooting, and the murder is being prosecuted as a hate crime. The victim was shot multiple times and died at a hospital.
Source: WTOP 2025 United States public accommodations Restrictive Enacted Legislation
The Kansas Legislature passed House Substitute for Senate Bill 244 on January 28, 2025, which restricts access to bathrooms and other multi-occupancy private spaces in government-owned or -leased buildings to biological sex at birth, with civil and criminal penalties for violations. The bill also mandates that driver's licenses and birth certificates reflect biological sex at birth, and allows individuals to sue for damages if their privacy is violated by someone of the opposite sex entering designated single-sex spaces. The legislation is expected to face a veto from Governor Laura Kelly, but there appear to be enough votes to override it.
Source: Ogletree Deakins 2025 United States education Restrictive Enacted Legislation
Nebraska's governor signed a bill banning transgender students from participating in girls' sports, restricting their access to school athletics. The law specifically prohibits transgender girls from competing on female sports teams, affecting their participation in educational sports activities.
Source: AP 2025 United States id documents Restrictive Enacted Legislation
The Supreme Court allowed the Trump administration's policy requiring passports to reflect biological sex at birth to take effect while legal challenges continue. The policy, based on an executive order recognizing only two sexes, restricts transgender and nonbinary people from changing their passport gender markers. A lower court had blocked the policy, but the Supreme Court's majority paused that ruling, citing the government's interest in attesting to historical facts. Dissenting justices argued the policy causes harm to transgender individuals.
Source: USA Today 2025 United States court ruling Restrictive Enacted Legislation
The U.S. Supreme Court upheld Tennessee’s ban on gender-affirming medical care for transgender minors, a landmark ruling with nationwide implications.
Source: The New York Times 2025 United States public accommodations Restrictive Enacted Legislation
A Texas law known as the Texas Women's Privacy Act took effect on December 4, 2025, requiring people in state-owned facilities, schools, and universities to use bathrooms and changing rooms corresponding to their sex at birth. The law does not apply to private institutions and does not penalize individuals, but allows complaints against institutions that can be fined up to $125,000 a day. Enforcement remains unclear, and critics say it may lead to harassment of transgender people.
Source: ABC13 Houston 2025 United States id documents Restrictive Enacted Legislation
The Texas Senate passed House Bill 229, which defines 'man' and 'woman' based on reproductive organs and requires state documents to reflect sex assigned at birth. The bill, which has passed the House and awaits the governor's signature, would invalidate gender marker changes on birth certificates, driver's licenses, and other records for transgender and intersex people, potentially leading to discrimination in daily activities.
Source: The Texas Tribune 2025 United States violence incident Neutral Incident Hate crime / incident
Two men pleaded guilty to hate crime charges for assaulting a transgender employee and her fiancé at a Massachusetts liquor store in 2024, using homophobic slurs and causing serious injuries. One was sentenced to 5-10 years in prison, the other to 2.5 years in jail plus probation. The attack was motivated by the victims' gender identity and sexual orientation.
Source: Boston.com 2024 Australia legal gender recognition Protective Enacted Legislation
The Births, Deaths, and Marriages Registration Act 2023 commenced in Queensland on 24 June 2024, establishing a new framework for legal recognition of trans and gender diverse people. It allows individuals aged 16 and over to apply directly to the Registry for a change of sex record, while children aged 12 to 15 can apply through the Children's Court with legal assistance funding available. The framework aims to strengthen legal recognition for trans and gender diverse Queenslanders.
Source: Legal Aid Queensland 2024 Australia legal gender recognition Protective Enacted Legislation
The Western Australian Parliament passed the Births, Deaths and Marriages Reform Amendment (Sex or Gender Changes) Bill 2024, abolishing the Gender Reassignment Board and removing the requirement for trans people to undergo gender affirming medical treatment and obtain Board approval to update their gender on ID documents. The law also recognizes non-binary people for the first time, though it still requires evidence of appropriate clinical treatment from a doctor or psychologist, and parental consent or court order for those under 18. This makes NSW the last Australian state requiring medical treatment for gender recognition on birth certificates.
Source: Equality Australia 2024 Botswana id documents Restrictive Ongoing Legislation
In Botswana, legal gender recognition is possible in theory following court rulings, but administrative implementation is slow and unclear, leaving most transgender people unable to change their gender markers on official documents. This lack of legal recognition blocks trans people from accessing essential services. The government has not legalized same-sex marriage, and intersex people lack formal recognition and protection from nonconsensual procedures. A proposed constitutional amendment to protect intersex people and people with disabilities was rejected by parliament in 2024.
Source: Outright International 2024 Brazil other Neutral Ongoing Hate crime / incident
In 2024, Brazil recorded 122 murders of transgender and travesti people, a 16% decrease from 2023 and the lowest number in nine years. Despite the reduction, Brazil remains the country with the most transgender murders worldwide for the 16th consecutive year, according to the National Association of Travestis and Transsexuals (Antra). The majority of victims were Black or mixed-race trans women, and the report highlights ongoing lack of effective public policies and underreporting issues.
Source: Swissinfo (EFE) 2024 Bulgaria education Restrictive Enacted Legislation
Bulgaria's Parliament adopted amendments to the Law for Pre-School and School Education on August 7, 2024, prohibiting propaganda, promotion, or encouragement of ideas related to non-traditional sexual orientation or gender identity different from biological sex in schools. The changes were supported by several parties, including GERB-UDF and Vazrazhdane, and opposed by some MPs from We Continue the Change-Democratic Bulgaria. The law restricts discussions of LGBTQ topics in educational settings, potentially limiting trans and queer visibility and support for students.
Source: BNT 2024 Canada healthcare Restrictive Proposed Legislation
The government of Alberta, Canada, introduced legislation restricting access to gender-affirming care for transgender youth and requiring parental consent for name and pronoun changes in schools.
Source: CBC 2024 China court ruling Protective Enacted Legislation
A Chinese court approved a record 60,000 yuan compensation award to a transgender woman who was subjected to electroshock conversion practices without her consent at a hospital in Qinhuangdao. The woman was held for 97 days and received seven electroshock sessions, which caused ongoing heart problems. This is the first successful legal challenge by a trans person against such practices in China, and activists see it as a victory for trans rights.
Source: The Guardian 2024 Congo (DRC) other Restrictive Ongoing Legislation
The justice minister of the Democratic Republic of the Congo ordered prosecutors to pursue arrests targeting LGBTQ+ people and their allies, escalating state persecution.
Source: Los Angeles Blade 2024 Georgia other Restrictive Enacted Legislation
Georgia’s parliament passed a law restricting LGBT rights and public expression, widely condemned by human rights groups as discriminatory.
Source: Reuters 2024 Georgia violence incident Neutral Incident Hate crime / incident
A transgender woman was killed in Georgia one day after the parliament passed a restrictive anti-LGBT law. The law bans same-sex marriage, gender-affirming surgeries, adoption by non-heterosexuals, and promotion of same-sex relationships in schools. Rights groups link the killing to the government's anti-LGBT rhetoric, which they say fueled transphobic hate crime. The incident is being investigated as a premeditated murder on gender grounds.
Source: BBC News 2024 Germany legal gender recognition Protective Enacted Legislation
Germany's Gender Registration (Self-Determination) Act (SBGG) came fully into force on 1 November 2024, allowing transgender, intersex, and non-binary people with German citizenship or habitual residence in Germany to change their gender entry and forenames in civil status records by self-declaration. The process requires pre-registration at least three months before filing, and the declaration must be submitted to a German register office. Minors aged 14 and over can file themselves with guardian consent, while those under 14 require guardians to file on their behalf. The law simplifies legal gender recognition by removing the need for medical or psychological assessments.
Source: German Missions in the UK 2024 Ghana discrimination Restrictive Proposed Legislation
Ghana's parliament passed a bill on February 28, 2024, that intensifies the crackdown on LGBTQ+ rights, imposing up to five years in prison for promoting, sponsoring, or supporting LGBTQ+ activities. The bill, which also targets gender identity and expression, was sponsored by a coalition of Christian, Muslim, and traditional leaders. It will be presented to President Nana Akufo-Addo, who has seven days to assent or refuse. The bill has been criticized by UNAIDS for potentially inciting violence and obstructing access to health services.
Source: TimesLIVE 2024 India violence incident Neutral Incident Hate crime / incident
A transgender community leader named Hasini was murdered by around 10 unidentified persons in Nellore, Andhra Pradesh, on the night of November 26, 2024. Police have registered a murder case and are investigating, but the motive remains unclear. Members of the transgender community protested at a hospital demanding justice.
Source: The Hindu 2024 India violence incident Neutral Incident Hate crime / incident
A 30-year-old man was arrested for the murder of a 36-year-old transgender woman near Coimbatore, India. The accused reportedly killed her to avenge alleged harassment by a group of transgender persons. The incident occurred at a friend's house, and the victim was found dead on January 29, 2024.
Source: The Hindu 2024 Iraq healthcare Restrictive Enacted Legislation
In April 2024, Iraq's parliament passed the Anti-Prostitution and Homosexuality Law, amending a 1988 anti-prostitution law. The law criminalizes same-sex sexual conduct with up to 15 years in prison, imposes prison sentences for promoting homosexuality, and criminalizes 'biological sex change' and gender-affirming surgery. It also criminalizes men who 'intentionally' act like women. The law explicitly targets transgender people and has been in force since May 2024.
Source: Human Dignity Trust 2024 Israel id documents Protective Enacted Legislation
Israel's Interior Ministry amended ID regulations to allow transgender people who have undergone gender reassignment to remove their previous name, or 'dead name,' from their identity documents. The change followed a High Court petition by a transgender woman arguing that retaining the previous name violated privacy by outing individuals. The court stated there is no longer a legal reason to keep the former name on ID cards if requested. The amendment is seen as a step toward equal rights for the trans community.
Source: The Jerusalem Post 2024 Italy other Neutral Ongoing Hate crime / incident
ILGA-Europe and Italian LGBTI organizations sent an open letter to Italian party leaders warning of rising hate and violence against LGBTI people in Italy. The letter highlights that Italy lacks hate crime and hate speech laws protecting sexual orientation and gender identity, and that the government has taken steps undermining LGBTI rights, including deregistering lesbian mothers, blocking support for trans children in schools and healthcare, and proposing changes to asylum laws that would remove protections for LGBT refugees.
Source: ILGA-Europe 2024 Italy court ruling Protective Enacted Legislation
Italy’s Constitutional Court ruled that surgery is not required for legal gender recognition, easing the path for transgender people to change their legal gender.
Source: EUWONDER 2024 Kenya court ruling Protective Enacted Legislation
Kenya’s High Court ruled that citizens may apply to change gender markers on official documents, even without a specific law regulating the process.
Source: The Standard (Kenya) 2024 Kenya violence incident Neutral Ongoing Hate crime / incident
A report by eleven Kenyan organizations documented over 2,100 cases of violence, harassment, and discrimination against sexual and gender minorities between October 2023 and September 2024. Transgender persons reported the highest number of violations at 708 cases. The report calls on the government to repeal discriminatory Penal Code provisions and reject laws criminalizing LGBTIQ+ identities.
Source: Kenya Human Rights Commission 2024 Malawi court ruling Restrictive Enacted Legislation
Malawi's Constitutional Court dismissed a case challenging the criminalization of consensual same-sex conduct, upholding laws that impose up to 14 years in prison for homosexuality. The applicants, including a transgender man, argued the laws violated rights to privacy and dignity, but the court rejected their claims. The ruling maintains the restrictive legal status for LGBTQ+ individuals in Malawi.
Source: African Human Rights Centre 2024 Mexico legal gender recognition Protective Proposed Legislation
The Congress of Guanajuato, Mexico, has advanced a gender identity recognition law, making it the most recent state to allow reforms to its Civil Code to support transgender and non-binary people in accessing documents that recognize their self-perceived identity. As of September 2024, 21 Mexican states had established agreements to modify their legislation in favor of the trans and non-binary community. The reforms are praised by LGBT and trans groups as enabling access to rights in health, housing, and education. Gender identity is defined as an internal sense of being male, female, both, or neither, distinct from sexual orientation, and its legal recognition is supported by international human rights standards.
Source: Infobae 2024 Namibia court ruling Protective Repealed Legislation
Namibia's High Court ruled that colonial-era laws banning same-sex acts between men are unconstitutional, a landmark decision for gay rights in the country. The ruling, delivered on 21 June 2024, was brought by activist Friedel Dausab with support from the Human Dignity Trust. While same-sex marriage remains illegal, the decision is seen as a step toward inclusivity and improved access to health services for LGBTQ people.
Source: BBC News 2024 Nigeria violence incident Neutral Incident Hate crime / incident
A 33-year-old transgender woman known as 'Abuja Area Mama' was found dead along a highway in Abuja, Nigeria, on August 8, 2024, with signs of beating and bruising. Police are investigating the suspected murder, noting the victim was dressed in female clothing. The TikToker had previously expressed fears for her life after being attacked. The incident highlights the dangers faced by LGBTQ+ individuals in Nigeria, where same-sex relationships are criminalized.
Source: BBC News 2024 Pakistan violence incident Neutral Incident Hate crime / incident
Two transgender women were stabbed to death at their home in northwest Pakistan, amid ongoing violence against transgender communities.
Source: The Hill 2024 South Africa hate crime law Protective Enacted Legislation
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa signed the Prevention and Combating of Hate Crimes and Hate Speech Act on May 9, 2024, which criminalizes hate crimes and hate speech based on characteristics including sexual orientation, gender identity, and sex characteristics. The law provides for penalties of up to eight years in prison and aims to offer more comprehensive legal recourse than previous common law. LGBTQ organizations in South Africa have welcomed the law, though some note it may not change attitudes but provides tools for accountability.
Source: Washington Blade 2024 South Africa violence incident Neutral Ongoing Hate crime / incident
Human rights organizations reported a surge in anti-LGBTQ+ hate violence in South Africa, threatening the country’s constitutional protections for sexual orientation and gender identity.
Source: LGBTQ Nation 2024 South Korea court ruling Protective Enacted Legislation
A South Korean regional court ruled that transgender people can change their legal gender without undergoing sex reassignment surgery, stating that requiring surgery violates their physical integrity and right to live according to their gender identity. The ruling applies to five transgender individuals who had been receiving hormone therapy. The court noted that while guidelines recommend surgery, they are not mandatory criteria, and criticized past rulings that dismissed such requests.
Source: Yonhap News Agency 2024 Taiwan court ruling Protective Enacted Legislation
A Taiwanese trans woman won a lawsuit allowing her to change her gender marker without undergoing surgery. The Taipei High Administrative Court ruled that a 2008 Ministry of Interior memo requiring surgery and mental health assessments was unconstitutional. This is the fifth such case in Taiwan, and advocacy groups are calling for broader legal reforms.
Source: Out Front Magazine 2024 Thailand other Protective Enacted Legislation
Thailand's Senate overwhelmingly approved a landmark bill to legalize same-sex marriages. The legislation represents a significant step for LGBTQ+ rights in the country, extending marriage rights to same-sex couples.
Source: Associated Press 2024 Tunisia other Restrictive Enacted Legislation
Tunisian authorities arrested 84 people, mostly gay men and trans women, between September 2024 and January 2025 in a crackdown on the LGBTQ+ community, using laws criminalizing same-sex relations and public indecency. Detainees face arbitrary detention, unfair prosecution, and forced anal examinations, which Amnesty International calls torture. The arrests followed a homophobic online campaign and are part of broader repression of activists and content creators.
Source: Middle East Eye 2024 Uganda violence incident Neutral Ongoing Hate crime / incident
Uganda's Anti-Homosexuality Act, signed in May 2023, imposes the death penalty for 'aggravated homosexuality' and life imprisonment for other offenses, requiring citizens to report suspected homosexual activity. Since its enactment, there has been a surge in attacks, evictions, and police harassment against LGBTQ+ people, with over 140 incidents recorded by civil society groups. The law has also deterred healthcare access for LGBTQ+ individuals due to fear among doctors. A legal challenge has been launched, but activists say the social damage is already deeply entrenched.
Source: The Guardian 2024 United Kingdom healthcare Restrictive Ongoing Legislation
The Cass Review, published in April 2024, found weak evidence for medical treatments like puberty blockers for gender-distressed youth in England's NHS. It led to NHS England stopping routine prescriptions of puberty blockers and restricting them to clinical trials. The review's author, Dr. Hilary Cass, criticized misinformation about the report and noted threats to her safety. The review has influenced policy changes in NHS gender services for under-18s.
Source: BBC News 2024 United Kingdom hate crime law Protective Enacted Legislation
Scotland's Hate Crime and Public Order (Scotland) Act came into force on 1 April 2024, adding age and transgender identity to protected characteristics. Recorded hate crimes rose by 63% in the first six months, with significant increases in disability and age-related crimes. No charges have been made for misgendering, and police say freedom of speech concerns have not materialized.
Source: The Guardian 2024 United Kingdom healthcare Restrictive Enacted Legislation
The UK government has made indefinite a ban on the sale and supply of puberty blockers for under-18s, following advice from the Commission on Human Medicines and the Cass Review. The ban, initially temporary in May 2024, will be reviewed in 2027. NHS patients already receiving these medicines can continue, and a clinical trial is planned to establish evidence.
Source: UK Government 2024 United States violence incident Neutral Incident Hate crime / incident
A Boston man was charged with assault and battery, assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, and a civil rights violation with injury for attacking a transgender woman on a Blue Line train. The incident occurred on Halloween when the man boarded the train, shouted derogatory remarks, and punched and kicked the victim, causing a fractured wrist. The suspect was arrested and ordered to house arrest with GPS monitoring. The victim believes she was targeted because of her gender identity.
Source: Metro Weekly 2024 United States healthcare Restrictive Enacted Legislation
The Supreme Court allowed Idaho to enforce its ban on gender-transition care for minors against anyone not part of a lawsuit challenging the law, while the two challengers can continue receiving hormone therapy. The law criminalizes providing puberty blockers, hormone therapy, or surgeries to transgender minors, with exceptions for other purposes. The Court's order narrowed a district court injunction that had blocked the entire law, with conservative justices supporting the state's request and liberal justices dissenting.
Source: SCOTUSblog 2024 United States violence incident Neutral Incident Hate crime / incident
A suspect was charged in the shooting of a Black transgender teenager in Alabama, in a case investigated for possible hate motivation.
Source: AP 2023 China court ruling Protective Enacted Legislation
Hong Kong's Court of Final Appeal ruled on February 6, 2023, that the requirement for full gender reassignment surgery to change the gender marker on identity cards is unconstitutional. The ruling came after a legal battle initiated in 2017 by transgender man Henry Tse and others, who challenged the policy. The court found the requirement violated the Hong Kong Bill of Rights, as it imposed an unacceptable burden on transgender individuals.
Source: BBC News 2023 Finland legal gender recognition Protective Enacted Legislation
Finland’s new gender recognition law removed the requirement of sterilisation or medical proof of infertility, allowing legal gender recognition based on self-declaration for adults.
Source: Amnesty International 2023 Japan court ruling Protective Enacted Legislation
Japan's Supreme Court ruled that requiring sterilization for legal gender change is unconstitutional, reversing a 2019 verdict. The ruling came after a transgender woman challenged the 2004 law, which mandated that individuals have no reproductive capacity to change their gender. Human Rights Watch called it an important victory for transgender rights in Japan, upholding rights to health, privacy, and bodily autonomy. The decision follows a family court ruling in favor of a transgender man who sought legal gender change without surgery.
Source: BBC News 2023 Kenya court ruling Protective Enacted Legislation
On 24 February 2023, Kenya's Supreme Court ruled that the National Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission (NGLHRC) must be allowed to register as an NGO, upholding lower court decisions. The Court found that the refusal by the NGOs Coordination Board was unconstitutional as it limited freedom of association based on sexual orientation. The decision was welcomed by LGBTQIA+ advocates but criticized by politicians and religious leaders.
Source: International IDEA 2023 New Zealand legal gender recognition Protective Enacted Legislation
New Zealand introduced a self-identification process for changing the sex/gender on birth certificates, effective 15 June 2023, replacing the previous Family Court application requirement. Applicants no longer need to prove medical treatment and can apply directly to the Registrar-General via a statutory declaration. This change is part of the Births, Deaths, Marriages and Relationships Registration Act 2021.
Source: Ministry of Justice (New Zealand) 2023 Pakistan court ruling Restrictive Enacted Legislation
Pakistan’s Federal Shariat Court struck down provisions of the 2018 Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act that allowed self-perceived gender identity, ruling them contrary to Islamic law.
Source: The Express Tribune 2023 Russia other Restrictive Enacted Legislation
Russia's Supreme Court designated the 'international LGBT movement' as extremist, leading to the potential dissolution of LGBT organizations and up to 10 years in prison for leaders. The UN human rights chief denounced the decision, warning it could label human rights defenders as extremists and restrict LGBT rights.
Source: UN News 2023 Spain legal gender recognition Protective Enacted Legislation
Spain's parliament gave final approval to a law allowing people over 16 to change their legally-recognised gender without medical evaluation, replacing a previous requirement of a gender dysphoria diagnosis and two years of hormonal treatment. The process now involves a simple declaration confirmed three months later, with judicial approval for ages 12-13 and parental permission for ages 14-15. The law is seen as protective for trans rights, removing medical barriers to legal gender recognition.
Source: BBC News 2023 Tanzania other Restrictive Ongoing Legislation
In 2023, Tanzanian authorities threatened mass arrests of people suspected of same-sex conduct, contributing to an increase in hate speech against LGBTI+ individuals. The government also continued to suppress dissent, with arbitrary arrests of critics and opposition figures. A court ruling in August 2023 overturned an eviction order affecting 21,000 people near Ruaha National Park, and in September, the High Court declared the creation of the Pololeti Game Controlled Area unlawful, halting the forced eviction of Maasai communities.
Source: Amnesty International 2023 Uganda other Restrictive Enacted Legislation
Uganda’s Anti-Homosexuality Act 2023 imposes severe penalties for same-sex conduct, including the death penalty for aggravated offences, and has driven widespread persecution.
Source: CBC News 2023 United Kingdom legal gender recognition Restrictive Blocked Legislation
The UK government used section 35 of the Scotland Act to block Scotland's Gender Recognition Reform (Scotland) Bill, which would have streamlined the process for obtaining a gender recognition certificate, removed the need for medical reports, reduced the living-in-gender period, and lowered the application age to 16. The Scottish government challenged this veto in the Court of Session, arguing that the UK government's concerns were irrational and that the block undermines devolution. The case may ultimately reach the Supreme Court.
Source: BBC News 2020 Hungary legal gender recognition Restrictive Enacted Legislation
On 19 May 2020, the Hungarian Parliament passed an amendment to the Civil Registration Procedure Act, replacing the term 'gender' with 'birth-sex' for registration purposes. This prevents transgender people from legally changing their gender and name in the national registry, effectively ending legal gender recognition for them. The amendment discriminates against transgender individuals and violates constitutional and international human rights standards.
Source: Oxford Human Rights Hub 2019 India legal gender recognition Protective Enacted Legislation
India’s Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act 2019 recognizes transgender identity and prohibits discrimination in education, employment and healthcare, though critics note its certification requirements.
Source: Press Information Bureau (India) 2018 Pakistan legal gender recognition Protective Enacted Legislation
Pakistan's Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act, 2018 grants legal recognition of self-perceived gender identity without medical or diagnostic requirements, allowing official documents to be changed accordingly. The law also includes provisions on anti-discrimination and harassment, but has limitations such as criminalizing the use of transgender people for begging and failing to address other discriminatory legal provisions.
Source: International Commission of Jurists 2017 Canada discrimination Protective Enacted Legislation
Bill C-16 amended the Canadian Human Rights Act and the Criminal Code to add gender identity and gender expression as prohibited grounds of discrimination and hate propaganda.
Source: CBC 2013 Bangladesh legal gender recognition Protective Enacted Legislation
The government of Bangladesh approved the recognition of a 'third' sex, the 'hijra', allowing them to register in passports and other identity documents. This new category aims to reduce gender discrimination in education and health. The number of hijras in Bangladesh is estimated at about 10,000. Similar recognition exists in India and Pakistan.
Source: EFE 2012 Argentina legal gender recognition Protective Enacted Legislation
Argentina's Gender Identity Law (Law 26.743), enacted in 2012, establishes the right to self-perceived gender identity, allowing individuals to request changes to their legal name, image, and sex on official documents without requiring surgery, hormone therapy, or judicial approval. The law also guarantees access to gender-affirming healthcare for adults and mandates respectful treatment of chosen names. A 2025 decree modified Article 11 to explicitly prohibit minors from accessing such medical interventions.
Source: Government of Argentina This log documents publicly reported information for educational purposes. It is not legal advice. Laws change; always verify with official sources in your jurisdiction. Reported incidents are drawn from public reporting and omit identifying details of victims.