LGBT rights in Denmark
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Danish lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) rights are some of the most extensive in the world.[1][2] In 2023, ILGA-Europe ranked Denmark as the third most LGBT-supportive country in Europe.[3][4] Polls consistently show that same-sex marriage support is nearly universal amongst the Danish population.
LGBT rights in Denmark | |
---|---|
Status | Legal since 1933, age of consent equalized in 1977 |
Gender identity | Transgender persons allowed to change legal gender without a diagnosis, hormone therapy, surgery or sterilization |
Military | LGBT people allowed to openly serve in the Danish military |
Discrimination protections | Sexual orientation and gender identity/expression protections (see below) |
Family rights | |
Recognition of relationships | Registered partnership 1989-2012 Same-sex marriage since 2012 |
Adoption | Full adoption rights since 2010 |
In Denmark, same-sex sexual activity was legalized in 1933, and since 1977, the age of consent has been equally set to 15, regardless of sexual orientation or gender.[5] Denmark was the first country in the world to grant legal recognition to same-sex unions in the form of registered partnerships in 1989. On 7 June 2012, the law was replaced by a new same-sex marriage law, which came into effect on 15 June 2012.[6]
Discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation was entirely prohibited in 1996. Denmark has allowed same-sex couples to jointly adopt since 2010, while previously allowing stepchild adoptions and limited co-guardianship rights for non-biological parents. LGBT people are also allowed to serve openly in the Danish military. Like its Scandinavian neighbours, Denmark has become one of the most LGBT-accepting countries in the world,[7] with recent polls indicating that a large majority of Danes support same-sex marriage and LGBT adoption.[8] Copenhagen has frequently been referred to by publishers as one of the most gay-friendly cities in the world,[9] famous for its annual Pride parade. Denmark's oldest LGBT organization, LGBT+ Danmark, was founded in 1948, under the name Kredsen af 1948 (Circle of 1948).