LGBT and Swedish Law

LGBT persons are protected by a number of anti-discrimination laws in Sweden, and are also legally entitled to a number of family rights. Below is a chronological list of the Swedish laws that specifically affect the LGBT community.

1944: Decriminalization of homosexual relationships between adults

1972: Sweden becomes first country in the world to offer gender-reassignment treatment

1979: The Swedish National Board of Health and Welfare removes homosexuality from its medical diagnosis list

1987: Ban on discrimination against homosexuals by business and government officials goes into effect

1988: Homosexuals included in the cohabitation law

1995: The Registered Partnership Act goes into effect

1999: Ban on discrimination in working life on the grounds of sexual orientation goes into effect; establishment of the Ombudsman Against Discrimination on the Grounds of Sexual Orientation

2002: The Equal Treatment of Students at Universities Act goes into effect

2003: Sexual orientation is included in the ban against incitement to violence against ethnic or similar groups; same-sex couples given the same rights as opposite-sex couples with respect to all forms of adoption and legal custody of children; broader ban on discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation goes into effect

2005: Ban on discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation within the social welfare and health care systems goes into effect; lesbian couples gain the right to medically assisted insemination

2006: Ban on discrimination and other insulting treatment of children and students goes into effect

2009 Ban on discrimination in the workplace on the grounds of gender identity  goes into effect.

2009 Marriage becomes gender neutral which allows same sex couples to get married according to the same law as opposite sex couples. When the gender neutral Marriage Act goes into effect it replaces the earlier Registered Partnership Act regarding same sex couples. 

Have you been a victim of discrimination?

Discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation is illegal in Sweden. If you feel you have been discriminated against, you should contact the Ombudsman Against Discrimination  (DO).