Denmark, Europe
Gay rights in Denmark are generally extensive, and Danish society is very tolerant of homosexuality. Homosexuality was legalised in 1933 and since 1979, the age of consent is equal at 15, regardless of sexual orientation and/or gender. Homosexuals are not banned from military service. In addition, Danish law bans hate crimes, which includes crimes against people because of their sexuality.
Denmark was the first country in the world to legalize same-sex unions, in 1989. The Danish parliament, Folketinget, has since then discussed same-sex marriage, artificial insemination of lesbians, and couples' rights to adopt several times. Homosexuals can adopt their partner's biological children. On June 2, 2006, a majority in Folketinget voted for abolishing a law that since 1997 had banned lesbians from insemination.
In 1979, Denmark granted Greenland sovereignty under the Home Rule Act, although it still influences the island's culture and politics. As is the case with Denmark, homosexuality is a not a crime, when it involves consenting adults in private, and Denmark's anti-discrimination laws also apply to Greenland. Greenland enacted a civil unions law in 1996 and there is a LGBT-rights organization called "Qaamaneq" (Light), which has organized social events. LGBT Travelers should check out our new Denmark Gay Lodging Directory.
News & Reports:
- ‘Biggest ever’ Pride parade lights up Copenhagen, 2018/Aug/20
- Couple accidentally become first to marry in Faroe Islands, 2017/Sep/08
- Denmark approves same-sex marriage in the Faroe Islands, 2017/Jun/19
- Denmark: Landmark gender recognition law comes into effect, 2014/Sep/01
- 5,000 march for LGBTI rights in the Faroe Islands, 2014/Jul/28
- Denmark: Changing Legal Sexual Identity Simplified, 2014/Jul/03
- Faroe Islands: Equal marriage bill voted down, 2014/Mar/18
- Denmark: Forum established to help more LGBT people from ethnic minority groups come out, 2013/Jul/24
- Denmark: Newspaper editor refuses to write about gay marriage laws, 2012/Jun/22
- Denmark: Equal marriage laws for gay couples come into effect today, 2012/Jun/15
- Danish parliament approves equal marriage laws, 2012/Jun/07
- Denmark: Equal marriage law to take effect in June, 2012/Mar/14
- Gay Denmark News & Reports 2011, 2011/Apr/10
- Gay Denmark News & Reports 2004-09, 2009/Jan/01
‘Biggest ever’ Pride parade lights up Copenhagen
This year’s Copenhagen Pride parade was the largest in the city’s history. An estimated 40,000 people, including Prime Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen, joined the 3.3-kilometre-long march as it made its way through the Danish capital. Saturday’s (August 18) parade came just weeks after cabinet minister Tommy Ahlers – who has been the Minister of Science,… Read more »
Couple accidentally become first to marry in Faroe Islands
A couple who wanted a quiet, fuss-free wedding in the Faroe Islands have accidentally become the first gay couple to tie the knot there. London-based gay couple Leslie Travers and Richard McBride, 48 and 37, became the first same-sex couple to marry in the Faroe Islands after travelling there for a low-key wedding The Faroe… Read more »
Denmark approves same-sex marriage in the Faroe Islands
The road to approving same-sex marriage in the Faroe Islands has finally been completed. The islands have become the final Nordic country to legalise marriage equality. The archipelago known as the Faroe Islands, which is self-governing, voted to make it legal for same-sex couples to marry last year. However the legislation required a change in… Read more »
Denmark: Landmark gender recognition law comes into effect
A Danish law that makes it easier for transgender people to have their gender legally recognised has come into effect, but has caused controversy among trans activists. The law, which was passed by Parliament in June, scraps a requirement for trans people to undergo gender confirmation surgery before they can be legally recognised as their… Read more »
5,000 march for LGBTI rights in the Faroe Islands
One-in-ten people in the Danish dependency of the Faroe Islands marched in the Faroe Pride March on Sunday as lawmakers continue to oppose the legalization of same-sex marriage despite wide public support for the reform Police in the Faroe Islands estimate that one-in-ten people in the country marched for LGBTI equality on Sunday at Faroe… Read more »
Denmark: Changing Legal Sexual Identity Simplified
The Danish Parliament has approved a law allowing Danish citizens to change their legal gender identity without first undergoing sterilization or surgery. Denmark’s Minister of the Economy and Interior, Margrethe Vestager, announced on June 11, 2014, that beginning September 1, Danish citizens over the age of 18 may apply to change their legal gender designation… Read more »
Faroe Islands: Equal marriage bill voted down
A same-sex marriage bill has been defeated on the Faroe Islands. In a second reading vote on Thursday 13 March, 20 lawmakers voted against the legislation, while only 11 voted in favour. The Faroe Islands, made up of around 50,000 people, is currently the only Nordic country without civil partnerships or equal marriage, and there… Read more »
Denmark: Forum established to help more LGBT people from ethnic minority groups come out
A new national forum will be launched in Denmark, in order to help LGBT people come out to their friends and family. The forum, to be launched in August, particularly takes into account an increasing number of Danish LGBT people from ethnic minorities in recent years. The Copenhagen based Sabaah, was established to help LGBT… Read more »
Denmark: Newspaper editor refuses to write about gay marriage laws
A Danish newspaper editor said he would refuse to include any news about the country’s recently-implemented equal marriage laws. The laws allowing gay couples in Denmark an equal right to marry in state churches came into force last week. But a newspaper editor in northern Jutland refused to include stories about the new law, which… Read more »
Denmark: Equal marriage laws for gay couples come into effect today
Denmark’s new laws allowing gay couples to marry in the state church have come into effect today. The Folketing approved gender-neutral marriage last week by 85 votes to 24. The Stefanskirken in Copenhagen draped a rainbow flag over its front and erected a banner reading: “Love knows no gender – congratulations Denmark”. Danish gay news… Read more »
Danish parliament approves equal marriage laws
The Danish parliament has approved equal marriage laws 85 to 24 today, reports said today. Members of the sole house of the Folketing approved the gender-neutral marriage legislation today after an opposition amendment creating a separate system of marriage for gay couples under different terminology was rejected yesterday. The new law is due to come… Read more »
Denmark: Equal marriage law to take effect in June
Denmark’s prime minister has announced that equal marriage laws will come into effect in the European country on 15 June this year. At a press conference, Helle Thorning-Schmidt, who took office in October last year, announced that gays would be allowed to marry in time for the summer, the Copenhagen Post reports. She said: “We… Read more »
Gay Denmark News & Reports 2011
1 Call to remove Danish Penal Code on HIV transmission 3/11 2 Denmark set to introduce gay marriage 10/11 3 Danish Gay Marriage Pioneer Axel Axgil Dies At 96 10/11 4 Death of Axel Axgil 1915-2011 – A great LGBT Pioneer 10/11 5 Gay religious wedding ceremonies “in spring 2012? 11/11 31 March 2011 –… Read more »
Gay Denmark News & Reports 2004-09
1 Danish lawmakers propose church weddings for gay couples 3/04 2 Hans Christian Andersen’s Fairy Tales 5/05 3 Copenhagen looks to Outgames in 2009 3/07 4 Faroe Islanders celebrate first year of LGBT protection 8/07 5 Faroe Islands: Pride politician calls for same-sex partnership scheme 8/07 6 Copenhagen Pride funding restored after media campaign 3/08… Read more »