1986 in LGBTQ rights

This is a list of notable events in the history of LGBT rights that took place in the year 1986.

Events

• In New Zealand, the Homosexual Law Reform Act equalizes the age of consent for homosexual acts to 16, the legal age for heterosexual acts. The law was signed by the governor-general July 11, and came into effect August 8. ^{[1] [2]}
• Davis, California, prohibits employment discrimination based on sexual orientation in the private sector.
• Sacramento, California, prohibits employment discrimination based on sexual orientation in the private sector.
• ILGA hosts conferences in Japan as well as Denmark. ^[3]

March

• 20 — New York City passes its first anti-discrimination bill. ^[4]

June

• 30 — The Supreme Court of the United States upholds the constitutionality of the Georgia state sodomy law in Bowers v. Hardwick . ^[5]

July

• 7 — The United States Supreme Court denies certiorari in the case of Baker v. Wade , a constitutional challenge to the sodomy law of Texas. ^[6]

October

• 22 — In the battle against AIDS, Surgeon General of the United States C. Everett Koop, publishes the first government publications for the public on gay safer sex practices. ^[7]

December

• 11 — Austin, Texas, passes an ordinance that prohibits discrimination against people with HIV or AIDS. ^[8]

Deaths

• December 28 — Terry Dolan, U.S. activist against gay rights and closeted gay man, dies at 36 from an AIDS-related illness.

See also

• LGBTQ portal

• Timeline of LGBT history — timeline of events from 12,000 BCE to present
• LGBT rights by country or territory — current legal status around the world
• LGBT social movements

Notes

1. "Homosexual law reform in New Zealand". New Zealand History. June 14, 2016. Retrieved March 6, 2021.
2. "1986 in LGBT rights". Equaldex. Archived from the original on July 18, 2025. Retrieved August 20, 2025.
3. "ILGA History". ILGA. Archived from the original on June 6, 2025. Retrieved August 20, 2025.
4. Goldman, John J. (March 21, 1986). "N.Y. Passes Gay Rights Bill After 15-Year Debate". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved October 14, 2016.
5. Bowers v. Hardwick , 478US186 (Supreme Court of the united States1986-06-30).
6. Murdoch and Price, p. 345
7. Valdiserri, Ronald (February 27, 2013). "In Memoriam: C. Everett Koop". HIV.gov. Retrieved March 6, 2021.
8. "Recommendation of the LGBTQ quality of life commission". City of Austin. August 15, 2017. Archived from the original on March 22, 2025. Retrieved August 20, 2025.

References

• Murdoch, Joyce and Deb Price (2001). Courting Justice: Gay Men and Lesbians v. the Supreme Court. New York, Basic Books, a member of the Perseus Books Group. ISBN   0-465-01513-1.