LGBT rights in the Netherlands

Last updated

LGBT rights in the Netherlands
EU-Netherlands.svg
Status Legal since 1811,
equal age of consent since 1971
Gender identity Transgender people are allowed to change legal gender without surgery or hormone therapy, but a specialist's letter of permission given after a prolonged period of talks is required.
Military LGBT people allowed to serve openly
Discrimination protections Sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression and sex characteristics protections; Sexual orientation only formally added to the Constitution since 2023
Family rights
Recognition of relationships Registered partnerships since 1998
Same-sex marriage since 2001
Adoption Full adoption rights since 2001

Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) rights in the Netherlands are among the most advanced in the world. [1] [2] Same-sex sexual activity was legalized in 1811 after France invaded the country and installed the Napoleonic Code, erasing any remaining sodomy laws. No more sodomy laws were enacted after the country received independence. An age of consent equal with that of heterosexual activity was put in place in 1971. During the late 20th century, awareness surrounding homosexuality grew and society became more tolerant of gay and bisexual people. The changes eventually led to homosexuality's declassification as a mental illness in 1973 and a ban on discrimination based on sexual orientation in the military. The Equal Treatment Act 1994 bans discrimination on account of sexual orientation in employment, housing, public accommodations, and other areas. This was extended in 2019 to include discrimination based on gender identity, gender expression and sex characteristics. [3] After the country began granting same-sex couples registered partnerships benefits in 1998, the Netherlands became the first country in the world to legalize same-sex marriage in 2001. Same-sex joint and stepchild adoption are also permitted, and lesbian couples can access IVF as well.

The Netherlands has become one of the most culturally liberal countries in the world, [4] with recent polls indicating that more than 90% of Dutch people support same-sex marriage. Amsterdam has frequently been named one of the most LGBT-friendly cities in the world, [5] famous for its many accommodations specifically pertaining to the LGBT community, including its many gay bars, bathhouses, hotels, and venues as well as Pink Point, which provides LGBT-friendly information and souvenirs, and the national Homomonument, which was completed in 1987 and was the first monument in the world to commemorate homosexuals who were persecuted and killed during World War II. [6] Since February 2023, protections against discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and disability were formally added to the Netherlands Constitution. [7]

Law regarding same-sex sexual activity

Same-sex activity has been legal since 1811. The age of consent is set at 16 regardless of gender and sexual orientation, having been equalised in 1971.

History

Between 1730 and 1811, sodomy was considered a capital crime by the Dutch Republic, resulting in widespread panic throughout the Netherlands and the persecution of hundreds of homosexuals. [8] After the French invaded and installed the Napoleonic Code in 1811, all laws against same-sex sexual activity between consenting adults in private were repealed. After the Dutch received independence in 1813, no new sodomy laws were enacted. The Christian-based political parties enacted Article 248bis of the Penal Code in 1911, which raised the age of consent for same-sex sexual activity to 21 whilst the age of consent for heterosexual activity remained at 16. Laws citing public indecency were also often used against homosexuals.

During World War II, the Nazis introduced Paragraph 175 into Dutch law, which prohibited any same-sex sexual activity once again. The law was repealed after the end of the war.

During the mid-20th century, society's attitude towards homosexuality, with psychiatrists and clergy beginning to view it less critically. In 1971, the age of consent for same-sex sexual activity was equalised. Article 248bis was repealed. In 1973, homosexuality was no longer treated as a mental illness, which paved the way for allowing gay people to serve in the military.

Recognition of same-sex relationships

Two men marrying in Amsterdam, in the first month after the possibility to marry was opened to same-sex couples (2001) Weddinginholland.jpg
Two men marrying in Amsterdam, in the first month after the possibility to marry was opened to same-sex couples (2001)

Dutch law began granting same-sex couples registered partnerships on 1 January 1998 as an alternative for marriage. Registered partnerships are also allowed for opposite-sex couples. [9] The Netherlands became the first country in the world to legalize same-sex marriage in 2001, with the law coming into effect on 1 April. [10] That day, Job Cohen, the Mayor of Amsterdam, married four same-sex couples after becoming a registrar specifically to officiate at the weddings. [11] The bill had passed the House of Representatives by 109 votes against 33. [12] Although same-sex marriages can be performed in the European territory of the Netherlands and the Caribbean territories of Bonaire, Sint Eustatius and Saba, same-sex marriages performed in Aruba, Curaçao and Sint Maarten, which are constituent countries of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, are not officially valid. As a result of article 40 of the Charter for the Kingdom of the Netherlands, same-sex marriages performed anywhere else in the Kingdom must be recognized in all territories, [13] however, they are not required to guarantee equal treatment of same-sex couples with valid marriage licenses.

Before 2014, civil servants could refuse to marry same-sex couples as long as the municipality ensured that other civil servants were available to solemnize the marriage. In 2014, a law was passed that made it illegal for all marriage officiants to refuse their services to same-sex couples. [14]

In October 2021, it was clarified and investigated that "any memberships of the Dutch Royal Family" legally can enter into same-sex marriage in effect since 1 April 2001 – without losing any titles, rights and/or privileges whatsoever. [15] [16] [17]

Adoption and parenting

Same-sex adoption was legalized alongside same-sex marriage in 2001, which includes joint and stepchild adoption. The Dutch Parliament also began allowing same-sex couples to adopt children overseas in 2009. [18] Lesbian couples can get access to IVF treatment, as well as parentage rights for their children. Assisted insemination in case of infertility is covered by health insurance, whether concering single women, opposite-sex couples or lesbian couples. [19]

Altruistic surrogacy is legal in the Netherlands. [20] Commercial surrogacy is illegal, regardless of sexual orientation. Although altruistic surrogacy is legal, there are only a few hospitals that undertake these arrangements, and there are very strict rules. This makes a lot of couples seek their treatment outside the Netherlands. [21] In 2019, at least two IVF clinics in the Netherlands started offering surrogacy services to same-sex couples; one in Leiderdorp helps with the fertilisation of the surrogate mother's eggs, while a second in Gemert-Bakel works with the family members of the couple for a better genetic match. [22] [23]

Discrimination protections

The Dutch Parliament enacted the Equal Treatment Act 1994 (Dutch : Algemene wet gelijke behandeling; West Frisian : Algemiene wet gelikense behanneling) in March of that year, which bans (among others) discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation in employment, housing, and both public and private accommodations. [24] Before March 2019, gender identity, gender expression and sex characteristics were not specifically mentioned, but discrimination was nonetheless banned. There had been cases where the Dutch Institute for Human Rights ruled that transgender people were protected under the clause of "gender". On 16 January 2017, a bill was introduced to explicitly add sex characteristics, gender identity and gender expression to the list of anti-discrimination grounds. The bill was approved by the House (127–23) on 3 July 2018 and by the Senate (64–11) on 12 March 2019. [25] [26] [27] In addition, a motion was passed (123–27) that requested the Rutte Government to investigate whether it is possible to replace the term "heterosexual or homosexual orientation" with the term "sexual orientation" to include all orientations, including bisexual and asexual people. [28]

Recently, a loophole was fixed in the Equal Treatment Act 1994. Before this, government-financed religious schools were not allowed to fire or deny promotions to teachers on the "single fact" of someone's sexual orientation. However, some schools had interpreted this so that they could fire a teacher for behaviours outside of the facility that went against the ethos of the school. This resulted in the termination of a teacher in 2005 for being in a same-sex relationship. [29] This was called de enkelefeitconstructie ("the single fact construction"). A bill that removed the "single fact" rule and ensured that LGBT students and teachers cannot be fired because of their sexual orientation was debated in Parliament in 2014. [30] On 27 May 2014, this bill was approved by the vast majority of the House of Representatives (141–9) and on 10 March 2015 the bill was approved by the Senate (72–3). It went into full effect on 1 July 2015. [31]

A proposal to add disability and sexual orientation as prohibited grounds for discrimination to Article 1 of the Constitution of the Netherlands was approved in the House of Representatives on 30 June 2020 (124 to 26) and in the Senate on 9 February 2021 (58 to 15). The measure now requires approval by the House and Senate by a two-thirds majority following the March 2021 election. [32] [33] [34] On 15 March 2022, the House of Representatives passed the same proposal a second time by a vote of 123 to 25 with 2 members not present. [35] It now moves to the Senate for its second vote. [36] On 17 January 2023, the bill was approved by the vast majority of the Senate (56-15) and now awaits royal assent. [37] Since February 2023, both sexual orientation and disability was formally added to the Netherlands Constitution.

A 2018 survey by Statistics Netherlands showed that 11.4% of LGBT youth were confronted with online bullying and harassment. This was more than twice as often as heterosexual young people. [38] A survey by the knowledge institute Movisie showed that there were an estimated 900 to 2000 homeless LGBT youth in the Netherlands in 2020. LGBT young people were three times as likely to be homeless that young heterosexual people. Movisie said that "LGBTI youth are often rejected at home and have difficulties accepting themselves". [39]

Transgender and intersex rights

The Dutch parliament voted in favour of the law establishing the right of transgender people to change their legal gender in 1984 and 1985. The law required individuals to undergo gender-affirming surgery and forced sterilization in order to use this right. [40] [41]

In December 2013, the Dutch Parliament overwhelmingly approved a bill allowing transgender people to legally change their gender on birth certificates and other official documents without undergoing sterilization and gender-affirming surgery. [42] The law took effect in 2014. Additionally, transgender people are allowed to serve openly in the military.

Since 1993, [43] it has been possible to state on a birth certificate "sex cannot be determined" when the sex of a newborn baby is unclear. On 28 May 2018, the District Court of Limburg ruled in favour of a Dutch citizen who wished to be recognized as a "third gender" on their birth certificate. Although current laws do not provide for the possibility to be registered as a "third gender", the judge did grant the request for the wording "sex cannot be determined". The court urged lawmakers to provide more options than the current generic "male" (man) and "female" (vrouw) boxes, because the absence of a gender-neutral option is a violation of private life, the right to self-determination and personal autonomy for both transgender and intersex persons. [44] The Dutch Government is currently examining the legal consequences of the ruling. [45] The plaintiff in the case, Leonne Zeegers, received a Dutch passport with an "X" sex descriptor in October 2018. Despite this, as no legislation has been enacted yet, it currently remains a matter for the courts to decide if an individual should receive an "X" designation for gender. [46] The second person to receive an "X" sex marker, Nanoah Struik, did so in July 2019. [47] According to the Social and Cultural Planning Office of the Netherlands, there are an estimated 80,000 intersex people in the Netherlands. [43]

In December 2019, the House of Representatives unanimously adopted a motion presented by Vera Bergkamp and Kirsten van den Hul calling on the Dutch Government to investigate the extent of intersex medical interventions in the Netherlands. [48]

In February 2020, a class-action lawsuit was filed against the Dutch Government over previous sterilisation requirements for transgender individuals. The plaintiffs are also calling on the state to offer compensation to the individuals who were sterilised under the law. A formal apology was issued by the state in December 2020, [49] and a compensation scheme for transgender victims of sterilization (€5,000 for each of the estimated 2,000 victims) was implemented that same month. [50] [51]

In July 2020, it was announced that the Netherlands was considering abolishing gender markers on official identity documents from 2025. [52] [53] [54]

In November 2020, the Dutch cabinet officially apologized for the fact that between 1985 and 2014, transgender people who wanted to change their legal gender were forced to undergo surgery and sterilization. [55] In November 2021 the cabinet announced that individuals who underwent surgery and sterilization because of the 1985 law would become eligible to receive compensation. [56]

In July 2021, a district court granted and allowed a gender X birth certificate to a "self-identified non-binary individual". All non-binary people may now use a gender X birth certificate. [57]

In December 2021, a court ruling dropped psychologist certification for non-binary people to use the X gender marker in passports. [58]

Conversion therapy

Organizations offering conversion therapy, the pseudoscientific practice of attempting to change an individual's sexual orientation or gender identity using psychological or spiritual interventions, in the Netherlands are not eligible for subsidies. [59] In addition, since June 2012, conversion therapies have been blocked from coverage by healthcare insurance. [60]

On 17 May 2019, after television programme Ewout & homogenezing, which was broadcast on RTL 5 on 23 April 2019, showed that several organisations, including Dutch Pentecostal and Baptist groups, were offering conversion therapy, the Labour Party (PvdA) and Democrats 66 (D66) requested an investigation into the allegations. In May 2019, the Minister of Health, Welfare and Sport, Hugo de Jonge, informed the House of Representatives that he saw no need to ban conversion therapies in the Netherlands, adding that he was not planning to commission an "in-depth and independent investigation" into the extent to which young people in the Netherlands are exposed to such practices. [61]

On 22 May 2019, the House of Representatives adopted a motion to investigate the extent of gay conversion therapy in the Netherlands. The motion was supported by D66, GroenLinks (GL) and the PvdA, while the ChristenUnie (CU), the Reformed Political Party (SGP) and the Party for Freedom (PVV) voted against. [62] On 29 May, the House of Representatives adopted another motion; this time calling on the Minister of Justice and Security, Ferdinand Grapperhaus, to create a legislative proposal to explicitly ban conversion therapy. Parliamentarians called such 'treatments' "indigestible" and "harmful". The motion was proposed by the People's Party for Freedom and Democracy (VVD), and was supported by the VVD themselves, D66, GL, PvdA and the Socialist Party (SP), while the Christian Democratic Appeal (CDA), CU, PVV, SGP and Forum for Democracy (FvD) voted against. The adopted motion does not provide for a timetable. [63]

Health and blood donation

In the Netherlands, as in many other countries, men who have sex with men (MSM) were previously not allowed to donate blood. [64] The MSM population in developed countries tends to have a relatively high prevalence of HIV/AIDS infection, [65] so a blanket ban was enforced until 2015. In April 2012, the House of Representatives voted on a motion that would make an end to this ban and would make sexual risk behaviour the criteria for blood donation; in response the government asked the blood bank Sanquin and Maastricht University to investigate whether men who have sex with men should be allowed to donate blood. [66] The report presented on 6 March 2015 showed that there were medical scientific grounds to adjust the donor selection policies around men who had sex with other men. This took away the main argument of safety risks. On 28 October 2015, the Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport announced that a 12-month deferral on donating blood would replace the existing lifetime ban. [67] [68] In February 2019, the Sanquin blood bank shortened this period to 4 months. [69] [70]

On 1 August 2019, the Dutch Government introduced full coverage of PrEP and other related care for gay and bisexual men. The drug is available at all Municipal Health Services (GGD) offices in the country, and can drastically decrease the risk of contracting HIV. In addition, the move would save an estimated €33 million on HIV treatments. [71]

Since September 2021, gay men within monogamous relationships in the Netherlands can legally donate blood without any waiting periods. Gay men within non-monogamous relationships have to still legally undergo a 4-month waiting period. [72]

Uganda relations

In May 2023, the Netherlands immediately stopped cooperation, political relationships and trade with Uganda following the passage of the Anti-Homosexuality Act. [73]

Public opinion

According to a poll conducted in May 2013, Ifop indicated that 85% of the Dutch population supported same-sex marriage and adoption. [74] A European Union member poll conducted in 2015 indicated that 91% of the Netherlands supported same-sex marriage, which was the highest amount of support during that time. [75] In the Caribbean territories of the Kingdom, the citizens are mostly religious, resulting in larger opposition to same-sex marriage in comparison to the European territory.

The 2019 Eurobarometer showed that 97% of Dutch people believed gay and bisexual people should enjoy the same rights as heterosexual people, and 92% supported same-sex marriage. [76]

The 2023 Eurobarometer found that 94% of Dutch people thought same-sex marriage should be allowed throughout Europe, and 94% agreed that "there is nothing wrong in a sexual relationship between two persons of the same sex". [77]

Living conditions and civil society

The first gay demonstration in the Netherlands, Binnenhof, 21 January 1969 Demonstratie tegen wetsartikelen over homofilie contacten op het Binnenhof jonge, Bestanddeelnr 922-0285.jpg
The first gay demonstration in the Netherlands, Binnenhof, 21 January 1969
Amsterdam Gay Pride 2014 PvdAboot op de Amsterdam Gay Parade 2014 (14823067801).jpg
Amsterdam Gay Pride 2014
Amsterdam Pride attracts thousands of people every year. It includes a parade of boats, as shown here in 2017. Boat 10 My Pride My Family, Canal Parade Amsterdam 2017 foto 4.JPG
Amsterdam Pride attracts thousands of people every year. It includes a parade of boats, as shown here in 2017.

The first gay bars in Amsterdam opened in the early 20th century. The oldest place that still exists today is Café 't Mandje, which was opened in 1927 by Bet van Beeren. The gay magazine Wij ("We") also published during this period. [78] Many of these bars and establishments were shut down during the German occupation of the Netherlands, and with the introduction of Paragraph 175 into Dutch law same-sex sexual activity was criminalized. Following the end of the war, the Shakespeare Club was established, with the goals of social emancipation and offering culture and recreation for gay and lesbian people. It changed its name to Cultuur- en Ontspanningscentrum in 1949 and eventually in 2017 to COC Nederland. It is the oldest existing LGBT organization in the world. During the sexual revolution of the 1960s, many gay bars and clubs opened in a number of cities, and societal acceptance of LGBT people began to grow. The first gay and lesbian protest in the Netherlands took place on 21 January 1969 at the Binnenhof. [79] In 1977, LGBT groups began organising annual marches under the name Pink Saturday ( Roze Zaterdag  [ nl ]). In 1987, the world's first gay memorial, the Homomonument, commemorating LGBT people persecuted during the Nazi period, was opened in Amsterdam.

The Netherlands has frequently been referred to as one of the most gay-friendly countries in the world, [80] [81] on account of its early adoption of LGBT rights legislation and tolerance perception. Amsterdam has been referred to as one of the most gay-friendly cities in the world by publications such as The Independent . [82] The annual gay pride festival has been held in Amsterdam every year since 1996. [83] The festival attracts several hundred-thousand visitors each year and thus one of the largest publicly held annual events in the Netherlands. Amsterdam has also been the host city of the Europride twice, in 1994 and 2016. The latter attracted more than 560,000 visitors. Besides Amsterdam, there are also visible gay scenes in Rotterdam, Utrecht, The Hague and Scheveningen, [84] with several bars, saunas and clubs catering to gay clientele.

A 2013 survey showed that 93% of Dutch people believed homosexuals should live their lives as they wish, with just 4% believing that homosexuality should be rejected. Other opinion polls have also found high levels of public and societal acceptance of LGBT people, again leading many to call the Netherlands one of the most gay-friendly countries in the world. [85] According to a 2016 report from the Netherlands Institute for Social Research, most Dutch people have a positive attitude towards homosexuality. Only 7% of the Dutch viewed homosexuality and bisexuality negatively and 10% viewed transgender people negatively. However, 3.8% of gays and lesbians were victims of violence, compared to 2.4% of heterosexuals. And 32% of the respondents stated they would take offence when seeing two men kiss and 23% when seeing two women kiss (and 12% when seeing two people of the opposite sex kiss). [86]

In April 2017, a same-sex couple was attacked by a group of Moroccan youth in the city of Arnhem. After the attack, several politicians, police officers, priests and many others showed their opposition to LGBT violence by holding hands in public. Displays also occurred in other countries, namely the United Kingdom, the United States and Australia. [87] [88] Approximately 400 to 600 attacks against LGBT people occurred between 2011 and 2017, according to LGBT group COC. [89]

In September 2019, King Willem-Alexander called on the UN General Assembly to support LGBT rights. In November 2019, the Dutch Government announced it would continue to support LGBT rights groups worldwide. The House of Representatives voted for a motion asking that LGBT rights be one of the three priorities of Dutch membership at the United Nations Human Rights Council. The Minister of Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation, Sigrid Kaag, has announced support for international LGBT rights groups, as well as organizations that campaign for food security, nature and climate, women's rights and freedom of expression. With Dutch support, local LGBT organizations in the Seychelles and Botswana were successful in having their anti-gay sodomy laws repealed or struck down. [90]

In July 2020, the city of Nieuwegein ended its twin-city scheme with the Polish city of Puławy due to it enacting a "gay free zone". [91]

Summary table

RightYes/NoNote
Same-sex sexual activity legal Yes check.svg Since 1811
Equal age of consent (16) Yes check.svg Since 1971
Anti-discrimination laws (employment) Yes check.svg Since 1994, since 2023 by constitutional amendment for sexual orientation
Anti-discrimination laws (provision of goods and services) Yes check.svg Since 1994, since 2023 by constitutional amendment for sexual orientation
Anti-discrimination laws (all other areas incl. hate speech) Yes check.svg Since 1994, since 2023 by constitutional amendment for sexual orientation
Recognition of same-sex relationships Yes check.svg Since 1998, Registered partnerships
Same-sex marriage(s) Yes check.svg Since 2001, first country in the world to legalize same-sex marriages
Stepchild adoption by same-sex couples Yes check.svg Since 2001
Joint adoption by same-sex couples Yes check.svg Since 2001
Access to IVF for lesbian couples Yes check.svg Since 2000 [92] [93]
International joint adoption by same-sex couples Yes check.svg Since 2009 [18]
LGBT people allowed to serve openly in the military Yes check.svg Since 1973 for lesbian, gay and bisexual people
Since 2014 for transgender people
Right to change legal gender Yes check.svg Since 1985. Gender-affirming surgery and sterilization not required since 2014.
Automatic parenthood for both female spouses after birth Yes check.svg Since 2014, sperm donor anonymous until child's 16th birthday [94]
Anti-discrimination laws covering sex characteristics, gender identity and gender expression Yes check.svg Since 2019 [95]
Third gender option Yes check.svg Since 1993 at birth: a child with ambivalent sex characteristics can register their sex as "cannot be determined". In addition, parents may choose the option "X" up to three months after the birth;
Since 2020 after birth: "X" sex option only available after successful court petition. [43]
Automatic parenthood for both male spouses after surrogate childbirth Yes check.svg Since 2020 [96] [97]
MSMs allowed to donate blood Yes check.svg Since 2021, gay men within monogamous relationships are no longer subjected to the four-month waiting period. [98] [99] New guidelines suggest that from January 1, 2023, the decision will solely be based on behaviour instead of sexual-orientation. [100]
Conversion therapy banned X mark.svg Government rejected such ban, [101] however a new private member's law for a ban is proposed. [102]
Intersex minors protected from invasive surgical procedures X mark.svg
Altruistic surrogacy for same-sex couples Yes check.svg Altruistic surrogacy is legal for both same-sex and opposite-sex couples [103]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">LGBT rights by country or territory</span>

Rights affecting lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people vary greatly by country or jurisdiction—encompassing everything from the legal recognition of same-sex marriage to the death penalty for homosexuality.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Boris Dittrich</span> Dutch politician (born 1955)

Boris Ottokar Dittrich is a Dutch politician of the Democrats 66 (D66), jurist, author and human rights activist. He has been a member of the Senate since 11 June 2019.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">LGBT rights in Hungary</span>

Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people in Hungary face legal and social challenges not experienced by non-LGBT residents. Homosexuality is legal in Hungary for both men and women. Discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and sex is banned in the country. However, households headed by same-sex couples are not eligible for all of the same legal rights available to heterosexual married couples. Registered partnership for same-sex couples was legalised in 2009, but same-sex marriage remains banned. The Hungarian government has passed legislation that restricts the civil rights of LGBT Hungarians – such as ending legal recognition of transgender Hungarians and banning LGBT content and displays for minors. This trend continues under the Fidesz government of Viktor Orbán. In June 2021, Hungary passed an anti-LGBT law on banning "homosexual and transexual propaganda" effective since July 1. The law has been condemned by seventeen EU countries so far. Also, in July 2020, the EU Commission has started legal action against Hungary and Poland for violations of fundamental rights of LGBTQI people: "Europe will never allow parts of our society to be stigmatized."

<span class="mw-page-title-main">LGBT rights in South Africa</span>

Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people in South Africa have the same legal rights as non-LGBT people. South Africa has a complex and diverse history regarding the human rights of LGBT people. The legal and social status of between 400,000–over 2 million lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex South Africans has been influenced by a combination of traditional South African morals, colonialism, and the lingering effects of apartheid and the human rights movement that contributed to its abolition.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">LGBT rights in Belgium</span>

Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) rights in Belgium are regarded as some of the most progressive in Europe and the world. In 2023, ILGA-Europe ranked Belgium as second in the European Union for LGBT rights protection, behind Malta.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">LGBT rights in Suriname</span>

Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people in Suriname may face legal challenges not experienced by non-LGBT residents. Both male and female expressions of same-sex sexual activity are legal in Suriname. Since 2015, hate speech and discrimination in employment and the provision of goods and services on the basis of sexual orientation has been banned in the country. Same-sex marriage and civil unions are not recognised by law. Nevertheless, Suriname is legally bound to the January 2018 Inter-American Court of Human Rights ruling, which held that same-sex marriage is a human right protected by the American Convention on Human Rights.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">LGBT rights in Azerbaijan</span>

Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people in Azerbaijan face significant challenges not experienced by non-LGBT residents. Same-sex sexual activity has been legal in Azerbaijan since 1 September 2000. Nonetheless, discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity are not banned in the country and same-sex marriage is not recognized.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">LGBT rights in Norway</span>

Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people in Norway have the same legal rights as non-LGBT people. In 1981, Norway became one of the first countries in the world to enact an anti-discrimination law explicitly including sexual orientation. Same-sex marriage, adoption, and assisted insemination treatments for lesbian couples have been legal since 2009. In 2016, Norway became the fourth country in Europe to pass a law allowing the change of legal sex for transgender people based on self-determination. On 1 January 2024, conversion therapy became legally banned within Norway.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">LGBT rights in Europe</span>

Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) rights are widely diverse in Europe per country. Twenty of the 35 countries that have legalised same-sex marriage worldwide are situated in Europe. A further eleven European countries have legalised civil unions or other forms of more limited recognition for same-sex couples.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">LGBT rights in the Americas</span>

Laws governing lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) rights are complex and diverse in the Americas, and acceptance of LGBT persons varies widely.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">LGBT rights in Namibia</span>

Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people in Namibia have limited legal protections. Sexual contact between men is criminalised within Namibia, although this law is generally unenforced. Discrimination based on sexual orientation is banned in Namibia but not for gender identity.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">LGBT rights in Nepal</span>

Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) rights in Nepal have evolved significantly during the 21st century, though barriers to full equality still exist within the nation. In 2007, Nepal repealed the laws against gay sex and introduced several laws which explicitly protected "gender and sexual minorities". The Nepalese Constitution now recognizes LGBT rights as fundamental rights. On 28 June 2023, a single judge bench of Justice Til Prasad Shrestha issued a historic interim order directing the government to make necessary arrangements to "temporarily register" the marriages of "non-traditional couples and sexual minorities". The full bench of the Supreme Court has yet to deliver a final verdict. The first same-sex marriage of a trans woman and a cisgender gay man occurred in November 2023. Nepal will be the first least developed country and the first in South Asia to legalize same-sex marriage, and the second in Asia after Taiwan.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">LGBT rights in North Macedonia</span>

Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people in North Macedonia face discrimination and some legal and social challenges not experienced by non-LGBT residents. Both male and female same-sex sexual activity have been legal in North Macedonia since 1996, but same-sex couples and households headed by same-sex couples are not eligible for the same legal protections available to opposite-sex married couples.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">LGBT rights in North Dakota</span>

Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) persons in the U.S. state of North Dakota may face some legal challenges not experienced by non-LGBT residents. Same-sex sexual activity is legal in North Dakota, and same-sex couples and families headed by same-sex couples are eligible for all of the protections available to opposite-sex married couples; same-sex marriage has been legal since June 2015 as a result of Obergefell v. Hodges. State statutes do not address discrimination on account of sexual orientation or gender identity; however, the U.S. Supreme Court's ruling in Bostock v. Clayton County established that employment discrimination against LGBT people is illegal under federal law.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">LGBT history in the Netherlands</span>

The history of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people in the Netherlands has reflected the shades of tolerance or rigidity which were utilized by the rulers of the country at various periods in its history. Since World War II, the movement for LGBT rights has been galvanized by both events abroad and increasing liberalization domestically.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">LGBT rights in Curaçao</span>

Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) persons in Curaçao may face legal challenges not experienced by non-LGBT residents. Both male and female same-sex sexual activity are legal in Curaçao. Discrimination on the basis of "heterosexual or homosexual orientation" is outlawed by the Curaçao Criminal Code. Despite this, same-sex marriage and adoption are still not recognised.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">LGBT rights in Bonaire</span>

Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) rights in Bonaire are very progressive by Caribbean standards. Bonaire forms part of the Caribbean Netherlands and is a special municipality of the Netherlands. Both male and female same-sex sexual activity are legal in Bonaire, with same-sex marriage and adoption being legal since 2012. In addition, discrimination on the basis of "heterosexual and homosexual orientation" is outlawed.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">LGBT rights in Sint Eustatius</span>

Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) rights in Sint Eustatius are quite progressive by Caribbean standards. Sint Eustatius forms part of the Caribbean Netherlands and is a special municipality of the Netherlands. Both male and female same-sex sexual activity are legal in Sint Eustatius, with same-sex marriage, registered partnership, and adoption being legal since 2012. In addition, discrimination on the basis of "heterosexual and homosexual orientation" is outlawed.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">LGBT rights in Saba</span>

Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) rights in Saba are very progressive by Caribbean standards. Saba forms part of the Caribbean Netherlands and is a special municipality of the Netherlands. Both male and female same-sex sexual activity are legal in Saba, with same-sex marriage and adoption being legal since 2012. In addition, discrimination on the basis of "heterosexual and homosexual orientation" is outlawed.

Joke Swiebel is a Dutch political scientist, and a former policy maker, politician and activist. Since the 1960s, she has been involved with the feminist and LGBT movements. She served as first chair of the Federation of Student Working Groups on Homosexuality and on the board of the COC Nederland while a student. In the former capacity, she was one of the organizers of the first LGB demonstration in the Netherlands — and probably all of Europe — which was held on 21 January 1969. It was a protest against a discriminatory provision in the Criminal Code, introduced in 1911, that set a significantly higher age of consent for homosexual than for heterosexual contact.After earning her master's degree in 1972 from the University of Amsterdam, she led the political science library at that institution until 1977. She was involved in the creation of the women's studies program at the university and worked to coordinate between activist groups to ensure that neither gender or sexual orientation were the basis for discriminatory policies.

References

  1. "European Countries Among Top Places for Gay People to Live". Gallup. 26 June 2015. Archived from the original on 27 March 2019. Retrieved 4 March 2018.
  2. "The 203 Worst (& Safest) Countries for LGBTQ+ Travel in 2023". Asher & Lyric. 5 June 2023. Retrieved 20 August 2023.
  3. "Senaat stemt voor verbod op discriminatie trans- en intersekse personen". COC (in Dutch). 12 March 2019. Archived from the original on 25 March 2019. Retrieved 25 March 2019.
  4. "Ministerie van Volksgezondheid, Welzijn en Sport". 18 February 2010. Archived from the original on 17 August 2015. Retrieved 14 January 2015.
  5. "Amsterdam In 2001, the Netherlands became the first country in the world to". The Independent. Archived from the original on 27 March 2019. Retrieved 14 January 2015.
  6. "Gay Amsterdam". Amsterdam Info. Archived from the original on 27 March 2019. Retrieved 6 July 2023.
  7. Perry, Sophie (12 February 2023). "The Netherlands votes to ban discrimination based on sexual orientation". PinkNews. Archived from the original on 12 February 2023. Retrieved 6 July 2023.
  8. Murphy, Timothy (18 October 2013). Reader's Guide to Lesbian and Gay Studies. Routledge. p. 418. ISBN   9781135942342. Archived from the original on 2 February 2016. Retrieved 24 June 2015.
  9. Waaldijk, Kees. "Major legal consequences of marriage, cohabitation and registered partnership for different-sex and same-sex partners in the Netherlands" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 3 March 2016. Retrieved 26 December 2011.
  10. "World's first legal gay weddings". TVNZ . 1 April 2001. Archived from the original on 5 February 2010. Retrieved 8 October 2009.
  11. "Dutch gay couples exchange vows". BBC News. 1 April 2001. Archived from the original on 5 March 2016. Retrieved 14 January 2015.
  12. "Dutch Legislators Approve Full Marriage Rights for Gays". The New York Times . 13 September 2000. Archived from the original on 27 March 2019. Retrieved 14 January 2015.
  13. "wetten.nl – Wet- en regelgeving – Statuut voor het Koninkrijk der Nederlanden – BWBR0002154". Archived from the original on 21 July 2011. Retrieved 14 January 2015.
  14. "Eerste Kamer der Staten-Generaal – Initiatiefvoorstel-Pia Dijkstra en Schouw Gewetensbezwaren ambtenaren van de burgerlijke stand (33.344)". eerstekamer.nl. Archived from the original on 27 March 2019. Retrieved 19 May 2020.
  15. "Netherlands prime minister says Dutch royals can marry same-sex partners and keep throne". The Washington Post . Archived from the original on 12 October 2021. Retrieved 14 October 2021.
  16. "Dutch monarch could be in same-sex marriage, prime minister says". CNN. 13 October 2021. Archived from the original on 14 October 2021. Retrieved 7 January 2022.
  17. Browning, Bil (13 October 2021). "The Dutch princess can marry another woman & still become Queen". lgbtqnation.com. Archived from the original on 14 October 2021. Retrieved 14 October 2021.
  18. 1 2 "Dutch Civil Code Amendment Book 1, etc. (shortening adoption procedure and adoption by same-sex spouses". wetten.overheid.nl (in Dutch). Ministerie van Binnenlandse Zaken en Koninkrijksrelaties. 1 January 2009. Archived from the original on 15 October 2019. Retrieved 9 February 2020.
  19. "Kunstmatige inseminatic bijft vergoed". De Telegraaf (in Dutch). 27 April 2019. Archived from the original on 23 February 2020. Retrieved 23 February 2020.
  20. Veiligheid, Ministerie van Justitie en (3 July 2015). "Legal and illegal aspects of surrogacy – Surrogate mothers – Government.nl". government.nl. Archived from the original on 20 December 2016. Retrieved 6 February 2020.
  21. Administrator. "International Surrogacy Laws". familylaw.com.ua. Archived from the original on 24 September 2018. Retrieved 14 October 2018.
  22. "Rondgang IVF-klinieken: Homoparen met een draagmoeder kunnen vanaf 2019 terecht in Nederland". De Monitor (in Dutch). 13 November 2018. Archived from the original on 2 May 2019. Retrieved 4 February 2019.
  23. "Homostellen met draagmoeder kunnen volgend jaar terecht bij IVF-klinieken". RTL Nieuws (in Dutch). 13 December 2018. Archived from the original on 19 May 2019. Retrieved 4 February 2019.
  24. Koninkrijksrelaties, Ministerie van Binnenlandse Zaken en. "Algemene wet gelijke behandeling". Wettenbank Overheid. Archived from the original on 20 August 2020. Retrieved 6 July 2023.
  25. "Transgender en intersekse mensen worden vanaf nu beschermd tegen discriminatie". Broadly (in Dutch). 12 March 2019. Archived from the original on 25 March 2019. Retrieved 25 March 2019.
  26. "Senaat Stemt Voor Verbod Op Discriminatie Trans- En Intersekse Personen". Transgender Info (in Dutch). 12 March 2019. Archived from the original on 25 March 2019. Retrieved 25 March 2019.
  27. "Initiatiefvoorstel: 34650". Archived from the original on 27 March 2019. Retrieved 14 March 2019.
  28. Jasper van Dijk; D. Yesilgoz-Zegerius; Kathalijne Buitenweg. "Gewijzigde motie van Jasper van Dijk c.s. over de term "seksuele gerichtheid" in de Algemene wet gelijke behandeling". Tweede Kamer. Archived from the original on 27 March 2019. Retrieved 5 July 2023.
  29. "Leaked Dutch report says schools can ban gay teachers". PinkNews. 12 June 2009. Archived from the original on 27 March 2019. Retrieved 14 January 2015.
  30. "LGBT and Gender Equality Policy Plan of the Netherlands 2011-2015". Archived from the original on 9 August 2017. Retrieved 9 August 2017.
  31. "Eerste Kamer der Staten-Generaal – Initiatiefvoorstel-Bergkamp, Van Ark, Yücel, Jasper van Dijk en Klaver Annuleren enkele-feitconstructie in de Algemene wet gelijke behandeling (32.476)". eerstekamer.nl. Archived from the original on 27 March 2019. Retrieved 18 June 2015.
  32. "32.411 – Initiatiefvoorstel-Bergkamp, Özütok en Van den Hul Handicap en seksuele gerichtheid als non-discriminatiegrond". eerstekamer.nl. Archived from the original on 26 February 2021. Retrieved 21 March 2021.
  33. "The Netherlands Move To Put LGBTQ+ Rights in Constitution". out.com. 10 February 2021. Archived from the original on 22 January 2021. Retrieved 21 March 2021.
  34. "Senate backs constitutional ban on LGBT and disability discrimination". dutchnews.nl. 10 February 2021. Archived from the original on 28 March 2021. Retrieved 21 March 2021.
  35. "Brief van het lid Bergkamp inzake overname van de verdediging van het initiatiefvoorstel". Tweede Kamer (in Dutch). 15 March 2022. Archived from the original on 16 October 2022. Retrieved 6 July 2023.
  36. "Geweldig: Tweede Kamer stemt voor verankering LHBTI rechten in de Grondwet!". COC (in Dutch). 15 March 2022. Archived from the original on 15 March 2022. Retrieved 5 July 2023.
  37. "Dutch amend constitution to specify gay, disabled protections". Reuters. 17 January 2023. Archived from the original on 17 January 2023. Retrieved 5 July 2023.
  38. "Meisjes vaker dan jongens last van online stalken of laster". CBS (in Dutch). 10 January 2020. Archived from the original on 25 April 2021. Retrieved 25 April 2021.
  39. "Dak- en thuisloze LHBTI- jongeren zijn driedubbel kwetsbaar". COC (in Dutch). 18 June 2020. Archived from the original on 25 April 2021. Retrieved 25 April 2021.
  40. "Transseksueel kan akten laten wijzigen". Trouw. 5 September 1984.
  41. "Wijziging geboorteakten transseksuelen mogelijk". De Telegraaf. 1 August 1985.
  42. Blade, Michael K. Lavers Washington (19 December 2013). "A Huge Breakthrough for the Dutch Transgender Community". HuffPost. Archived from the original on 26 April 2020. Retrieved 19 May 2020.
  43. 1 2 3 "Geen M of V, maar X: voor het eerst paspoort veranderd in genderneutraal". nos.nl (in Dutch). 19 October 2018. Archived from the original on 6 February 2020. Retrieved 7 February 2020.
  44. "ECLI:NL:RBLIM:2018:4931" (in Dutch). Archived from the original on 16 June 2018. Retrieved 9 June 2018.
  45. "Dutch Court Signals Need for Gender Neutral Option". Human Rights Watch. 1 June 2018. Archived from the original on 29 June 2018. Retrieved 4 June 2018.
  46. "First Dutch gender-neutral passport issued". BBC News. 19 October 2018. Archived from the original on 27 February 2019. Retrieved 7 November 2018.
  47. "Tweede volwassene krijgt X in paspoort". COC (in Dutch). 29 July 2019. Archived from the original on 23 February 2020. Retrieved 23 February 2020.
  48. "Onderzoek naar onvrijwillige behandeling intersekse kinderen". COC (in Dutch). 4 December 2019. Archived from the original on 7 December 2019. Retrieved 23 February 2020.
  49. Kelleher, Patrick (17 February 2020). "Trans woman wants an apology from Netherlands government after she was forced into being sterilised". PinkNews. Archived from the original on 22 February 2020. Retrieved 22 February 2020.
  50. Schaps, Karolin (1 December 2020). "Netherlands to compensate trans victims of forced sterilisation". Reuters. Archived from the original on 1 December 2020. Retrieved 2 December 2020.
  51. Kelleher, Patrick (2 December 2020). "The Netherlands finally apologises after years of forcing trans people to undergo sterilisation to gain legal recognition". PinkNews. Archived from the original on 2 December 2020. Retrieved 2 December 2020.
  52. "Netherlands Sees No Role for Gender Marker on ID Documents". Human Rights Watch. 8 July 2020. Archived from the original on 8 July 2020. Retrieved 13 July 2020.
  53. Bollinger, Alex (12 July 2020). "Netherlands plans to remove gender from ID cards entirely". LGBTQ Nation. Archived from the original on 12 July 2020. Retrieved 13 July 2020.
  54. Savage, Rachel (8 July 2020). "M, F, nothing? Netherlands mulls erasing gender from ID cards". Reuters. Archived from the original on 25 April 2021. Retrieved 25 April 2021.
  55. "Kabinet maakt excuses voor oude Transgenderwet". NOS.nl. 30 November 2020. Archived from the original on 18 September 2021. Retrieved 30 January 2023.
  56. "Excuses kabinet: 'Transgenderwet was mensonterend'". NOS.nl. 27 November 2021. Archived from the original on 5 September 2022. Retrieved 30 January 2023.
  57. "Non-binaire personen mogen X als geslachtsaanduiding op geboorteakte". NU (in Dutch). 21 July 2021. Archived from the original on 26 July 2021. Retrieved 26 July 2021.
  58. "Court rules non-binary person can be X, without providing expert opinion". DutchNews.nl. 23 December 2021. Archived from the original on 23 December 2021. Retrieved 7 January 2022.
  59. Dirks, Bart (8 January 2009). "Christelijke stichting verliest toch homo-subsidie". de Volkskrant (in Dutch). Archived from the original on 27 March 2019. Retrieved 24 June 2018.
  60. De Wever, Robin (7 June 2012). "Alleen stoppen met vergoeding homotherapie is niet genoeg". Trouw (in Dutch). Archived from the original on 24 June 2018. Retrieved 24 June 2018.
  61. "Weer geen verbod op 'homogenezing'". GaySite.nl (in Dutch). 17 May 2019. Archived from the original on 5 June 2019. Retrieved 5 June 2019.
  62. "Toch onderzoek naar 'homogenezing'". GaySite.nl (in Dutch). 22 May 2019. Archived from the original on 5 June 2019. Retrieved 5 June 2019.
  63. "Kamer wil verbod op 'homogenezing'". GaySite.nl (in Dutch). 28 May 2019. Archived from the original on 5 June 2019. Retrieved 5 June 2019.
  64. "Hiv: risicofactoren voor mannen" (in Dutch). Sanquin Bloedvoorziening. Archived from the original on 6 April 2015. Retrieved 10 August 2014.
  65. "5". 2006 Report on the global AIDS epidemic (PDF). UNAIDS. December 2006. Archived (PDF) from the original on 15 February 2020. Retrieved 10 August 2014.
  66. "Equal rights for LGBTS". government.nl. Government of the Netherlands. Archived from the original on 29 June 2015. Retrieved 10 August 2014.
  67. "Ban lifted on gay male blood donations; Advocates critical of new restrictions". NL Times. 28 October 2015. Archived from the original on 7 January 2022. Retrieved 19 May 2020.
  68. Williams, Joe (29 October 2015). "Netherlands ends liftime blood ban on gay and bisexual men". PinkNews. Archived from the original on 1 April 2019. Retrieved 7 February 2016.
  69. "Gay men in monogamous relationships can now donate blood in NL". NL Times. 1 September 2021. Retrieved 6 July 2023.
  70. Desai, Kavana (15 February 2019). "Gay men couldn't donate blood in the Netherlands?". Dutch Review. Archived from the original on 7 January 2022. Retrieved 23 February 2020.
  71. "Vanaf 1 augustus PrEP bij GGD". COC (in Dutch). 28 June 2019. Archived from the original on 25 February 2020. Retrieved 25 February 2020.
  72. Séveno, Victoria (12 March 2021). "Gay men in a monogamous relationship can donate blood from September". I Am Expat. Archived from the original on 12 March 2021. Retrieved 12 March 2021.
  73. "Dutch government halts cooperation with Uganda over anti-LGBT legislation". CNE. 30 May 2023. Archived from the original on 31 May 2023. Retrieved 6 July 2023.
  74. "Enquête sur la droitisation des opinions publiques européennes" [Investigation into the rightization of European public opinions](PDF). IFOP – Institut d’études opinion et marketing en France et à l’international (in French). June 2013. Archived from the original (PDF) on 1 February 2016. Retrieved 26 May 2015.
  75. "Special Eurobarometer 437: Discrimination in the EU in 2015" (PDF). European Commission. October 2015. Archived from the original (PDF) on 22 January 2016.
  76. "Eurobarometer on Discrimination 2019: The social acceptance of LGBTI people in the EU". TNS. European Commission. p. 2. Archived from the original on 16 February 2020. Retrieved 23 September 2019.
  77. "Discrimination in the EU_sp535_volumeA.xlsx [QB15_2] and [QB15_3]" (xls). data.europa.eu. 22 December 2023. Retrieved 29 December 2023.
  78. "The Amsterdam Bar Culture And Changing Gay/Lesbian Identities". March 2005. Archived from the original on 6 March 2005.
  79. "Veel bereikt sinds eerste LHBTI-demonstratie in 1969". COC Nederland (in Dutch). 20 January 2019. Archived from the original on 9 June 2020. Retrieved 9 June 2020.
  80. McDaid, Mark (20 May 2013). "The Netherlands is one of Europe's most gay-friendly nations". Netherlands: IamExpat. Archived from the original on 10 May 2017. Retrieved 10 August 2014.
  81. Baird-Remba, Rebecca. "13 Countries That ArMore Gay Friendly Than America". Business Insider. Business Insider Inc. Archived from the original on 27 March 2019. Retrieved 10 August 2014.
  82. Field, Marcus (17 September 2008). "The Ten Best Places in the World To Be Gay". The Independent. Archived from the original on 27 March 2019. Retrieved 10 August 2014.
  83. "Amsterdam Gay Pride". Amsterdamgaypride.nl. Archived from the original on 6 May 2019. Retrieved 9 January 2011.
  84. "Outside Amsterdam: Gay Guide". holland.com. 17 March 2016. Archived from the original on 7 November 2018. Retrieved 7 November 2018.
  85. "The Netherlands is one of Europe's most gay-friendly nations". iamexpat.nl. Archived from the original on 29 December 2021. Retrieved 19 May 2020.
  86. "LGBT Monitor 2016". Archived from the original on 11 November 2018. Retrieved 27 July 2017.
  87. "Dutch men hold hands against anti-LGBT violence | DW | 05.04.2017". Deutsche Welle. Archived from the original on 3 April 2018. Retrieved 19 May 2020.
  88. "Coalition negotiators condemn anti-gay violence after attack in Arnhem". 3 April 2017. Archived from the original on 22 October 2017. Retrieved 19 May 2020.
  89. Dirks, Bart (8 January 2009). "Christelijke stichting verliest toch homo-subsidie". de Volkskrant (in Dutch). Archived from the original on 27 March 2019. Retrieved 24 June 2018.
  90. "Steun aan buitenlandse LHBTI-organisaties topprioriteit voor minister Kaag". COC (in Dutch). 19 November 2019. Archived from the original on 23 February 2020. Retrieved 23 February 2020.
  91. Boffey, Daniel (16 July 2020). "Dutch town ends ties with Polish twin declared 'gay-free zone'". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 19 July 2020. Retrieved 19 July 2020.
  92. "The Politics of Biotechnology in North America and Europe". Lexington Books. 2006. p. 172. ISBN   9780739159224 . Retrieved 8 June 2022.
  93. Gerrits, Trudie (2016). "Patient-Centred IVF: Bioethics and Care in a Dutch Clinic". Berghahn Books. p. 60. ISBN   9781785332272 . Retrieved 8 June 2022.
  94. "Lesbisch of homo-ouderschap". Ouders Online (in Dutch). 28 May 2014. Archived from the original on 7 February 2020. Retrieved 7 February 2020.
  95. "Besluit van 24 oktober 2019 tot vaststelling van het tijdstip van inwerkingtreding van de Wet verduidelijking rechtspositie transgender personen en intersekse personen (Stb. 2019, 302)". Artikel II van de Wet verduidelijking rechtspositie transgender personen en intersekse personen (Stb. 2019, 302) (in Dutch). Ministerie van Binnenlandse Zaken. 31 October 2019. Archived from the original on 7 February 2020. Retrieved 7 February 2020.
  96. "What is the difference between biological and legal parenthood?". Government of the Netherlands. Archived from the original on 2 March 2021. Retrieved 6 July 2023.
  97. Vissers, Boersma, Petra, Wendelmoet (12 July 2019). "More than two parents are still a bridge too far for the government" (in Dutch). Trouw. Retrieved 8 February 2020.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  98. "Bloedbank opent de deur voor MSM". sanquin.nl. Sanquin. Archived from the original on 11 March 2021. Retrieved 11 March 2021.
  99. "Homomannen met vaste partner mogen bloeddonor worden". nos.nl. NOS. 11 March 2021. Archived from the original on 11 March 2021. Retrieved 11 March 2021.
  100. "Individueel gedrag bepalende voorwaarde bloed- en plasmadonatie". rijksoverheid.nl. Rijksoverheid. 24 May 2022.
  101. "Kabinet wil nog geen verbod op 'homogenezing', ondanks Kamermeerderheid". NU (in Dutch). 29 May 2021. Archived from the original on 13 June 2021. Retrieved 13 June 2021.
  102. "Individueel gedrag bepalende voorwaarde bloed- en plasmadonatie". Rijksoverheid (in Dutch). 24 May 2022. Archived from the original on 25 May 2022. Retrieved 6 July 2023.
  103. "Legal and illegal aspects of surrogacy". Government of the Netherlands . Retrieved 16 February 2023.