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Laws

DENMARK

Limited information only available for these topics

Access to Children
Adoption of Children
Age of Consent
Anti-Vilification
Artifical Insemination
Assisted Reproduction
Asylum, Refugees
  Civil Unions
Custody of Children
Discrimination
Fostering Children
Gender Identity
Harassment
Hate Crimes
  HIV/Aids
Homosexuality
Immigration
Inheritance
In Vitro Fertilisation (IVF)
Marriage
Military
  Partners
Parenting
Property
Sodomy
Transgender, Transsexual
Violence
Wrongful Death

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Age of Consent Legislation/Cases/References
1.

National

The age of consent for consensual male homosexual sex is 15 years [R1.1].

R1.1 Sydney Star Observer: "The Age of Consent and Gay Men in New South Wales" 28 MAR 02 page 7
Assisted Reproduction Technology
Artificial Insemination, In Vitro Fertilisation, Surrogacy
Legislation/Cases/References
1.

National

In June 2006, Denmark's parliament passed a controversial law allowing lesbian couples and single women the right to free artificial insemination at public hospitals [R1.1].

Previously:

In July 1998, the Danish Parliament voted against lifting the nation's ban on artificial insemination of single women [R1.2].

The law did not ban lesbian insemination that takes place outside of a medical setting [R1.2].

In June 1997, the Parliament of Denmark banned lesbians from obtaining artificial insemination in state-run or private clinics [R1.3].

R1.1 Herald Sun: Insemination Rights for Lesbians 02 JUN 06
R1.2 Capital Q : No to Lesbian Insemination 03 JUL 98
R1.3 Capital Q : Danes Ban Lesbian Sperm 13 JUN 97
Asylum, Immigration, Refugees Legislation/Cases/References
1.

National

In May 2006, Denmark was reported as providing some form of immigration benefits to the same-sex partners of citizens and permanent residents [R1.1] or recognition of same-sex couples for immigration purposes [R1.2].

2.

Courts & Tribunals

In March 1996, the Refugee Review Board granted a 26-year old Armenian gay man refugee status because Armenia allegedly mistreats homosexuals [R2.1].

A relatively new addition to the list of provisions enshrined in the 1951 UN Convention that entitles a person to apply for refugee status, "sexual orientation" owes its inclusion to a growing understanding in a handful of countries that lesbians and gays constitute a distinct social group. This article has been invoked to grant asylum to lesbians and gay men in Denmark [R2.2].

R1.1 Human Rights Watch: U.S. Immigration Law Inhumane to Same-Sex Couples 02 MAY 06
R1.2 Immigration Equality: Uniting American Families Act Introduced into the U.S. Congress 22 JUN 05
R2.1 Adelaide Gay Times: Armenian Wins Asylum 12 APR 96
R2.2 Beirut Daily Star: For Some Young Lebanese Staying Means 'Life Will be Over' 12 OCT 01
Civil Unions, Partners: Domestic, Registered Legislation/Cases/References
See also: [INHERITANCE] [MARRIAGE]
1.

National

In August 1999, Sweden, Denmark and Norway signed an international treaty to recognize each other's domestic partnerships [R1.1].

In July 1999, two non-Danish citizens could enter into registered partnership if both partners had stayed in Denmark for at least two years [R1.2].

In 1989, Denmark became the first country to legalize marriage-like registered partners, offering same-sex partners most or all rights of marriage [R1.3].

R1.1 Inter Press Service: Gay Staffers Seek Equal Treatment 16 AUG 99
R1.2 ILGA-Europe Euro-Letter No 70: Adoption Rights to Danish Gay or Lesbian Couples - Partnership Law Changed 20 MAY 99
R1.3 ILGA: State-Sponsored Homophobia MAY 08
Associated Press: Status of European Same-Sex Couples 11 DEC 98
Adelaide Gay Times: Denmark Bans Discrimination 21 JUN 96
Discrimination Legislation/Cases/References
1.

National

From 01 July 1996, discrimination based on sexual orientation by private employers is unlawful as is discrimination in other areas which has been prohibited for years [R1.1].

R1.1 Adelaide Gay Times: Denmark Bans Discrimination 21 JUN 96
Gender Identity, Intersex,
Transgender, Transexual

[?]
Legislation/Cases/References
1.

National

In 2001, Denmark was reported to extend sex-change benefits to citizens [R1.1].

R1.1 Associated Press: Sex-Change Benefits May Spread Beyond San Francisco 03 MAY 01
Homosexuality, Sodomy Legislation/Cases/References
1.

National

In 1933, consensual sex between same-sex couples was decriminalised [R1.1].

R1.1 ILGA: State-Sponsored Homophobia MAY 08
Marriage Legislation/Cases/References
1.

National

On 23 October 2011, Minister Manu Sareen announced Government plans to introduce gay marriage legislation in the new year, with same-sex couples to be allowed to marry on Church of Denmark premises. Some senior religious figures oppose the plans [R1.2].

Since 1989, the law in Denmark has recognised registered partners, offering same-sex partners most or all rights of marriage [R1.1].

R1.2 PinkPaper: Denmark to allow gay marriage next year, minister says 23 OCT 11
R1.1 Adelaide Gay Times: Denmark Bans Discrimination 21 JUN 96
Military Legislation/Cases/References
1.

National

In 1978, the Defense Ministry ruled that sexuality was not the government's business [R1.1].

Previously:

Until 1954, homosexuals were denied the right to serve. From 1955 until 1978, they were allowed to serve only in the Home Guard [R1.1].

R1.1 Associated Press: World's Militaries and Gay Stance 12 JAN 00
Parenting, Adoption, Fostering Legislation/Cases/References
1.

National

On 04 May 2010, parliament voted in favour of gay couples in civil partnerships being granted the right to adopt children together [R1.1].


In March 2009, a proposal to grant partners registered in civil unions the right to adopt unrelated children both domestically and internationally won a majority vote in parliament [R1.2].


In November 2002, the country's two largest parties, the Liberal Party and the Social Democratic Party, both said that they are ready to discuss a proposal by the Social Liberal Party that would give gay couples the same rights as heterosexuals to adopt children [R1.3].


Since July 1999, a partner in a registered partnership can adopt the children of her/his partner unless the child is adopted from a foreign country [R1.4].

R1.1 PinkNews.co.uk: Gay couples in Denmark now allowed to adopt 05 MAY 10
R1.2 PinkNews.co.uk: Denmark parliament approves equal adoption rights 18 MAR 09
R1.3 Copenhagen Post: Homosexual Couples in Denmark Could Soon be Allowed to Adopt Children 30 NOV 02
R1.4 ILGA-Europe Euro-Letter No 70: Adoption Rights to Danish Gay or Lesbian Couples - Partnership Law Changed 20 MAY 99