National

From 1 January 2002, Norway relaxed a ban on adoption by lesbian and gay couples. Women and men can now adopt their partner's children from previous relationships [R1].

In 2008, under new legislation both partners, gay or lesbian, would have complete joint parenting rights [R2].

National

In 2008, new legislation increased parental rights, making it easier for lesbians to undergo the same in vitro fertilisation treatment available to heterosexual couples [R1]

A lesbian who is married to another women who becomes pregnant through IVF will have all the rights of parenthood "from the moment of conception." [R1]

Asylum

On 24 January 2010, Asghar Hedayat , a 40-year-old Iranian, faced imminent deportation, his asylum application on the grounds of his sexuality and subsequent appeals having failed [R1.1].

In June 2000, a 25-year-old Moroccan man's application for asylum on the ground that homosexuality is punished in Morocco had his application rejected by foreign service officials and the court found it unlikely that the man risked imprisonment were he sent back to Morocco [R1.2].

Immigration

Norway recognizes same-sex couples for immigration purposes [R2.1].

National

On 30 April 1993, same-sex registered partnerships legislation was passed, coming into effect on 1 August 1993.

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

National

In 1998, discrimination in employment based on sexual orientation became unlawful [R1.1].

National

In 1972, consensual sex between same-sex couples was decriminalised [R1.1].

National

In June 2008, the law in Norway amended the definition of civil marriage to make it gender neutral, replacing a 1993 law that gave same-sex couples the right to enter into civil unions. Couples with a pre-registered civil partnership will be able to convert it into marriage [R1.1].

In January 2009, the amended law came into effect [R2.1].

Previously:

Gay men and lesbians could not "marry" however they were able to enter in registered partnership giving them many of the rights associated with marriage.

In 2008, the Norwegian government introduced legislation allowing same-sex couples to marry and have joint custody over children [R1.2].

In 2004, a similar law, which proposed to abolish the system of civil partnerships and replace it with one single gender neutral marriage law for all citizens, was rejected by the Norwegian parliament [R1.2].

Churches

In October 2008, the bishops of the Church of Norway ruled that there will be no weddings in church for gay and lesbian couples. Civil marriage in church was also rejected by the bishops [R2.1].

National

There are no restrictions on homosexuals serving in the Norwegian military [R1.1].