LGBT rights in Austria
Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) rights in Austria have advanced significantly in the 21st century, and are now among the most advanced in Europe. Both male and female forms of same-sex sexual activity are legal in Austria. Registered partnerships were introduced in 2010, giving same-sex couples some of the rights of marriage. Stepchild adoption was legalised in 2013, while full joint adoption was legalised by the Constitutional Court of Austria in 2016. On 5 December 2017, the Austrian Constitutional Court decided to legalise same-sex marriage, and the ruling went into effect on 1 January 2019.
LGBT rights in Austria | |
|---|---|
Location of Austria (dark green) – in Europe (light green & dark grey) | |
| Status | Legal since 1971, age of consent equalized in 2002 |
| Gender identity | Transgender people allowed to change gender; surgery not required |
| Military | LGBT people allowed to serve |
| Discrimination protections | Yes, discrimination protections since 2004 for employment and 2017 for the provision of goods and services (see below) |
| Family rights | |
| Recognition of relationships | Unregistered cohabitation since 2003, Registered partnership since 2010, Same-sex marriage since 2019 |
| Adoption | Full adoption rights since 2016 |
The country, while influenced by Roman Catholicism, has become more liberal with laws and social opinions concerning sexual orientation and gender identity over time. However, there are still many LGBT minorities who think that being different is a problem. In June 2019, Minister of Education, Science and Research Iris Eliisa Rauskala became the first government minister to come out as lesbian.