LGBT rights in the United Kingdom

LGBT rights in the United Kingdom
Location of the United Kingdom
Same-sex sexual activity legal?	Always legal for women; decriminalised for men in: 1967 (England and Wales) 1980 (Scotland) 1982 (Northern Ireland) Age of consent equalised 2001 (and reduced to 16 years in Northern Ireland in line with rest of UK in 2009)
Gender identity/expression	Right to change legal gender since 2005
Military service	Allowed to serve openly since 2000
Discrimination protections	All protections since 2010; some existed since 2003 for sexual orientation and 1999 for gender identity
Family rights
Recognition of relationships	Same-sex marriage since 2014 (England and Wales; Scotland) Civil partnerships since 2005 (nationwide)
Restrictions:	Same-sex marriages are not recognised or performed in Northern Ireland Non-consummation is not grounds for dissolution
Adoption	Joint and stepchild adoption since 2005 (England and Wales) 2009 (Scotland) 2013 (Northern Ireland)

Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) rights in the United Kingdom have evolved dramatically over time.

Before and during the formation of the UK, Christianity and homosexuality clashed. Same-sex sexual activity was characterised as sinful and, under the Buggery Act 1533, was outlawed and punishable by death. LGBT rights first came to prominence following the decriminalisation of same-sex sexual activity across the UK between 1967 and 1982.

Since the turn of the 21st century, LGBT rights have increasingly strengthened in support. Some discrimination protections had existed for LGBT people since 1999, but were extended to all areas under the Equality Act 2010. In 2000, Her Majesty's Armed Forces removed its ban on LGBT individuals serving openly. The age of consent was equalised, regardless of sexual orientation, in 2001 at 16 in England, Scotland, and Wales. The age of consent was lowered to 16 in Northern Ireland in 2009, previously it was 17 regardless of sexual orientation. Transgender people have had the right to change their legal gender since 2005. The same year, same-sex couples were granted the right to enter into a civil partnership, a similar legal structure to marriage, and also to adopt in England and Wales. Scotland later followed on adoption rights for same-sex couples in 2009, and Northern Ireland in 2013. Same-sex marriage was legalised in England, Wales and Scotland in 2014, but remains banned in Northern Ireland where it is recognised solely as a civil partnership.