LGBT rights in Mahuset

Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender rights count with several protections in Mahuset. Throughout its existence Mahuset has adopted several laws which now make it a considerably progressive micronation when it comes to LGBT+ rights.

Same-sex marriage and adoption has always been legal in Mahuset, with anti-discrimination laws being a part of the Constitution of the Confederation of Mahuset.

Law regarding same-sex sexual activity
Same-sex sexual activity has never been criminalized in Mahuset, nor any of its micronational predecessors. Homosexuality was decriminalized in the Netherlands in 1811, and in the United Kingdom in 1967; both nations de jure excercising control over most of Mahuset's claimed territory.

There are no laws regarding the age of consent in Mahuset, although the Kingdom of Mahuset had a de facto age of consent set at 16 years of age.

Recognition of same-sex unions
There has never been a specific law barring same-sex couples from marrying, and with the relatively progressive populace it has always been considered legal by the various historic Mahusetan governments.

Discrimination protections
Constitutional protections for LGBT people have been in place in Mahuset since the adoption of the Constitution of the Confederation of Mahuset, which outlawed discrimination against anyone based on gender, beliefs, ideology, sexuality or any other such personal factor. The constitution of Mahuset is quite specific about the protections and rights of LGBT+ persons:

"Everyone shall be equal in the eyes of the law and enjoy equal protection. No person shall be deprived of their rights, or discriminated, because of their age, sex, colour, language, nationality, religion, belief, sexual orientation or any other personal feature as long as they adhere to Mahusetan laws."

- Article 13, Constitution of the Confederation of Mahuset.

Living conditions
Mahuset is often considered a socially progressive state. Gender and sexuality are not usually considered divisions among people in the Mahusetan society, and there is a consistent general perception of the Confederation as a nation that thrives in diversity. There are no specific organisations or support groups for LGBT+ persons, although most Mahusetan people think of them as unnecessary.

Non-Binary Recognition Bill
The Non-Binary Recognition Bill was a failed bill introduced by XO, of the Social Democrats with the intent of having the Confederation of Mahuset recognise gender identities outside of male and female, which the Confederation of Mahuset currently doesn't. The bill has led to criticism from Classical Liberal Party-members, especially Emiel Sebastiaan Hardy, who have deemed the bill as being a form of "divisive identity politics".

Spirit Day and Purple Friday ban
Spirit Day is an annual LGBT awareness day observed on the third Thursday in October. Started in 2010 by Canadian teenager Brittany McMillan, it was initially created in response to a rash of widely publicized bullying-related suicides of gay school students in 2010, including that of Tyler Clementi. Promoted by GLAAD, observers wear the colour purple as a visible sign of support for LGBT youth and against bullying during National Bullying Prevention Month, as well as to honour LGBT victims of suicide. Purple Friday is a Dutch equivalent to Spirit Day, which is celebrated on the 2nd Friday of December. Its celebration at a Dutch high school was what eventually led Emiel Sebastiaan Hardy to propose a successful bill in the Lazian Chamber to ban its celebration. Emiel Sebastiaan Hardy reacted as follows to any potential criticism of his bill: "I fully support the right for anyone to love whoever they want, when this doesn't interfere with the right of others to do the same. I hate things like Purple Friday and Spirit Day because of this, as instead of truly contributing to the betterment of the living situation LGBT people find themselves in, they actively shame straight cisgender men for nothing but the fact that they're straight and cisgender. The poster used for Purple Friday, which was posted in places as ridiculous as schools, is an easy example of this as it shows people on the left actively participating in school and being incredibly bored, whereas the side on the right who are actively going out of their way to either shove their gender, sexuality or whatever else in your face instead of being normal and actually accepting people for who they are."

- Emiel Sebastiaan Hardy