1986 in LGBT rights

Events

 * In New Zealand the Homosexual Law Reform Act made the age of consent for sexual acts between two men the same as that for between a man and a woman, 16.

June

 * June 30 - The U.S. Supreme Court upholds the constitutionality of a Georgia sodomy law in Bowers v. Hardwick.

August

 * August 9 - The second Gay Games, Triumph '86, kicks off in San Francisco, California with 3,500 participants.

October

 * October 9 - E. Otis Charles, the 67-year-old retired Episcopal bishop of Utah comes out as a gay man.
 * October 22 - In the battle against AIDS U.S. Attorney General C. Everett Koop publishes first government publications for the public on gay safe sex practices.

Deaths

 * May 30 - Perry Ellis, 46, fashion designer
 * December 24 - John John Damien, 53, professional race car driver
 * December 28 - Terry Dolan, 36, anti-gay activist from AIDS-related illness