CW: homophobia and transphobia.
Noted UK politicians, institutions and companies came out to 'show their support' during pride month. How do we reconcile this with the repeated attacks we've seen against trans and non-binary people in the past year?
Pride month is a time for celebrating diversity and queer culture, elevating the voices of the underrepresented and acknowledging how far we have come in the fight for LGBTQ+ rights.
But as this last year has shown, progress isn't always permanent. In the UK currently, the most marginalised within the LGBTQ+ community, most predominantly trans+ and non-binary people, have been subjected to media hostility, violence and threats to their human rights.
Discrimination against trans people has been particularly widespread within the public and healthcare sector. MPs are currently debating changes to the Equality Act 2010, which could threaten to roll back on the hard-won rights by those in the LGBTQ+ community.
LGBTQ+ Rights in Europe
The country with the most rights for LGBTQ+ people in Europe in 2023: Malta
Malta takes the spot for the country with the most rights for LGBTQ+ people in Europe according to ILGA Europe - it actually ranks one of the highest in the entire world!
In Malta, discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and/or gender identity has been illegal nationwide since 2004. Trans+ and intersex rights in Malta have been ranked one of the highest in the world due to the country's Gender Identity, Gender Expression And Sex Characteristics Act, which permits trans+ people to change their legal gender without medical intervention. Our client Ruth Baldaccino, who worked at the Maltese Ministry for Civil Liberties, played an instrumental role in bringing this legislation to life.
In 2016, the island made history for being the first European country to outlaw conversion therapy - something still legal in the UK. Same-sex marriage has also been legal in Malta since 2017.
The country with the least rights for LGBTQ+ people in Europe: Azerbaijan
According to ILGA Europe, for the last 8 years running Azerbaijan has been the country with the least rights for LGBTQ+ people in Europe, followed closely by Turkey and Russia.
In Azerbaijan, there is no legislation to prevent discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and/or gender identity. LGBTQ+ people face high rates of violence, harassment and discrimination in the country. In September 2017, at least 100 members of the LGBTQ+ community were arrested in Baku, reportedly subjected to beatings, interrogation, forced medical examinations and blackmail.
Best and Worst Countries for Gay Rights in North America 2023
The country with the most rights for LGBTQ+ people in North America: Canada
Canadian LGBTQ+ rights are some of the most extensive in the world. In 2005, Canada was the fourth country in the world, and the first in the Americas, to legalise same-sex marriage nationwide. Conversion therapy in Canada is banned nationwide, and since 2017 trans+ residents can change their official gender marker on documents without requiring surgery, with an 'X' marker available for unspecified gender.
The country with the least rights for LGBTQ+ people in North America: Jamaica
According to Equaldex, Jamaica is the country with the least rights for LGBTQ+ people in North America. Same-sex marriage and relationships are not legal, and consensual sex between LGBTQ+ men is punishable by up to 10 years imprisonment, although this hasn't been enforced in recent years.
Queer Rights in South America
The country with the most rights for LGBTQ+ people in South America: Uruguay
Equaldex considers Uruguay to have some of the best LGBTQ+ rights in the entire world. Same-sex sexual activity has been legal with an equal age of consent since 1934, civil partnerships since 2008, and gay marriage since 2013 - the first Latin American country to do so.
The worst South American country when it comes to gay rights: Guyana
Guyana is the only country in South America where same-sex relationships are still illegal and punishable by prison time, though this hasn't been enforced in recent years. Despite this, Guyana held its first Pride Parade in June 2018, the first event of its kind in the Caribbean.
Best and Worst Countries to be Queer in Asia
The best place to be LGBTQ+ in Asia: Taiwan
LGBTQ+ rights in Taiwan are the most progressive in Asia. Same-sex marriage was legalised in 2019, and discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and/or gender identity has been illegal nationwide since 2004. The first Taiwan Pride was held in Taipei in 2003, and by 2015 had become the second-largest LGBTQ+ pride in Asia, attended by 80,000 people.
The country with the poorest rights for LGBTQ+ people in Asia: Yemen
Homosexuality is illegal in Yemen. Under Yemeni law, if a Muslim man is caught engaging in homosexual activity he can be punished with the death penalty or public lashing. The government also blocks all access to web pages that express support for LGBTQ+ rights.
Being Queer in Africa
The country with the most rights for LGBTQ+ people in Africa: South Africa
Same-sex marriage has been legal in South Africa since 2006 and sexual activity between those in the LGBTQ+ community has been legal since 1998. Discrimination against the LGBTQ+ community in the workplace and public is illegal, though Conversion Therapy is not banned.
The worst country in Africa for gay rights: Somalia
Same-sex sexual activity in Somalia is banned and punishable by imprisonment or the death penalty. In some Southern regions of Somalia homosexuality is punishable by death, and vigilante executions, beatings and torture are also frequent.
Gay Rights in Oceania
The country with the best LGBTQ+ rights in Oceania: Australia
Same-sex sexual activity has been legal since 1997 and same-sex marriage became legal in 2017. A YouGov poll conducted in 2020 found that 78% of Australians agree trans+ people deserve the same rights and protections as cis people.
The country with the least LGBTQ+ rights in Oceania: Solomon Islands
Same-sex sexual activity between men is punishable by up to 14 years imprisonment, though this law hasn't been enforced in recent years. The Solomon Islands do not recognise same-sex relationships in any form, and there are no anti-discrimination laws to protect the LGBTQ+ community.
Key sources: equaldex.com, ilga-europe.org/rainbow-europe/
