LGBTQIA+ Equality Index
The LGBTQIA+ equality index focuses on the community’s global status, rights, and legal treatment. The index is compiled by reviewing the many rules and laws that directly affect and impact the community, areas such as the same-sex legal status, the right to marry, anti-discrimination laws and other key metrics
KEY FACT
41.7 million or 19.2%
of the worldwide LGBTQIA+ community live in countries that are classified as high or very high within the equality index
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- 26.1% or 52.4 million individuals live in countries in which it is illegal to carry out same-sex related acts
- 85 countries have extensive laws anti-discrimination in place
- 51 countries allow LGBTQIA+ individuals or couples to adopt
- 42% or 98 countries have laws concerning gender identity/expression
- In 2020, in terms of the worldwide equality index:
- 33% of all countries are classified as high or very high
- 38.2% of all countries are classified as medium-high or medium-low
- 28.8% of all countries are classified as low or very low
- 26.1% or 52.4 million individuals live in countries in which it is illegal to carry out same-sex related acts
- 42% or 98 countries have laws concerning gender identity/expression
- For members of the LGBTQIA+ community living in countries in which same-sex related activities are illegal if prosecuted:
- 17 countries still criminalise same-sex activities; however, they do not enforce prosecutions
- 4 countries issue penalties of up to 2 years imprisonment
- 35 countries issue penalties from 2 years to life imprisonment
- 13 countries issue death sentences
- In terms of anti-discrimination laws:
- 85 countries have extensive laws in place
- 26 countries have some laws in place
- 122 countries have no laws in place
- In terms of other key factors affecting the LGBTQIA+ community:
- 51 countries allow LGBTQIA+ individuals or couples to adopt
- 113 countries permit LGBTQIA+ individuals to serve in the military
- Angola, Botswana and Bhutan all decriminalise homosexuality
- Gabon introduced a law banning homosexuality
- Same-sex marriages were approved in Austria, Taiwan and Ecuador
- Several Methodist, Evangelical, Lutheran and National Churches now recognise the blessings of same-sex marriages
- A law allowing third gender option (‘diverse’) on official documents took effect in Germany
- A law banning hate speech based on’ transgender identity or expression’ takes effect in Sweden
- San Marino banned discrimination based on sexual orientation within the constitution
Want to learn more about how the LGBTQIA+ Equality Index was calculated? Our how guide provides explanations and in-depth scoring for each of the sections
Click on a specific country within the map to find out the equality score
The LGBTQIA+ equality index focuses on the community’s global status, rights, and legal treatment. The index is compiled by reviewing the many rules and laws that directly affect and impact the community, including same-sex legal status, the right to marry, anti-discrimination laws and other key metrics. To understand all of the areas and how they contribute to the overall score, click here to view the how it was calculated page
Through the work of advocates and pioneers, many members of the LGTBQIA+ community now have the rights and freedoms to live their authentic lives or selves without fear of persecution; however, there are still inequalities and injustices occurring all over the world. Many brave individuals and groups work within those countries to change the laws and opinions, so hopefully, everyone will have the freedom and protection under the law one day.
Simply put, the higher a country scores, the lower the equality status of that country on the index. The lower the status, the worse they treat members of the LGBTQIA+ community.
IMPORTANT: If you feel your life is in danger or fear persecution, visit the non-profit organisations and support groups’ pages. There are many specialist charities and groups available worldwide that can help. A link to support groups can be found in the footer of every page on the Gayther service
AFGHANISTAN
ALBANIA
ALGERIA
AMERICAN SAMOA
ANDORRA
ANGOLA
ANGUILLA
ANTIGUA AND BARBUDA
ARGENTINA
ARMENIA
AUSTRALIA
AUSTRIA
AZERBAIJAN
THE BAHAMAS
BAHRAIN
BANGLADESH
BARBADOS
BELARUS
BELGIUM
BELIZE
BENIN
BERMUDA
BHUTAN
BOLIVIA
BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA
BOTSWANA
BRAZIL
BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS
BRUNEI DARUSSALAM
BULGARIA
BURKINA FASO
BURUNDI
CAMBODIA
CAMEROON
CANADA
CAPE VERDE (CABO VERDE)
CARIBBEAN NETHERLANDS
CAYMAN ISLANDS
CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC
CHAD
CHANNEL ISLANDS
CHILE
PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF CHINA
COLOMBIA
COMOROS
DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO
REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO
COOK ISLANDS
COSTA RICA
CROATIA
CUBA
REPUBLIC OF CYPRUS
CZECH REPUBLIC (CZECHIA)
DENMARK
DJIBOUTI
DOMINICA
DOMINICAN REPUBLIC
EAST TIMOR (TIMOR-LESTE)
ECUADOR
EGYPT
EL SALVADOR
EQUATORIAL GUINEA
ERITREA
ESTONIA
ETHIOPIA
FALKLAND ISLANDS (LAS MALVINAS)
FIJI
FINLAND
FRANCE
FRENCH GUIANA
FRENCH POLYNESIA
GABON
THE GAMBIA
GEORGIA
GERMANY
GHANA
GIBRALTAR
GREECE
GREENLAND
GRENADA
GUADELOUPE
GUAM
GUATEMALA
GUINEA
GUINEA-BISSAU
GUYANA
HAITI
HONDURAS
HONG KONG
HUNGARY
ICELAND
INDIA
INDONESIA
ISLAMIC REPUBLIC OF IRAN
IRAQ
IRELAND
ISLE OF MAN
ISRAEL
ITALY
IVORY COAST (COTE D’IVOIRE)
JAMAICA
JAPAN
JORDAN
KAZAKHSTAN
KENYA
KIRIBATI
DEMOCRATIC PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF KOREA (NORTH)
REPUBLIC OF KOREA (SOUTH)
REPUBLIC OF KOSOVO
KUWAIT
KYRGYZSTAN
LAOS
LATVIA
LEBANON
LESOTHO
LIBERIA
LIBYA
LIECHTENSTEIN
LITHUANIA
LUXEMBOURG
MACAU
MADAGASCAR
MALAWI
MALAYSIA
MALDIVES
MALI
MALTA
MARSHALL ISLANDS
MARTINIQUE
MAURITANIA
MAURITIUS
MAYOTTE
MEXICO
FEDERATED STATES OF MICRONESIA
MOLDOVA
MONACO
MONGOLIA
MONTENEGRO
MOROCCO
MOZAMBIQUE
MYANMAR
NAMIBIA
NAURU
NEPAL
NETHERLANDS
NETHERLANDS ANTILLES
NEW CALEDONIA
NEW ZEALAND
NICARAGUA
NIGER
NIGERIA
NIUE
NORTH MACEDONIA
NORTHERN MARIANA ISLANDS
NORWAY
OMAN
PAKISTAN
PALAU
STATE OF PALESTINE
PANAMA
PAPUA NEW GUINEA
PARAGUAY
PERU
PHILIPPINES
PITCAIRN ISLANDS
POLAND
PORTUGAL
PUERTO RICO
QATAR
REUNION
ROMANIA
RUSSIA
RWANDA
SAINT BARTHELEMY (BARTS)
SAINT HELENA
SAINT KITTS AND NEVIS
SAINT LUCIA
SAINT MARTIN (DUTCH)
SAINT MARTIN (FRENCH)
SAINT PIERRE AND MIQUELON
SAINT VINCENT AND THE GRENADINES
SAMOA
SAN MARINO
SAO TOME AND PRINCIPE
SAUDI ARABIA
SENEGAL
SERBIA
SEYCHELLES
SIERRA LEONE
SINGAPORE
SLOVAKIA
SLOVENIA
SOLOMON ISLANDS
SOMALIA
SOUTH AFRICA
SOUTH SUDAN
SPAIN
SRI LANKA
SUDAN
SURINAME
SWAZILAND (ESWATINI)
SWEDEN
SWITZERLAND
SYRIA
TAIWAN
TAJIKISTAN
TANZANIA
THAILAND
TOGO
TOKELAU
TONGA
TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO
TUNISIA
TURKEY (TURKIYE)
TURKMENISTAN
TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS
TUVALU
UGANDA
UKRAINE
UNITED ARAB EMIRATES (UAE)
UNITED KINGDOM (UK)
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA (USA)
URUGUAY
US VIRGIN ISLANDS
UZBEKISTAN
VANUATU
VATICAN CITY (HOLY SEE)
VENEZUELA
VIETNAM
WALLIS AND FUTUNA
YEMEN
ZAMBIA
ZIMBABWE
How can the LGBTQIA+ Equality Status help visitors and travellers?
The LGBTQIA equality index + indicates how well a country treats its citizens and the local community. Though many issues individuals face within a country, such as the right to marry or adopt, will not affect visitors or travellers, it helps to gauge attitudes. Countries, where LGBTQIA+ identities are more widely accepted within society tend to have more progressive laws. Laws, especially in democratically elected governments, are typically driven and implemented based on consensus and high approval rates amongst most citizens. Where countries score lower on the equality scale, the LGBTQIA+ community will likely face hostility, including visitors and travellers to that country, unless they are discrete. Ultimately the index is a great indicator; however, it is not the only one that can affect someone’s travel experience. Research must be carried out when planning to travel to a particular area or region to ensure that there are no problems, such as extreme weather, outbreaks of diseases or violence
Countries classified as very high generally mean that they are the safest and have a range of progressive laws protecting the LGBTQIA+ community. Counties which have decriminalised or have never criminalised same-sex relationships and have extensive anti-discrimination laws in place
LGBTQIA+ Travellers: Visitors and travellers to countries categorised as very high will likely not experience discrimination or negative attitudes due to their sexuality or gender identities. Experiences and perspectives will be higher in cities than in rural and less populated areas. Community smartphone apps should be safe and public displays of affection would be widely accepted
Attitudes toward the community: Countries categorised as very high will likely see large groups of the population, society, and country be more accepting of LGBTQIA+ identities, especially in cities and populated areas. Acceptance levels may be slightly lower in rural areas and remoter regions
Countries classified as high are considered safe and have a range of progressive laws protecting the LGBTQIA+ community. Counties which have decriminalised or have never criminalised same-sex relationships and have some anti-discrimination laws in place
LGBTQIA+ Travellers: Visitors and travellers to countries categorised as high will likely not experience discrimination or negative attitudes due to their sexuality or gender identities. Experiences and perspectives will be higher in cities than in rural and less populated areas. Community smartphone apps should be safe and public displays of affection may be accepted
Attitudes toward the community: Countries categorised as high will likely see society and the country be widely more accepting of LGBTQIA+ identities, especially in cities and populated areas. Acceptance levels may be lower in rural areas and remoter regions
Countries classified as medium-high are considered generally safe but may have minor issues. Many of the counties will have some progressive laws protecting the LGBTQIA+ community. Counties that have decriminalised or have never criminalised same-sex relationships and have some or no anti-discrimination laws in place
LGBTQIA+ Travellers: Visitors and travellers to countries categorised as medium-high might not experience some form of discrimination or negative attitudes due to their sexuality or gender identities. Experiences and perspectives will be higher in cities than in rural and less populated areas. Community smartphone apps should be safe and public displays of affection will be less likely accepted
Attitudes toward the community: Countries categorised as medium-high will likely see improvements in society and the country regarding LGBTQIA+ identities, especially in cities and populated areas. Acceptance levels may be lower in rural areas and remoter regions
Countries classified as medium-low are where travel discretion is advised, considered a low-medium risk and will probably have serious issues within society or the government. Countries will likely have some progressive laws protecting the LGBTQIA+ community. Some countries have decriminalised same-sex relationships; however, most still have active laws. For those countries criminalising same-sex relationships, prosecutions will probably not be enforced. Many countries will also have some or no anti-discrimination laws in place
LGBTQIA+ Travellers: Visitors and travellers to countries categorised as medium-low might experience some form of discrimination or negative attitudes due to their sexuality or gender identities. Experiences and perspectives will be higher in cities than in rural and less populated areas. Community smartphone apps might not be safe, so discretion is advised, and public displays of affection will likely not be accepted
Attitudes toward the community: Countries categorised as medium-low will see attitudes lower than more accepting countries. Societies and the country may have seen improvements concerning LGBTQIA+ identities, especially in cities and populated areas. Acceptance levels may be lower in rural areas and remoter regions
Countries classified as low are where travel discretion is advised and considered a medium risk and unsafe. Countries will likely have no progressive laws protecting the LGBTQIA+ community; instead, legislation targeting or singling out the community and its members. Counties will criminalise same-sex relationships, and prosecutions are often still enforced. Penalties will range from medium (up to 2 years imprisonment) to heavy (up to life imprisonment)
LGBTQIA+ Travellers: Visitors and travellers to countries categorised as low will most likely experience discrimination or negative attitudes due to their sexuality or gender identities. Discretion is advised, even though some countries might be more tolerant of visitors. Community smartphone apps might not be safe, so discretion is recommended, and there should be no public displays of affection
Attitudes toward the community: Countries categorised as low will see attitudes less accepting, even hostile towards LGBTQIA+ identities. Though LGBTQIA+ communities exist within those countries, many will likely be discrete, hiding or suppressing their true identity. Many community members will probably live in major cities and populated areas, meeting community members secretly and hidden from those in authority. Acceptance levels will be lower in rural areas and remoter regions, where vigilantes may take the law into their own hands
Countries classified as very low are where travel discretion is advised and considered high risk, even dangerous. Countries will likely have no progressive laws protecting the LGBTQIA+ community; instead, legislation targeting or singling out the community and its members. Counties will criminalise same-sex relationships, and prosecutions are often still enforced. Penalties will range from heavy (up to life imprisonment) to death sentences
LGBTQIA+ Travellers: Visitors and travellers to countries categorised as very low, it is often dangerous, and people will likely experience discrimination or negative attitudes due to their sexuality or gender identities. Discretion is strongly advised, even though some countries might be more tolerant of visitors. Community smartphone apps might not be safe, so discretion is recommended. Not sharing physical locations and showing anything that could be used to identify you. It is strongly advised not to carry out any public displays of affection in any form
Attitudes toward the community: Countries categorised as very low will see attitudes as poor and less accepting, even hostile towards LGBTQIA+ identities. Though LGBTQIA+ communities exist within those countries, many will likely be discrete, hiding or suppressing their true identity. Many community members will probably live in major cities and populated areas, meeting community members secretly, risking their lives, often hidden from those in authority. Acceptance levels will be lower in rural areas and remoter regions. Nationwide, should their identity be exposed, it could result, in extreme cases, in a death sentence
When reviewing data, it is crucial to understand what it represents, whether it reflects the world and the experience of all those affected. Changes within any given country or region are not restricted to a specific month of the year or even are automatically triggered. Change, especially concerning equality, gender recognition, same-sex marriages and the status of gay conversion therapy, often takes work. Typically by many large groups of dedicated and focused individuals advocating and fighting for justice for positive change within their local communities.
The indices have been created to help you understand the world around you; however, engaging with your global community is essential. It is vital, especially if you are familiar with your desired destination. By reaching out and communicating with other members of the LGBTQIA+ community, you can establish critical details. It only takes a small amount of effort in locating people from or those who have already visited your particular destination for advice. Engaging on social media and Gayther’s networking platform, Gayther Affinity, can help you connect with the global LGBTQIA+ community.
- The index has been compiled and is correct as of Jan 04, 2020
- The index has been compiled using a variety of different sources, including news articles, publications and websites such as Wikipedia
IMPORTANT DISCLAIMER: The LGBTQIA+ equality index has been compiled based on the rules and laws that exist at a national level, rather than for any given region, state or province. Though a country may score low on the index, it does not necessarily mean that they are not safe to travel to if personal discretion is applied. The LGBTQIA+ worldwide equality index is for illustrative purposes only and does not constitute advice. It is essential that you carry out independent research on any countries you plan to visit before going as laws and regulations change frequently. Your country’s foreign office will advise any given country’s status and whether it is safe to travel there. Though we endeavour to keep all information across the site updated, we do not provide any guarantees to the accuracy and completeness of any information displayed. This page may contain external links to third party websites; Gayther provides these links for your convenience and does not endorse, warrant or recommend any particular products or services. By clicking on any external links, you will leave Gayther and be taken to the third-party website, which you do so at your own risk and by accessing the site, you will be required to comply with the external third party’s terms and conditions of use and privacy policies









































































































































































































































