Worldwide LGBTQIA+ Equality
Will 2025 be a positive year of change for LGBTQIA Rights?
- Peter C Williams
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- Community, Statistics
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The term equality, which refers to the state of being equal, especially in rights, status, and opportunities—can often be overlooked or ignored when it comes to the rights and freedoms of the LGBTQIA+ community. To be clear and concise, LGBTQIA+ individuals worldwide should have the same rights, opportunities, and freedoms as everyone else, regardless of whom they are attracted to, love, or how they choose to identify. Looking ahead to 2025, what does true equality look like for the LGBTQIA+ community across the globe?
DISCLAIMER
All published articles are intended for an audience aged 18 years and over and have been written by members of the general public. Many will likely not be journalists nor be affiliated with any professional bodies associated with members of the media. The articles will likely be based on the authors' own opinions, views, and experiences...more
For a long time, LGBTQIA+ individuals around the world have fought long and hard, not only for the right to exist but also to ensure that they receive basic human rights that should be afforded to all humans, regardless of a person’s race, ethnicity, beliefs, who they love or how they choose to identify.
The same rights as everyone else, good and bad and without fear of persecution. Many people forget, choose to ignore or do not understand the term’ equality,’ which means being treated equally or the same as everyone else, nothing more.
When similar restrictions are placed on other groups, such as white people in countries with majority black ethnicities or the removal of freedoms of people because of their faith, the words persecution or even genocide are used. Yet, injustice against the community is still occurring in parts of the world today.
So, in 2025. What are the rights and freedoms like for the LGBTQIA+ community around the world
The same rights as everyone else, good and bad and without fear of persecution. Many people forget, choose to ignore or do not understand the term’ equality,’ which means being treated equally or the same as everyone else, nothing more.
When similar restrictions are placed on other groups, such as white people in countries with majority black ethnicities or the removal of freedoms of people because of their faith, the words persecution or even genocide are used. Yet, injustice against the community is still occurring in parts of the world today.
So, in 2025. What are the rights and freedoms like for the LGBTQIA+ community around the world
SUMMARY
The rate of positive change has clearly slowed over the past few years, and in many cases, progressive laws are being reversed or repealed due to a shift in global politics. Although some of the shifts can be attributed to right-leaning political parties, the underlying fact is that many of those laws should not be changed so easily.
In a world where attitudes and understanding of the LGBTQIA+ community have greatly improved, and even with faith leaders and theologians calling for acceptance and a change of their approach towards the community, governments are still slowly reversing inclusive and progressive laws.
Rising prices and people migrating in search of a better life cannot be the reason to persecute and strip people of their basic human rights. Yet that is what is happening in an effort to revitalise failing economies and address perceived threats to people’s way of life. Political parties that are being elected are not delivering on what they promised during their election campaigns, all while they are stripping people of their rights and freedoms.
So, what does LGBTQIA+ equality look like in 2025? Two words: “under threat.”
- 67 countries (28.8%) still criminalise same-sex relationships
- 10 countries (4.3%) enforce a maximum penalty of death for those prosecuted, and 5 countries (2.1%) allow vigilante groups to take the law into their own hands in punishing LGBTQIA+ individuals
- In June 2024, Namibia decriminalised same-sex relationships
- Also in 2024, Iraq and Mali criminalised same-sex relationships, enforcing heavy penalties
The rate of positive change has clearly slowed over the past few years, and in many cases, progressive laws are being reversed or repealed due to a shift in global politics. Although some of the shifts can be attributed to right-leaning political parties, the underlying fact is that many of those laws should not be changed so easily.
In a world where attitudes and understanding of the LGBTQIA+ community have greatly improved, and even with faith leaders and theologians calling for acceptance and a change of their approach towards the community, governments are still slowly reversing inclusive and progressive laws.
Rising prices and people migrating in search of a better life cannot be the reason to persecute and strip people of their basic human rights. Yet that is what is happening in an effort to revitalise failing economies and address perceived threats to people’s way of life. Political parties that are being elected are not delivering on what they promised during their election campaigns, all while they are stripping people of their rights and freedoms.
So, what does LGBTQIA+ equality look like in 2025? Two words: “under threat.”
SUMMARY
Today, based on population estimates, 39.4 million people or 18.1% of the world’s LGBTQIA+ population, live in countries where they can form a civil union or marriage. Since 2024, to date, same-sex marriage laws have been passed and are now in force in Thailand (Asia) and the small European country of Liechtenstein. Countries that form the sub-region, known as the Netherlands Antilles, now formally acknowledge same-sex marriages and LGBTQIA+ individuals living in Lithuania are now able to register their partnerships legally.
Of those wishing to adopt, 46 countries (19.7%) allow same-sex couples to adopt, and 20 countries (8.6%) will enable the adoption of stepchildren or LGBT Individuals to adopt since 2024. Greece, Israel and Thailand introduced laws permitting adoptions by same-sex couples.
- 34 countries (14.6%) have constitutional bans in place forbidding same-sex marriages and unions.
- 75 countries (32.2%) legally recognise same-sex civil unions and partnerships
- 64 countries (27.5%) legally recognise same-sex marriages
- 66 countries (28.3%) allow same-sex individuals and couples to adopt
Today, based on population estimates, 39.4 million people or 18.1% of the world’s LGBTQIA+ population, live in countries where they can form a civil union or marriage. Since 2024, to date, same-sex marriage laws have been passed and are now in force in Thailand (Asia) and the small European country of Liechtenstein. Countries that form the sub-region, known as the Netherlands Antilles, now formally acknowledge same-sex marriages and LGBTQIA+ individuals living in Lithuania are now able to register their partnerships legally.
Of those wishing to adopt, 46 countries (19.7%) allow same-sex couples to adopt, and 20 countries (8.6%) will enable the adoption of stepchildren or LGBT Individuals to adopt since 2024. Greece, Israel and Thailand introduced laws permitting adoptions by same-sex couples.
SUMMARY
At the same time, the Southern African country Namibia decriminalised same-sex relationships, the countries Mali and Iraq introduced antiquated laws to not only criminalise same-sex relationships but also to enforce harsh penalties ranging from 7 to 15 years in prison for those prosecuted. The Caribbean country of Trinidad and Tobago, which previously planned to repeal its laws criminalising same-sex relationships, instead did the opposite by reversing its position and began enforcing penalties of up to 5 years in prison.
With more right and conservative parties taking power around the world, we are starting to see the impact. In Bulgaria, the government introduced anti-LGBT laws and banned the annual pride event, which previously took place in the country’s capital, Sofia. Hungary continues its assault on the community by prohibiting its Pride event in Budapest.
- 91 countries (39.1%) ban all forms of discrimination
- 45 countries (19.3%) ban some form of discrimination
- 15 countries (6.4%) have laws in place criminalising same-sex relationships but do not enforce prosecutions.
- 46 countries (19.7%) prosecute with heavy or severe prosecutions.
At the same time, the Southern African country Namibia decriminalised same-sex relationships, the countries Mali and Iraq introduced antiquated laws to not only criminalise same-sex relationships but also to enforce harsh penalties ranging from 7 to 15 years in prison for those prosecuted. The Caribbean country of Trinidad and Tobago, which previously planned to repeal its laws criminalising same-sex relationships, instead did the opposite by reversing its position and began enforcing penalties of up to 5 years in prison.
With more right and conservative parties taking power around the world, we are starting to see the impact. In Bulgaria, the government introduced anti-LGBT laws and banned the annual pride event, which previously took place in the country’s capital, Sofia. Hungary continues its assault on the community by prohibiting its Pride event in Budapest.
SUMMARY
The two biggest shifts with regard to gender expression since 2024 have been in the United States, with President Trump signing a number of executive orders which will restrict people from legally changing their gender. The United Kingdom’s supreme court and Argentina’s President have undone progressive laws by enforcing that a person’s gender can only be legally that of the sex assigned to them at birth.
The rhetoric and outright assault on people from the transgender community within the media, public figures and professional bodies around the world openly discriminate against them, creating false narratives and finding new ways to persecute people who just want their outward appearance to reflect how they feel on the inside.
Sweden is one of the very few countries that introduced policies to help transgender individuals, now permitting people to change their legal identity by self-certification without the need for proof of surgery or treatment.
- 95 countries (40.8%) permit individuals to change their gender legally
- 31 countries (13.3%) required surgery to change gender legally
- 6 countries (2.6%) require treatment to change gender legally
- 95 countries (40.8%) issue legal documentation
The two biggest shifts with regard to gender expression since 2024 have been in the United States, with President Trump signing a number of executive orders which will restrict people from legally changing their gender. The United Kingdom’s supreme court and Argentina’s President have undone progressive laws by enforcing that a person’s gender can only be legally that of the sex assigned to them at birth.
The rhetoric and outright assault on people from the transgender community within the media, public figures and professional bodies around the world openly discriminate against them, creating false narratives and finding new ways to persecute people who just want their outward appearance to reflect how they feel on the inside.
Sweden is one of the very few countries that introduced policies to help transgender individuals, now permitting people to change their legal identity by self-certification without the need for proof of surgery or treatment.
SUMMARY
Though many of the guardians and parents sending children in their care to Gay Conversion Therapy are likely ill-informed and may believe they are doing it to help their loved one, in reality, it is a harmful practice that has a long-lasting impact the mental health of all those that participate, with the message to those receiving the therapy that they should not exist and that they need to learn to suppress or hide who they really are.
There are different degrees of bans currently in place, from outright bans on the therapy being practised on minors and adults to limited bans where it is prohibited to perform on minors or being performed by medical practitioners. There are only 14 countries (6%) with full bans and 17 countries (7.3%) with limited prohibitions in place. Mexico was the latest country to implement a nationwide ban in 2024.
Countries known for their harsh enforcement against the LGBTQIA+ community, such as Iran, Malaysia, Indonesia and Uganda, have gone one step further, not banning the practice but instead providing state funding and support for gay conversion therapies nationwide.
The LGBTQIA+ community has come a long way, fought hard and changed the hearts and minds of many people around the world; however, progress is now slowing, even reversing, in some countries, all of which is a worrying development for the community as a whole.
To some, it might only be certain groups within the LGBTQIA+ community that are targeted and affected; the reality is that if the community does not remain unified, as history shows, the rest will be next. The community has immense reach, power, and influence, and when we collectively hold those in power to account. Lasting, unreversible and change can happen.
- 14 countries (6.0%) have banned gay conversion therapies
- 17 countries (7.3%) have limited bans in place regarding gay conversion therapies
- 4 countries (1.7%) have state-sanctioned or support for gay conversion therapies
- 49.8 million minors under the age of 19 who potentially identify as LGBTQIA+ live in countries where they could be subject to gay conversion therapy
Though many of the guardians and parents sending children in their care to Gay Conversion Therapy are likely ill-informed and may believe they are doing it to help their loved one, in reality, it is a harmful practice that has a long-lasting impact the mental health of all those that participate, with the message to those receiving the therapy that they should not exist and that they need to learn to suppress or hide who they really are.
There are different degrees of bans currently in place, from outright bans on the therapy being practised on minors and adults to limited bans where it is prohibited to perform on minors or being performed by medical practitioners. There are only 14 countries (6%) with full bans and 17 countries (7.3%) with limited prohibitions in place. Mexico was the latest country to implement a nationwide ban in 2024.
Countries known for their harsh enforcement against the LGBTQIA+ community, such as Iran, Malaysia, Indonesia and Uganda, have gone one step further, not banning the practice but instead providing state funding and support for gay conversion therapies nationwide.
The LGBTQIA+ community has come a long way, fought hard and changed the hearts and minds of many people around the world; however, progress is now slowing, even reversing, in some countries, all of which is a worrying development for the community as a whole.
To some, it might only be certain groups within the LGBTQIA+ community that are targeted and affected; the reality is that if the community does not remain unified, as history shows, the rest will be next. The community has immense reach, power, and influence, and when we collectively hold those in power to account. Lasting, unreversible and change can happen.
Learn more about how individual countries and regions around the world treat members of the LGBTQIA+ community. From the status and laws of same-sex marriages to gender identity recognition, this easy-to-use equality index provides a score and breakdown for every country worldwide.
Learn more about the exceptional LGBTQIA+ community, discover the community’s history, the ongoing movement for equality, the size of the community and how much it contributes to the world economy, frequently asked questions and much more.
Acceptance and coming to terms with a part of what makes you can be challenging for many people. The Gayther pride in series is about celebrating all things relating to sexualities, gender identities and special groups. Showcasing the exceptional people, interesting facts and ways to connect with those unique communities
IMPORTANT DISCLAIMER: All published articles have been written by members of the general public. Many will likely not be journalists nor be affiliated with any professional bodies associated with members of the media. The articles will likely be based on the authors’ own opinions, views, and experiences. Gayther does not endorse or accept any responsibility or liability regarding any materials within the news and media pages. 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
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