Latest news with #RainbowMap
RTÉ News
22-05-2025
- Politics
- RTÉ News
"We must become unavoidable": 10 years of the Marriage Referendum
The Marriage Equality Referendum of 2015 changed things for the LGBTQ+ community, and reshaped Irealnd's conversation around love and acceptance, but a decade on, there are still many fights to be fought on the road to true equality. I spoke to five prominent LGBTQ+ individuals about the impact of the referendum on their lives, and what is to come next. President of Trinity College Dublin Students' Union, Jenny Maguire, is an LGBTQ+ activist who has spoken candidly about her experiences as a young trans woman growing up in Ireland. With marriage equality in place for much of her life, she reflects on the importance of reaffirming Ireland's support for the LGBTQ+ amid rising tides of oppression. What did the Marriage Equality Referendum mean to you at the time? During Marriage Equality I was in first year of secondary school, and it was significant for me because it brought the discussion and existence and lives of queer people to the forefront of the national conversation. When signs were going up and ads were playing and debates were happening, I could contribute without feeling like I was outing myself. I will never forget the memories of both of my parents bringing me to the polling stations and going in with me and voting yes. Getting to exist in that, celebrate that, and see all the public support after the fact, even now, I smile thinking about it. It was truly transformative to my own self esteem as a young queer person at the time. How do you think things have changed for the LGBTQIA+ community in the decade since? We can best see the change by looking not just at ourselves but abroad as well. If you look at the Rainbow Map, the UK in 2015 ranked number 1 in Europe for LGBT rights; they now place 22nd. I think this is indicative of a broader cultural shift, a focus and a concerted effort by [some] conservative groups to demonise the LGBT community overall by looking and targeting the trans community. When the first bathroom bills were introduced in North Carolina in the United States, sports associations and wide areas of public life boycotted events in the state; now it is a common occurrence. The dial has been shifted away from us and yes, we are seeing this in laws and attempts by various states to suppress the LBGT community, but the most damaging effect is the cultural impact it has, and the permission it provides to those wishing to cause us harm on the streets, in workplaces and every area of public life. The sense of hope and joy I had ten years ago is gone. Instead, my hope exists in spite of the world around me, not because of it. What do you think will be the most prominent issues facing LGBTQIA+ people in the next decade? We need to reacknowledge the political nature of our queer organisations. The tactics of how we are working and have worked over the past ten years has not been to defend our rights, we have been taking our rights as a given, whereas we now see that that needs to be restrategised. Prides need to be taking on protest matters, holding politicians to account, and advocating without apology for our community. This is something we have been doing, but it's something we need to step up and demand with our full chests. Whether it's full recognition of queer families in Irish law or LBGT healthcare, whether that is access to PrEP or trans healthcare, these are all issues that are not getting the national attention they need. During the HIV crisis, groups like ACT UP made themselves unavoidable. We must become unavoidable and unignorable. Zeda the Architect, aka Oyindamola Animashaun, is a visual artist, stylist, curator, and creative director working across Ireland's fashion, arts and cultural sectors. Intersectionality and diversity are key components in her work and something she hopes that institutions will fight for, not pay lip service to. Ten years on from the marriage equality referendum, what are the conversations we need to be having in 2025 that we were not having in 2015? In 2015, we were fighting to be recognised; in 2025, we should be talking about how we're being supported. Marriage equality was a massive step, but it didn't solve the layers of systemic discrimination that queer people - especially trans people, Black and POC queer folks, working class queers - still face every day. We need to talk about safety, healthcare access, mental health, housing, and how queerness intersects with race, gender, and class. Intersectionality, folks, ya know? I hope we all realise that visibility isn't enough if it's not followed by meaningful change. You create spaces for other people to thrive and support important causes and conversations via markets, talks and events. How important is Pride to you as a space for the community? Pride is complicated. It's joyful, vital and also irrevocably political. I love the sense of community it brings, especially for those who might not feel seen the rest of the year. But I also think Pride should be a time to reflect, hold space for those still on the margins and push back against the commodification of queerness. Looking at you, brands. For me, creating events and gatherings that centre real stories and connection feels like an extension of Pride, one that doesn't rely on sponsorship or rainbow flags, but on care and community. As someone at the forefront of the Irish fashion space, has the LGBTQ+ community informed your personal style? Absolutely, queerness gives me permission to be expansive. I think it's about refusing to shrink yourself or dress to make others comfortable. I'm drawn to fashion that tells stories, challenges binaries and honours both fluidity and tradition. Irish fashion is often seen through a very narrow lens, but there are so many queer designers, stylists, and creatives shaping the scene. My style will forever be a nod to that: playful, political, sometimes bold, sometimes soft, but always intentional. Where do you see Ireland moving in the next decade in terms of acceptance? I see potential. I see younger generations who are bolder and more open. But I also see pushback from institutions, from conservative politics, from people clinging to a narrow definition of "Irishness." The next decade will test us. Are we willing to move from performative inclusion to actual transformation? Will we listen to queer people who are migrants, disabled, neurodivergent, older, or not in the public eye? If we can centre care, creativity, and intersectionality…then, maybe. But we can't be passive. Change needs to be fought for. PJ Kirby Galang married the love of his life, Jose, last year. One half of the I'm Grand Mam podcast, the Cork native reminds us that despite ten years of marriage equality, there are still essential causes to fight for when it comes to equality and recognition. What was the significance of the Marriage Equality referendum to you at the time? I moved to London when I was 20 and in the closet, and I came out that year because of the anonymity of the big city and I saw queer people being unapologetically themselves. I had gay friends for the first time, I had none of that in Cork. I had come out to my family and friends, and thankfully, they were accepting, but Ireland as a whole, I felt that London was much safer. After a difficult year personally, the campaign for the Yes Vote was happening, and I felt a little bit removed being in London, but I could feel the love for the community coming from Ireland. When the Yes came through, it felt like my home was saying, 'you are welcome back anytime and we accept you for who you are.' That was such a powerful thing. When I moved away, I thought I might never come back, but then when the referendum happened, it felt 'oh, maybe I could.' How do you think things have changed for the LGBTQIA+ community in the decade since? Speaking personally, I feel much more accepted, but I am also a white cis gay man, so I have a lot of privilege there. I think gay men in particular in the community have the most privilege and suffer the least homophobia, though that homophobia still exists and I do experience it, be it online or a comment on the street, but I generally feel safe. That being said, I have noticed a growing divide in recent years. Before, I would be able to speak to someone with homophobic views and have a discussion with them as to where that stemmed from, but now people are more radicalised, and there is more hate. We can't take anything for granted; just because we have made progress, it doesn't mean it can't be undone. What changes need to be made or issues need to be focused on for the next decade when it comes to equality and acceptance? The trans community is being singled out and villainised. Trans people have always been here, and they always will be here. It is ten years since marriage equality but it is also ten years since the Gender Recognition Act, but nobody is asking me questions about the Gender Recognition Act, they are all asking me questions about Marriage Equality - and maybe that's because I'm a gay man who has gotten married and won't shut up about it! But I feel like we made a huge step towards equality in that, and that should be celebrated this week also. Protecting our trans and non-binary members of the community is a focus we need to have, and banding together to stand up for those people. On the other hand, we also need to focus on equality for children. For the past ten years, while some members of government have been patting themselves on the back for marriage equality, LGBTQ+ parents across Ireland have been fighting so that their children can have an equal legal connection to each parent. In some cases, there is only one parent on the birth certificate, and the other one can't be on it because of the current legislation. A great non-profit organisation that's campaigning for change is Equality For Children, and we need to get behind them. All they want is equal rights for the children of LGBTQ+ families. Leanne Woodfull has found her voice as an activist through her social media platforms. Online political activism does not come without costs, especially when 'influencing' is so tied in with being a blank slate for brands. The Marriage Equality referendum was the spark that changed the trajectory of her work, with her online space reflecting her real life convictions. What was the significance of the Marriage Equality referendum to you at the time? The referendum was my first foray into activism in general. It shaped me as a person. I had a platform, and I knew I had to use it for good, and that was my first opportunity to hone in on that. I hate the idea of having a platform and only using it for ego, followers and monetary gain, I always had a drive to use it for good and for something lasting. I wasn't perfect; I was still learning a lot throughout the referendum, but it shaped who I am as a person. It's something I am quite proud of, the referendum changed my life as a lesbian and as an activist, and finding the confidence to stand up for what I believe in. Did the referendum cause any change in how you felt about your sexuality? It totally changed things. I was very detached from it, and thinking about my own sexuality during the referendum wasn't at the forefront of my mind. You'd think it would have been a trigger for that, but it wasn't! It took me a few years to begin exploring that side of myself, that reality. However, the safety, joy and hope of the referendum contributed to me eventually coming out. It contributed to feeling safe and secure. How do you think things have changed for the LGBTQIA+ community in the decade since? Things have changed so much, it feels like whiplash. Between the marriage equality referendum and the Repeal the 8th referendum, my early 20s were a hopeful era, a joyful few years where it felt like everything was going towards a more inclusive world, but that has not been the case. Now, the world, the politics and the people around me, as we all know, [seem to be] shifting toward homophobia, transphobia and far-right ideologies. It's difficult to articulate the feeling, but we were on a forward trajectory as a minority, and now there has been this bounce back. You see people's rights being taken away and a regression happening around you. I'm a white, cisgendered femme-presenting woman so the privilege is there, but I don't feel as safe walking around Dublin holding hands with a woman as I did a few years ago. What do you think will be the most prominent issues facing LGBTQIA+ people in the next decade? Changes have occurred in so many pockets of the community, globally, not just in Ireland. The sentiment of Pride being a protest is more prevalent than ever at the moment with rights being taken away in every corner of the globe at the moment. I don't want to instil fear in people, but we need to be aware of how fast these ideologies are spreading and affecting our rights and the laws that protect us. Allyship is essential, and allies need to walk the walk, not just talk the talk. Arriving in Ireland as a teenager, Meri Hernandez found her place in the LGBT+ community on a journey of self-discovery, as she pushed back against outdated ideas about women who love women. She has gone on to create a safe space online for members of the community under her handle @Irelandsfavouritegay Having moved from Spain to Monaghan as a teenager, how did growing up in a small town shape your experiences with coming out? Growing up in a small town like Monaghan after moving from Spain as a teenager presented both challenges and unique experiences in my journey of self-discovery and coming out. When I was 15, I already had my first experience with a girl, but I remember rationalising it by telling myself, "I am only in love with that one girl, I do not find any other girls attractive." It was a way to deny and not fully accept myself. After finishing school, I moved to Letterkenny in Donegal to study Law, and during college, I kept my attraction to girls largely to myself. That was until one day, a lecturer discussed the Marriage Equality Referendum and assigned us to write about it. Writing that piece was nerve-wracking because I feared that being too outspoken would "out" me as a lesbian. Can you describe what you remember most vividly from the Marriage Equality Referendum in 2015? When the day of the referendum arrived, and our lecturer asked what we thought about it, I was amazed and relieved to see how open and supportive my classmates were. Seeing their enthusiasm and support for the referendum, and then witnessing the joy when it passed, made me feel like I was in a safe space to explore my identity. This pivotal moment empowered me to join the LGBTQIA+ society at the Letterkenny Institute of Technology, where I finally found my tribe. You have documented a vibrant life in the LGBTQIA+ community via your TikTok, what have the highs and lows of this been? I wanted to ensure representation for the LGBTQIA+ community in Ireland and to be a source of support and visibility for others on a similar journey. Unfortunately, the hate I've experienced has been frightening at times. However, the highs have far outshone the lows. Thanks to the platform I've built, I've created a community that is incredibly supportive, teaching me that embracing who you truly are is the most powerful and liberating thing you can do. As I reflect on my path, I am reminded that authenticity breeds strength, and in the face of adversity, living your truth not only transforms your life but also inspires others to do the same.
Euronews
21-05-2025
- Politics
- Euronews
Polish parliament votes to extend asylum suspension at Belarus border
The Polish parliament has voted to extend the suspension of the right to asylum at the country's eastern border with Belarus. In total, 366 politicians backed the move, while 17 voted against the extension. The measure, which has been widely criticised by human rights groups, allows Polish authorities to suspend asylum rights for 60 days at a time. It was first adopted in March, before being renewed this week. Speaking on Tuesday, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk framed the bill as necessary to combat the flow of migrants entering Poland via Belarus. The prime minister and others in his government argue that Russia and Belarus are deliberately encouraging foreign citizens to cross the border in an attempt to destabilise Europe. The asylum suspension is necessary because of the "serious and real threat" this poses to Poland's national security, Tusk said. Tusk added that only Poland's "tough" stance has effectively mitigated this influx. The regulation allows exemptions for certain categories of people, including children, pregnant women, individuals with special healthcare needs, and people deemed at "real risk of harm" if returned over the border. A last minute amendment to the bill also allows families accompanying minors to claim asylum under the new restrictions. In February, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) warned Poland that the proposed law would not be compatible with either international or European asylum law. Human Rights Watch said last month that the EU should take legal action against Poland should the bill be implemented, adding that the legislation 'flies in the face of Poland's international and EU obligations". It encouraged the Polish parliament to vote it down. However, a spokesperson for the European Commission recently conceded that it would assess the law in the "context" of the security threat facing Poland. Malta, Belgium, Iceland, Denmark and Spain are the top five countries in this year's LGBTQ+ rights ranking, according to this year's ILGA-Europe's Rainbow Map. Malta has been at the top of the ranking for the last decade, with a score of 88,83%. With 85 points, Belgium jumped to second place after adopting policies tackling hatred based on sexual orientation, gender identity and sex characteristics. Despite Belgium jumping to second place in the index over Iceland, the latest figures from Belgium's Centre for Equal Opportunities Unia and the Institute for the Equality of Women and Men reported "worrying" cases of violence and discrimination against LGBTQ+ people. Unia reported 136 cases related to sexual orientation. More than a third of these cases involved assaults with assault and battery, and a similar proportion of serious cases of harassment. These attacks are often committed by young men, sometimes in groups, and especially against other men. ILGA-Europe's Rainbow Map scores countries in seven categories: equality and non-discrimination, family, hate crime and hate speech, legal gender recognition, intersex bodily integrity, civil society space and asylum. Austria, Latvia, Germany, Czechia and Poland also recorded the biggest jumps in their rankings. Austria and Latvia rose four places, while Germany, Czechia, and Poland climbed three. The EU's average score is 51.13%, while Europe's is 41.85%. In 2025, some countries across Europe saw a rollback in LGBTQ+ rights. Romania has been at the end of the EU ranking with a score of just 19%, followed by Poland and Bulgaria, both with 21%. "Centre and far-right actors in the EU are targeting NGO funding to weaken organisations that defend rights, while at the national level, we are seeing laws introduced that do not address any genuine societal need but are designed purely to marginalise," said ILGA-Europe's Advocacy Director, Katrin Hugendubel. The United Kingdom also dropped six places to 22nd. That drop was partially blamed on a Supreme Court decision to redefine the legal understanding of "woman" strictly as "biological sex," impacting the recognition and rights of transgender individuals. Hungary dropped seven places after the first Pride march ban in the EU, criminalising participation and organisation of such events. Attending a banned event would carry fines up to 200,000 Hungarian forints (€503), which the state must forward to "child protection," according to the text of the law. "Similar moves in the UK, Hungary, Georgia and beyond signal not just isolated regressions, but a coordinated global backlash aimed at erasing LGBTI rights, cynically framed as the defence of tradition or public stability, but in reality designed to entrench discrimination and suppress dissent," said Hugendubel.
Euronews
21-05-2025
- Politics
- Euronews
LGBTQ+ rights: These are the most and least progressive EU countries
Malta, Belgium, Iceland, Denmark and Spain are the top five countries in this year's LGBTQ+ rights ranking, according to this year's ILGA-Europe's Rainbow Map. Malta has been at the top of the ranking for the last decade, with a score of 88,83%. With 85 points, Belgium jumped to second place after adopting policies tackling hatred based on sexual orientation, gender identity and sex characteristics. Despite Belgium jumping to second place in the index over Iceland, the latest figures from Belgium's Centre for Equal Opportunities Unia and the Institute for the Equality of Women and Men reported "worrying" cases of violence and discrimination against LGBTQ+ people. Unia reported 136 cases related to sexual orientation. More than a third of these cases involved assaults with assault and battery, and a similar proportion of serious cases of harassment. These attacks are often committed by young men, sometimes in groups, and especially against other men. ILGA-Europe's Rainbow Map scores countries in seven categories: equality and non-discrimination, family, hate crime and hate speech, legal gender recognition, intersex bodily integrity, civil society space and asylum. Austria, Latvia, Germany, Czechia and Poland also recorded the biggest jumps in their rankings. Austria and Latvia rose four places, while Germany, Czechia, and Poland climbed three. The EU's average score is 51.13%, while Europe's is 41.85%. In 2025, some countries across Europe saw a rollback in LGBTQ+ rights. Romania has been at the end of the EU ranking with a score of just 19%, followed by Poland and Bulgaria, both with 21%. "Centre and far-right actors in the EU are targeting NGO funding to weaken organisations that defend rights, while at the national level, we are seeing laws introduced that do not address any genuine societal need but are designed purely to marginalise," said ILGA-Europe's Advocacy Director, Katrin Hugendubel. The United Kingdom also dropped six places to 22nd. That drop was partially blamed on a Supreme Court decision to redefine the legal understanding of "woman" strictly as "biological sex," impacting the recognition and rights of transgender individuals. Hungary dropped seven places after the first Pride march ban in the EU, criminalising participation and organisation of such events. Attending a banned event would carry fines up to 200,000 Hungarian forints (€503), which the state must forward to "child protection," according to the text of the law. "Similar moves in the UK, Hungary, Georgia and beyond signal not just isolated regressions, but a coordinated global backlash aimed at erasing LGBTI rights, cynically framed as the defence of tradition or public stability, but in reality designed to entrench discrimination and suppress dissent," said Hugendubel.
Yahoo
16-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
These are the top 10 European countries for LGBTQ+ rights and travel
Alexandros Michailidis/Shutterstock Revelers unfurl a giant Pride flag during a Pride parade in Brussels, Belgium, in 2024 ILGA-Europe has released its annual Rainbow Map for 2025, providing an analysis of LGBTQ+ rights and the climate for family in 49 European states. The group was created out of the International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association (ILGA World), the international advocacy group for the LGBTQ+ community. ILGA-Europe researchers examined 49 countries using 76 criteria, which were then broken down into seven thematic categories: Equality and non-discrimination Family Hate crime and hate speech; Legal gender recognition; Intersex bodily integrity; Civil society space; and Asylum. Each country was then given a percentage score and ranked. The results were compiled in the interactive Rainbow Map, with links to a breakdown of every country's performance plus a more comprehensive report providing detailed analyses and examples of the good and the bad for that nation's LGBTQ+ community. While there were some positive signs in many countries, others ranked among the very worst climates for the LGBTQ+ community. 'The Rainbow Map 2025 offers a stark snapshot of where Europe stands on LGBTI human rights, and highlights the pressing need to defend and advance these rights in the context of acute democratic erosion,' ILGA-Europe concluded. "If left unchallenged, these tactics risk spreading further across Europe, undermining a human rights framework that has taken decades to build. The time to push back is now, before the targeted attacks we're seeing in countries like Hungary, the U.K., and Georgia become the norm rather than the exception. Political leaders must lead by example and turn their words into action. It's time for people to stand up, make their voices heard, and hold our governments to account before it's too late.' Keep scrolling to see ILGA-Europe's top 10 countries for LGBTQ+ rights, cultural climate, and travel. You can view the ILGA Europe Rainbow Map at You can reach the entire ILGA Europe Annual Review of the Human Rights Situation of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans, and Intersex People in Europe and Central Asia at Kateryna Mostova/Shutterstock Luxembourg Pride Equality March 2023 Overall score 2024: 68.41 percent (10th) Overall score 2023: 70.04 (8th) Strengths: Perfect score for Civil Society Space Weaknesses: Intersex Bodily Integrity Quote of note: 'The Ministry of Family, Integration, and the Greater Region, in cooperation with the Centre LGBTIQ+ Cigale, the Centre for Equal Treatment, the Rosa Lëtzebuerg association, developed a guide to help bridge the gap between trans people and their employers. This guide equips employers with key information to better understand trans identities and implement inclusive policies, while also offering trans people support in communicating their needs within the workplace.' RELATED: The world's top 10 queer and trans-friendly cities You can learn more about Luxembourg's performance at the ILGA Europe Rainbow Map. You can reach the entire ILGA Europe Annual Review of the Human Rights Situation of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans, and Intersex People in Europe and Central Asia at Mateusz Boinski/Shutterstock Norway 2018 Tromsø Arctic Pride festival Overall score: 68.6 percent (9th) Overall score 2023: 69.53 (9th) Strengths: Perfect score for Civil Society Space Weaknesses: Intersex Bodily Integrity Quote of note: 'Zaniar Matapour was found guilty of aggravated terrorism by the Oslo District Court for his role in the mass shooting during Oslo Pride on June 25, 2022. Matapour was sentenced to 30 years in prison, the strictest penalty under Norwegian law. State prosecutor Aud Kinsarvik Gravås expressed satisfaction with the court's decision in the case.' RELATED: Seeking escape, this lesbian sailed to the Arctic Circle You can learn more about Norway's performance at the ILGA Europe Rainbow Map. You can reach the entire ILGA Europe Annual Review of the Human Rights Situation of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans, and Intersex People in Europe and Central Asia at ewelina thepphaboot/Shutterstock 2019 Christopher Street Parade in Frankfurt, Germany Overall score 2024: 69.1 percent (8th) Overall score 2023: 66.13 (11th) Strengths: Perfect score for Civil Society Space Weaknesses: Intersex Bodily Integrity Quote of note: 'In October, Germany's Federal Justice Minister Marco Buschmann of the Free Democrats (FDP) announced new plans to reform adoption and family law. The proposed reforms aim to allow adults in unmarried partnerships to adopt a child together and permit just one adult in a marriage to legally adopt a child, addressing gaps in current laws. Currently, both married and unmarried heterosexual and same-sex couples can adopt, but married couples must both legally adopt the child, while only one adult in an unmarried partnership can do so.' RELATED: Germany makes it easier to change gender and name on legal documents You can learn more about Germany's performance at the ILGA Europe Rainbow Map. You can reach the entire ILGA Europe Annual Review of the Human Rights Situation of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans, and Intersex People in Europe and Central Asia at Giannis Papanikos/Shutterstock A giant Rainbow Flag at tje `annual Gay Pride celebrations in Thessaloniki, Greece, in 2018 Overall score 2024: 69.18 percent (7th) Overall score 2023: 70.78 percent (7th) Strengths: High scores for Equality & Non-Discrimination and Civil Society Space Weaknesses: Asylum Quote of note: 'In February, Greece became the first Orthodox-majority country to legalise same-sex marriage. The bill passed with the support of 176 out of 300 MPs, also allowing same-sex couples to adopt children and granting equal parental rights to both partners. However, the bill does not include provisions for surrogacy for same-sex couples. Furthermore, while it abolishes the requirement of being unmarried to access legal gender recognition, it does not include any provision to modify a parent's name and gender on the birth certificate of their children after legal gender recognition. RELATED: Meet the gay man elected to lead Greece's leftist party in historic first You can learn more about Greece's performance at the ILGA Europe Rainbow Map. You can reach the entire ILGA Europe Annual Review of the Human Rights Situation of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans, and Intersex People in Europe and Central Asia at Finn stock via Shutterstock Finland's Helsinki Pride 2019 celebration Overall score 2024: 69.85 percent (6th) Overall score 2023: 70.78 percent (6th) Strengths: Perfect score for Civil Society Space Weaknesses: Intersex Bodily Integrity Quote of note: 'In June, the Helsinki Pride march attracted an estimated 100,000 participants. This year's event was notable for the first-time involvement of the Rainbow Police of Finland, an LGBTI police association established in 2020 by current and former police officers and civilian staff.' RELATED: Google down these 25 mouthwatering artworks from Tom of Finland Fest You can learn more about Finland's performance at the ILGA Europe Rainbow Map. You can reach the entire ILGA Europe Annual Review of the Human Rights Situation of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans, and Intersex People in Europe and Central Asia at OSCAR GONZALEZ FUENTES/Shutterstock Spain Gran Via in Madrid 2025 protest to support transgender community Overall score 2024: 77.97 percent (5th) Overall score 2023: 76.41 percent (4th) Strengths: Civil Society Space and Asylum Weaknesses: Hate Crime & Hate Speech Quote of note: 'In May, several cases of bias-motivated violence were recorded across Spain. These include the violent beating of a 14-year-old trans girl by a peer, a homophobic attack against openly gay singer Miguel Garena, and an episode of harassment faced by a health worker who received a threatening letter accompanied by a photograph of him and his partner in the crosshairs of a gun.' RELATED: Emira D'Spain makes history as Bravo's first trans cast member You can learn more about Spain's performance at the ILGA Europe Rainbow Map. You can reach the entire ILGA Europe Annual Review of the Human Rights Situation of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans, and Intersex People in Europe and Central Asia at oleschwander/Shutterstock Denmark Copenhagen 2018 annual Pride Parade Overall score 2024: 80.10 percent (4th) Overall score 2023: 76.35 percent (5th) Strengths: Perfect score for Civil Society Space Weaknesses: Intersex Bodily Integrity Quote of note: 'In February, the Danish government, along with most opposition parties, reached an agreement regarding surrogacy that aims to simplify the recognition of parenthood for Danish parents utilising surrogacy, whether domestically or abroad. A corresponding bill was presented in a public hearing. Under the new framework, the requirement for second-parent adoption will be eliminated, with the primary focus being the child's benefit from the recognition.' RELATED: Former Denmark ambassador responds to VP Vance's 'not a good ally' comments You can learn more about Denmark's performance at the ILGA Europe Rainbow Map. You can reach the entire ILGA Europe Annual Review of the Human Rights Situation of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans, and Intersex People in Europe and Central Asia at LIVEK/Shutterstock Iceland Reykjavik Pride parade 2024 Overall score 2024: 84.06 percent (3rd) Overall score 2023: 83.02 percent (2nd) Strengths: Perfect scores for Legal Gender Recognition and Civil Society Space Weaknesses: Intersex Bodily Integrity and Asylum Quote of note: 'On January 1st, a law banning conversion therapy for sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression took effect. The law was passed on June 9, 2023, with 53 out of parliamentarians voting in agreement.' RELATED: The land of fire and ice – Your gay guide to Iceland's Reykjanes peninsula You can learn more about Iceland's performance at the ILGA Europe Rainbow Map. You can reach the entire ILGA Europe Annual Review of the Human Rights Situation of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans, and Intersex People in Europe and Central Asia at Alexandros Michailidis/Shutterstock Belgium Brussels 2023 pride parade Overall score 2024: 85.31 percent (2nd) Overall score 2023: 78.47 (3rd) Strengths: Perfect scores for Hate Crime & Hate Speech and Civil Society Space Weaknesses: Intersex Bodily Integrity Quote of note: 'In February, Belgium introduced a new Criminal Code that removes the distinction between discrimination based on 'racial' criteria and other grounds, including sexual orientation, in employment and goods and services. This means that discrimination against individuals based on sexual orientation is now treated with the same legal seriousness as discrimination based on race, ensuring equal protection under the law.' RELATED: 15 destinations from Lonely Planet's new LGBTQ+ travel guide You can learn more about Belgium's performance at the ILGA Europe Rainbow Map. You can reach the entire ILGA Europe Annual Review of the Human Rights Situation of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans, and Intersex People in Europe and Central Asia at chmaraa/Shutterstock Malta Pride Week 2022 Overall score 2024: 88.83 percent (1st) Overall score 2023: 87.84 percent (1st) Strengths: Perfect scores for Hate Crime & Hate Speech, Legal Gender Recognition, and Civil Society Space Weaknesses: Intersex Bodily Integrity Quote of note: 'A survey conducted by the EU Agency for Human Rights revealed that 62 percent of LGBTI people in Malta feel comfortable disclosing their sexual orientation, surpassing the EU average of 51 percent.' RELATED: Malta unveiled – Your ultimate LGBTQ+ guide to the Mediterranean paradise You can learn more about Malta's performance at the ILGA Europe Rainbow Map. You can reach the entire ILGA Europe Annual Review of the Human Rights Situation of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans, and Intersex People in Europe and Central Asia at
Time Out
16-05-2025
- Politics
- Time Out
The Mediterranean archipelago named Europe's most LGBTQ+-friendly country
From safety and discrimination laws to policies around gender recognition, a lot more goes into making a country queer-friendly than an annual Pride festival. Back for its seventeenth year, 2025's edition of the Rainbow Map looks into all these factors and more to name Europe's most (and least) LGBTQ+-friendly countries. The map, which is an annual project run by LGBTI organisation ILGA-Europe, ranks 49 European countries on their legal and policy practices for LGBTQ+ people on a scale from 0-100 percent. The categories assessed include equality and non-discrimination, family, hate crime and hate speech, legal gender recognition, intersex bodily integrity, civil society space and asylum. And, topping the list as the most LGBTQ+-friendly country in Europe for no less than the tenth consecutive year, is the sunny archipelago of Malta. It scored a solid 88.83 percent in total, ranking perfectly in the 'hate crime and speech', 'legal gender recognition' and 'civil society space' categories, improving on its 2024 score by 0.99 percent. These are the 20 most LGBTQ+-friendly countries in Europe Malta Belgium Iceland Denmark Spain Finland Greece Germany Norway Luxembourg Portugal Sweden Netherlands Ireland France Austria Slovenia Switzerland Montenegro Croatia However, progress wasn't made everywhere. The report also found that Hungary, Georgia and the UK all experienced the biggest falls in their rankings, the UK specifically slipping six positions from 16th to 22nd, which is its lowest rank ever.
