Directory · 200 countries
Countries gay friendly worldwide
Every country with its verified LGBTQI+ legal framework and safety level. Sorted by default from safest to least safe. Switch to continent view if you prefer geographic browsing.
SAFE · 29 countries
-
Belgium Safe 100/100 Belgium was the second country worldwide to legalize marriage equality (2003, after the Netherlands). -
Spain Safe 100/100 Spain is one of the world's most advanced countries on LGBTQI+ rights. -
Iceland Safe 100/100 Iceland among the world's most consistently LGBTQI+ friendly countries. -
Malta Safe 100/100 Malta consistently ranks among Europe's leading countries on LGBTQI+ legal framework since 2015. -
Norway Safe 100/100 Norway has one of the world's most solid LGBTQI+ frameworks. -
New Zealand Safe 100/100 New Zealand was the first Oceania country to legalize same-sex marriage (2013) and joint adoption. -
Sweden Safe 100/100 Sweden has one of Europe's most progressive LGBTQI+ legal frameworks. -
Denmark Safe 99/100 Denmark led the way globally: first country worldwide to legally recognize same-sex unions (regis… -
Luxembourg Safe 99/100 Luxembourg approved marriage equality on January 1, 2015 (last Benelux country). -
Netherlands Safe 99/100 The Netherlands was the first country to legalize same-sex marriage worldwide (April 1, 2001) wit… -
Germany Safe 95/100 Germany recognizes marriage equality and joint adoption since 2017. -
Portugal Safe 95/100 Portugal is among the world's most advanced countries on LGBTQI+ rights. -
Ireland Safe 94/100 Ireland was the first country worldwide to legalize marriage equality via popular referendum (May… -
Uruguay Safe 90/100 Uruguay has one of Latin America's most solid LGBTQI+ frameworks. -
Andorra Safe 89/100 Andorra approved marriage equality on February 17, 2023 (34th country worldwide). -
Austria Safe 89/100 Austria has a solid LGBTQI+ framework. -
Switzerland Safe 89/100 Switzerland approved marriage equality by popular referendum (September 26, 2021, 64% yes, majori… -
Finland Safe 89/100 Finland among Europe's solid LGBTQI+ frameworks. -
Greenland Safe 89/100 Greenland is an autonomous territory of the Kingdom of Denmark with its own robust LGBTQI+ framework. -
Slovenia Safe 89/100 Slovenia approved marriage equality on July 9, 2022 by Constitutional Court ruling, which found t… -
Chile Safe 86/100 Chile has recognized marriage equality since 2022 (Law 21.400) and legal gender change without me… -
France Safe 85/100 France decriminalized homosexuality in 1791 (French Revolution). -
Taiwan Safe 85/100 Marriage equality reached Asia first via Taiwan on May 24, 2019 — implementing the 2017 Constitut… -
Australia Safe 84/100 Australia recognizes marriage equality since 2017 (after postal survey) and national adoption sin… -
United Kingdom Safe 84/100 United Kingdom recognizes marriage equality in England, Wales, and Scotland since 2014, and North… -
Czech Republic Safe 82/100 Czech Republic is one of the most advanced countries in Central-Eastern Europe on LGBTQI+ issues. -
Italy Safe 82/100 Italy recognizes civil unions between same-sex partners since 2016 (Cirinnà Law 76/2016) but not … -
Canada Safe 81/100 Canada was among the first to legalize same-sex marriage (2005, fourth country worldwide). -
Argentina Safe 80/100 Argentina is a Latin American leader in LGBTQI+ rights.
FRIENDLY · 20 countries
-
Thailand Friendly 78/100 Thailand legalized same-sex marriage on January 23, 2025, becoming the first country in Southeast… -
Liechtenstein Friendly 77/100 Liechtenstein decriminalized homosexuality in 1989 — the reform repealed §§129-130 of the crimina… -
San Marino Friendly 77/100 San Marino, the oldest functioning republic, decriminalized same-sex relations in 1864 and repeal… -
Brazil Friendly 76/100 Brazil has recognized marriage equality since 2013 and, by Federal Supreme Court ruling in 2019, … -
Greece Friendly 75/100 Greece approved marriage equality in February 2024 (176 in favor, 76 against, 48 abstentions (300… -
Mexico Friendly 75/100 Mexico completed marriage equality across all 32 states in 2022 and has had a federal anti-discri… -
Cuba Friendly 74/100 Cuba approved marriage equality on September 25, 2022 via national referendum (66.85% yes) on the… -
Ecuador Friendly 71/100 Ecuador approved marriage equality on June 12, 2019 by Constitutional Court ruling (5-4) followin… -
Colombia Friendly 70/100 Colombia recognizes marriage equality since 2016, joint adoption since 2015, and legal gender cha… -
Estonia Friendly 69/100 Estonia legalized marriage equality on January 1, 2024 — first Baltic and post-Soviet state to re… -
Israel Friendly 69/100 Israel decriminalized homosexuality in 1988 and since has built the Middle East's most progressiv… -
United States Friendly 69/100 Marriage equality has been federal in the US since the 2015 Obergefell v. -
Costa Rica Friendly 68/100 Marriage equality landed in Costa Rica on May 26, 2020 — the first Central American jurisdiction … -
Croatia Friendly 68/100 Croatia decriminalized homosexuality in 1977 under the Socialist Republic. -
Cape Verde Friendly 65/100 Cape Verde is one of the most LGBT-tolerant countries in Africa. -
Botswana Friendly 63/100 Botswana decriminalized same-sex relations on June 11, 2019 by High Court ruling, upheld on appea… -
Cyprus Friendly 63/100 Cyprus decriminalized homosexuality in 1998, one of the last EU countries to do so, and equalized… -
Latvia Friendly 63/100 Latvia decriminalized homosexuality in 1992 after independence. -
Serbia Friendly 63/100 Serbia decriminalized homosexuality in 1994. -
Japan Friendly 62/100 Japan decriminalized homosexuality in 1882 but does not recognize marriage equality nationally.
NEUTRAL · 39 countries
-
Nepal Neutral 59/100 Nepal decriminalized same-sex relations in 2007 with the Supreme Court's Sunil Babu Pant v. -
Poland Neutral 59/100 Poland decriminalized homosexuality very early (1932 Penal Code). -
Ukraine Neutral 58/100 Ukraine decriminalized male same-sex relations in 1991 (female same-sex relations were never crim… -
Vietnam Neutral 58/100 Vietnam has never criminalized consensual same-sex sexual activity between adults. -
Bhutan Neutral 57/100 Bhutan decriminalized consensual same-sex relations between adults on February 17, 2021, through … -
Monaco Neutral 57/100 Monaco inherited French decriminalization in 1793 and keeps the age of consent equal at 15 for al… -
Mauritius Neutral 57/100 Mauritius decriminalized same-sex relations on October 4, 2023, when the Supreme Court declared S… -
Hungary Neutral 55/100 Hungary went through a historic political turn in 2025-2026 after years of Orbán-era rollback. -
Seychelles Neutral 55/100 Seychelles decriminalized same-sex relations on May 18, 2016, when the National Assembly approved… -
South Africa Neutral 55/100 South Africa is the only African country with marriage equality (Civil Union Act, November 30, 20… -
Bolivia Neutral 54/100 Bolivia decriminalized same-sex relations in 1832, one of the earliest in the Americas. -
India Neutral 54/100 India decriminalized consensual same-sex activity between adults on September 6, 2018, when the S… -
Suriname Neutral 53/100 Suriname decriminalized same-sex relations in 1869, one of the continent's earliest (Dutch coloni… -
Angola Neutral 52/100 Angola revised its Penal Code on November 4, 2020 (signed by the president on November 6 and in f… -
Belize Neutral 52/100 Belize decriminalized same-sex relations on August 10, 2016, when the Supreme Court declared Sect… -
Hong Kong Neutral 52/100 Hong Kong operates under the "one country, two systems" principle as a Special Administrative Reg… -
Marshall Islands Neutral 52/100 Marshall Islands decriminalized same-sex relations in 2005. -
Singapore Neutral 52/100 Singapore's Parliament voted to repeal Section 377A on November 29, 2022 (in force January 3, 202… -
Saint Kitts and Nevis Neutral 50/100 Consensual relations between adults of the same sex were decriminalized in August 2022 following … -
Vatican City Neutral 50/100 Vatican City has had no criminal laws against consensual same-sex relations since 1890 (inherited… -
China Neutral 49/100 China decriminalized homosexuality in 1997 with a Penal Code reform, and it was removed from the … -
Montenegro Neutral 49/100 Montenegro decriminalized homosexuality in 1977 as part of Yugoslavia. -
Philippines Neutral 49/100 The Philippines recognizes private consensual relations between same-sex adults as legal, though … -
Timor-Leste Neutral 49/100 Timor-Leste has had legal same-sex relations since 1975, with an equal age of consent of 14. -
Barbados Neutral 48/100 Barbados decriminalized same-sex relations in December 2022, when courts ruled colonial 'buggery'… -
Dominican Republic Neutral 48/100 The Dominican Republic decriminalized same-sex relations in 1822 (when part of Haiti), but does n… -
Saint Lucia Neutral 48/100 Saint Lucia decriminalized same-sex relations in July 2025, when the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Co… -
Mozambique Neutral 48/100 Mozambique decriminalized same-sex relations on June 30, 2015 with the new Penal Code signed by P… -
São Tomé and Príncipe Neutral 48/100 São Tomé and Príncipe decriminalized same-sex relations in 2012 with its Penal Code reform. -
Cambodia Neutral 45/100 Cambodia has never criminalized consensual same-sex relations in its history, with an equal age o… -
Lithuania Neutral 45/100 Lithuania decriminalized homosexuality in 1993 and saw a favorable turn 2024-2025 via the Constit… -
Venezuela Neutral 45/100 Venezuela decriminalized same-sex relations in 1997 after the country's top court found the prior… -
Lesotho Neutral 44/100 Lesotho decriminalized same-sex relations in 2012. -
Mongolia Neutral 44/100 Mongolia's 1993 penal-code revision stripped all homosexuality references (after 1961 criminaliza… -
Kosovo Neutral 44/100 Kosovo pairs a surprisingly solid legal framework on paper with a conservative society. -
North Macedonia Neutral 43/100 North Macedonia decriminalized homosexuality in 1996 as a condition for Council of Europe membership. -
Romania Neutral 43/100 Romania decriminalized homosexuality very late, in January 2002, after an ordinance signed by Pre… -
Albania Neutral 40/100 Albania decriminalized homosexuality on January 20, 1995 and approved broad anti-discrimination i… -
Peru Neutral 40/100 Peru does not recognize marriage equality or civil unions between same-sex partners.
CAUTION · 37 countries
-
Lebanon Caution 39/100 Lebanon technically criminalizes gay sex under Article 534 of the Penal Code (penalties up to one… -
Sri Lanka Caution 39/100 Sri Lanka still applies Section 365 of the Penal Code — a 1885 colonial relic from British Ceylon… -
Moldova Caution 39/100 Moldova decriminalized homosexuality in 1995 and introduced employment anti-discrimination in 201… -
Namibia Caution 39/100 Namibia experienced a year of contradictory movements. -
Micronesia Caution 38/100 In the Federated States of Micronesia same-sex relations are legal and since 2018 a statutory ban… -
South Korea Caution 37/100 Consensual same-sex relations are legal in South Korea at the civilian level, though they remain … -
Laos Caution 36/100 Laos has never criminalized consensual same-sex activity, with an equal age of consent of 15. -
Macao Caution 36/100 Macao operates as a Special Administrative Region of China under "one country, two systems", with… -
Nauru Caution 36/100 Same-sex relations were decriminalised in Nauru in May 2016 and clinician-led conversion practice… -
Rwanda Caution 36/100 Same-sex relations have never been criminalized in Rwanda and the age of consent (18) is equal. -
Slovakia Caution 36/100 Slovakia decriminalized homosexuality in 1962 when part of Czechoslovakia. -
Armenia Caution 35/100 Armenia decriminalized homosexuality in 2003 as a requirement to join the Council of Europe, but … -
Kazakhstan Caution 35/100 Kazakhstan decriminalized homosexuality in late 1997, but between 2024 and 2026 experienced signi… -
Panama Caution 35/100 Panama decriminalized same-sex relations in 2008, one of the Americas' latest decriminalizations. -
Turkey Caution 35/100 Turkey decriminalized homosexuality in 1858 (Ottoman Empire), but the legal framework is empty: n… -
Antigua and Barbuda Caution 34/100 Antigua and Barbuda decriminalized same-sex relations in 2022 when the Eastern Caribbean Supreme … -
Georgia Caution 34/100 Georgia decriminalized in 2000 and approved broad anti-discrimination in 2014 (EU requirement), b… -
Guinea-Bissau Caution 34/100 Guinea-Bissau decriminalized homosexuality in 1993 with the post-independence penal-code decree (No. -
Honduras Caution 34/100 Honduras decriminalized same-sex relations in 1899; a 2005 constitutional rewrite then locked out… -
Vanuatu Caution 34/100 Vanuatu has same-sex relations legal since 2007 (2006 Penal Code amendment), but Nov 2024 parliam… -
Fiji Caution 32/100 Fiji decriminalized same-sex relations on February 1, 2010 through the Crimes Decree 2009. -
Paraguay Caution 30/100 Paraguay decriminalized same-sex relations in 1990, one of South America's latest decriminalizations. -
Bosnia and Herzegovina Caution 29/100 Bosnia and Herzegovina has an LGBTQI+ framework fragmented by its federal structure. -
Dominica Caution 29/100 Same-sex relations were decriminalised in Dominica on April 22, 2024 after a High Court ruling st… -
Jordan Caution 29/100 Jordan decriminalized homosexuality in 1951 when drafting its own penal code (one of the earliest… -
Kyrgyzstan Caution 29/100 Kyrgyzstan decriminalized homosexuality in 1998 after Soviet independence, but the context has de… -
Palau Caution 29/100 Palau decriminalized same-sex relations on July 23, 2014 when the new Penal Code took effect. -
Bulgaria Caution 27/100 Bulgaria decriminalized homosexuality in 1968 and has broad anti-discrimination since 2004 (EU ob… -
Guatemala Caution 27/100 Guatemala decriminalized same-sex relations in 1871, but does not recognize same-sex couples in m… -
Nicaragua Caution 27/100 Nicaragua decriminalized same-sex relations in March 2008, relatively late for Latin America. -
El Salvador Caution 27/100 El Salvador decriminalized same-sex relations in 1822, but is considered one of Latin America's m… -
Equatorial Guinea Caution 25/100 Although same-sex relations are not explicitly criminalized (legal since 1931), LGBTQI+ people fa… -
DR Congo Caution 23/100 Same-sex relations are legal in the DRC but no statutory shield exists. -
Haiti Caution 23/100 Same-sex relations have never been a crime in Haiti — the 1791 French penal text (applied to Sain… -
Trinidad and Tobago Caution 22/100 Trinidad and Tobago decriminalized same-sex relations in 2018 when the High Court repealed Sexual… -
Benin Caution 20/100 Benin maintains same-sex acts legal (age of consent equalized in 2018), being one of the few fran… -
Gabon Caution 20/100 Gabon experienced a regression-restoration between 2019-2020: on July 5, 2019 criminalized same-s…
AVOID · 75 countries
-
Central African Republic Avoid 17/100 Central African Republic has same-sex relations legal but marriage is constitutionally banned (Ar… -
Madagascar Avoid 17/100 Same-sex relations have been legal in Madagascar since 1972 for those aged 21 and older. -
Bahamas Avoid 15/100 The Bahamas decriminalized same-sex relations in 1991 (consensual same-sex activity is legal). -
United Arab Emirates Avoid 10/100 Same-sex relations are criminalized under the Federal Crimes and Penalties Law (Federal Decree-La… -
Afghanistan Avoid 10/100 Following the Taliban takeover in 2021, homosexuality is deemed against Islamic (Sharia) law and … -
Azerbaijan Avoid 10/100 Although same-sex relations were decriminalized in 2000, Azerbaijan consistently ranks among the … -
Bangladesh Avoid 10/100 Same-sex relations are criminalized under Section 377 of the Penal Code inherited from the Britis… -
Burkina Faso Avoid 10/100 Burkina Faso criminalized same-sex relations on September 1, 2025 (within the new Persons and Fam… -
Bahrain Avoid 10/100 Although consensual same-sex relations between adults are not explicitly criminalized since 1976,… -
Burundi Avoid 10/100 Same-sex relations are criminalized under Burundi's Penal Code (article 590 of the 2017 revised C… -
Brunei Avoid 10/100 The Sharia Penal Code Order (SPCO) implemented in 2014 and fully in force since 2019 prescribes d… -
Belarus Avoid 10/100 Although same-sex relations were decriminalized in 1994, in April 2026 Belarus enacted a law proh… -
Cameroon Avoid 10/100 Same-sex relations are criminalized under Cameroon's Penal Code (article 347-1, introduced in 197… -
Djibouti Avoid 10/100 Although no law explicitly mentions same-sex relations, Djibouti's authorities prosecute them und… -
Algeria Avoid 10/100 Same-sex relations are criminalized under Algeria's Penal Code (articles 338 and 333, in force si… -
Egypt Avoid 10/100 Although Egypt's Penal Code does not explicitly criminalize same-sex relations, authorities apply… -
Eritrea Avoid 10/100 Same-sex relations are criminalized under article 600 of Eritrea's Penal Code (Section II 'Sexual… -
Ethiopia Avoid 10/100 Same-sex relations are criminalized under articles 629-630 of Ethiopia's Penal Code (2004), with … -
Grenada Avoid 10/100 Consensual relations between men are criminalized under Grenada's Criminal Code (Section 431, "un… -
Ghana Avoid 10/100 Same-sex relations between males are criminalized under Section 104(1)(b) of Ghana's Criminal Cod… -
The Gambia Avoid 10/100 Same-sex relations are criminalized in The Gambia since the 1933 Criminal Code, extended to women… -
Guinea Avoid 10/100 Same-sex relations are criminalized under articles 325-327 of Guinea's Penal Code (since 1988), w… -
Guyana Avoid 10/100 Consensual relations between men are criminalized under the Criminal Law (Offences) Act of 1893 (… -
Indonesia Avoid 10/100 Indonesia is an archipelago with an ambiguous legal framework: the national criminal code carries… -
Iraq Avoid 10/100 In April 2024, the Iraqi Parliament passed a law explicitly criminalizing same-sex relations with… -
Iran Avoid 10/100 Same-sex relations are criminalized under Iran's Islamic Penal Code (articles 233-239), with pena… -
Jamaica Avoid 10/100 Consensual relations between men are criminalized under the Offences Against the Person Act of 18… -
Kenya Avoid 10/100 Same-sex relations are criminalized under Sections 162 and 165 of Kenya's Penal Code (in force si… -
Kiribati Avoid 10/100 Consensual relations between men are criminalized under Kiribati's Penal Code (Section 153, "bugg… -
Comoros Avoid 10/100 Same-sex relations are criminalized under article 300 of Comoros' Penal Code (2020), with penalti… -
North Korea Avoid 10/100 North Korea's 1950 Criminal Code (amended 2009) does not explicitly criminalize same-sex relation… -
Kuwait Avoid 10/100 Consensual same-sex relations between adult men are criminalized under Article 193 of the Penal C… -
Liberia Avoid 10/100 Same-sex relations are criminalized under Sections 14.74 and 14.79 of Liberia's Penal Code (1978)… -
Libya Avoid 10/100 Same-sex relations are criminalized under article 407(4) of Libya's Penal Code (1953, amended in … -
Morocco Avoid 10/100 Same-sex relations are criminalized under article 489 of Morocco's Penal Code (since 1962), with … -
Mali Avoid 10/100 Mali criminalized homosexuality in December 2024 under the military junta, reversing the previous… -
Myanmar Avoid 10/100 Same-sex relations are criminalized under Section 377 of Myanmar's Penal Code (enacted 1886 under… -
Mauritania Avoid 10/100 Same-sex relations are criminalized under Article 308 of the 1983 Criminal Code, with the death p… -
Maldives Avoid 10/100 Same-sex relations are criminalized under Section 411(2) of the Maldives Penal Code (in force sin… -
Malawi Avoid 10/100 Same-sex relations are criminalized under Sections 153, 156 and 137A of the Penal Code (inherited… -
Malaysia Avoid 10/100 Same-sex relations are criminalized under Section 377A of the Penal Code (enacted 1871 under Brit… -
Nigeria Avoid 10/100 Same-sex relations are criminalized throughout Nigeria: up to 14 years' imprisonment in southern … -
Oman Avoid 10/100 Same-sex relations are criminalized under articles 33 and 223 of Oman's penal code, with sentence… -
Papua New Guinea Avoid 10/100 Consensual relations between men are criminalized under Section 210 of the Papua New Guinea Penal… -
Pakistan Avoid 10/100 Same-sex relations are criminalized under Article 377 of the Pakistan Penal Code (enacted 1860, i… -
Palestine Avoid 10/100 The legal framework in Palestine is complex and divided: the West Bank applies the 1951 Jordanian… -
Qatar Avoid 10/100 Same-sex relations are criminalized under Article 296 of the Penal Code (Law 11/2004), with sente… -
Russia Avoid 10/100 Although same-sex relations have not been criminalized since 1993, in November 2023 Russia's Supr… -
Saudi Arabia Avoid 10/100 Saudi Arabia has no codified penal code: it applies Sharia as interpreted by judges, with penalti… -
Solomon Islands Avoid 10/100 Consensual relations between men are criminalized under Section 160 of the Solomon Islands Penal … -
Sudan Avoid 10/100 Same-sex relations are criminalized under Article 148 of the 1991 Criminal Act (amended in 2009 a… -
Sierra Leone Avoid 10/100 Male same-sex relations are criminalized with life imprisonment under Section 61 of the Offences … -
Senegal Avoid 10/100 Same-sex relations are criminalized under Article 319 of the Senegalese Penal Code. -
Somalia Avoid 10/100 Same-sex relations have been criminalized in Somalia since 1899. -
South Sudan Avoid 10/100 Same-sex relations are criminalized under Article 248 of the 2008 Penal Code ("unnatural offences… -
Syria Avoid 10/100 Same-sex relations have been criminalized since 1949 under Article 520 of the Syrian Penal Code, … -
Eswatini Avoid 10/100 Male same-sex relations are classified as sodomy under 1907 common law, without practical enforce… -
Chad Avoid 10/100 Same-sex relations have been criminalized since 2017 under Article 354 of the new Penal Code, wit… -
Togo Avoid 10/100 Same-sex relations are criminalized under Article 88 of the 1980 Penal Code, with penalties of 1 … -
Tajikistan Avoid 10/100 Although consensual same-sex relations were decriminalized in May 1998, LGBTQI+ people in Tajikis… -
Turkmenistan Avoid 10/100 Relations between men are criminalized under Article 135, Section 1 of Turkmenistan's Criminal Co… -
Tunisia Avoid 10/100 Same-sex relations are criminalized under Article 230 of the 1913 Penal Code, with up to 3 years'… -
Tonga Avoid 10/100 Consensual relations between men are criminalized under Section 136 of Tonga's Criminal Offences … -
Tuvalu Avoid 10/100 Consensual relations between men are criminalized under Sections 153-155 of Tuvalu's Penal Code, … -
Tanzania Avoid 10/100 Same-sex relations are criminalized with life imprisonment (minimum 30 years) under Section 154 o… -
Uganda Avoid 10/100 The 2023 Anti-Homosexuality Act establishes life imprisonment for homosexual acts and the death p… -
Uzbekistan Avoid 10/100 Relations between men are criminalized under Article 120 of Uzbekistan's Criminal Code (1994, rev… -
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Avoid 10/100 Consensual same-sex relations are criminalized under the 1990 Criminal Code (Section 146, "bugger… -
Samoa Avoid 10/100 Consensual relations between men are criminalized under the Crimes Act 2013 (Sections 67-71), wit… -
Yemen Avoid 10/100 Same-sex relations are criminalized under articles 264 and 268 of the 1994 Penal Code, with penal… -
Zambia Avoid 10/100 Same-sex relations are criminalized under Sections 155 and 156 of the Penal Code (amended by Act No. -
Zimbabwe Avoid 10/100 Male same-sex sexual relations are criminalized (British colonial inheritance), with penalties of… -
Republic of the Congo Avoid 8/100 The Republic of the Congo (Congo-Brazzaville) has same-sex sexual activity legal since 1940 — one… -
Côte d'Ivoire Avoid 8/100 In Côte d'Ivoire, private consensual same-sex behaviour is lawful and has never carried criminal … -
Niger Avoid 1/100 Niger criminalized same-sex relations in March 2025, when the military junta adopted Article 25 o…
Europe · 86 countries
- Belgium Safe 100/100 Belgium was the second country worldwide to legalize marriage equality (2003, after the Netherlands).
- Spain Safe 100/100 Spain is one of the world's most advanced countries on LGBTQI+ rights.
- Iceland Safe 100/100 Iceland among the world's most consistently LGBTQI+ friendly countries.
- Malta Safe 100/100 Malta consistently ranks among Europe's leading countries on LGBTQI+ legal framework since 2015.
- Norway Safe 100/100 Norway has one of the world's most solid LGBTQI+ frameworks.
- Sweden Safe 100/100 Sweden has one of Europe's most progressive LGBTQI+ legal frameworks.
- Denmark Safe 99/100 Denmark led the way globally: first country worldwide to legally recognize same-sex unions (regis…
- Luxembourg Safe 99/100 Luxembourg approved marriage equality on January 1, 2015 (last Benelux country).
- Netherlands Safe 99/100 The Netherlands was the first country to legalize same-sex marriage worldwide (April 1, 2001) wit…
- Germany Safe 95/100 Germany recognizes marriage equality and joint adoption since 2017.
- Portugal Safe 95/100 Portugal is among the world's most advanced countries on LGBTQI+ rights.
- Ireland Safe 94/100 Ireland was the first country worldwide to legalize marriage equality via popular referendum (May…
- Uruguay Safe 90/100 Uruguay has one of Latin America's most solid LGBTQI+ frameworks.
- Andorra Safe 89/100 Andorra approved marriage equality on February 17, 2023 (34th country worldwide).
- Austria Safe 89/100 Austria has a solid LGBTQI+ framework.
- Switzerland Safe 89/100 Switzerland approved marriage equality by popular referendum (September 26, 2021, 64% yes, majori…
- Finland Safe 89/100 Finland among Europe's solid LGBTQI+ frameworks.
- Greenland Safe 89/100 Greenland is an autonomous territory of the Kingdom of Denmark with its own robust LGBTQI+ framework.
- Slovenia Safe 89/100 Slovenia approved marriage equality on July 9, 2022 by Constitutional Court ruling, which found t…
- Chile Safe 86/100 Chile has recognized marriage equality since 2022 (Law 21.400) and legal gender change without me…
- France Safe 85/100 France decriminalized homosexuality in 1791 (French Revolution).
- United Kingdom Safe 84/100 United Kingdom recognizes marriage equality in England, Wales, and Scotland since 2014, and North…
- Czech Republic Safe 82/100 Czech Republic is one of the most advanced countries in Central-Eastern Europe on LGBTQI+ issues.
- Italy Safe 82/100 Italy recognizes civil unions between same-sex partners since 2016 (Cirinnà Law 76/2016) but not …
- Canada Safe 81/100 Canada was among the first to legalize same-sex marriage (2005, fourth country worldwide).
- Argentina Safe 80/100 Argentina is a Latin American leader in LGBTQI+ rights.
- Liechtenstein Friendly 77/100 Liechtenstein decriminalized homosexuality in 1989 — the reform repealed §§129-130 of the crimina…
- San Marino Friendly 77/100 San Marino, the oldest functioning republic, decriminalized same-sex relations in 1864 and repeal…
- Brazil Friendly 76/100 Brazil has recognized marriage equality since 2013 and, by Federal Supreme Court ruling in 2019, …
- Greece Friendly 75/100 Greece approved marriage equality in February 2024 (176 in favor, 76 against, 48 abstentions (300…
- Mexico Friendly 75/100 Mexico completed marriage equality across all 32 states in 2022 and has had a federal anti-discri…
- Cuba Friendly 74/100 Cuba approved marriage equality on September 25, 2022 via national referendum (66.85% yes) on the…
- Ecuador Friendly 71/100 Ecuador approved marriage equality on June 12, 2019 by Constitutional Court ruling (5-4) followin…
- Colombia Friendly 70/100 Colombia recognizes marriage equality since 2016, joint adoption since 2015, and legal gender cha…
- Estonia Friendly 69/100 Estonia legalized marriage equality on January 1, 2024 — first Baltic and post-Soviet state to re…
- United States Friendly 69/100 Marriage equality has been federal in the US since the 2015 Obergefell v.
- Costa Rica Friendly 68/100 Marriage equality landed in Costa Rica on May 26, 2020 — the first Central American jurisdiction …
- Croatia Friendly 68/100 Croatia decriminalized homosexuality in 1977 under the Socialist Republic.
- Cyprus Friendly 63/100 Cyprus decriminalized homosexuality in 1998, one of the last EU countries to do so, and equalized…
- Latvia Friendly 63/100 Latvia decriminalized homosexuality in 1992 after independence.
- Serbia Friendly 63/100 Serbia decriminalized homosexuality in 1994.
- Poland Neutral 59/100 Poland decriminalized homosexuality very early (1932 Penal Code).
- Ukraine Neutral 58/100 Ukraine decriminalized male same-sex relations in 1991 (female same-sex relations were never crim…
- Monaco Neutral 57/100 Monaco inherited French decriminalization in 1793 and keeps the age of consent equal at 15 for al…
- Hungary Neutral 55/100 Hungary went through a historic political turn in 2025-2026 after years of Orbán-era rollback.
- Bolivia Neutral 54/100 Bolivia decriminalized same-sex relations in 1832, one of the earliest in the Americas.
- Suriname Neutral 53/100 Suriname decriminalized same-sex relations in 1869, one of the continent's earliest (Dutch coloni…
- Belize Neutral 52/100 Belize decriminalized same-sex relations on August 10, 2016, when the Supreme Court declared Sect…
- Saint Kitts and Nevis Neutral 50/100 Consensual relations between adults of the same sex were decriminalized in August 2022 following …
- Vatican City Neutral 50/100 Vatican City has had no criminal laws against consensual same-sex relations since 1890 (inherited…
- Montenegro Neutral 49/100 Montenegro decriminalized homosexuality in 1977 as part of Yugoslavia.
- Barbados Neutral 48/100 Barbados decriminalized same-sex relations in December 2022, when courts ruled colonial 'buggery'…
- Dominican Republic Neutral 48/100 The Dominican Republic decriminalized same-sex relations in 1822 (when part of Haiti), but does n…
- Saint Lucia Neutral 48/100 Saint Lucia decriminalized same-sex relations in July 2025, when the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Co…
- Lithuania Neutral 45/100 Lithuania decriminalized homosexuality in 1993 and saw a favorable turn 2024-2025 via the Constit…
- Venezuela Neutral 45/100 Venezuela decriminalized same-sex relations in 1997 after the country's top court found the prior…
- Kosovo Neutral 44/100 Kosovo pairs a surprisingly solid legal framework on paper with a conservative society.
- North Macedonia Neutral 43/100 North Macedonia decriminalized homosexuality in 1996 as a condition for Council of Europe membership.
- Romania Neutral 43/100 Romania decriminalized homosexuality very late, in January 2002, after an ordinance signed by Pre…
- Albania Neutral 40/100 Albania decriminalized homosexuality on January 20, 1995 and approved broad anti-discrimination i…
- Peru Neutral 40/100 Peru does not recognize marriage equality or civil unions between same-sex partners.
- Moldova Caution 39/100 Moldova decriminalized homosexuality in 1995 and introduced employment anti-discrimination in 201…
- Slovakia Caution 36/100 Slovakia decriminalized homosexuality in 1962 when part of Czechoslovakia.
- Armenia Caution 35/100 Armenia decriminalized homosexuality in 2003 as a requirement to join the Council of Europe, but …
- Panama Caution 35/100 Panama decriminalized same-sex relations in 2008, one of the Americas' latest decriminalizations.
- Turkey Caution 35/100 Turkey decriminalized homosexuality in 1858 (Ottoman Empire), but the legal framework is empty: n…
- Antigua and Barbuda Caution 34/100 Antigua and Barbuda decriminalized same-sex relations in 2022 when the Eastern Caribbean Supreme …
- Georgia Caution 34/100 Georgia decriminalized in 2000 and approved broad anti-discrimination in 2014 (EU requirement), b…
- Honduras Caution 34/100 Honduras decriminalized same-sex relations in 1899; a 2005 constitutional rewrite then locked out…
- Paraguay Caution 30/100 Paraguay decriminalized same-sex relations in 1990, one of South America's latest decriminalizations.
- Bosnia and Herzegovina Caution 29/100 Bosnia and Herzegovina has an LGBTQI+ framework fragmented by its federal structure.
- Dominica Caution 29/100 Same-sex relations were decriminalised in Dominica on April 22, 2024 after a High Court ruling st…
- Bulgaria Caution 27/100 Bulgaria decriminalized homosexuality in 1968 and has broad anti-discrimination since 2004 (EU ob…
- Guatemala Caution 27/100 Guatemala decriminalized same-sex relations in 1871, but does not recognize same-sex couples in m…
- Nicaragua Caution 27/100 Nicaragua decriminalized same-sex relations in March 2008, relatively late for Latin America.
- El Salvador Caution 27/100 El Salvador decriminalized same-sex relations in 1822, but is considered one of Latin America's m…
- Haiti Caution 23/100 Same-sex relations have never been a crime in Haiti — the 1791 French penal text (applied to Sain…
- Trinidad and Tobago Caution 22/100 Trinidad and Tobago decriminalized same-sex relations in 2018 when the High Court repealed Sexual…
- Bahamas Avoid 15/100 The Bahamas decriminalized same-sex relations in 1991 (consensual same-sex activity is legal).
- Azerbaijan Avoid 10/100 Although same-sex relations were decriminalized in 2000, Azerbaijan consistently ranks among the …
- Belarus Avoid 10/100 Although same-sex relations were decriminalized in 1994, in April 2026 Belarus enacted a law proh…
- Grenada Avoid 10/100 Consensual relations between men are criminalized under Grenada's Criminal Code (Section 431, "un…
- Guyana Avoid 10/100 Consensual relations between men are criminalized under the Criminal Law (Offences) Act of 1893 (…
- Jamaica Avoid 10/100 Consensual relations between men are criminalized under the Offences Against the Person Act of 18…
- Russia Avoid 10/100 Although same-sex relations have not been criminalized since 1993, in November 2023 Russia's Supr…
- Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Avoid 10/100 Consensual same-sex relations are criminalized under the 1990 Criminal Code (Section 146, "bugger…
Oceania · 14 countries
- New Zealand Safe 100/100 New Zealand was the first Oceania country to legalize same-sex marriage (2013) and joint adoption.
- Australia Safe 84/100 Australia recognizes marriage equality since 2017 (after postal survey) and national adoption sin…
- Marshall Islands Neutral 52/100 Marshall Islands decriminalized same-sex relations in 2005.
- Micronesia Caution 38/100 In the Federated States of Micronesia same-sex relations are legal and since 2018 a statutory ban…
- Nauru Caution 36/100 Same-sex relations were decriminalised in Nauru in May 2016 and clinician-led conversion practice…
- Vanuatu Caution 34/100 Vanuatu has same-sex relations legal since 2007 (2006 Penal Code amendment), but Nov 2024 parliam…
- Fiji Caution 32/100 Fiji decriminalized same-sex relations on February 1, 2010 through the Crimes Decree 2009.
- Palau Caution 29/100 Palau decriminalized same-sex relations on July 23, 2014 when the new Penal Code took effect.
- Kiribati Avoid 10/100 Consensual relations between men are criminalized under Kiribati's Penal Code (Section 153, "bugg…
- Papua New Guinea Avoid 10/100 Consensual relations between men are criminalized under Section 210 of the Papua New Guinea Penal…
- Solomon Islands Avoid 10/100 Consensual relations between men are criminalized under Section 160 of the Solomon Islands Penal …
- Tonga Avoid 10/100 Consensual relations between men are criminalized under Section 136 of Tonga's Criminal Offences …
- Tuvalu Avoid 10/100 Consensual relations between men are criminalized under Sections 153-155 of Tuvalu's Penal Code, …
- Samoa Avoid 10/100 Consensual relations between men are criminalized under the Crimes Act 2013 (Sections 67-71), wit…
Asia · 46 countries
- Taiwan Safe 85/100 Marriage equality reached Asia first via Taiwan on May 24, 2019 — implementing the 2017 Constitut…
- Thailand Friendly 78/100 Thailand legalized same-sex marriage on January 23, 2025, becoming the first country in Southeast…
- Israel Friendly 69/100 Israel decriminalized homosexuality in 1988 and since has built the Middle East's most progressiv…
- Japan Friendly 62/100 Japan decriminalized homosexuality in 1882 but does not recognize marriage equality nationally.
- Nepal Neutral 59/100 Nepal decriminalized same-sex relations in 2007 with the Supreme Court's Sunil Babu Pant v.
- Vietnam Neutral 58/100 Vietnam has never criminalized consensual same-sex sexual activity between adults.
- Bhutan Neutral 57/100 Bhutan decriminalized consensual same-sex relations between adults on February 17, 2021, through …
- India Neutral 54/100 India decriminalized consensual same-sex activity between adults on September 6, 2018, when the S…
- Hong Kong Neutral 52/100 Hong Kong operates under the "one country, two systems" principle as a Special Administrative Reg…
- Singapore Neutral 52/100 Singapore's Parliament voted to repeal Section 377A on November 29, 2022 (in force January 3, 202…
- China Neutral 49/100 China decriminalized homosexuality in 1997 with a Penal Code reform, and it was removed from the …
- Philippines Neutral 49/100 The Philippines recognizes private consensual relations between same-sex adults as legal, though …
- Timor-Leste Neutral 49/100 Timor-Leste has had legal same-sex relations since 1975, with an equal age of consent of 14.
- Cambodia Neutral 45/100 Cambodia has never criminalized consensual same-sex relations in its history, with an equal age o…
- Mongolia Neutral 44/100 Mongolia's 1993 penal-code revision stripped all homosexuality references (after 1961 criminaliza…
- Lebanon Caution 39/100 Lebanon technically criminalizes gay sex under Article 534 of the Penal Code (penalties up to one…
- Sri Lanka Caution 39/100 Sri Lanka still applies Section 365 of the Penal Code — a 1885 colonial relic from British Ceylon…
- South Korea Caution 37/100 Consensual same-sex relations are legal in South Korea at the civilian level, though they remain …
- Laos Caution 36/100 Laos has never criminalized consensual same-sex activity, with an equal age of consent of 15.
- Macao Caution 36/100 Macao operates as a Special Administrative Region of China under "one country, two systems", with…
- Kazakhstan Caution 35/100 Kazakhstan decriminalized homosexuality in late 1997, but between 2024 and 2026 experienced signi…
- Jordan Caution 29/100 Jordan decriminalized homosexuality in 1951 when drafting its own penal code (one of the earliest…
- Kyrgyzstan Caution 29/100 Kyrgyzstan decriminalized homosexuality in 1998 after Soviet independence, but the context has de…
- United Arab Emirates Avoid 10/100 Same-sex relations are criminalized under the Federal Crimes and Penalties Law (Federal Decree-La…
- Afghanistan Avoid 10/100 Following the Taliban takeover in 2021, homosexuality is deemed against Islamic (Sharia) law and …
- Bangladesh Avoid 10/100 Same-sex relations are criminalized under Section 377 of the Penal Code inherited from the Britis…
- Bahrain Avoid 10/100 Although consensual same-sex relations between adults are not explicitly criminalized since 1976,…
- Brunei Avoid 10/100 The Sharia Penal Code Order (SPCO) implemented in 2014 and fully in force since 2019 prescribes d…
- Indonesia Avoid 10/100 Indonesia is an archipelago with an ambiguous legal framework: the national criminal code carries…
- Iraq Avoid 10/100 In April 2024, the Iraqi Parliament passed a law explicitly criminalizing same-sex relations with…
- Iran Avoid 10/100 Same-sex relations are criminalized under Iran's Islamic Penal Code (articles 233-239), with pena…
- North Korea Avoid 10/100 North Korea's 1950 Criminal Code (amended 2009) does not explicitly criminalize same-sex relation…
- Kuwait Avoid 10/100 Consensual same-sex relations between adult men are criminalized under Article 193 of the Penal C…
- Myanmar Avoid 10/100 Same-sex relations are criminalized under Section 377 of Myanmar's Penal Code (enacted 1886 under…
- Maldives Avoid 10/100 Same-sex relations are criminalized under Section 411(2) of the Maldives Penal Code (in force sin…
- Malaysia Avoid 10/100 Same-sex relations are criminalized under Section 377A of the Penal Code (enacted 1871 under Brit…
- Oman Avoid 10/100 Same-sex relations are criminalized under articles 33 and 223 of Oman's penal code, with sentence…
- Pakistan Avoid 10/100 Same-sex relations are criminalized under Article 377 of the Pakistan Penal Code (enacted 1860, i…
- Palestine Avoid 10/100 The legal framework in Palestine is complex and divided: the West Bank applies the 1951 Jordanian…
- Qatar Avoid 10/100 Same-sex relations are criminalized under Article 296 of the Penal Code (Law 11/2004), with sente…
- Saudi Arabia Avoid 10/100 Saudi Arabia has no codified penal code: it applies Sharia as interpreted by judges, with penalti…
- Syria Avoid 10/100 Same-sex relations have been criminalized since 1949 under Article 520 of the Syrian Penal Code, …
- Tajikistan Avoid 10/100 Although consensual same-sex relations were decriminalized in May 1998, LGBTQI+ people in Tajikis…
- Turkmenistan Avoid 10/100 Relations between men are criminalized under Article 135, Section 1 of Turkmenistan's Criminal Co…
- Uzbekistan Avoid 10/100 Relations between men are criminalized under Article 120 of Uzbekistan's Criminal Code (1994, rev…
- Yemen Avoid 10/100 Same-sex relations are criminalized under articles 264 and 268 of the 1994 Penal Code, with penal…
Africa · 54 countries
- Cape Verde Friendly 65/100 Cape Verde is one of the most LGBT-tolerant countries in Africa.
- Botswana Friendly 63/100 Botswana decriminalized same-sex relations on June 11, 2019 by High Court ruling, upheld on appea…
- Mauritius Neutral 57/100 Mauritius decriminalized same-sex relations on October 4, 2023, when the Supreme Court declared S…
- Seychelles Neutral 55/100 Seychelles decriminalized same-sex relations on May 18, 2016, when the National Assembly approved…
- South Africa Neutral 55/100 South Africa is the only African country with marriage equality (Civil Union Act, November 30, 20…
- Angola Neutral 52/100 Angola revised its Penal Code on November 4, 2020 (signed by the president on November 6 and in f…
- Mozambique Neutral 48/100 Mozambique decriminalized same-sex relations on June 30, 2015 with the new Penal Code signed by P…
- São Tomé and Príncipe Neutral 48/100 São Tomé and Príncipe decriminalized same-sex relations in 2012 with its Penal Code reform.
- Lesotho Neutral 44/100 Lesotho decriminalized same-sex relations in 2012.
- Namibia Caution 39/100 Namibia experienced a year of contradictory movements.
- Rwanda Caution 36/100 Same-sex relations have never been criminalized in Rwanda and the age of consent (18) is equal.
- Guinea-Bissau Caution 34/100 Guinea-Bissau decriminalized homosexuality in 1993 with the post-independence penal-code decree (No.
- Equatorial Guinea Caution 25/100 Although same-sex relations are not explicitly criminalized (legal since 1931), LGBTQI+ people fa…
- DR Congo Caution 23/100 Same-sex relations are legal in the DRC but no statutory shield exists.
- Benin Caution 20/100 Benin maintains same-sex acts legal (age of consent equalized in 2018), being one of the few fran…
- Gabon Caution 20/100 Gabon experienced a regression-restoration between 2019-2020: on July 5, 2019 criminalized same-s…
- Central African Republic Avoid 17/100 Central African Republic has same-sex relations legal but marriage is constitutionally banned (Ar…
- Madagascar Avoid 17/100 Same-sex relations have been legal in Madagascar since 1972 for those aged 21 and older.
- Burkina Faso Avoid 10/100 Burkina Faso criminalized same-sex relations on September 1, 2025 (within the new Persons and Fam…
- Burundi Avoid 10/100 Same-sex relations are criminalized under Burundi's Penal Code (article 590 of the 2017 revised C…
- Cameroon Avoid 10/100 Same-sex relations are criminalized under Cameroon's Penal Code (article 347-1, introduced in 197…
- Djibouti Avoid 10/100 Although no law explicitly mentions same-sex relations, Djibouti's authorities prosecute them und…
- Algeria Avoid 10/100 Same-sex relations are criminalized under Algeria's Penal Code (articles 338 and 333, in force si…
- Egypt Avoid 10/100 Although Egypt's Penal Code does not explicitly criminalize same-sex relations, authorities apply…
- Eritrea Avoid 10/100 Same-sex relations are criminalized under article 600 of Eritrea's Penal Code (Section II 'Sexual…
- Ethiopia Avoid 10/100 Same-sex relations are criminalized under articles 629-630 of Ethiopia's Penal Code (2004), with …
- Ghana Avoid 10/100 Same-sex relations between males are criminalized under Section 104(1)(b) of Ghana's Criminal Cod…
- The Gambia Avoid 10/100 Same-sex relations are criminalized in The Gambia since the 1933 Criminal Code, extended to women…
- Guinea Avoid 10/100 Same-sex relations are criminalized under articles 325-327 of Guinea's Penal Code (since 1988), w…
- Kenya Avoid 10/100 Same-sex relations are criminalized under Sections 162 and 165 of Kenya's Penal Code (in force si…
- Comoros Avoid 10/100 Same-sex relations are criminalized under article 300 of Comoros' Penal Code (2020), with penalti…
- Liberia Avoid 10/100 Same-sex relations are criminalized under Sections 14.74 and 14.79 of Liberia's Penal Code (1978)…
- Libya Avoid 10/100 Same-sex relations are criminalized under article 407(4) of Libya's Penal Code (1953, amended in …
- Morocco Avoid 10/100 Same-sex relations are criminalized under article 489 of Morocco's Penal Code (since 1962), with …
- Mali Avoid 10/100 Mali criminalized homosexuality in December 2024 under the military junta, reversing the previous…
- Mauritania Avoid 10/100 Same-sex relations are criminalized under Article 308 of the 1983 Criminal Code, with the death p…
- Malawi Avoid 10/100 Same-sex relations are criminalized under Sections 153, 156 and 137A of the Penal Code (inherited…
- Nigeria Avoid 10/100 Same-sex relations are criminalized throughout Nigeria: up to 14 years' imprisonment in southern …
- Sudan Avoid 10/100 Same-sex relations are criminalized under Article 148 of the 1991 Criminal Act (amended in 2009 a…
- Sierra Leone Avoid 10/100 Male same-sex relations are criminalized with life imprisonment under Section 61 of the Offences …
- Senegal Avoid 10/100 Same-sex relations are criminalized under Article 319 of the Senegalese Penal Code.
- Somalia Avoid 10/100 Same-sex relations have been criminalized in Somalia since 1899.
- South Sudan Avoid 10/100 Same-sex relations are criminalized under Article 248 of the 2008 Penal Code ("unnatural offences…
- Eswatini Avoid 10/100 Male same-sex relations are classified as sodomy under 1907 common law, without practical enforce…
- Chad Avoid 10/100 Same-sex relations have been criminalized since 2017 under Article 354 of the new Penal Code, wit…
- Togo Avoid 10/100 Same-sex relations are criminalized under Article 88 of the 1980 Penal Code, with penalties of 1 …
- Tunisia Avoid 10/100 Same-sex relations are criminalized under Article 230 of the 1913 Penal Code, with up to 3 years'…
- Tanzania Avoid 10/100 Same-sex relations are criminalized with life imprisonment (minimum 30 years) under Section 154 o…
- Uganda Avoid 10/100 The 2023 Anti-Homosexuality Act establishes life imprisonment for homosexual acts and the death p…
- Zambia Avoid 10/100 Same-sex relations are criminalized under Sections 155 and 156 of the Penal Code (amended by Act No.
- Zimbabwe Avoid 10/100 Male same-sex sexual relations are criminalized (British colonial inheritance), with penalties of…
- Republic of the Congo Avoid 8/100 The Republic of the Congo (Congo-Brazzaville) has same-sex sexual activity legal since 1940 — one…
- Côte d'Ivoire Avoid 8/100 In Côte d'Ivoire, private consensual same-sex behaviour is lawful and has never carried criminal …
- Niger Avoid 1/100 Niger criminalized same-sex relations in March 2025, when the military junta adopted Article 25 o…