Gay-friendly or LGBTQ-friendly places, policies, people, or institutions are those that are open and welcoming to gay or LGBTQ people. They typically aim to create an environment that is supportive, respectful, and non-judgmental towards the LGBTQ community. The term "gay-friendly" originated in the late 20th century in North America, as a byproduct of a gradual implementation of gay rights, greater acceptance of LGBTQ people in society, and the recognition of LGBTQ people as a distinct consumer group for businesses.

Businesses

 
A shop in Amsterdam selling LGBTQ+ merchandise and goods

Many businesses now identify as gay-friendly, allowing for a more diversified employee and customer base. The Human Rights Campaign works to achieve equality for gays, lesbians, and other marginalized minorities, and publishes a list of companies in relation to issues concerning LGBT people. Companies that are noted for gay-friendly work environments include Dell and Coca-Cola. Companies such as R Family Vacations, Manspray, Volkswagen, Ginch Gonch, and numerous others offer niche products and services for gay customers. Others, such as LOT Polish Airlines sends the message of gay-friendliness by offering travel to major gay destinations with a rainbow flag.[1] Studies have shown that LGBT communities tend to favor gay-friendly businesses, even if the cost of a particular product or service is higher.[2]

Religious groups

 
Portal of the Church of Pilgrims, in Washington, DC, USA, with an LGBT banner

Some Christian and Jewish religious denominations, as well as Christian churches and affirming Jewish synagogues, have LGBT-friendly programs. [3]

World

The Pew Research Center conducted a survey in 2019 to measure levels of acceptance of LGBTQ people around the globe.[4]

Country-specific percentage of people who say homosexuality should be accepted by society
Rank Country Percent
1   Sweden 94%
2   Netherlands 92%
3   Spain 89%
4   Germany 86%
4   France 86%
4   UK 86%
7   Canada 85%
8   Australia 81%
9   Argentina 76%
10   Italy 75%

Researchers at the Williams Institute at UCLA released a report in 2021 after analyzing findings from different surveys to develop their own LGBTQ Global Acceptance Index (GAI).[5]

Most gay-friendly countries
Rank Country GAI
1   Iceland 9.78
2   Netherlands 9.46
3   Norway 9.38
4   Sweden 9.18
5   Canada 9.02
6   Spain 8.77
7   Denmark 8.69
8   Ireland 8.41
9   Great Britain 8.34
10   New Zealand 8.23

The Spartacus International Gay Guide publishes the Gay Travel Index, a ranking of gay-friendly countries. Points are added to countries for anti-discrimination legislation, equal marriage, partnership and adoption laws, and LGBT marketing. Meanwhile, points are subtracted for anti-LGBT laws, HIV travel restrictions, religious influence; and prosecution, murders, and death sentences.

In 2024, the Spartacus Gay Travel Index featured a majority of Western European countries in the top 12 spots (Denmark, Germany, Iceland, Malta, Norway, Portugal, Spain and Switzerland), rounded out by Australia, Canada, New Zealand and Uruguay. The bottom 4 places went to Afghanistan, Chechnya, Iran and Saudi Arabia.[6]

List of countries and regions by their Gay Travel Index (2024)[7]
Rank Country Total Anti-Discrimination Legislation Marriage/Civil Partnership Adoption Allowed Transgender Rights Intersex/3rd Option Equal Age of Consent "Conversion Therapy" LGBT Marketing Religious Influence HIV Travel Restrictions Anti-Gay Laws Homosexuality Illegal Pride Banned Censorship Locals Hostile Prosecution Murders Death Sentences
1   Canada[note 1] 12 3 2 2 2 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0
1   Malta 12 2 2 2 3 2 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 –1 0 0 0
1   New Zealand 12 2 2 2 3 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0
1   Portugal 12 3 2 2 3 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
1   Spain 12 2 2 2 3 2 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 –1 0 0 0 0
6   Australia 11 2 2 2 2 1 0 1 1 0 –1 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0
6    Switzerland 11 3 2 2 3 –1 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
8   Denmark 10 2 2 2 3 1 0 –1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0
8   Germany[note 2] 10 2 2 2 1 2 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 −1 0 0 0
8   Iceland 10 2 2 2 3 1 0 −1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0
8   Norway 10 2 2 2 3 –1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0
8   Uruguay 10 2 2 2 3 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 –1 0
13   Austria 9 2 2 2 2 1 0 –1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
13   Chile 9 2 2 2 3 1 0 1 0 –1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 –1 0
13   Colombia 9 2 2 2 3 1 0 −1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 −1 0
13   Finland 9 3 2 2 3 –1 0 –1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
13   Ireland[note 3] 9 2 2 2 3 –1 0 –1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0
13   Luxembourg 9 3 2 2 3 −1 0 –1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
13   Sweden 9 3 2 2 2 –1 0 −1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0
13   Taiwan 9 3 2 2 1 −1 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
21   Andorra 8 3 2 2 3 –1 0 −1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
21   Argentina 8 1 2 2 3 1 0 1 0 −1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 −1 0
21   Belgium 8 2 2 2 3 −1 0 –1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
21   France 8 2 2 2 2 −1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
21   Greenland 8 1 2 2 3 1 0 −1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
21   Netherlands 8 2 2 2 2 1 0 −1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
21   Réunion 8 2 2 2 2 −1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
21   United Kingdom[note 4] 8 3 2 2 2 −1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
29   Costa Rica 7 2 2 2 3 1 0 −1 0 −1 0 0 0 0 0 −1 0 0 0
29   French Polynesia 7 2 2 2 2 −1 0 1 0 −1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
29   New Caledonia 7 2 2 2 2 −1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 −1 0 0 0
32   Brazil 6 2 2 2 3 0 0 1 0 −1 0 0 0 0 0 −1 0 −2 0
32   Cuba 6 3 2 2 2 −1 0 −1 0 0 −1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
32   Estonia 6 2 2 2 2 −1 0 −1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
32   Guadeloupe 6 2 2 2 2 –1 0 1 0 −1 0 0 0 0 0 –1 0 0 0
32   Martinique 6 2 2 2 2 −1 0 1 0 −1 0 0 0 0 0 –1 0 0 0
32   Slovenia 6 3 2 2 2 −1 0 −1 0 –1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
38   Greece 5 2 1 0 2 1 0 1 0 −1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 –1 0
38   Israel[note 5] 5 2 1 1 2 –1 0 1 0 –1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
38   South Africa 5 3 2 2 1 −1 0 −1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 –1 0
41   Mexico 4 3 2 1 2 0 0 0 0 –1 0 0 0 0 0 –1 0 –2 0
41   Puerto Rico 4 1 2 2 2 0 0 1 0 −1 0 0 0 0 0 –1 0 –2 0
41   United States 4 1 2 2 0 0 0 0 1 –1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 –1 0
44   Ecuador 3 3 2 0 2 –1 0 1 0 −1 0 0 0 0 –1 −1 0 –1 0
44   Gibraltar 3 2 2 2 –1 −1 0 −1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
44   Guam 3 1 2 2 1 −1 0 −1 0 –1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
44   India 3 2 1 0 1 1 0 0 0 –1 0 0 0 0 0 –1 0 0 0
48   Croatia 2 2 1 2 1 −1 0 −1 0 −1 0 0 0 0 0 −1 0 0 0
49   Czech Republic 1 2 1 0 1 −1 0 −1 0 −1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
49   Liechtenstein 1 1 1 2 −1 −1 0 −1 0 −1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0
49     Nepal 1 3 0 0 1 1 0 –1 0 −1 0 −1 0 0 0 −1 0 0 0
49   San Marino 1 3 1 1 0 −1 0 −1 0 –1 0 0 0 0 0 −1 0 0 0
49   US Virgin Islands[note 6] 1 2 2 2 0 −1 0 −1 0 −1 0 0 0 0 0 −1 0 −1 0
54   Aruba 0 1 1 0 0 −1 0 −1 1 0 −1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
54   Bermuda 0 1 2 2 −1 −1 −1 −1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 −1 0 0 0
54   Bolivia 0 2 1 1 1 −1 0 −1 0 −1 0 0 0 0 0 −1 0 −1 0
54   Thailand 0 2 0 0 −1 −1 0 −1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
58   Bosnia and Herzegovina[note 7] -1 2 −1 0 1 −1 0 −1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 −1 0 0 0
58   Cyprus -1 1 1 0 0 −1 0 1 0 –1 0 −1 0 0 0 –1 0 0 0
58   Italy -1 1 1 0 1 −1 0 −1 0 –1 0 0 0 0 0 –1 0 0 0
58   Latvia -1 1 1 0 1 −1 0 −1 0 0 0 −1 0 0 0 −1 0 0 0
58   Montenegro -1 2 1 0 1 −1 0 −1 0 −1 0 −1 0 0 0 −1 0 0 0
58   Vietnam -1 0 −1 0 0 −1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
64   Albania -2 2 −1 0 −1 −1 0 1 0 −1 0 0 0 0 0 −1 0 0 0
64   Bhutan -2 0 −1 0 0 0 0 −1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
64   Singapore -2 1 −1 0 1 −1 0 1 0 0 −1 −1 0 0 −1 0 0 0 0
64   Slovakia -2 2 0 0 0 −1 0 −1 0 0 0 –1 0 0 0 −1 0 0 0
64   South Korea -2 0 0 0 1 −1 0 −1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 −1 0 0 0
64   Ukraine -2 1 −1 0 2 −1 0 −1 0 –1 0 –1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
70   Angola -3 1 −1 0 0 −1 0 −1 0 −1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
70   Antigua and Barbuda -3 1 0 0 –1 −1 0 −1 0 0 0 –1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
70   Belize -3 3 −1 0 –1 −1 0 −1 0 –1 0 –1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
70   Curaçao -3 1 0 0 0 −1 0 −1 1 –1 0 –1 0 0 0 −1 0 0 0
70   Fiji -3 3 –1 0 –1 −1 0 0 0 –1 0 –1 0 0 0 –1 0 0 0
70   Japan -3 0 –1 0 1 −1 0 −1 0 0 0 –1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
70   Laos -3 0 −1 0 1 −1 0 –1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 −1 0 0 0
70   Marshall Islands -3 2 −1 0 –1 −1 0 −1 0 0 –1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
70   Monaco -3 0 1 0 –1 −1 0 −1 0 –1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
70   Mongolia -3 1 −1 0 1 –1 0 –1 0 0 0 –1 0 0 0 −1 0 0 0
70   North Macedonia -3 2 −1 0 1 −1 0 −1 0 –1 0 –1 0 0 0 −1 0 0 0
70   Romania -3 2 –1 0 1 −1 0 −1 0 –1 0 –1 0 0 0 –1 0 0 0
70   Serbia -3 2 −1 0 2 −1 0 −1 0 −1 0 −1 0 0 0 –1 –1 0 0
70   Sint Maarten[note 8] -3 1 0 0 0 −1 0 −1 0 −1 0 −1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
84   Barbados -4 1 0 0 −1 −1 0 −1 0 −1 0 −1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
84   Botswana[note 9] -4 1 −1 0 0 −1 0 −1 0 −1 0 0 0 0 0 −1 0 0 0
84   Cabo Verde -4 1 −1 0 −1 −1 0 −1 0 –1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
84   Cambodia -4 0 0 0 −1 −1 0 −1 0 0 0 −1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
84   Kosovo -4 3 −1 0 −1 −1 0 −1 0 –2 0 0 0 0 0 –1 0 0 0
84   Lithuania -4 2 −1 −1 2 −1 0 −1 0 –1 0 −1 0 0 −1 −1 0 0 0
84   Macao -4 1 −1 0 –1 −1 0 −1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 −1 0 0 0
84   Micronesia -4 2 −1 0 –1 −1 0 −1 0 −1 0 0 0 0 0 –1 0 0 0
84   Saint Lucia -4 1 −1 0 −1 −1 0 −1 0 1 0 −1 −1 0 0 0 0 0 0
93   British Virgin Islands -5 3 −1 0 −1 −1 0 −1 0 –2 0 −1 0 0 0 −1 0 0 0
93   Bulgaria -5 2 −1 0 −1 −1 0 −1 0 –1 0 −1 0 0 0 −1 0 0 0
93   China (incl. Hong Kong) -5 0 0 −1 1 −1 0 −1 0 0 0 0 0 −1 −1 0 −1 0 0
93   El Salvador -5 2 –1 0 0 −1 0 −1 0 −1 0 0 0 0 −1 −1 0 −1 0
93   Hungary -5 2 1 −1 −1 −1 0 −1 0 0 0 –1 0 0 −1 −1 −1 0 0
93   Kazakhstan -5 0 −1 0 1 −1 0 −1 0 0 0 0 0 0 −1 −2 0 0 0
93   Lesotho -5 0 −1 −1 0 −1 0 −1 0 0 0 −1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
93   Mauritius[note 10] -5 1 −1 0 –1 −1 0 −1 0 −1 0 −1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
93   Moldova -5 2 −1 0 0 −1 0 −1 0 −1 0 –1 0 0 −1 −1 0 0 0
93   Mozambique -5 1 −1 −1 −1 −1 0 −1 0 0 0 0 0 0 −1 0 0 0 0
93   Niger -5 0 −1 0 −1 −1 −1 −1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
93   Panama -5 0 −1 –1 1 −1 0 −1 0 0 0 –1 0 0 −1 0 0 0 0
93   Peru[note 11] -5 1 −1 0 2 −1 0 −1 0 −1 0 −1 0 0 0 –1 0 −2 0
93   Samoa -5 1 −1 0 –1 0 0 1 0 −2 0 −1 −1 0 0 −1 0 0 0
93   Seychelles[note 12] -5 1 −1 0 −1 −1 0 −1 0 –1 0 0 0 0 0 –1 0 0 0
93   Suriname -5 1 −1 0 0 −1 −1 −1 0 −1 0 0 0 0 0 −1 0 0 0
109   Armenia[note 13] -6 0 −1 0 0 −1 0 −1 0 −1 0 −1 0 0 0 −1 0 0 0
109   Benin -6 0 −1 0 −1 −1 –1 −1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 −1 0 0 0
109   Cook Islands -6 1 −1 0 0 −1 0 −1 0 −1 −1 −1 0 0 0 −1 0 0 0
109   Georgia -6 2 −1 0 1 −1 0 −1 0 −2 0 −1 0 0 −1 −1 0 −1 0
109   Guinea-Bissau -6 0 −1 0 –1 −1 0 −1 0 −1 0 0 0 0 0 −1 0 0 0
109   Mali -6 0 −1 0 −1 −1 0 −1 0 0 0 0 0 0 −1 −1 0 0 0
109   São Tomé and Príncipe -6 0 −1 0 −1 −1 0 −1 0 −1 0 0 0 0 0 –1 0 0 0
109   Sri Lanka[note 14] -6 1 −1 −1 1 −1 0 −1 0 −1 0 −1 −1 0 0 −1 0 0 0
109   Vanuatu -6 0 −1 0 −1 −1 0 −1 0 −1 0 0 0 0 0 −1 0 0 0
118   Honduras[note 15] -7 2 −1 0 −1 −1 0 −1 0 −1 0 –1 0 0 0 −2 0 −1 0
118   Kiribati -7 1 −1 0 −1 −1 0 −1 0 −1 0 −1 −1 0 0 −1 0 0 0
118   Kyrgyzstan -7 0 −1 0 1 −1 0 −1 0 −1 0 −1 0 0 −1 −2 0 0 0
118   Pakistan -7 1 −1 0 2 1 0 −1 0 −2 0 −1 −1 0 −1 −1 −1 –1 −1
118   Palau -7 0 −1 0 −1 −1 0 −1 0 0 −1 −1 0 0 0 −1 0 0 0
118   Philippines[note 16] -7 0 −1 0 −1 −1 0 −1 0 −1 0 0 0 0 −1 0 0 −1 0
118   Poland -7 1 −1 0 0 –1 0 −1 0 −1 0 −1 0 0 0 −2 −1 0 0
118   Saint Kitts and Nevis -7 0 0 0 –1 −1 0 −1 0 −1 −1 −1 0 0 0 −1 0 0 0
118   Trinidad and Tobago -7 0 −1 0 –1 −1 0 −1 0 −1 0 0 0 0 0 −1 0 –1 0
127   Burkina Faso -8 0 −1 0 0 −1 0 −1 0 −2 0 −1 0 0 0 −2 0 0 0
127   Gabon -8 0 −1 0 −1 −1 −1 −1 0 −1 0 0 0 0 0 −2 0 0 0
127   Grenada -8 0 −1 0 −1 −1 0 −1 0 −1 0 −1 −1 0 0 −1 0 0 0
127   Lebanon[note 17] -8 0 −1 0 1 −1 0 −1 0 −1 0 –1 –1 −1 −1 −1 0 0 0
127   Namibia -8 0 −1 0 –1 −1 0 −1 0 −1 0 −1 −1 0 0 −1 0 0 0
127   Nicaragua -8 1 −1 0 −1 −1 0 −1 0 −1 0 −1 0 0 0 −2 0 −1 0
127   Paraguay -8 0 −1 0 –1 −1 −1 1 0 −1 0 −1 0 0 −1 −1 0 −1 0
127   Tuvalu -8 1 −1 0 –1 −1 0 −1 0 −1 −1 −1 –1 0 0 −1 0 0 0
127   Vatican City[note 18] -8 0 −1 0 –1 −1 0 −1 0 −2 0 −1 0 0 0 0 −1 0 0
127   Venezuela -8 1 −1 0 0 −1 0 −1 0 −1 −1 0 0 0 0 −2 0 −2 0
137   Bahrain[note 19] -9 0 −1 0 1 −1 0 −1 0 −2 −1 0 0 0 −1 −2 –1 0 0
137   Bangladesh -9 0 −1 0 1 1 0 −1 0 −2 0 −1 −1 0 −1 –2 –1 –1 0
137   Guatemala -9 0 −1 0 −1 −1 0 −1 0 −1 0 0 0 0 0 −2 0 −2 0
137   Guinea -9 0 −1 0 −1 –1 0 −1 0 −1 0 −1 −1 0 0 −1 −1 0 0
137   Tajikistan -9 0 −1 0 1 –1 0 −1 0 −2 0 −1 0 0 −1 −2 −1 0 0
137   Tonga -9 0 −1 0 −1 −1 0 −1 0 −2 0 −1 −1 0 0 −1 0 0 0
143   Azerbaijan -10 0 −1 0 –1 −1 0 −1 0 −1 0 −1 0 −1 0 −1 −2 0 0
143   Bahamas -10 0 −1 0 −1 −1 −1 −1 0 −1 0 –1 0 0 0 −2 0 −1 0
143   Burundi -10 0 −1 0 −1 −1 0 −1 0 −1 0 −1 −1 0 0 −2 −1 0 0
143   Central African Republic -10 0 −1 0 −1 −1 0 −1 0 −2 0 −1 0 0 −1 −2 0 0 0
143   Comoros -10 0 −1 0 −1 −1 0 −1 0 −2 0 –1 −1 0 0 −2 0 0 0
143   Democratic Republic of the Congo -10 0 −1 0 −1 −1 0 −1 0 −2 0 –1 0 0 0 −2 −1 0 0
143   Equatorial Guinea -10 0 −1 0 −1 −1 0 −1 0 −2 0 0 0 0 −1 –2 −1 0 0
143   Guyana -10 0 −1 0 −1 −1 0 −1 0 −2 0 −1 −1 0 0 −1 0 −1 0
143   Haiti -10 0 −1 0 –1 −1 0 −1 0 −2 0 −1 0 0 0 −2 0 −1 0
143   Jordan -10 0 −1 0 0 −1 0 −1 0 –2 0 0 0 0 −1 −2 −1 −1 0
143   Kenya -10 0 −1 −1 0 1 0 −1 0 −1 0 −1 −1 0 −1 −2 −1 −1 0
143   Myanmar -10 0 −1 0 −1 −1 0 −1 0 0 0 –1 –1 0 −1 −1 −1 −1 0
143   Papua New Guinea -10 0 −1 0 –1 –1 0 −1 0 −2 0 −1 −1 0 0 −2 0 0 0
143   Republic of the Congo -10 0 −1 0 −1 −1 −1 −1 0 −2 0 −1 0 0 0 −2 0 0 0
143   Rwanda -10 0 −1 0 –1 −1 0 −1 0 −2 0 −1 0 0 −1 −2 0 0 0
143   Saint Vincent and the Grenadines -10 0 −1 0 −1 −1 0 −1 0 −1 −1 −1 −1 0 0 −1 0 −1 0
143   Sierra Leone -10 0 −1 –1 −1 −1 0 −1 0 −1 0 −1 –1 0 0 −2 0 0 0
143   Togo -10 0 −1 0 −1 −1 0 0 0 −1 0 –1 −1 0 −1 −2 −1 0 0
143   Turkey[note 20] -10 0 −1 0 1 −1 0 −1 0 −1 0 0 0 −1 −2 −2 −1 −1 0
162   Belarus -11 0 −1 0 0 −1 0 −1 0 −1 0 −1 0 −1 −1 −2 −2 0 0
162   Chad -11 0 −1 0 −1 −1 0 −1 0 −2 0 –1 −1 0 0 −2 −1 0 0
162   Djibouti[note 21] -11 0 −1 −1 −1 −1 0 −1 0 −2 0 0 0 0 −1 −2 −1 0 0
162   Dominica -11 0 −1 0 −1 −1 0 −1 0 −2 0 –1 −1 0 0 −2 −1 0 0
162   Dominican Republic -11 0 −1 0 −1 −1 0 −1 0 −2 −1 −1 0 0 0 −1 0 −2 0
162   Gambia -11 0 −1 0 –1 −1 0 −1 0 −2 0 −1 –1 0 0 −2 −1 0 0
162   Liberia -11 0 −1 0 −1 −1 0 −1 0 −2 0 −1 −1 0 0 −2 –1 0 0
162   Madagascar -11 0 −1 −1 −1 −1 −1 −1 0 −1 0 0 0 0 0 −2 0 −2 0
162   Maldives -11 0 −1 0 −1 −1 0 −1 0 −2 0 −1 −1 0 0 −2 –1 0 0
162   North Korea -11 0 −1 −1 −1 −1 0 −1 0 −2 0 −1 0 0 −2 −1 0 0 0
162   Solomon Islands -11 0 −1 0 −1 −1 0 −1 0 −2 −1 −1 −1 0 0 −2 0 0 0
162   Uzbekistan -11 0 −1 0 1 −1 0 −1 0 −2 0 −1 −1 0 −2 −2 −1 0 0
174   Algeria -12 0 −1 0 −1 −1 0 −1 0 −2 0 −1 −1 0 −2 −1 −1 0 0
174   Eswatini -12 0 −1 0 0 −1 0 −1 0 −2 0 −1 −1 0 −1 −2 0 −2 0
174   Ghana[note 22] -12 0 −1 0 −1 −1 0 −1 0 −2 0 −1 −1 0 −1 −2 −1 0 0
174   Ivory Coast -12 0 −1 –1 −1 −1 −1 −1 0 −2 0 −1 0 0 −1 −2 0 0 0
174   Jamaica -12 0 −1 0 −1 −1 0 −1 0 −1 0 −1 −1 0 0 −2 −1 −2 0
174   Mauritania -12 0 −1 0 −1 −1 0 −1 0 −2 0 −1 −1 0 −1 −2 0 0 −1
174   Oman -12 0 −1 0 −1 –1 0 −1 0 −1 −1 −1 –1 0 −2 −1 –1 0 0
174   Sudan -12 0 −1 0 −1 −1 0 −1 0 −2 −1 –1 –1 0 0 −2 −1 0 0
174   Zambia -12 0 −1 0 −1 −1 0 −1 0 −2 0 −1 −1 0 −1 −2 −1 0 0
174   Zimbabwe -12 0 −1 0 −1 −1 0 −1 0 −1 0 −1 −1 0 0 −2 −1 −2 0
184   Cameroon -13 0 −1 0 −1 −1 0 −1 0 −2 0 −1 −1 0 0 −2 −1 −2 0
184   Eritrea -13 0 −1 0 −1 −1 0 −1 0 −2 0 −1 −1 0 −2 −2 –1 0 0
184   Indonesia -13 0 −1 −1 0 −1 0 −1 0 −2 0 −1 −1 0 −2 −2 –1 0 0
184   Senegal -13 0 −1 0 −1 −1 0 −1 0 −2 0 −1 −1 −1 −1 −2 –1 0 0
184   Syria -13 0 −1 0 –1 −1 0 −1 0 −1 −1 −1 –1 0 0 −2 −1 −1 −1
189   Brunei -14 0 −1 0 –1 −1 0 −1 0 −2 −1 −1 −1 −1 −2 −1 0 0 −1
189   Egypt -14 0 −1 −1 0 −1 0 −1 0 −2 0 −1 −1 0 −1 −2 −2 –1 0
189   Ethiopia -14 0 −1 −1 −1 −1 0 −1 0 −2 0 −1 −1 0 −2 −2 −1 0 0
189   Aceh (Indonesia) -14 0 −1 0 −1 −1 0 −1 0 −2 0 −1 −1 0 −2 −2 −1 0 −1
189   Iraq[note 23] -14 0 −1 0 −1 −1 0 −1 0 −2 −1 −1 0 0 −2 −2 −1 –1 0
189   Malawi -14 0 −1 0 −1 −1 0 −1 0 −2 0 −1 −1 0 −1 −2 –1 –2 0
189   Morocco -14 0 −1 0 −1 −1 0 −1 0 −1 0 –1 −1 0 −2 −2 −2 −1 0
189   South Sudan -14 0 −1 0 −1 −1 0 −1 0 −2 0 –1 −1 0 −2 −2 −1 −1 0
189   Tunisia -14 0 −1 −1 −1 −1 0 −1 0 −1 0 −1 −1 0 −1 −2 −2 −1 0
189   Turkmenistan -14 0 −1 0 −1 −1 0 −1 0 −2 −1 −1 −1 0 −2 −2 −1 0 0
199   Malaysia -15 0 −1 0 −1 −1 0 −1 0 −2 −1 −1 −1 −1 −2 −1 −1 −1 0
199   Tanzania -15 0 −1 0 −1 −1 0 −1 0 −2 0 −1 −1 0 −2 −2 −2 –1 0
201   Kuwait -16 0 −1 −1 −1 −1 0 −1 0 −2 –1 −1 −1 0 −2 −2 −2 0 0
201   Libya -16 0 −1 0 −1 −1 0 −1 0 −2 0 −1 −1 −1 −1 −2 −1 −2 −1
201   Qatar -16 0 −1 −1 −1 −1 0 −1 0 −2 –1 −1 −1 −1 −1 −2 −1 0 −1
201   United Arab Emirates -16 0 −1 0 −1 –1 0 −1 0 −2 −1 −1 –1 0 −2 −2 –1 −1 −1
205   Nigeria[note 24] -17 0 −1 0 −1 −1 0 −1 0 −1 0 −1 −1 −1 −2 −2 −2 0 –3
205   Russia[note 25] -17 0 −1 0 0 −1 0 −1 0 −2 –1 −1 −1 −1 −2 −2 −2 −2 0
207   Somalia[note 26] -18 0 −1 0 −1 −1 0 −1 0 −2 0 −1 −1 0 0 −2 −1 −2 −5
207   Uganda -18 0 −1 0 −1 −1 0 −1 0 −2 0 −1 −1 −1 −2 −2 −1 −1 −3
209   Yemen -19 0 −1 −1 −1 −1 0 −1 0 −2 −1 −1 −1 0 −2 −2 −2 −2 −1
210   Afghanistan -21 0 −1 0 −1 −1 0 −1 0 −2 0 −1 −1 0 −2 −2 −2 –2 −5
210   Chechnya (Russia) -21 0 −1 0 −1 −1 0 0 0 −2 0 −1 −1 −1 −2 −2 −2 −2 −5
210   Iran -21 0 −1 −1 0 −1 0 −1 0 −2 0 −1 −1 0 −2 −2 −2 −2 −5
210   Saudi Arabia -21 0 −1 −1 –1 −1 0 −1 0 −2 –1 −1 −1 0 −2 −2 −1 −1 −5

Not Included in Data

United States

Spartacus also publishes a Gay Travel Index for US states, listing the 50 states plus the District of Columbia with the same criteria as the country rankings. In 2024, the top spot went to New York while the bottom ten states were mainly the southern and the mountain states, with Oklahoma being the overall worst-ranked state for LGBT people.[6]

List of U.S. states by their Gay Travel Index (2024)[7]
Rank State Total Anti-Discrimination Legislation Transgender Rights Intersex/3rd Option Hate Crime Law Censorship "Conversion Therapy" LGBT Marketing Queer Infrastructure Gay and Trans Panic Defence Locals Hostile
1   New York 14 2 3 1 2 1 1 1 2 0 1
2   California 13 2 2 1 2 1 1 1 2 0 1
2   Colorado 13 2 3 1 2 1 1 1 1 0 1
2   Nevada 13 2 2 1 2 1 1 1 2 0 1
2   Oregon 13 2 3 1 2 1 1 1 1 0 1
6   Washington 12 2 3 1 2 0 1 1 1 0 1
6   District of Columbia 12 2 2 1 2 1 1 1 1 0 1
8   Illinois 11 2 2 1 2 1 1 1 1 0 0
8   Massachusetts 11 2 3 1 2 0 1 1 1 −1 1
8   New Jersey 11 2 3 1 2 0 1 1 0 0 1
8   New Mexico 11 3 3 1 2 0 1 0 1 0 0
12   Connecticut 10 2 2 1 2 0 1 0 1 0 1
12   Maryland 10 2 2 1 2 0 1 0 1 0 1
12   Rhode Island 10 2 2 1 2 1 1 0 0 0 1
15   Hawaii 9 2 2 1 2 0 1 0 1 0 0
15   Maine 9 2 2 1 2 0 1 0 0 0 1
15   Vermont 9 2 3 1 2 0 1 0 0 −1 1
15   Virginia 9 2 2 1 2 −1 1 1 1 0 0
19   Minnesota 8 3 2 1 2 0 1 0 0 −1 0
20   Michigan 7 2 2 −1 2 0 1 1 1 –1 0
20   New Hampshire 7 2 1 1 2 0 1 0 0 −1 1
20   Pennsylvania 7 2 2 1 0 0 0 1 1 –1 1
23   Delaware 6 2 2 −1 2 0 1 0 0 −1 1
23   Utah 6 2 0 1 2 0 1 0 1 −1 0
25   Ohio 5 2 2 1 0 0 −1 0 1 –1 1
26   Arizona 4 2 1 −1 1 0 0 1 1 −1 0
27   Wisconsin 3 2 1 −1 1 0 0 0 0 −1 1
28   Georgia 1 2 0 −1 1 0 −1 1 1 −1 −1
29   Alaska 0 1 2 −1 0 0 −1 0 0 −1 0
29   Arkansas 0 1 0 1 0 0 −1 1 0 −1 −1
29   Idaho 0 1 0 1 0 0 −1 0 0 −1 0
29   Indiana 0 1 0 1 1 −1 −1 0 0 −1 0
29   Louisiana 0 1 0 –1 1 −1 −1 1 1 −1 0
29   Missouri 0 1 0 −1 2 0 −1 0 1 –1 −1
29   South Carolina 0 1 2 −1 0 0 −1 0 0 –1 0
36   Iowa -1 2 0 −1 1 −1 −1 0 0 −1 0
36   Kansas -1 2 −1 −1 1 0 −1 0 0 −1 0
36   Kentucky -1 1 0 −1 1 0 −1 1 0 −1 −1
36   Nebraska -1 1 0 −1 1 0 −1 0 0 −1 0
36   Texas -1 1 0 −1 1 −1 −1 1 1 −1 −1
36   Wyoming -1 1 1 −1 0 0 −1 0 0 −1 0
42   Florida[note 27] -2 1 −1 0 1 −2 −1 1 1 –1 −1
42   North Carolina -2 1 0 −1 0 −1 0 0 0 −1 0
42   North Dakota -2 1 −1 −1 0 0 0 0 0 −1 0
42   South Dakota -2 1 0 −1 0 0 −1 0 0 −1 0
46   West Virginia -3 1 0 −1 0 0 −1 0 0 −1 −1
47   Alabama -4 1 0 −1 0 −1 −1 0 0 −1 −1
47   Mississippi -4 1 0 −1 0 −1 −1 0 0 −1 −1
47   Tennessee -4 1 –1 −1 0 −1 −1 0 1 −1 −1
50   Montana -5 1 −1 −1 0 −1 −1 0 0 −1 −1
51   Oklahoma -6 1 −1 −1 0 −2 −1 0 0 −1 −1

Notes

  1. ^ In Canada the adoption laws vary per province. Same-sex-adoption is however possible countrywide.
  2. ^ In Germany, due to federal government system, there are varying regulations regarding arrival/residence HIV. For example, in Bavaria someone who is HIV-positive can be denied entry. The Federal Constitutional Court has stipulated in several renditions of judgment that the politicians implement the same rights for gay men and lesbians which apply to heterosexuals.
  3. ^ The Employment Equality Act allows religious-run workplaces exemption from its anti-discrimination provisions to protect their ethos.
  4. ^ In Northern Ireland the legal situation for same-sex adoption is unclear.
  5. ^ In Israel a civil marriage for both homosexual and heterosexual couples is not possible as marriage can only be performed by a Rabbi. This problem does not only apply to gays and lesbians but also heterosexuals belonging to different religious affiliations. There are limited anti-discrimination laws (exception: certain religious groups).
  6. ^ The United States Virgin Islands have the same legal status as Puerto Rico regarding the USA. There is also a ban on hate crimes. After the Supreme Court decided in favor of same-sex marriage in the US, there are plans to implement same-sex marriage in Puerto Rico as well.
  7. ^ Bosnia and Herzegovina passed an unclear anti-discrimination law in 2009 in which a ban on discrimination against "sexual expression" is mentioned. There is a reference that "sexual identity" is not meant in this case. It is obvious that an attempt to adhere to the minimum requirements from the EU has been made, to be accepted into the EU.
  8. ^ As an overseas territory of the Netherlands Sint Maarten recognizes same-sex marriages which are performed in the Netherlands. In St. Maarten itself gay marriage is still not possible, but changes can soon follow. There are no adoption laws.
  9. ^ In Botswana homosexuality is practically illegally on the basis of the ban on "unnatural act", but in the labor law there is still an explicit prohibition of discrimination on grounds of sexual orientation.
  10. ^ In Mauritius, the sodomy law tends to find application with the heterosexual population. The Equal Opportunities Act protects homosexuals against discrimination at work. It is therefore questionable whether homosexuality is classified as illegal or not.
  11. ^ Consensual homosexual acts in Peru between adults are legal. An exception applies for members of the military and police, who can be prosecuted with a prison sentence ranging from 60 days to 20 years or suspension from duty.
  12. ^ In May 2016 the Parliament of Seychelles decided to make homosexuality legal.
  13. ^ Armenia has received many reports of illegal violence from police against homosexuals.
  14. ^ At the request of the UNHCR Sri Lanka has announced that discrimination of homosexuals is constitutionally forbidden. It was further stressed that the anti-sodomy law is not aimed against homosexuals, but applies for all to protect public morals.
  15. ^ In Honduras an anti-discrimination law has recently been passed, but in practice it is ignored.
  16. ^ There are regional differences in the laws relating to homosexuals. In addition, the local religion is just as crucial, whether a law is implemented or not.
  17. ^ There are reports of a different judicial interpretations of the law on "sex against nature".
  18. ^ The Vatican City adheres to Italian law, but restrictions are possible if the ecclesiastical law contradicts Italian law. Therefore, there are conflicting opinions that homosexuality is not illegal or just not happily seen, but tolerated.
  19. ^ In Bahrain although the paragraph referring to sodomy was abolished in 1976 from the local legal code, gay men can still be punished with imprisonment according to the laws regarding "unmoral" behavior.
  20. ^ Police stopped violently the Gay Pride on 29th June, 2015. This can be considered a de facto ban on the Pride.
  21. ^ The Shariah-law in Djibouti is often superior to the constitutional laws, so it could be expected that homosexuality is punishable.
  22. ^ In Ghana there is a ban on unnatural sex. The government recognizes in this a clear ban on homosexuality.
  23. ^ Homosexuality in Iraq is formally legal, but police and military track down homosexuals, and reports of murder and rape exist.
  24. ^ In Nigeria the death penalty only applies for homosexuals according to the Shariah laws and therefore relates only to Muslims in the north of Nigeria.
  25. ^ The LGBT rights movement was declared an 'extremist organization' by authorities in Russia in 2023.
  26. ^ Shariah laws applies in Somalia since 2012. There is however contradictory information, since, on the other hand the maximum penalty is up to 3 years in prison, nevertheless in 2013 a homosexual was stoned to death after a judgment.
  27. ^ In 2015 Florida explicitly lifted the adoption ban for homosexuals after federal judges ruled it unconstitutional in 2010.

See also

References

  1. ^ "Wyborcza.pl". Retrieved 22 August 2015.
  2. ^ "Gay Consumers See Themselves as Tastemakers, Prefer Gay-Friendly Companies, Says Study". EDGE Media Network. Archived from the original on 10 May 2015. Retrieved 22 August 2015.
  3. ^ Adrian Thatcher, The Oxford Handbook of Theology, Sexuality, and Gender, Oxford University Press, UK, 2015, p. 368
  4. ^ Andrew R. Flores (November 2021). "The Global Divide on Homosexuality Persists (with a table of the 'LGBTI Acceptance Index' 2017-2020)". Williams Institute - UCLA School of Law. Retrieved 12 January 2023.
  5. ^ "Social Acceptance of LGBTI People in 175 Countries and Locations". November 2021.
  6. ^ a b Hoppe, Sascha (29 February 2024). "Spartacus Gay Travel Index 2024". Spartacus Gay Travel Blog. Retrieved 3 April 2024.
  7. ^ a b "Spartacus Gay Travel Index (GTI)". Spartacus Gay Travel Blog.