LGBTQ rights by country or territory

<LGBTQ](/w/0) rights are important for people who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer around the world. These rights can be different in every country. Some places have laws that support these rights, while others have laws that make it hard for LGBTQ people to live safely.

As of January 2025, 38 countries allow same-sex marriage. Some countries have very strict laws that can lead to serious punishments for LGBTQ people. The United Nations has worked to support LGBTQ rights since 2011. Countries like the Nordic countries and Chile are known for supporting LGBTQ people, while others still face challenges.

Scope of laws

Laws that affect LGBTQ people cover many areas. Some countries have rules that allow people in same-sex relationships to get married or adopt children. These countries also protect LGBTQ people from unfair treatment at work or school. There are laws that make it a crime to hurt someone because of who they are.

Other laws can make it hard for transgender people to use the bathroom that matches how they feel. They can also affect whether someone can serve in the military. Some places still have old rules that make certain private actions between adults illegal, even though no one is being hurt. These laws can change a lot from one country to another.

History of LGBT-related laws

See also: LGBTQ history, Timeline of LGBTQ history, LGBTQ movements, History of homosexuality, and Sodomy law § History

Laws about people who love others of the same gender or who express different gender identities have changed a lot over time. In the past, different places had different rules.

In more recent times, many countries made laws against these relationships. The United Kingdom shared such laws with many other parts of the world when it was an empire. Even today, some countries still have old laws that make these relationships illegal. But there has also been progress. For example, in 2001, the Netherlands became the first country to allow people of the same gender to marry legally.

Global LGBT rights maps

Different countries have different rules about people who love others of the same sex or who may feel their gender is different from what they were born with. As of January 2025, 38 countries allow people of the same sex to get married.

However, in some countries, there are serious laws that can lead to harsh punishments for people who are in love with someone of the same sex. It's important to know that these rules are not the same everywhere, and many places are working to make things better and fairer for everyone.

Note that for simplicity the table below does not distinguish between 'legal' and 'lawful'. An action can only be legal or illegal where a specific law has been passed.

Timeline

As of January 2025, rules about relationships for LGBTQ+ people are different in every country. In 38 countries, people in same-sex relationships can get married. However, in two countries, Iran and Afghanistan, the laws are very strict and can be serious for people in same-sex relationships.

It's important to know that rules about these topics change over time, and many places are working to make things fairer for everyone.

LGBT-related laws by country or territory

Note: A country in this list is to be presumed to have equalized the age of consent at the same time as it decriminalized homosexual acts, unless otherwise noted.

Antarctica

Main article: LGBTQ rights in Antarctica