Where are my rights? These essential maps chart the recognition of LGBTI people across the globe
Tags: LGBT, Activism, Lgbti̇, Maps, Human Rights

Where are my rights? These essential maps chart the recognition of LGBTI people across the globe

Every year, ILGA-Europe publishes our Rainbow Map, charting LGBTI rights in 49 European countries. But we’re not the only benchmarking map on the scene. From sexual orientation laws in the world to inclusive churches in Europe, these charts depict the state of LGBTI rights and more across the world. ILGA-Europe Sep 6·4 min read

ILGA-Europe’s Rainbow Map & Index 2021

If you are reading this blog, you may be familiar with ILGA-Europe’s Rainbow Map. Published every May, our Rainbow Europe Map and Index illustrates the legal and policy situation of LGBTI people in 49 European countries. It’s a benchmarking tool that has been consistently tracking the development , both positive and negative, of LGBTI rights over the past 12 years.

This year, our map revealed a widespread and almost complete stagnation on human rights of LGBTI people, marking an unprecedented year in its history, with almost no positive legislative change for LGBTI people in Europe. However, the map pointed towards a gap in the clouds. We are at a juncture when governments can actively choose the right way forward. At least 15 countries have plans and policy discussions already on the table, and therefore the map could look positively different next year.

While we endeavour to chart the legal and policy situation for LGBTI people in Europe with the Rainbow Map, one benchmarking map cannot not cover all aspects of LGBTI rights. Take a look at these LGBTI maps developed by other organisations.

TGEU’s Trans Rights Map

In their map, Transgender Europe illustrate the legal rights of trans people in 54 countries in Europe and Central Asia. This year, the organisation documented an alarming decline in trans rights, as progressive countries have slowed down in increasing protections, while moderate countries have often stalled progress altogether, and a growing number of countries are removing rights from trans people.

Legal Gender Recognition — Mental Health Diagnosis

Legal Gender Recognition — Sterilisation

Asylum

Protection against hate

Non-Discrimination

OII-Europe Intersex Good Practice Map

OII-Europe’s map features nine examples of good practices from the areas of policy action, data collection, monitoring, legal gender recognition, campaigning, anti-discrimination, legislation against hate speech/crime, and funding training and counselling.

ILGA World’s Sexual Orientation Laws Map

Every year, along with its State-Sponsored Homophobia report, ILGA World publishes maps of sexual orientation laws in the world. A useful tool for LGB human rights defenders, these maps expose the arbitrariness of persecutory laws, and starkly indicate the absence of positive law in most parts of the world.

Rainbow Index of Churches in Europe

The European Forum of LGBT Christian Groups and the Protestant Theological University in the Netherlands have collected and analysed data on the official position of churches in Europe on their national levels. You can navigate their map rating the inclusivity of churches by country in regard to LGBTI people.