LGBT rights around the world
- Hanna Andrysiak
- Jun 15, 2020
- 3 min read
Updated: Apr 2, 2021
There has been a lot of discussion in the media about LGBT. In Poland, country where I live, they are discriminated. I was wondering, how their situation looks in other countires and continents.

Africa
Homosexual relationships are illegal in 38 out of 51 countries. Sometimes, even sexual contacts between two men are against the law. But in Mauritania, the Sudan, Somalia and northern Nigeria situation seems to be even worse as homosexualism is disciplined by death penalty. In some countries homosexualists can't even wear the king's coat! I truly sympathise with LGBT people in this continent, cause it seems extremely hard to live their own lives without being punished. But somewhere in this 51 counties is the Republic of South Africa (RSA). This country provides legal protection against discrimination of LGBT people. They did it as the first country in the world! Additionally, people with the same gender can get married. Maybe their tolerance is the effect of their history. But even if not, people can feel safe here.

Asia
In this continent, it may seem, that situation of LGBT is quite better. In India exists something like 'third gender'. It appears when man makes castration and get female social roles. Also, it was popular in China for men to dress up like women in theatre to play female roles. They were often homosexual. There is also a high toleration rate in Israel, where homosexual marriages and adoption of a child by lesbians are legal. Unfortunately, Muslim countries are the most intolerant. But there are some exceptions: like sex between boy and andult man. So LGBT rights in Asia may be better, but more complicated than in Africa.

Australia and Oceania
Australia is tolerant country. 57% of society approves homosexual marriages, 37% is against. There is an asylum due to the orientation, which has been used in recent years. According to the statistics, In Australia lives about 20 000 homosexual couples. LGBT can feel safe here. There are gay or gay-friendly locals in every city. But situation seems worse in whole Oceania. Australia and New Zeland are the most tolerant counties. In some places (like Solomon Islands, Kiribati, Samoa, Cook Islands) even same-sex sexual activity is illegal.

America
In 11 out of 12 countries homosexual contacts are legal. Guyana seems to be the most intolerant. Same-sex marriages are legal in 5 counties. The most tolerant is probably Argentina, since 72% of society accepts homosexualism. This statistics are surprisingly good as South America is deeply Catholic. But situations of LGBTQ+ is even better in North America as same-sex sexual activities are legal in every country (first was Mexico)! In Canada, the USA and Mexico City same-sex couples can get married. We should remember that in recent month Costa Rica became the first country of Central America, where same-sex marriage is legal. It's huge step and I hope that it'll bring other important changes across the continent.

Europe
At the first sight, it seems that situation of LGBT in Europe is really good. 64% of society is tolerant and same-sex activities are legal in every country. But there are huge differences between west and east of the continent. West is more tolerant. They made first changes in law for LGBT. But in the eastern part, homosexuals are often met with intolerance, aggression or even crimes. The European Union tries to make the LGBT rights as good as possible, but it often don't meet other countries expectations, like Poland.

Remember
We should remember that people are people. Every person deserves to be treated in a good way. We were born equal and stay the same for the rest of our lives. Nothing changes. I can imagine that acceptation may be hard for some people, but remember - this is something normal. Love is love and we should not be interested if it is between two women, men or someone else.
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