The UK has slipped to 17th place in this year’s Rainbow Europe Map – the International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association’s (ILGA)-Europe’s annual benchmarking tool, which comprises the Rainbow Map and Index and national recommendations. ILGA-Europe has produced the Rainbow Map and Index since 2009, using it to illustrate the legal and policy situation of LGBTQ+ people in Europe.
The Rainbow Map and Index ranks 49 European countries on their respective legal and policy practices for LGBTQ+ people, from 0-100%.
In order to create the country ranking, ILGA-Europe examines the laws and policies in 49 countries using 74 criteria, divided between seven thematic categories: equality and non-discrimination; family; hate crime and hate speech; legal gender recognition; intersex bodily integrity; civil society space; and asylum.
The results show a marked decline in the UK, which was top nation in 2015 and 14th place in 2022. The 2023 Rainbow Europe Map’s top nation is Malta, which was awarded 89% in regards to respect of human rights and total equality for LGBTQ+ people. Other countries ahead of the UK include Belgium and Denmark (76%), Spain (74%) and Iceland (71%).
In response to the findings, LGBTQ+ rights charity Stonewall said: “On this trajectory, the UK could be out of the Top 20 in a couple of years.”
To see the full results, CLICK HERE
