The best and worst countries for LGBTQ+ rights in 2024
- Paul Aage Hegvik
- Mar 14
- 6 min read
For LGBTQ+ travelers, choosing a safe and welcoming destination is crucial. However, some countries still impose harsh laws and social restrictions, making travel not just difficult but potentially dangerous.
From criminalization of same-sex relationships to severe penalties for LGBTQ+ advocacy, the most restrictive destinations offer little protection for travelers identifying outside traditional norms. In this article, we explore the nations where LGBTQ+ individuals face the greatest risks and why it's important to stay informed before traveling.
Five countries at the top
The Spartacus Gay Travel Index 2024 offers a comprehensive overview of LGBTQIA+ travel friendliness across 213 countries and regions.
This year's index sees Malta, Canada, New Zealand, Spain, and Portugal sharing the top position as the most welcoming destinations for LGBTQIA+ travelers.
Notably, Estonia has made significant progress, moving from 47th to 32nd place after legalizing marriage equality in 2023.
Conversely, Russia has experienced a sharp decline, now ranking 205th due to increasingly stringent anti-LGBTQIA+ legislation.
Trump signed an executive order
In the United States, recent policy changes have raised concerns within the LGBTQIA+ community. On his first day back in office, President Donald Trump signed an executive order defining sex strictly as male or female, impacting federal documents and policies related to gender identity. This order mandates that federal documents, such as passports, and policies, including federal prison assignments, reflect this binary definition. It rejects the recognition of nonbinary or intersex identities and contradicts scientific perspectives on gender as a spectrum.
Additionally, the administration according to The Guardian has prohibited the display of non-U.S. flags, including Pride flags, at embassies worldwide, citing a focus on national unity under the American flag.
These developments have led to increased anxiety within the LGBTQIA+ community, with advocacy groups preparing legal challenges and emphasizing the importance of continued support and activism to uphold LGBTQIA+ rights.
Stricter laws in many countries
In 2024, several countries enacted stricter laws affecting LGBTQIA+ rights:
Ghana: In February, the government approved the Human Sexual Rights and Ghanaian Family Values Bill, criminalizing LGBTQIA+ identification and advocacy. Individuals found guilty face up to three years in prison, while those promoting LGBTQIA+ rights to minors could receive up to ten years.
Georgia: On October 3, Georgia implemented the Law on Family Values and Protection of Minors, prohibiting same-sex marriages, gender-affirming treatments, and public events promoting LGBTQIA+ rights. This legislation has been criticized for inciting discrimination and violence against LGBTQIA+ individuals.
Bulgaria: On August 7, the Bulgarian Parliament passed an amendment to the education law, banning the promotion of «non-traditional sexual orientations» to minors. Le Monde writes that this move aligns Bulgaria with countries like Russia and Hungary, which have enacted similar laws.
Belarus: In late 2024, Belarus introduced a law categorizing portrayals of homosexual life as pornography, punishable by up to four years in prison. Subsequently, police detained and, in some cases, beat at least 20 LGBTQIA+ individuals, charging them with various offenses.
The worst leaders for LGBTQ+ rights the last decade
Over the past decade, several political leaders have enacted or supported policies that have significantly harmed LGBTQ+ rights. Some of the most notable include:
Vladimir Putin (Russia): Putin's administration introduced the 2013 «gay propaganda" law, banning the promotion of LGBTQ+ rights and portraying homosexuality negatively. This law has fueled widespread discrimination, harassment, and violence against LGBTQ+ individuals in Russia. Putin has consistently positioned himself as a defender of «traditional values,» reinforcing anti-LGBTQ+ sentiments.
Ramzan Kadyrov (Chechnya): As the head of Chechnya, Kadyrov has overseen brutal anti-LGBTQ+ purges, where individuals suspected of being gay have been detained, tortured, and even killed. Kadyrov has denied the existence of LGBTQ+ people in Chechnya, dismissing allegations as foreign propaganda.
Yoweri Museveni (Uganda): Museveni signed Uganda's Anti-Homosexuality Act in 2014, which initially included the death penalty for certain offenses before it was reduced to life imprisonment. A stricter version of the law, passed in 2023, reinstated harsher penalties, including death sentences, for «aggravated homosexuality.»
Jair Bolsonaro (Brazil): During his presidency (2019–2022), Bolsonaro made openly homophobic statements, such as saying he'd rather have a dead son than a gay one.
His rhetoric emboldened anti-LGBTQ+ violence in Brazil, a country already grappling with high rates of violence against LGBTQ+ people.
«There are some people in this world that believe being gay is a choice. It's not a choice, we're born this way.» «We need to be proud of who we are, and the right to travel and express our love is a fundamental human right.» Lady Gaga American singer and activist
Donald Trump (United States): While Trump claimed to support LGBTQ+ rights during his 2016 campaign, his administration rolled back several protections, including banning transgender individuals from serving in the military, restricting transgender healthcare rights, and promoting religious exemptions that allowed discrimination against LGBTQ+ individuals.
These leaders have left a lasting impact on LGBTQ+ communities in their respective countries, creating hostile environments and reversing progress in the fight for equality.
The most dangerous countries for LGBTQ+ travelers
According to the Spartacus Gay Travel Index 2024, several countries present significant challenges for LGBTQIA+ travelers due to restrictive laws and societal attitudes. The countries ranked as the least LGBTQIA+ friendly include:
Saudi Arabia: Homosexuality is illegal and can be punishable by death.
Iran: Same-sex sexual activity is criminalized, with severe penalties including the death penalty.
Chechnya (Russia): Reports have emerged of anti-LGBTQIA+ purges, including detention and torture.
Afghanistan: Under Taliban rule, LGBTQIA+ individuals face extreme persecution, including the threat of execution.
LGBT people must be able to travel without fear of being persecuted for who they are. It's a fundamental human right to love and be loved. Boris Dittrich Dutch politician and LGBT rights advocate
Over the years, many LGBTQ+ travelers have faced harassment and danger in countries with hostile laws and attitudes, making awareness and caution crucial when planning trips.
Saudi Arabia: Gay travelers have been arrested and imprisoned for engaging in same-sex relations or even for public displays of affection. In 2019, a British man was detained and faced possible flogging for kissing his partner in public. Saudi Arabia enforces strict Sharia law, and homosexuality is punishable by death or long-term imprisonment.
Uganda: In Uganda, LGBTQ+ people are frequently targeted by both the government and society. In 2020, a British gay man was assaulted and detained for allegedly attempting to «recruit» Ugandans into homosexuality. Uganda has some of the most hostile anti-gay laws in the world, including penalties for «promotion of homosexuality» and same-sex marriage.
Russia: In 2013, Russia passed the «gay propaganda» law, making it illegal to promote LGBTQ+ rights or discuss LGBTQ+ issues publicly. There have been multiple reports of LGBTQ+ tourists being harassed, including a story in 2018 where a German tourist was detained for attempting to engage in advocacy for LGBTQ+ rights. Russia’s anti-LGBTQ+ stance is often enforced by violent groups, leading to unsafe conditions for LGBTQ+ visitors.
Indonesia (Bali): Though Bali is more liberal, some travelers have reported negative experiences while visiting more conservative parts of Indonesia. In 2023, a French couple was publicly shamed after kissing in public, which led to a widespread social media backlash. Indonesia has seen a rise in anti-LGBTQ+ sentiment, especially in Aceh, where Sharia law is practiced.
Chechnya (Russia): The anti-LGBTQ+ purges in Chechnya have garnered international attention. LGBTQ+ travelers (and locals) have reported being detained, tortured, and murdered by Chechen authorities. These purges have been ongoing since 2017, but reports still surface of LGBTQ+ individuals being targeted.
