Despite strides in certain regions, LGBT+ rights face obstacles worldwide with disparities in legal recognition and protection. Progression towards equality is evident, but challenges persist, especially in countries with regressive policies.
Despite significant advancements in some regions, LGBT+ rights remain unrecognized across many parts of the world. Same-sex relationships are now legal in two-thirds of the 202 countries studied, representing a notable increase since the 20th century. However, same-sex marriage, adoption rights, gender marker changes, and third-gender recognition are still not widely accepted.
Since the 1990s, countries like Estonia, Canada, and the Netherlands have led in implementing progressive laws, including unrestricted gender marker changes, joint adoptions, and the legalization of same-sex marriage. Australia was the pioneer in recognizing a non-binary gender on passports in 2011, followed by other nations, enhancing validation for non-binary and intersex individuals.
Despite these strides, the majority of countries do not offer comprehensive protection for LGBT+ rights, and some have even enacted regressive policies. As of 2019, 37 countries explicitly banned same-sex marriage, predominantly in Eastern Europe and Sub-Saharan Africa. Increasing legislation against “propaganda for non-traditional sexual relations” and the re-imposition of the death penalty for same-sex acts in certain areas highlight the ongoing polarization of LGBT+ rights.
Overall, while there is a trend towards greater acceptance and legal recognition, the path to equal rights for LGBT+ people worldwide remains fraught with challenges.
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