"As of June 2023, 35 countries recognize same-sex marriage."
Advocacy for the equal treatment and protection of individuals who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, queer, or other non-heterosexual identities.
Gender identity: The personal sense of one's gender, which may or may not align with their assigned gender at birth.
Sexual orientation: The pattern of romantic and/or sexual attraction an individual experiences towards others.
Transgender rights: The legal and social protections afforded to individuals who identify as a gender different from the one they were assigned at birth.
Intersex rights: The legal and social protections afforded to individuals with ambiguous genitalia or sex characteristics.
Non-binary gender: A gender identity that does not fit within the binary of male and female.
Bisexuality: A sexual orientation characterized by attraction to both men and women.
Asexuality: A sexual orientation characterized by a lack of sexual attraction to others.
Discrimination and bias: The social and legal ways in which LGBQ+ individuals may be discriminated against due to their sexual orientation or gender identity.
Queer theory: A field of study that aims to examine and challenge dominant societal ideas about gender and sexuality.
LGBTQ+ history: The historical experiences and struggles for legal and social recognition of LGBQ+ populations.
Heteronormativity: The societal assumption that heterosexuality is the norm, and the resulting marginalization of LGBQ+ individuals.
Homophobia and transphobia: The irrational fear, dislike, or prejudice against LGBQ+ individuals.
The impact of LGBQ+ identities on mental health: The mental health experiences and struggles of LGBQ+ individuals, including depression, anxiety, PTSD, and suicidality.
Allyship: The ways in which non-LGBQ+ individuals can support and advocate for LGBQ+ individuals and their rights.
Intersectionality: The interconnected nature of various social identities and how they intersect to create unique experiences of marginalization and discrimination.
Marriage equality: The legal recognition of same-sex marriages.
Conversion therapy: The harmful and discredited practice of trying to change someone's sexual orientation or gender identity.
Healthcare disparities: The unequal healthcare access and outcomes experienced by LGBQ+ individuals.
Workplace discrimination: The ways in which LGBQ+ individuals may face discrimination and harassment in the workplace.
Family acceptance: The impact of familial acceptance or rejection on LGBQ+ individuals and their mental health.
Legal rights: LGBTQ+ people have the right to enjoy the same legal rights as anyone else, which includes the right to marry, adopt children, and inherit property.
Employment rights: LGBTQ+ people have the right to work without fear of discrimination, harassment, or being fired from their job because of their gender identity or sexual orientation.
Housing rights: LGBTQ+ people have the right to live without fear of being kicked out of their homes or being denied housing because of their gender identity or sexual orientation.
Military service rights: LGBTQ+ people have the right to serve their country in the military without fear of being discriminated against or discharged because of their gender identity or sexual orientation.
Education rights: LGBTQ+ students have the right to learn in an environment that is free from harassment, bullying, or discrimination based on their gender identity or sexual orientation.
Health care rights: LGBTQ+ people have the right to access medical care and receive treatment without fear of being judged, discriminated against, or denied care because of their gender identity or sexual orientation.
Reproductive rights: LGBTQ+ people have the right to make decisions about their reproductive health without fear of being judged or denied care because of their gender identity or sexual orientation.
Immigration rights: LGBTQ+ people have the right to immigrate to other countries and seek refuge without fear of being discriminated against, harassed, or denied asylum because of their gender identity or sexual orientation.
Parenting rights: LGBTQ+ people have the right to raise children with the same legal protections and rights as heterosexual couples, including the right to adopt, obtain custody, and create families through surrogacy and fertility treatments.
Civil rights: LGBTQ+ people have the right to live without fear of discrimination, hate crimes, or violence because of their gender identity or sexual orientation. These rights include the right to live free from fear of being harassed or bullied, the right to access public accommodations, and the right to participate fully in civic life.
"Iran and Afghanistan are believed to impose the death penalty on consensual same-sex sexual acts."
"LGBT people face extrajudicial killings in the Russian region of Chechnya."
"Sudan rescinded its unenforced death penalty for anal sex (hetero- or homosexual) in 2020."
"Fifteen countries have stoning on the books as a penalty for adultery."
"This is enforced by the legal authorities in Iran and Nigeria (in the northern third of the country)."
"In 2011, the United Nations Human Rights Council passed its first resolution recognizing LGBT rights."
"The report documented violations of the rights of LGBT people, including hate crimes, criminalization of homosexual activity, and discrimination."
"The United Nations urged all countries which had not yet done so to enact laws protecting basic LGBT rights."
"A 2022 study found that LGBT rights were correlated with less HIV/AIDS incidence among gay and bisexual men independently of risky sexual behavior."
"The Nordics, Uruguay, Canada, the Netherlands, Spain, the United Kingdom, and the United States are ranked among the best for LGBT rights."
"Yemen, Brunei, Afghanistan, Somalia, Mauritania, Palestine, and Iran are ranked among the worst."