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Israel

ProgressiveAsia

24,000

Members

4/5

Safety

Legal Status

Same-sex Legal
Marriage / Union
Adoption Rights
Anti-Discrimination
Gender Recognition

Safety Rating

Generally Safe
Extreme RiskVery Safe

LGBTQ+ Situation in Israel

Israel is the most LGBTQ+-inclusive country in the Middle East. While same-sex marriage is not performed domestically (due to religious control of civil marriage), same-sex marriages performed abroad are recognised. LGBTQ+ people can serve openly in the military, and anti-discrimination protections are strong. Tel Aviv is internationally renowned as one of the world's most LGBTQ+-friendly cities. However, the situation for LGBTQ+ Palestinians in the occupied territories is very different.

Key Facts

Same-sex relations illegal under Penal Code and Sharia

Taliban rule since 2021 has intensified persecution

No anti-discrimination protections exist

Many LGBTQ+ Afghans have sought asylum abroad

Decriminalised in 1995

Anti-discrimination laws in employment

No same-sex partnership recognition

Pride Tirana held annually since 2012

Up to 3 years imprisonment for same-sex relations

No anti-discrimination protections

Arrests of LGBTQ+ individuals reported

No legal recognition of any kind

First Latin American country to legalise same-sex marriage (2010)

World-leading Gender Identity Law (2012)

Full adoption rights for same-sex couples

Buenos Aires hosts one of South America's largest Pride events

Same-sex marriage legalised December 2017

Comprehensive federal anti-discrimination laws

Full adoption rights for same-sex couples

Sydney Mardi Gras is a global Pride landmark

Same-sex marriage since January 2019

Constitutional Court mandated marriage equality

Full adoption rights

Vienna Rainbow Parade draws hundreds of thousands

Section 377 criminalises same-sex relations (up to life imprisonment)

Third gender (Hijra) officially recognised

LGBTQ+ activists have been murdered

No anti-discrimination protections

Second country to legalise same-sex marriage (2003)

Comprehensive anti-discrimination laws

Full adoption rights

Consistently top-ranked in European LGBTQ+ indices

Same-sex marriage since 2013 (Supreme Court)

Homophobia and transphobia criminalised since 2019

Highest LGBTQ+ murder rate globally

São Paulo Pride is the world's largest

Same-sex marriage since 2005 (4th country globally)

Federal ban on conversion therapy (2022)

Comprehensive human rights protections

Toronto and Vancouver Pride among world's largest

Same-sex marriage legalised December 2021

Gender Identity Law since 2018

Anti-discrimination protections in place

Growing social acceptance, especially among youth

Decriminalised in 1997

No same-sex partnership recognition

Increasing censorship of LGBTQ+ content

Growing government restrictions on LGBTQ+ organisations

Same-sex marriage since 2016 (Constitutional Court)

Full adoption rights

High rates of anti-LGBTQ+ violence in conflict zones

Bogotá has a large and active queer community

First Central American country to legalise same-sex marriage (2020)

Inter-American Court ruling was pivotal

Anti-discrimination protections in place

Adoption rights not yet fully extended to same-sex couples

Same-sex marriage and adoption approved by referendum (2022)

Dramatic shift from 1960s persecution

Mariela Castro has been a prominent advocate

Political dissidents face risks regardless of sexual orientation

First country to recognise same-sex partnerships (1989)

Same-sex marriage since 2012

Gender change without surgery since 2014

Copenhagen Pride is one of Europe's oldest

No specific law but prosecuted under 'debauchery' statutes

Entrapment via dating apps widely reported

2001 Queen Boat raid: 52 men arrested

No legal protections exist

Up to 15 years imprisonment

Constitution defines marriage as man-woman

Extreme social and religious stigma

No legal protections of any kind

Same-sex marriage since 2017

Self-ID gender recognition law passed 2023

Comprehensive anti-discrimination protections

Helsinki Pride is a major Nordic event

Same-sex marriage since 2013 (Mariage pour tous)

Comprehensive anti-discrimination laws

Full adoption rights

Paris Marais is one of Europe's most famous LGBTQ+ neighbourhoods

Same-sex marriage since October 2017

Self-Determination Act for gender change (2024)

Berlin is a global LGBTQ+ capital

CSD Berlin is one of Europe's largest Pride events

Up to 3 years imprisonment

2021 anti-LGBTQ+ bill passed parliament

First LGBTQ+ community centre forced to close (2021)

Strong religious and social opposition

First Orthodox-majority country to legalise same-sex marriage (2024)

Anti-discrimination protections in place

Adoption rights not yet fully extended

Orthodox Church opposition remains

2020 constitution bans same-sex marriage

2021 law bans LGBTQ+ content for minors

Legal gender recognition banned (2020)

EU has taken legal action against Hungary over LGBTQ+ laws

Section 377 struck down by Supreme Court (2018)

Supreme Court declined to legalise same-sex marriage (2023)

Transgender Persons Act 2019 (criticised by activists)

Hijra community has ancient cultural recognition

Aceh province enforces Sharia including caning for same-sex relations

2022 Criminal Code criminalises sex outside marriage

Significant increase in anti-LGBTQ+ sentiment since 2016

Police raids on LGBTQ+ gatherings reported

Death penalty for same-sex relations under Sharia

Executions of gay men documented

Gender reassignment surgery state-sanctioned but seen as coercive

Many LGBTQ+ Iranians have sought asylum abroad

First country to legalise same-sex marriage by popular vote (2015)

Homosexuality only decriminalised in 1993

Comprehensive anti-discrimination and adoption laws

Dublin Pride is a major national celebration

Most LGBTQ+-inclusive country in the Middle East

Same-sex marriage abroad recognised

LGBTQ+ people serve openly in the military

Tel Aviv is a global LGBTQ+ destination

Civil unions since 2016, but no same-sex marriage

Government restricting recognition of children of same-sex couples

Hate crime law blocked in 2021

Political climate has become more hostile under current government

Up to 10 years hard labour for same-sex relations

Described as one of the most homophobic countries globally

LGBTQ+ activists have been murdered

No legal protections of any kind

Only G7 country without national same-sex partnership recognition

District court ruled lack of same-sex marriage unconstitutional (2024)

Gender recognition surgery requirement ruled unconstitutional (2023)

Tokyo Rainbow Pride is one of Asia's largest

Up to 14 years imprisonment

High Court upheld criminalisation in 2019

Active LGBTQ+ rights organisations despite hostile environment

Police harassment and violence reported

Up to 20 years imprisonment under civil law

Sharia law also applies to Muslims

Public canings have been carried out

Government actively promotes anti-LGBTQ+ policies

Same-sex marriage legal in all 31 states (completed 2022)

Federal anti-discrimination protections

High rates of anti-LGBTQ+ violence, especially for trans women

Significant variation between urban and rural areas

Up to 3 years imprisonment

Regular arrests and prosecutions

Several high-profile cases have drawn international attention

No legal protections of any kind

Section 377 criminalises same-sex relations

2021 military coup worsened human rights situation

Traditional 'acault' trans community has cultural but not legal recognition

LGBTQ+ activists face particular risks under military rule

First country to legalise same-sex marriage (2001)

Comprehensive anti-discrimination and adoption laws

Amsterdam is a global LGBTQ+ capital

Amsterdam Canal Pride is one of the world's most iconic events

Same-sex marriage since 2013 (parliament gallery sang as bill passed)

Comprehensive anti-discrimination and adoption laws

Consistently top-ranked globally for LGBTQ+ inclusion

Openly LGBTQ+ politicians at highest government levels

Up to 14 years imprisonment under federal law

Death penalty under Sharia in northern states

LGBTQ+ organisations also criminalised

Extreme violence, mob attacks, and police extortion reported

Same-sex marriage since 2009 (6th country globally)

Self-declaration gender recognition

Comprehensive anti-discrimination laws

Consistently top-ranked globally for LGBTQ+ inclusion

Section 377 and Sharia criminalise same-sex relations

2018 Transgender Act is considered progressive

Khawaja Sira community has ancient cultural recognition

Trans people face violence despite legal protections

Same-sex relations legal

No national anti-discrimination law

SOGIE Equality Bill pending for decades

Catholic Church is a powerful opponent of LGBTQ+ rights

'LGBT-free zones' declared by municipalities under previous government

New government (2023) pledged improvements but progress slow

No same-sex partnership recognition

EU took action against Poland over LGBTQ+ policies

Same-sex marriage since 2010

Self-ID gender recognition law (2018)

Comprehensive anti-discrimination and adoption laws

Consistently top-ranked in European LGBTQ+ indices

'International LGBT movement' designated extremist (2023)

Gay propaganda law expanded to all ages (2023)

Gender recognition effectively banned (2023)

LGBTQ+ people face imprisonment and violence

Death penalty possible under Sharia

Active government surveillance and arrest of LGBTQ+ people

No legal protections of any kind

Social reforms have not included LGBTQ+ rights

Section 377A repealed November 2022

Constitutional amendment prevents same-sex marriage

No same-sex partnership recognition

Pink Dot annual event has grown significantly

First African country to legalise same-sex marriage (2006)

First constitution to ban discrimination based on sexual orientation (1996)

High rates of violence, including 'corrective rape'

Stark gap between legal rights and lived reality

Same-sex relations legal for civilians but banned in military

Constitutional Court ruling on same-sex couple benefits (2024)

Anti-discrimination law blocked for over a decade

Seoul Queer Culture Festival is one of Asia's largest

Third country to legalise same-sex marriage (2005)

Trans Law allowing self-ID from age 16 (2023)

Comprehensive anti-discrimination and adoption laws

Madrid Pride (Orgullo) is one of the world's largest

Decriminalised homosexuality in 1944

First country to allow gender reassignment (1972)

Same-sex marriage since 2009

Consistently top-ranked globally for LGBTQ+ inclusion

First place in Asia to legalise same-sex marriage (2019)

Comprehensive anti-discrimination and adoption laws

Taipei Pride is the largest in Asia

Stark contrast to mainland China's restrictions

First Southeast Asian country to legalise same-sex marriage (2024)

Long tradition of relative tolerance for LGBTQ+ people

Kathoey (trans women) community has cultural visibility

Popular LGBTQ+ tourist destination

Decriminalised in 1858 (Ottoman era)

Istanbul Pride banned since 2015

No anti-discrimination protections

Significant deterioration under Erdoğan government

Anti-Homosexuality Act (2023) includes death penalty

World Bank suspended loans in response

Constitutional Court upheld most of the law (2024)

Mass displacement of LGBTQ+ Ugandans

Decriminalised in 1991

Anti-discrimination protections in employment

Civil union bill introduced (2024) partly due to war with Russia

Kyiv Pride requires heavy police protection

Same-sex marriage in all four nations (completed 2020)

Equality Act 2010 provides comprehensive protections

Gender recognition reform is highly contested politically

London Pride is one of the world's largest

Same-sex marriage since 2015 (Obergefell v. Hodges)

Respect for Marriage Act codified marriage equality (2022)

Bostock ruling extended federal employment protections (2020)

Significant state-level variation; many anti-trans laws passed

Same-sex relations legal

No same-sex partnership recognition

Economic crisis has disproportionately affected LGBTQ+ people

Many LGBTQ+ Venezuelans among those who have fled the country

Removed from 'social evils' list in 2015

Same-sex weddings not prohibited but not recognised

No anti-discrimination protections

VietPride events held since 2012

Up to 1 year imprisonment

Constitution explicitly bans same-sex marriage

Former President Mugabe was notoriously anti-LGBTQ+

No legal protections of any kind

PridePyar Community in Israel

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