In a global survey conducted in 2023, ***** percent of respondents declared to be homosexual, gay, or lesbian. In Brazil and the Netherlands, for instance, **** percent, instead, identified as bisexual, representing the largest group of bisexual respondents among the 30 surveyed countries. Moreover, *** percent of the interviewees in Switzerland said to be pansexual or omnisexual. Pansexuality describes people who feel attracted to other people regardless of their biological sex, gender, or gender identity, whereas omnisexuality refers to people attracted to people of all gender identities and sexual orientations.

The cities in Europe where survey respondents most commonly indicated that they were a good place to live for gay and lesbian people were Rekjavik,Valletta and Groningen in 2023. In general, the cities which ranked as the best place to live for lesbian and gay people in Europe were in Nordic countries (Norway, Iceland, Copenhagen, Sweden, Finland), western European countries (Luxembourg, Germany, the Netherlands), and southern European countries (Italy, Malta, Spain). The five cities with the fewest respondents indicating that they were a good place to live were all in south-eastern Europe, with the bottom two both coming from Turkey (Diyarbakir) and Albania (Tirania). Turkey tends to rank so lowly due to the influence of traditionalist and religious social norms, which do not recognize LGBTQ relationships as being on a par as heterosexual relationships and lead to more commonly held homophobic views.

Discrimination against members of the LGBT Community is present in all European countries. The extent to which this discrimination affects gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, or other queer identifying people in their day-to-day lives varies by country and region in the continent. In general, the countries of northern and north-western Europe show a smaller share of LGBT survey respondents saying they have experienced discrimination in the prior year.

Denmark and Finland both have less than a third of queer respondents saying they experienced discrimination based on their sexuality, with Czechia coming being the third least homophobic country in Europe in this respect. Czechia and Estonia are the only two post-communist countries in Europe to show lower levels of homophobia than the EU average, perhaps being related to their extremely low levels of religiosity compared to other former Eastern bloc countries, and their relatively high levels of economic well-being.

In terms of countries in Europe where discrimination is more widespread, there is a clear trend towards post-communist countries, particularly where religious adherence is stronger, as well as countries in south-eastern Europe. Lithuania, Bulgaria, and Greece all have more than half of LGBT respondents agreeing that they experienced discrimination, with other notable countries which rank above the EU average including Poland and Germany. Poland's conservative government have come in for criticism since they took office in 2015 for being particularly vocal against LGBT rights, having enacted laws which ban schools from teaching children about LGBT issues, make it more difficult for gay or lesbian couples to adopt, and having proposed a constitutional amendment which would outlaw gay marriage.

There is a clear divide in survey respondents who come from the older EU member states who joined before 2004 and those joining after in indicating whether they have friends who are part of the LGBTQ community. In countries such as the Netherlands and Sweden, over 80 percent of respondents indicate they have a friend or acquaintance who is gay, lesbian or bisexual, while the United Kingdom is the country with the greatest share of respondents saying they know a transgender person.

At the other end of the scale are Bulgaria and Romania, which both joined the EU in 2007, who have 10 and 8 percent of respondents indicating they know a homosexual person respectively. The share of respondents saying they know a transgender or intersex person in the newer EU member states was even lower, with Lithuania being the country with the smallest share knowing a trans person, at only two percent.

In Europe, the Netherlands and Denmark have the highest percentages of LGBTI people who feel free to be open about their sexual orientation. In a survey conducted in 2019, ** percent of respondents from the Netherlands and Denmark, declared that they were fairly or very open about their sexual orientation. Sweden, Belgium, Germany, and the United Kingdom followed. In the European Union, lesbian and gay people are more likely to be open about their sexual orientation than bisexual, trans, and intersex people. In a survey conducted in 2019 in ** EU countries, bisexual men and intersex people were mostly never or almost never open about their sexual orientation.

Same-sex couples in Europe

In Europe, ** countries recognized same-sex couples as of 2020. There are various forms of recognition of rights and duties of same-sex couples, including civil unions, concubinary unions, de facto partnerships, registered partnerships, and other types of partnerships. Same-sex marriage, has been legalized in ** countries in Europe, with Switzerland the latest to do so. In ** European countries, same-sex couples can also jointly adopt children as of 2020. In America and Europe, more countries permitted homosexual couples to adopt children than in Oceania, Asia, and Africa.

LGBT+ in Eastern Europe

Among East European countries, support for the equal rights of LGBT+ people is low. According to a recent survey, about one half of respondents in Czechia expressed support toward equal rights for the LGBT+ community, the largest share among surveyed countries in Central and Eastern Europe. The Parliament in Hungary approved in 2021 an anti-LGBT law, which was condemned by the European Union, as it breaches guarantees of freedom of expression and non-discrimination. This motion was openly supported by the Polish government.

In the European Union, people who identity as being lesbian or gay are more likely to be open about their sexual orientation than bisexual, trans, and intersex people. In a survey conducted in 2019 in ** EU countries, bisexual men and intersex people were mostly never or almost never open about their sexual orientation. In particular, only ***** percent of bisexual men were very open about it. Overall, the Netherlands and Denmark recorded the highest percentage of LGBTI people being open about their sexual orientation.

Germany was ranked ** out of 48 European countries in terms of the rights of its LGBTI citizens and residents in 2024, with Rainbow Europe awarding the country an overall score of ***** percent. ******* performs well with regard to its civil society space, as well as moderately well on its provisions for giving asylum to LGBTI people, as well as its transgender recognition laws. Compared to most other countries in Europe, Germany also has stronger laws protecting the bodily integrity of intersex people, although this is only relatively good and has a long way to go before full protection is offered.

Italy was ranked 35th out of 48 European countries in terms of the legal, political and human rights protections which it grants its LGBTI citizens and residents, being awarded an overall score of only ***** percent by Rainbow Europe in 2024. Italy performs well only on the indicator of civil society space, still giving free reign to non-governmental LGBTI organizations to perform their activities within the country. On all other indicators, Italy does not manage to achieve ** percent, with intersex bodily autonomy and hate crime & hate speech both receiving a zero, due to total lack of protections. Italy's politics has taken a turn towards right-wing nationalism and populism in recent years, with these political parties generally being hostile to LGBTI rights. Current Prime Minister Georgia Meloni will be in the international spotlight to see whether her government enact laws to curtail the freedoms of LGBTI people, possibly worsening their Rainbow Europe score in coming years.

Poland was ranked 41nd out of 48 European countries by Rainbow Europe in their annual LGBTI rights rankings, being the lowest ranked of all European Union member states, with an overall score of ** percent. The Polish government has come under increasing scrutiny from EU institutions and other member states in recent years for its homophobic stance, with laws prohibiting LGBTI-inclusive education in school and some Polish municipalities even going so far as to declare themselves as "LGBTQ-free zones". While being homosexual is not criminalized in Poland, same-sex couples do not have marriage or adoption rights, and as can be seen in Rainbow Europe's rankings, the country also performs especially poorly in regards to hate crime & hate speech and the bodily integrity of intersex people.

The global market for LGBTQ+ dating apps is experiencing robust growth, driven by increasing smartphone penetration, greater social acceptance of LGBTQ+ identities, and the inherent limitations of traditional dating methods for this community. The market, estimated at $2 billion in 2025, is projected to experience a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 15% from 2025 to 2033, reaching an estimated $6 billion by 2033. This growth is fueled by diverse user needs, leading to the rise of niche apps catering to specific identities (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender) and preferences (casual dating, long-term relationships). Furthermore, innovative features like advanced matching algorithms, video chat integration, and safety measures are enhancing user engagement and attracting a broader audience. The market is segmented geographically, with North America and Europe currently holding the largest market share, but rapid growth is expected in Asia-Pacific and other emerging markets as social norms evolve and technology accessibility increases. Competition is fierce, with established players like Grindr, Tinder, and Bumble vying for market share alongside numerous niche apps tailored to specific LGBTQ+ communities. The continued evolution of mobile technology and social attitudes will significantly impact future market growth. The major restraints include concerns over data privacy and security, the potential for scams and harassment within the apps, and the ongoing challenge of effectively moderating content to ensure a safe and inclusive environment for all users. Regulation and legal frameworks concerning online dating and user data protection are also evolving, impacting app development and operation. The competitive landscape is characterized by both established players and emerging niche players constantly innovating to attract and retain users. Cloud-based solutions are gaining traction due to their scalability and cost-effectiveness compared to on-premises solutions. Future growth will depend heavily on addressing user concerns about safety and privacy, adapting to changing social norms, and leveraging technological advancements to personalize user experience and improve matching accuracy. Strategies focusing on inclusivity and community building will be crucial for long-term success in this dynamic market.

The statistic illustrates the most visited European travel destinations among lesbian and bisexual women from the United States in 2019. As of 2019, *** percent of respondents stated they have traveled to Great Britain, making it the most visited European country among lesbian and bisexual women from the United States. France was the second most visited European country, with **** percent of respondents stating they have traveled there.

Spain was ranked fifth out of 49 European countries in the annual Rainbow Europe rankings in 2025, with the country achieving an overall score of ***** percent for its legal, political, and human rights provisions. The country performed relatively well on most indicators, having particularly strong protections for LGBTI civil society, family rights, equality & non-discrimination provisions, and laws which ensure the gender recognition rights of transgender citizens and residents. Spain performs less well on intersex bodily integrity laws, although it must be noted that relative to most European countries the score of ** percent is still high.

Malta was rated the safest travel destination for members of the LGBT community, according to a 2023 ranking. With 13 points, the European country outperformed Canada and Switzerland - the following safest countries in the list. Out of the 12 best-performing countries that year, eight are located in Europe.

LGBT rights in Canada

Back in 2005, Canada was the fourth country worldwide to legalize same-sex marriage. The North American nation is in the vanguard of LGBT rights and has passed multiple laws assuring equality for this group, such as allowing adoption by same-sex couples, protecting transgender rights, and banning conversion therapy. Meanwhile, its land neighbor, the United States, had the share of the population that identifies as lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender increased steadily between 2012 and 2021.

Acceptance around the globe

According to a survey conducted in 2021 in 27 countries, opinions on the rights of same-sex couples varied greatly around the world. Western European and American nations were particularly supportive of marriage or, failing that, some form of legal recognition for homosexual couples.

The Russian Federation was ranked last European country in Rainbow Europe's annual LGBTI rights rankings for 2024, with an overall score of * percent. Russia does not perform well on any indicator, with family rights being the only category in which the country was awarded a positive score. The government of Russia led by President Vladimir Putin has become infamous in recent years for their homophobic stances, such as with laws brought in that target "LGBTQ propaganda", meaning that it is a crime to educate young people about homosexuality. These laws have led to a clamp-down on LGBTQ civil society in Russia, along with gay and queer activists in the country.

According to a global survey conducted in 2021, three in 10 respondents had at least once spoken out against someone who was being prejudiced against LGBT+ people. In addition, some 13 percent attended a public event in support of LGBT+ people, e.g. a Pride march.

Turkey was ranked third last out of 48 European countries in Rainbow Europe's annual rating of LGBTI rights in 2024, with an overall score of only **** percent. The country performed poorly across every indicator included in the rankings, but did manage to achieve a positive score for civil society space and legal gender recognition. While Turkey has been heading in a less LGBTI-friendly direction for many years, with law-makers aligning with more traditionalist Islamic values, there have been some positive signs recently, such as the Supreme Court's judgement that banning gay pride events is unconstitutional.

Between 2021 and 2023, support for same-sex marriage declined in ** out of 23 surveyed countries worldwide. The major drops were seen in Canada and Germany, where the share of respondents agreeing with same-sex marriage went down *** percentage points. Still, over ** percent of respondents in those two countries supported it.

The way to legalization

As of 2021, ** countries have legalized same-sex marriages, most of them located in Western Europe. Switzerland was the latest to do so after a referendum, while the second to last was Costa Rica, as the only Central American country. While most countries have legalized same-sex marriage through legislation, in South Africa and Taiwan, this was enacted via courts' mandates. Taiwan and South Africa are the first and so far only countries in their continent to have legalized same-sex marriage.

Hostility and criminalization

The support and legalization of same-sex marriages is growing, and the acceptance of homosexuality is slowly but steadily increasing in more hostile countries. In Nigeria, for instance, homosexuality is a crime punishable with the death penalty. Despite a small increase, only ***** percent of people believe that homosexuality should be accepted by society. Africa, Asia, and the Middle East are still the most dangerous world regions for homosexuals. In fact, ** countries still criminalize homosexuality, and most of them are located in the Middle East, Africa, and Asia.

As of 2024, 36 countries worldwide recognized same-sex couples. This resulted in less than 20 percent of countries in the world. In Europe, nearly half of the countries recognized homosexual couples in 2024.

On May 17, 2013, France became the 9th European country and the 14th country in the world to allow gay marriage. Only a few days after the legalization, the first same-sex marriage was celebrated in the southern city of Montpellier. The number of homosexual marriages reached a record number of more than ****** unions in 2014. Only a year after the legalization of same-sex marriage, the enthusiasm of couples who were not previously allowed to marry each other was still high. In 2024, approximately ***** same-sex marriages were celebrated.

In 2023, **** percent of French males and **** percent of French females declared that they had practiced masturbation at least once in their lifetime. When looking at more studies, it may be stated that men tend to masturbate more than women. However, younger generations, influenced by feminism and the #MeToo movement, appear to be more open-minded about women’s sexuality. A gender gap in masturbation? According to the results of the survey, conducted among the French, French men practiced masturbation more than their female counterparts. However, the share of women having masturbated at least once in their lifetime grew significantly between 1992 and 2023. This masturbation gap also seems to be relevant when it comes to the frequency of masturbation. In a survey from 2014, most of the French women who had masturbated in the last three months declared that they masturbated at least *****a month. When the same question was asked to French men, the majority of them answered that they masturbated at least *****a week. Women’s sexuality Generally speaking, gender differences in masturbation practices can be seen in every country. In the United States, men seem to masturbate alone more than women, regardless of age. In the Netherlands, ** percent of females never masturbate, compared to ** percent of males. In 2015 in France, ** percent of women declared that masturbation was one of the sexual practices that made it easy for them to reach orgasm, while ** percent said that penetration allowed them to easily reach orgasm.