According to ILGA-Europe’s “Rainbow Map” report, Turkey ranks among the lowest for LGBT+ rights. Malta leads the list, followed by Iceland and Belgium. Within the European Union, Poland is considered the country with the most violations of LGBT+ rights. This ranking shows that Poland’s current laws do not adequately protect LGBT+ individuals, revealing a need for better legal regulations to ensure equality.
The Situation in Turkey: Politicians and Religious Leaders Fuel Hatred
ILGA-Europe shared significant observations and findings on the rights violations faced by LGBT+ individuals in Turkey throughout 2023. The report highlights that during this period, politicians and religious leaders increased their anti-LGBT+ rhetoric.
The report identifies President Erdoğan as the most outspoken anti-LGBT+ figure, noting that banning LGBT+ organizations and preserving traditional family values were central elements of his 2023 election campaign. It emphasizes that after the election results were announced, Erdoğan pledged to “protect the family institution,” signaling an increase in pressure on LGBT+ rights and organizations. It also recalls an October speech in which he referred to LGBT+ individuals as “one of the greatest threats to the family.”
The report also points out that with the 2023 elections, anti-LGBT+ parties like the New Welfare Party and HÜDA-PAR entered parliament. Even the opposition hesitated to defend LGBT+ rights, and the Council of Europe called on Turkey to “end the unprecedented hate speech against LGBT individuals.”
Pro-Government Media Targets LGBT+ Individuals with Hate Speech
ILGA-Europe’s report notes that pro-government media continued to spread hate speech about LGBT+ individuals following the elections. It states that terms like “LGBT terror” became frequent in media close to the government, and Yeni Akit newspaper, known for its anti-LGBT+ views, targeted bar associations supporting LGBT+ rights. Additionally, news reports referred to LGBT+ individuals as an “illness” and included “expert” opinions labeling them as such.
The report mentions that Turkey’s broadcasting authority, RTÜK, approved the airing of an anti-LGBT+ public service announcement titled “Stop LGBT propaganda,” and Kaos GL’s criminal complaint against this PSA was dismissed by the prosecutor’s office on the grounds of “protecting the family institution.” It also notes that 10 activists who protested against this PSA were detained.
Hate-Based Violence
ILGA-Europe’s report emphasizes that Turkish law enforcement fails to protect LGBT+ individuals from hate crimes, and many attacks go unpunished. The government is described as “relentlessly striving to erase LGBT+ individuals and topics from the public sphere” through bans and censorship.
The report details incidents of murder and violence and criticizes the lack of sufficient effort to investigate these cases. It also states that while the number of detentions has decreased, police torture and ill-treatment of LGBT+ individuals became more widespread in 2023.
Poland Ranks Last in the European Union for LGBT+ Community Equality
Poland ranks last within the EU, scoring just 18%, while countries like Romania (19%) and Bulgaria (23%) also rank low. Poland’s lack of scores in critical categories such as “family,” “hate crimes,” and “hate speech” underscores the lack of protection for LGBT+ individuals’ safety. ILGA-Europe Advocacy Director Katrin Hugendubel stressed that LGBT+ people across Europe are faced with hate speech and violence, and many countries are slow to implement adequate legal measures. Hugendubel pointed out that the absence of legal protections for minorities creates a dangerous gap.
Poland, ranked last within the EU, scored 18%. Other countries scoring lower than Poland in LGBT rights are San Marino (15%), Monaco (14%), Belarus (11%), Armenia (9%), Türkiye (5%), Azerbaijan (2%), and Russia (2%).
Poland received zero points in three out of seven categories (Family, Hate Crimes and Hate Speech, and Bodily Integrity of Intersex Individuals).
Julia Kata from the Trans-Fuzja Foundation noted that Poland ranks at the bottom among EU countries. Kata stated, “It is significant that no points were awarded in the family, hate crimes, and hate speech categories. This means that LGBT families and individuals who experience physical and psychological hate in their homes and public spaces are offered no protection.”
ILGA-Europe’s Advocacy Director Katrin Hugendubel added that LGBT+ individuals across Europe are targeted by hate speech and violence and that human rights are constantly violated.
Global Scores and LGBT+ Rights in Other Countries
Countries at the top of this year’s “Rainbow Map” have made significant strides in LGBT+ rights. For example:
- Germany expanded its laws addressing hate crimes.
- Greece and Estonia accepted marriage equality and allowed LGBT+ individuals to adopt children.
Poland is expected to be inspired by these positive examples and move toward legal improvements. The importance of acting in line with the equality and human rights principles represented by the European Union is emphasized, and Polish authorities are called upon to ensure the safety of LGBT+ individuals. ILGA-Europe’s Executive Director, Chaber, stated that without these legal regulations, it is impossible to speak of security and rule of law.
Global Statistics on LGBT+ Rights
- Employment discrimination based on sexual orientation is prohibited in 40 countries.
- Employment discrimination based on gender identity is prohibited in 35 countries.
- Employment discrimination based on sex characteristics is prohibited in 12 countries.
- There are six countries where LGBT+ individuals have no protection against discrimination.
- Only Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Denmark, Finland, Greece, Iceland, Montenegro,
- Serbia, and Spain have anti-discrimination laws that fully cover SOGIESC.
- Conversion therapy is banned in 10 countries.
- There are 36 countries with “equality bodies” systematically working on sexual orientation issues, 31 on gender identity, and only 12 on gender characteristics.
- National equality action plans are effectively implemented in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Denmark, Estonia, France, Greece, Iceland, Ireland, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Norway, Germany, and parts of the United Kingdom.
- LGBT+ individuals can donate blood without any legal or administrative restrictions based on sexual orientation or gender identity in 24 countries.
- Iceland, meeting all our equality and non-discrimination criteria, ranks at the top.
- Azerbaijan, Monaco, Russia, and Turkey have zero legal or policy protections for equality and non-discrimination.
About the Rainbow Map
Published by ILGA-Europe since 2009, the “Rainbow Map” does not measure societal attitudes or acceptance toward LGBT+ people; instead, it provides a thorough analysis of the implementation of national laws and policies. The criteria examined include:
- Equality and non-discrimination
- Family
- Hate crimes and hate speech
- Legal gender recognition and bodily integrity
- Bodily integrity of intersex individuals
- Civil liberties (e.g., freedom of assembly, association, and expression)
- Right to asylum
The “Rainbow Map” covers 49 countries and consults organizations working for LGBT+ equality in Europe. In Poland, this year’s ranking consulted the Campaign Against Homophobia (KPH) and the Trans-Fuzja Foundation.