All Countries That Have Legalized & Banned Same
The map above shows which countries have fully legalized same sex-marriage as of 1 October , but does not show those that have alternative arrangements such as civil unions and/or domestic partnerships. Same sex marriage is legal in 38 countries which have a combined population of billion people (around 20% of the world’s population). Some countries remain steadfast in their opposition to same-sex marriage, rooted in deeply ingrained cultural beliefs, religious doctrines, and historical legal frameworks that refuse to acknowledge same-sex unions. Many nations have yet to embrace the evolving perspectives on marriage equality that have begun to surface in various parts of the globe. How many countries is it illegal to be gay? 65 as of July 2025
Acceptance of the LGBT community continues to spread around the world, but homosexuality is still illegal in many parts of the world. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. There are nearly twice as many countries that criminalize homosexuality than countries that have marriage equality. 
Homosexuality
Rights affecting lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ) people vary greatly by country or jurisdiction—encompassing everything from the legal recognition of same-sex marriage to the death penalty for homosexuality. Laws concerning gender identity-expression by country or territory Legal identity change, surgery not required. In Ghana, in a speech calling for "all people be treated equally" she appeared to criticise a bill before the country's parliament which criminalises advocacy for gay rights and proposes jail terms for those that identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender. The country's Speaker Alban Bagbin later called her remarks "undemocratic" and urged lawmakers not to be "intimidated by any person".
71 Countries Where Homosexuality is Illegal
Of these eighty-eight countries, the number of countries that have legalized gay marriage is a total of twenty-four nations. In , the Netherlands became the very first country to ever legalize gay marriage. Articles about the production of food and other goods, including farming and fishing. Articles about crime rates, law enforcement, and public safety. 
List of 64 countries where homosexuality is illegal
Today, over five dozen countries still have laws making same-sex sexual relations illegal. Many of these laws stem from colonial rule. Almost half of them are Commonwealth jurisdictions. Even in jurisdictions that do not explicitly criminalise women, lesbians and bisexual women have been subjected to arrest or threat of arrest.
Countries Where Gay Marriage Is Legal 2025
The map below provides an overview of the jurisdictions across the world where lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people are criminalised. Scroll down below the map to access detailed country profiles. For a closer look at smaller islands in the Pacific and Caribbean, triple click the zoom button. You can also zoom in or out of any region using the plus and minus icons located in the. .
LGBTQ rights by country or territory
Homosexuality is no longer as widely criminalized as it used to be, but a total of 65 nations still have laws against homosexuality. . These are the 61 countries that criminalize homosexuality
We take a look at all the countries and territories where it is still illegal to be gay or LGBTQ+ – and examine the role colonialism played. .