LGBT Rights by Country 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. Around the world, queer people continue to face discrimination, violence, harassment and social stigma. While social movements have marked progress towards acceptance in many countries, in others homosexuality continues to be outlawed and penalised, sometimes with death. Map of Jurisdictions that Criminalise LGBT People
71 Countries Where Homosexuality is Illegal Acceptance of the LGBT community continues to spread around the world, but homosexuality is still illegal in many parts of the world. 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. Global Overview
Below is a list of the 64 countries and territories that still criminalise LGBTQ+ identities, according to Human Dignity Trust. These laws vary significantly in their severity. Articles about the production of food and other goods, including farming and fishing. Articles about crime rates, law enforcement, and public safety. 
LGBTQ rights by country or territory
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. As of recent data, over 60 countries still enforce such laws, with penalties ranging from fines and imprisonment to the death penalty in extreme cases, particularly in parts of the Middle East and Africa. While progress has been made in some regions, with countries decriminalizing homosexuality and recognizing same-sex unions, the global landscape remains starkly divided, highlighting the ongoing struggle for equality and justice.
Countries where it's illegal to be gay
As of February , 65 countries around the world criminalise consensual same-sex sexual activity. While some nations have made progress in decriminalisation and LGBTQ+ rights, others have introduced harsher penalties. A strong global movement has improved respect for the rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender LGBT people around the world. However, at least 67 countries have national laws criminalizing same-sex relations between consenting adults. 
71 Countries Where Homosexuality is Illegal
Click on the country bubbles for a snapshot of each country's laws. For more information and Human Rights Watch reporting, click on the country name in the black pop-up box. .
How many countries is it illegal to be gay? 65 as of July 2025
Explore the global landscape of anti-gay laws still enforced today, highlighting countries where LGBTQ+ rights remain restricted or criminalized. .
Which countries impose the death penalty on gay people?
At least nine countries allow for punishment by life in prison for same-sex relations: Pakistan, Zambia, Uganda, Tanzania, Sudan, Sierra Leone, Guyana, Gambia and Bangladesh. .