What are the most LGBTQ+ Friendly Countries?

“Keep your voice down.” As I ambled down the village of Ait Sedrate Sahl El Gharbia in Morocco, my friend had interjected while I was mid-story. No, I was not gossiping about someone in our tour group or anything like that; I was simply telling him about one of my study abroad experiences. However, I have a bit of a nasally, dynamic voice — what most may coin the stereotypical “gay voice.” The sad reality is that Morocco, like many other countries, is not LGBTQ+ friendly; in fact, homosexuality is illegal in Morocco. I visited Morocco to ride an ATV down the dunes of the Sahara, to ride a camel at sunset — NOT to be arrested for my voice.

This article could be a deep dive into the world’s UNfriendliest countries towards the LGBTQ+ community, but today, I want to be more positive. I’m gonna focus on the FRIENDLIEST countries. And what do I mean by “friendly?” It’s a mix of progressive laws, public acceptance, and cultural celebration. The top countries consistently demonstrate a commitment to protecting and celebrating their LGBTQ+ communities. And what’s not a surprise to me is that the United States, my home country, is not on this list.

First up, we got my home away from home — the country I studied at for the last 4 months — the Netherlands! A trailblazer for embracing the LGBTQ+ community, homosexuality was legalized in the Netherlands in 1811. It became the FIRST country in the world to legalize same-sex marriage in 2001 (I can’t believe it really wasn’t super long ago). I just wish I were living in the Netherlands a little longer; Amsterdam Canal Pride is one of the most unique celebrations in the world, with floats proceeding on boats through the city’s waterways. Amsterdam remains one of my favorite cities abroad, and I am fortunate to be returning with my family at the end of the summer. I JUST learned that in 1987, the Netherlands unveiled the “Homomonument,” the first monument globally to commemorate LGBTQ+ people persecuted during World War II. I’ll try to check that out when I go back as well. You may also remember my last article where I did a deep dive into the Netherlands’ NEW Prime Minister, Rob Jetten, their first openly gay one.

Another trailblazer country is Canada, legalizing same-sex marriage in 2005. This country boasts some of the most progressive transgender rights, such as the ability to change legal gender without reassignment surgery. In 2019, Canada started minting $1 coins called “loonies” that celebrated the 50th anniversary of decriminalizing homosexuality; how cool is that?! Canada’s former Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, even led Pride parades waving a transgender flag. Toronto Pride attracts 1.5 million people! A poll in 2019 found that 91.8% of Canadians are comfortable with a lesbian, gay, or bisexual neighbor. Just a hunch, but I think that percentage would be much lower in the U.S., especially for a transgender neighbor.

Spain also legalized same-sex marriage in 2005, and same-sex activity became legal in 1979. Ranked #1 on the 2026 Europe “Rainbow Map” by the International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association, Spain most recently passed a law allowing gender recognition based on self-identification without surgery, just like Canada. Madrid Pride attracts around 2 million people! Spain has LGBTQ+ havens like Sitges, Gran Canaria, and Ibiza. I visited Madridwith my family last summer and remember the LGBTQ+ district of Chueca; the walls of the metro stop were rainbow!

Iceland gets a score of 93 on Equaldex’s Equality Index. Gay marriage was legalized in 2010, receiving a unanimous vote in parliament. And get this: in 2009, Iceland elected Jóhanna Sigurðardóttir, the world’s first openly gay national leader. I feel like I should already know that! The city of Reykjavik has quite the celebration for Pride as well, with over 30% of the country’s population attending! Granted, the population is under 400,000 people, but it’s “the biggest little Pride in the world!”

Shoutout to Malta, the pretty beach country I would have loved to go to during my time abroad. Malta criminalized conversion therapy, passed progressive trans-rights bills, and legalized gay marriage in 2017. The capital, Valletta, hosted EuroPride in 2023, and the population’s support grew from 18% in 2006 to 67% by 2019. Argentina was the first Latin American country to legalize same-sex marriage. In 2012,

Argentina passed the same law as Spain and Canada, allowing legal gender change without hormone therapy or surgery, and they even offered a third gender “X” option on passports. You wanna celebrate Pride in Argentina? Go to Buenos Aires. They have a great celebration in NOVEMBER — not June — and a vibrant culture of what they call “queer tango.”

Now, Morocco may not support LGBTQ+ rights, and I learned through my work at the Be A Friend Project (a bullying prevention non-profit) that many African countries have similar laws. However, South Africa became the first country in the world to outlaw discrimination based on sexual orientation in its constitution explicitly…and that was under Nelson Mandela in 1995. It became the only African nation to legalize gay marriage, and that was back in 2006. You can find large LGBTQ+ populations in Cape Town and Johannesburg; Johannesburg Pride is known as “The Pride of Africa.” I’m relieved to see that this continent does have some support!

Let’s fly on over to Asia. A pretty recent fact, Thailand’s marriage equality law went into effect in January 2025, making it the first Southeast Asian nation to legalize same-sex marriage. The country has long integrated a third gender, kathoey, into society. The capital of Thailand, Bangkok, is often referred to as the “gay capital of Asia,” hosting a massive party during the Songkran water festival. I am interested in learning more about kathoey. While some find themselves baffled by the idea of more than two genders, the recognition of more than two genders has existed for thousands of years across various cultures.

Last, but not least, we have Oceania, New Zealand. The country started offering gay-friendly travel certifications in 1998, elected Georgina Beyer in 1995 (the world’s first openly transgender mayor), and legalized marriage in 2013. Again, with Georgina, I feel like that’s a name everyone should know! At least everyone in the LGBTQ+ community!! And the “firsts” continue…former Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern was the first national leader to march in a Pride parade there in 2018. Pride events in New Zealand include the Auckland Pride Festival and Queenstown’s Gay Ski Week. Gay Ski Week sounds so niche…I’m intrigued!

These countries stand out because they go beyond legalizing same-sex marriage. These countries are banning conversion therapy, banning intersex infant surgery, and updating blooddonation laws to be gender-neutral rather than restricting gay men. These countries embraced LGBTQ+ (and ally) political leaders. Some countries also have those “gay villages,” like Cheuca in Spain and Bangkok in Thailand.

While no country is completely devoid of discrimination, I hope other countries take after these and show that positive change is possible with progressive laws and open-minded citizens. Global acceptance of the LGBTQ+ community has generally increased since 1980, but progress is still very polarized. If you are an LGBTQ+ individual looking for your next vacation spot, I strongly encourage using resources like Equaldex (a website) to see how safe and comfortable you would be, being your authentic self there. And while you’re at it, see if there are any Pride celebrations!

Daniel Simpson, born and raised in New Jersey, studies Business and Theatre at the University of Michigan (Go Blue!). He is the Media Coordinator for the Be A Friend Project, an international nonprofit focused on Bullying Prevention and Kindness Activism. When not working or studying, you can find Daniel performing, cooking, staying active, or going on an adventure with family or friends.