Queer Rights 2024 : what changes to expect/hope/dread around the Globe

During this past year, it seemed at times that LGBTQ+ Rights around the globe were regressing, particularly with right-wing rampantly homophobic US politicians targeting our community. We were therefore quite shocked to discover things were getting better, often in some unexpected countries.

As of the end of 2023, gay sex is a criminal offense in at least 66 countries. That’s down from 72 just two years prior, and over 90 in the year 2000.

YELLOW countries have sodomy laws that are currently being challenged before local courts. Sri Lanka, in PINK, currently has a bill before its parliament to repeal its sodomy law. Indonesia, in ORANGE, has laws that criminalize homosexuality only in some subnational jurisdictions. All states in RED have nationwide sodomy laws and no known efforts to remove them.

We expect that long-term downward trend to continue into 2024 : and here’s the list of what else we think we can expect to happen in the coming year:

The most likely states to decriminalize gay sex this year are probably the African nation Namibia, plus probably Dominica, Grenada, St. Lucia, and St. Vincent and the Grenadines. These Caribbean countries are having to shed the anti-gay laws that were imposed on them when they were part of the British Empire/Commonwealth. There are similar laws also being challenged in Malawi, Kenya and Tunisia plus also Sri Lanka is trying to finally pass anti=sodomy law.

Thailand, Greece, and tiny Liechtenstein are expected to legalize same-sex marriage, and possibly also the Caribbean islands Aruba, Curaçao and Saint Maarten,

Change is also brewing in Eastern Europe: Latvia is holding a referendum, the Lithuanian Parliament is debating a Bill, and now Ukraine’s President Zelenskyy is also considering a civil union bill, Poland is not just rolling back the anti-LGBTQ+ and anti-democratic laws of the outgoing right-wing government, but will also in introduce a civil union bill. Sadly it looks like the neighboring Czech Republic may not be able to pass its same-sex marriage bill currently in Parliament.

The Indian Supreme Court is hearing an appeal of its own decision against legalizing same-sex marriage. in Japan, the courts are deliberating several challenges and appeals seeking same-sex marriage.

Then there is the whole matter of conversion therapy. Potential bans are expected in Mexico, Ireland, Switzerland, and Austria, in certain Australian States……. but not in the UK if the far-right succeeds

In Uganda, some very brave souls are asking the Courts to strike down their new Anti-Homosexuality Law which stiffened penalties for gay sex, forbids LGBTQ+ activism and requires people to report suspected homosexuals to the government

Then there are two major Elections in 2024: in the US if Trump does prevail it would be catastrophic for our community and other minorities—not just in the U.S.. On the other hand in the UK, it is predicted that the Labour Party will win power and they have pledged to introduce a conversion therapy ban and to finally introduce a fair and dignified gender recognition system for trans people.

Here’s to a Happy Queer New Year wherever you live in the world.