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# Europe sees “standstill” on LGBTQ+ rights
- URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/europe-sees-standstill-on-lgbtq-rights/
- Published: 2021-05-18T12:38:02.000Z
- Updated: 2021-05-18T12:38:02.000Z
- Description: ILGA-Europe’s annual Rainbow Map found advances on LGBTQ+ rights have come to “almost a complete standstill”.
- Author: Rachel Badham
- Tags: News, Politics, Europe, ILGA-Europe, International Day Against Homophobia Transphobia And Biphobia, LGBTQ, LGBTQ+ rights, Poland, UK

![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/ilga-europe-logo-1.jpg)

**ILGA-Europe’s** [annual Rainbow Map](https://www.ilga-europe.org/resources/news/latest-news/time-reboot-lgbti-rights-europe-rainbow-map-reveals-disturbing-stand?ref=scenemag.co.uk) found advances on LGBTQ+ rights have come to *“almost a complete standstill”*, with the **UK** falling further down the rankings of the most LGBTQ+ friendly countries in **Europe**. The map, published every year on the **International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia And Biphobia**, gives each European nation a ranking based on 71 criteria, including non-discrimination policies and hate crime laws.

**Malta** ranked the highest for the sixth year in a row, followed closely by **Belgium** and **Luxembourg**. The UK fell to 10th place after ranking in 9th last year. **Azerbaijan, Turkey** and **Armenia** ranked bottom, while **Poland** was the lowest ranking EU country for the second year in a row. ILGA-Europe said during the past 12 months, there has been *“almost no positive legislative change for LGBTQ+ people in Europe.”*

![](https://www.gscene.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/rainbow-map-600-400.jpg)

In response to the findings, executive director of ILGA-Europe, **Evelyne Paradis**, said: *“It is deeply worrying to report an almost complete standstill on LGBTQ+ rights and equality, especially at such a critical time for LGBTQ+ communities. In the past year, we’ve seen increased political repression against LGBTQ+ people, a stark rise in socio-economic hardship, and the spreading of LGBTQ-phobic hatred on the streets and online across the region.”*

She continued: *“Against this backdrop, the response from governments has to be more and better concrete action, to make sure people are more protected, not less. The human rights of LGBTQ+ people simply cannot be something that you drop when circumstances are challenging.”*

![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/ilga-europe-pride-1-1.jpg)