Gay-Friendly Countries 2026
- The Williams Institute’s Global Acceptance Index (GAI) measures the extent to which LGBTI people are seen in ways that are positive and inclusive, both with respect to an individual’s opinions about LGBTI people and with regard to an individual’s position on LGBTI policies.
- The Spartacus International Gay Guide publishes the Gay Travel Index (GTI), a ranking of gay-friendly countries. Higher scores are preferable. Points are added to countries for anti-discrimination legislation, equal marriage, partnership and adoption laws, and LGBT marketing. Meanwhile, points are subtracted for anti-LGBT laws, HIV travel restrictions, religious influence, and prosecution, murders, and death sentences. Not all categories are displayed.
- The GIA score for United Kingdom pertains only to Great Britain. The Spartacus score for China includes Hong Kong.
A country is considered gay-friendly based on how accepeting they are to the gay community and whether or not the laws in their community are supportive of gay issues. While a country may legally support gay individuals, laws alone are not a sole indicator of being gay-friendly.
Some key factors that determine whether or not a country is considered gay-friendly are:
- The political views toward gay issues
- LGBTQ+-friendly laws
- Whether or not gay marriage is legal
- Available quality healthcare for the LGBTQ community
- LGBTQ+-friendly recreation and social activities
Additionally, gay-friendly countries are ranked based on how members of the gay experience their lives in the nation.
The Most Gay-Friendly Countries
Canada
Canada was one of the first countries to pass significant anti-discrimination laws to protect gay individuals. The cities of Toronto, Montreal and Vancouer are home to the largest gay and queer population in North America. Canadian citizens also have a welcoming attitude towards the gay community, with 91.8% stating that they would be comfortable with a gay neighbor according to a 2019 Gallup poll.
New Zealand
New Zealand was one of the first countries to offer gay friendly travel ceritfications for the hospitality industry in 1998. The country has also embraced gay-frienly legislation, providing the right to gay marriage, the right for gay couples to adopt, the right to serve openly in the military, and equal housing and employment protections.
Iceland
In 1940, a law in Iceland criminalizing homosexual acts was repealed. Over the decades that followed, Iceland has passed several gay-friendly laws such as those that target anti-discriminiation, fair adoption, equal age of consent, and gay marriage. Iceland’s Parliament voted unanimously to redefine marriage as between two individuals rather than a man and a woman.
Greece
Greece has a long history of homosexuality, both culturally and in their mythology. That tradition has carried over into the modern world making Greece and welcome destination for the LGBTQ+ community, Mykonos in particular along with several other major cities and islands are the centers of Grecian gay nightlife.
Malta
In the last 10 years, Malta has become one of the most progressive countries in terms of LGBTQ Rights. While the island nation is traditionally Roman Catholoc, in 2014 progressive leadership ushered in pro-LGBTQ legislation including criminializing conversion therapy and several trans-rights bills. According to a 2019 Eurobarometer poll, by 2019 67% of the population agree with same-sex marriage.
France
France has always embraced unconventional lifestyles and when it comes to the LGBTQ+ community, they are leagues ahead of the rest of Europe. Since the 1970’s, Paris has welcomed the lifestyle as well as other major cities like Lyon and Marseille. The country has strong anti-discrimination laws, legal same-sex marriage and adoption.
Portugal
Portugal is one of the most nonchalant countries when it comes to same-sex PDA and is very progressive when it comes to gay marriage and gender identity. In 2010, Portugal became the 8th country to allow same-sex marriage, making it a popular desitnation for members if the LGBTQ+ community. A 2019 Eurobarometer poll showed that 80% of Portugal’s population support equal rights for lesbian, gay and bisexual people.
Australia
In the early 2000’s Australia became one of leaders of gay and lesbian rights and acceptance. 79% of people in Australia feel society should accept homosexuality, making it the fifth mosy accepting country in the world. Sydney sports one of the biggest pride events in the world along with Melbourne and Brisbane.
Thailand
Thailand exudes a welcoming philosophy when it comes to tourism and hospitality and helps LGBTQ+ travelers to feel welcome. Bangkok is one of the most welcoming to gay travelers cities in Asia. While Thailand is a fantastic destination for same-sex weddings, locals are not able to get married or have the legal rights of partnership. In spite of that, there are a number of anti-discrimination laws regarding employment and housing.
Argentina
In 2010, Argentina became the first Latin American country to legalize same-sex marriage and in 2012, the Gender Identity Law passed granting rights to transgender individuals. Argentina opened Latin America’s first trans community center, making it the LGBTQ+ center of South America.
