Worst 10 countries in Europe for LGBTQ+ rights

ILGA-Europe has released its annual Rainbow Map for 2025, providing an analysis of LGBTQ+ rights and the climate for family in 49 European states. The European rights group is part of the International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association (ILGA World), an international advocacy group for the LGBTQ+ community.

Related: These are the top 10 European countries for LGBTQ+ rights and travel

While there were some positive signs in many countries, others ranked among the very worst climates for the LGBTQ+ community. The U.K., for instance, dropped 6 places in the ranking after its recent Supreme Court decision on trans women.

And it’s no surprise that Russia under President Vladimir Putin is at the bottom of the Rainbow Map for 2025.

“The Rainbow Map 2025 offers a stark snapshot of where Europe stands on LGBTI human rights, and highlights the pressing need to defend and advance these rights in the context of acute democratic erosion,” ILGA-Europe concluded. “If left unchallenged, these tactics risk spreading further across Europe, undermining a human rights framework that has taken decades to build.”

Keep scrolling to see ILGA-Europe’s bottom 10 countries for LGBTQ+ rights and cultural climate.

You can view the ILGA Europe Rainbow Map at rainbowmap.ilga-europe.org.

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10. Ukraine

Overall score 2025: 18.76 percent (40th)

Overall score 2024: 18.76 percent (41st)

Quote of note:

“The ongoing war has exacerbated preexisting issues such as discrimination, displacement, and limited access to essential services, all of which disproportionately affect LGBTI people. The conflict has also underscored the pressing need for legal recognition of same-sex partnerships, particularly for LGBTI military personnel whose partners lack rights to make critical decisions or access state support in cases of injury or death.”

RELATED: Ukrainian men shine in ‘Elska Odessa’s intimate photography

You can learn more about Ukraine’s performance at the ILGA Europe Rainbow Map.

You can read the entire ILGA Europe Annual Review of the Human Rights Situation of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans, and Intersex People in Europe and Central Asia at www.ilga-europe.org.

9. Romania

Overall score 2025: 18.63 percent (41st)

Overall score 2024: 17.50 percent (42nd)

Quote of note:

“A study by MozaiQ Association revealed significant gaps in healthcare services for LGBTI people. Queer women reported feeling unsafe during visits to obstetricians, gynecologists, and even in ambulances. Additionally, the study highlighted the lack of established procedures for trans healthcare, rendering it inaccessible and experimental.”

RELATED: The world’s top 10 queer and trans-friendly cities

You can learn more about Romania’s performance at the ILGA Europe Rainbow Map.

You can read the entire ILGA Europe Annual Review of the Human Rights Situation of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans, and Intersex People in Europe and Central Asia at www.ilga-europe.org.

8. San Marino

Overall score 2025: 14.97 percent (42nd)

Overall score 2024: 14.52 percent (43rd)

Quote of note:

“The parliament voted in favour of providing free PrEP treatment to combat the spread of HIV. While the therapy is approved on paper, implementation measures, such as dedicated offices, personnel, funding, drug availability, and informational resources, remain absent. ”

RELATED: 15 destinations from ‘Lonely Planet’s new LGBTQ+ travel guide

You can learn more about San Marino’s performance at the ILGA Europe Rainbow Map.

You can read the entire ILGA Europe Annual Review of the Human Rights Situation of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans, and Intersex People in Europe and Central Asia at www.ilga-europe.org.

7. Monaco

Overall score 2025: 13.70 percent (43rd)

Overall score 2024: 13.93 percent (44th)

Quote of note:

“In June, Monaco Pride celebrated its third edition, with over 150 attendees including Camille Gottlieb, daughter of Princess Stephanie.”

RELATED: Here are 38 countries that have legalized marriage equality

You can learn more about Monaco’s performance at the ILGA Europe Rainbow Map.

You can read the entire ILGA Europe Annual Review of the Human Rights Situation of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans, and Intersex People in Europe and Central Asia at www.ilga-europe.org.

6. Georgia

Overall score 2025: 11.88 percent (44th)

Overall score 2024: 25.30 percent (37th)

“Just one day after the Parliament of Georgia passed an anti-LGBTI law, a celebrity trans woman, Kesaria Abramidze, was found brutally murdered in her apartment. The subsequent investigation pertains to premeditated murder with aggravating circumstances of special cruelty based on gender identity. ”

RELATED: Discover the 15 safest U.S. cities for LGBTQ+ travel

You can learn more about Georgia’s performance at the ILGA Europe Rainbow Map.

You can read the entire ILGA Europe Annual Review of the Human Rights Situation of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans, and Intersex People in Europe and Central Asia at www.ilga-europe.org.

5. Belarus

Overall score 2025: 10.16 percent (45th)

Overall score 2024: 11.16 percent (45th)

Quote of note:

“The state-run Belarusian television channel aired an episode of the youth talk show Yes, But which discussed potential punishments for non-normative sexual orientations and gender identities. The program equated LGBTI identities with paedophilia and labelled LGBTI community practices and identities as ‘a weapon in the hands of the West and the United States’ and ‘a danger to Belarusian statehood.’”

RELATED: The world’s 10 most visited cities and which ones execute gays

You can learn more about Belarus’s performance at the ILGA Europe Rainbow Map.

You can read the entire ILGA Europe Annual Review of the Human Rights Situation of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans, and Intersex People in Europe and Central Asia at www.ilga-europe.org.

4. Armenia

Overall score 2025: 9.16 percent (46th)

Overall score 2024: 9.16 percent (46th)

Quote of note:

“By the end of the year, at least 57 cases of discrimination, violence, and hate speech based on sexual orientation and gender identity were reported by LGBTI people. Violations recorded included instances of torture and inhumane treatment, such as conversion practices, domestic violence and breaches of privacy, robbery and extortion, and educational discrimination, including bullying and neglect by teaching staff. Notably, many of these discrimination cases entailed blackmail incidents targeting LGBTI people.”

RELATED: The top 15 countries in Europe for LGBTQ+ folks

You can learn more about Armenia’s performance at the ILGA Europe Rainbow Map.

You can read the entire ILGA Europe Annual Review of the Human Rights Situation of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans, and Intersex People in Europe and Central Asia at www.ilga-europe.org.

3. Turkey

Overall score 2025: 4.75 percent (47th)

Overall score 2024: 4.75 percent (47th)

Quote of note:

“In July in Izmir, a trans woman was killed in a knife attack at her home. She received nearly 50 stab wounds in the attack, 27 of which were fatal. The perpetrator is under arrest for attempted premeditated murder. In November, a trans woman in Samsun was assaulted and robbed of her jewellery. The attacker justified his actions by claiming that the victim had mocked his masculinity, a defense often used to excuse violence against LGBTI people.”

RELATED: Turkish film festival canceled after Daniel Craig film banned

You can learn more about Turkey’s performance at the ILGA Europe Rainbow Map.

You can read the entire ILGA Europe Annual Review of the Human Rights Situation of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans, and Intersex People in Europe and Central Asia at www.ilga-europe.org.

2. Azerbaijan

Overall score 2025: 2.25 percent (48th)

Overall score 2024: 2.25 percent (48th)

Quote of note:

“In May, a woman from Krasnoyarsk forcibly transported her 18-year-old daughter to Baku, confiscating her documents, phone, and antidepressants after she revealed her sexual orientation. Her current whereabouts are unknown.”

RELATED: Two suspects arrested in murder and dismemberment of gay nightclub owner

You can learn more about Azerbaijan’s performance at the ILGA Europe Rainbow Map.

You can reach the entire ILGA Europe Annual Review of the Human Rights Situation of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans, and Intersex People in Europe and Central Asia at www.ilga-europe.org.

1. Russia

Overall score 2025: 2.00 percent (49th)

Overall score 2024: 2.00 percent (49th)

Quote of note:

“At least 18 police raids in gay clubs and queer parties were carried out in different Russian cities during 2024, according to one of the LGBTI news channels on Telegram. Often, these raids were carried out with violence (see here and here) and the objective of humiliating, detaining, and prosecuting patrons for LGBTI propaganda and extremism (see here, here, and here). Some of the clubs targeted by these raids were subsequently forced to close.”

RELATED: Putin’s new Russia – woman receives jail time for rainbow frog earrings

You can learn more about Russia’s performance at the ILGA Europe Rainbow Map.

You can reach the entire ILGA Europe Annual Review of the Human Rights Situation of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans, and Intersex People in Europe and Central Asia at www.ilga-europe.org.