Rainbow Europe: colors indicate what life is like for LGBTI people

“ILGA-Europe’s 2014 edition of its Rainbow Europe package shows that while the human rights of LGBTI people have undoubtedly gained great visibility across Europe, progress in terms of real legal, political and social changes vary considerably from one country to another, in large part depending on levels of societal acceptance, of political leadership and political will, as well as the strength of civil society in a given country.”
– Gabi Calleja, Co-Chair of ILGA-Europe Executive Board.

Each May ILGA-Europe (International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association) releases its Rainbow Europe review, to mark the International Day against Homophobia and Transphobia. The Rainbow Europe Map and Index is a tool to show the human rights situation of LGBT people in European countries. It assesses what life is like for LGBTI people in every European country, covering discrimination, family recognition, hate speech/crimes, gender recognition, freedom of assembly, association and expression, and asylum laws.

Rainbow Europe Map mirrors the 49 European countries legislation and policies that have a direct impact on the enjoyment of human rights by LGBTI people. The map shows each country’s situation and point out score on a scale between 0% and 100%. The color scale indicates the countries that are on the way towards full legal respect of the human rights of LGBTI people (green) and which countries are hanging behind (red).

The highest scores were recorded in United Kingdom, Belgium, Spain and Netherlands where overall scores ranked from 70% to 82%. 34 out of 49 European countries (including 14 EU Member States) are below 50% mark. Overall score for the European Union is 32%.

The position of the Armenia is 47th and after Armenia coming Azerbaijan and Russia where the situation for LGBTI people rights situation is the worst. In Caucasus with high position excels Georgia with the score 26 %.[:]