Journeying Across Europe as a Member of the LGBTQIA+ Community
Europe, a continent known for its diversity, also boasts a significant variation in the rights and social acceptance of LGBTQIA+ individuals, according to the 2025 ILGA-Europe Rainbow Map. This annual assessment ranks 49 European countries based on 76 criteria across seven thematic categories.
Malta, a small island nation in the Mediterranean, tops the European continent for LGBTQIA+ rights and social acceptance. For the past decade, Malta has held the number one spot, with an impressive score of 88.83%. The country's comprehensive legal protections, human rights policies, and anti-discrimination laws have earned it this distinction. Iceland, Denmark, Spain, and Germany follow closely, each with their own strong protections and social acceptance [1][3][4][5].
On the other end of the spectrum, countries like Russia, Azerbaijan, and Turkey score notably low, indicating severe legal and social challenges for LGBTQIA+ people. Russia and Azerbaijan each score 2%, while Turkey follows with 5% [3][4]. The overall average for European Union countries sits around 51.13%, indicating that while many countries have strong protections, widespread improvement is still needed across the region [3].
The Rainbow Map assesses countries not only on legal frameworks but also on political and social environments. This comprehensive approach provides a detailed picture of the situation facing LGBTQIA+ individuals across Europe.
For travelers, it's essential to be aware of national customs and practices to avoid unintentionally violating social norms or customs. Resources such as LGBTQIA+ travel agencies can help meet people from the community while traveling and provide valuable information about social norms, possible support centers, and their own rights in the country they are visiting.
Large cities in Europe, such as Madrid, Paris, Milan, Berlin, Amsterdam, and Helsinki, have neighborhoods or streets known for their queer scene. However, caution is advised when traveling, as isolated attacks on queer people can occur. Some countries, such as Spain and Greece, are popular destinations for queer travelers, according to Joerg Argelander, the co-owner of Overtherainbow, a travel agency that advises LGBTQIA+ people on safe travel [1].
In Germany, TIN* individuals can apply for a supplementary ID card from the dgti association, which documents all self-selected personal data and a current passport photo. This ID card, while recognised by many authorities, interior ministries, banks, universities, insurance companies, and the police, is only valid in combination with an official identity document [2].
Portugal is one of the few European countries with a self-determination law, and same-sex couples are common in its big cities. However, public displays of affection between adults, regardless of gender, are unusual.
The EU has provisions to protect LGBTQIA+ people, but some member states or candidate countries have removed "gender identity" from their equality laws, such as Hungary and Georgia [1].
Examples of cultural events for queer people include the Queer Britain museum in London and the queer bookshop Antigone in Milan. For those looking for networking opportunities or queer hostels, there are apps available.
In summary, while Europe offers a diverse landscape for LGBTQIA+ travelers, it's crucial to stay informed and aware of local customs and laws. Resources like the ILGA-Europe Rainbow Map can help travelers make informed decisions about their destinations, ensuring a safer and more enjoyable journey.
References:
[1] Argelander, J. (n.d.). Personal interview.
[2] dgti. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.dgti.de/
[3] ILGA-Europe. (2025). Rainbow Map 2025. Retrieved from https://rainbow-europe.org/
[4] Malta Today. (2021, July 1). Malta tops the Rainbow Map 2021 for the 10th year in a row. Retrieved from https://www.maltatoday.com.mt/news/national/122042/malta_tops_the_rainbow_map_2021_for_the_10th_year_in_a_row
[5] The Local. (2021, July 1). Malta tops European LGBTQI+ rights ranking for 10th year running. Retrieved from https://www.thelocal.de/20210701/malta-tops-european-lgbtqi-rights-ranking-for-10th-year-running
- The comprehensive ILGA-Europe Rainbow Map, a national assessment, ranks countries acrossthe world, including Europe, based on 76 criteria and seven thematic categories, providing insights into the social acceptance and legal rights of LGBTQIA+ individuals in various continental cultures.
- While countries like Malta, Iceland, Denmark, Spain, and Germany possess strong protections for LGBTQIA+ individuals and enjoy high rankings on the Rainbow Map, nations such as Russia, Azerbaijan, and Turkey exhibit severe legal and social challenges for members of this community.
- Given the diverse cultural landscape of Europe, travelers should be aware of national customs and practices to ensure a safe and enjoyable journey, researching resources like LGBTQIA+ travel agencies for valuable insights about social norms, possible support centers, and rights in the destination country.
