Esha Goyal
he word “normal” is getting revolutionized as the world is becoming more inclusive and accepting towards the LGBTQ+ community. Impeaching stares are averting; they know better today. India, albeit small, has taken its first step into being a more tolerant nation by the decriminalization of section 377.
Bollywood has followed suit with almost no recent stereotypical and, rather patronizing depictions of gay men in Indian cinema.
Pride Month is celebrated every June to commemorate the Stonewell Riots, an important event in gay history that led to the gay liberalization movement.
This year, pride parades witnessed incredible participation and support and although we are just starting, there are nations who have had liberal LGBTQ+ laws for many years.
In the view of Pride Month, we have compiled a list of countries with laws that made the lives of the LGBTQ a little easy.
1. The Netherlands
The Netherlands, fittingly sits at the top of the list. It was, after all, the first country to decriminalise homosexuality. Not only did it decriminalise homosexuality way back in 1811, but it also banned discrimination based on sexual orientation in 1994.
Being an early adapter of laws that put all its citizens on a common ground, the Netherlands also became the first country to make same sex marriage and adoption legal in 2001, thus, establishing itself as one of the most culturally liberal countries in the world.
Amsterdam is one of the most LGBTQ-friendly cities in the world with its many gay bars, bathhouses, hotels, and venues which offer LGBTQ-friendly information and souvenirs. It is also home to the national Homomonument, which is the first monument to commemorate homosexuals who were victimized and killed during World War 2.
2. Argentina
In a bid to overcome prejudice against the gay community, Argentina became the first country in Latin America to legalise same-sex marriages in 2010. Soon after, in 2012, it passed the Gender Identity Law which allows people to change their legal gender without facing barriers such as hormone therapy, surgery or psychiatric diagnosis that labels them as having an abnormality.
Having “one of the world's most comprehensive transgender rights laws”, Argentina’s capital, Buenos Aires has been declared the “Latin America’s gay capital”.
3. Canada
Upholding its stereotype of being polite and friendly, Canada is also referred to as one of the most gay-friendly countries in the world. The country, which is said to have some of the most advanced laws, sanctioned same-sex sexual activity as lawful in 1969 and become the fourth country to legalise gay marriage in 2005.
Canadian Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, has always been an open supporter of the gay community. In 2016, he became the country’s first head of government to take part in Toronto’s annual gay pride parade. He was seen yelling “Happy Pride”, while waving the transgender flag.
4. Norway
Ranked first on the World Happiness Report 2017, Norway, apart from having one of the lowest crime rates, is also one of the first to pass anti-discriminatory laws against the gay community (1981). Same-sex marriage, adoption, and assisted insemination treatments for lesbian couples have been legal since 2009.
The country also allows you to change your gender legally without medical changes. What’s more is that Norway has a “Casamiento Express” or Express Marriage for same-sex couples- no matter what nationality- in just 5 days.
5. Belgium
LGBTQ rights in Belgium are seen as some of the most progressive in Europe. The country legalised same-sex sexual activity in 1795 (except between 1965- 1985). It became the second country to legalise same-sex marriages in 2003 and made adoption legal in 2006.
The county’s previous Prime Minister, Elio Di Rupo, is an openly gay man. The country is also host to popular pride festivals like La Demence, Unicorn Festival, and SPEK.