10 Most Gay Friendly Countries In the World

Below you can find the list of 10 most gay friendly countries in the world. For a detailed coverage of this topic and a more comprehensive list, please take a look at the 20 most gay friendly countries in the world.

10. France

Ranking according to Asher Ferguson: 8

Ranking according to Nomadic Boys: 15

The top 10 is utterly dominated by France, which legalized same sex marriage in 2013, and became the first country in the world to declassify transgenderism as an illness.

9. Netherlands

Ranking according to Asher Ferguson: 13

Ranking according to Nomadic Boys: 3

The Netherlands is one of the most progressive countries in the world, and more than 90% of the population supports same sex marriage, which was legalized in 2001, becoming the first country in the world to do so.

8. Iceland

Ranking according to Asher Ferguson: 9

Ranking according to Nomadic Boys: 12

Same-sex couples in Iceland have been able to apply for IVF and adoptions since 2006, and in February 2009, had the first gay head of government in modern times. In 2010, same sex marriage was legalized.

7. Finland

Ranking according to Asher Ferguson: 7

Ranking according to Nomadic Boys: 16

Finland has one of the highest support from the general population for same sex marriage in the world, which is why it is considered one of the most gay friendly countries in the world. While a lot of positive strides have been made in the country in this regard, unlike many other European countries, it requires hormone therapy or gender reassignment surgery before the gender can be legally changed.

6. Spain

Ranking according to Asher Ferguson: 10

Ranking according to Nomadic Boys: 2

Spain decriminalized same sex sexual acts in 1979, before legalizing same sex marriage in 2005, while transgender people are able to change their gender without requiring gender reassignment surgery or hormonal therapy.

5. Norway

Ranking according to Asher Ferguson: 3

Ranking according to Nomadic Boys: 17

Scandinavian countries are considered among the foremost countries to champion the rights of LGBT people, and Norway is one of them, which was one of the first countries in the world to pass laws making illegal discrimination due to sexual orientation.

4. Portugal

Ranking according to Asher Ferguson: 4

Ranking according to Nomadic Boys: 13

We told you Europe would dominate this list and Portugal is no different, which became the 8th country in the world to legalize same sex marriage in 2010 and passed one of the most advanced laws pertaining to gender identity back in 2011. Surveys suggest 8 out of every 10 people in the country believe that homosexuals should have the same rights as heterosexuals.

3. United Kingdom

Ranking according to Asher Ferguson: 6

Ranking according to Nomadic Boys: 4

Due to the strength of Christianity in the early formation of the United Kingdom, LGBT rights were non existent and severe punishment was meted out to those engaged in same sex acts. However, the country has evolved over the past several decades, especially post 21st century, and now all countries in the UK have legalized same sex marriage, which includes Northern Ireland, who legalized the same in 2020.

2. Sweden

Ranking according to Asher Ferguson: 1

Ranking according to Nomadic Boys: 5

Sweden is the most gay friendly country in Europe, and has some of the most progressive rights for the LGBT community in the world, with same sex sexual activity having been legalized since 1994. Even back in 1972, the age of consent for same sex sexual activity was made the same as for a heterosexual person, and even became the first country in the world to allow transgender people to officially change their gender post gender reassignment surgery in addition to declassifying transvestism as an illness in the same year. In 2013, changing genders was allowed even if there wasn’t any gender reassignment surgery or hormone replacement therapy.

In 2009, Sweden legalized same sex marriages, even though same-sex couples could apply for partner benefits for the last 25 years, since the relevant legislation was passed back in 1995. Since 1987, it has been illegal to discriminate based on sexual orientation while lesbian couples have had access to artificial insemination and IVF since 2005. Same-sex couples have also been able to adopt children since 2003, six years before same-sex marriage was legalized.

1. Canada

Ranking according to Asher Ferguson: 2

Ranking according to Nomadic Boys: 1

Topping the list of the 25 most gay friendly countries in the world is Canada, which is famous  for its tolerance and progressive policies. Same sex sexual activity has been legal for over 50 years now, and most of its biggest cities have their own gay communities as well as areas which include the Church and Wellesley neighborhood in Toronto, as well as the Gay Village district in Montreal. For the past 25, years it has been illegal to discriminate based on sexual orientation.