Why LGBT+ Rights Are Threatened
Why LGBT+ Rights Are Threatened Around the World
Under Attack
In 2025, LGBT+ rights are under significant threat globally, despite progress in some regions. Political repression, cultural and religious conservatism, disinformation, and economic inequality have combined to erode hard-won freedoms in many countries.
The Peter Tatchell Foundation examines nature and the factors behind these threats, using real-world examples to illustrate the challenges faced by LGBT+ communities in 2025.
Many authoritarian parties and regimes have intensified their attacks on LGBT+ rights, using them as political scapegoats to win bigoted votes and consolidate power.
In Uganda, the Anti-Homosexuality Act was reintroduced with harsher penalties, including life imprisonment and even the death penalty for “aggravated homosexuality.” This law not only endangers the lives of LGBT+ individuals but also empowers vigilantes to persecute them with impunity.
It is being used to create an ‘enemy within’ to deflect attention from the economic failings of the Uganda dictatorship.
In Russia, LGBTs are scapegoated by homophobic politicians seeking Putin’s favour.
The expansion of its “anti-gay propaganda” law and designation of LGBTs as “extremist” bans all public expressions of LGBT+ identities, including social media posts and educational resources. This legal repression has led to police raids on LGBT+ venues. It forces activists into silence and eliminates safe spaces for the community.
Similarly, spearheaded by the Catholic church in Poland, “LGBT-free sones” continue to thrive, with local governments passing resolutions that effectively exclude LGBT+ individuals from public life and prevent education and support for LGBTs.
Economic Inequality and Marginalisation
Economic instability continues to disproportionately affect LGBT+ individuals, exacerbating their vulnerabilities. In Kenya, many LGBT+ individuals live in poverty due to employment discrimination and a lack of legal protections. The criminalisation of homosexuality in Kenya further isolates them, making it difficult to access healthcare, housing or justice when they are the victims of hate crimes.
This state of affairs is maintained by pressure from Christian and Islamic clerics – and homophobic MPs.
In refugee camps worldwide, LGBT+ refugees face harassment, violence and exclusion. In 2025, reports from camps in Turkey highlighted that LGBT+ refugees who had fled persecution in Syria were often denied basic resources and targeted for violent attack by other camp residents.
Their plight is compounded by inaction by the UN refugee agency and the lack of international funding for specific protections.
Backlash to Progress
Progress in some parts of the world has triggered a backlash in others. When Taiwan legalised same-sex marriage in 2019, it became a beacon of hope in Asia. However, this progress sparked counter-movements in neighbouring countries like Indonesia, where new laws criminalising extramarital sex (including same-sex relationships) were passed in 2022.
In Hungary, Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has framed LGBT+ rights as a “Western threat,” banning educational content and media that portrays LGBT+ identities. Such moves undermine progress elsewhere by fostering a narrative that LGBT+ rights are incompatible with national or cultural values.
Resistance and Solidarity
Despite these challenges, the global LGBT+ community continues to resist. Grassroots organisations in countries like Nigeria and Iran, where same-sex relationships are criminalised, have found creative ways to organise, using encrypted messaging apps to avoid detection. International solidarity campaigns, such as those led by Amnesty International or the United Nations Free & Equal campaign, work to highlight abuses and pressure governments to act.
Alok Vaid-Menon
Millie, Helplines Advisor at Respect, shared why Alok is their LGBT+ icon…
‘‘Alok Vaid-Menon (they/them) is an extraordinary poet, comedian, social and political activist, fashionista, public speaker, author and actor. They are an inspiration for me due to their creative works and activism.
Alok continues to centre love, kindness and resistance in their art, and I often seek out the way they discuss and explore complex political and social issues when I’m in need of comfort, direction, or clarity.
Today, Alok advocates for bodily diversity, freedom of gender expression, self-determinism and explicitly opposes racism, sexism, homophobia and transphobia.’’
Ellen Pence
Jo Todd CBE, CEO at Respect shared why Ellen Pence is her LGBT+ Icon:
‘‘I want to remember Ellen Pence, an activist from the US who many of you will know, who was one of the founders of the Duluth model. I met her a few times, and she was such a joy to be around and a great storyteller! Half activist, half stand-up comedian
Our movement was built on the shoulders of lesbians and bi women, many of whom have been forgotten, but thankfully Ellen’s memory and legacy live on.
It’s so important to tell our stories and celebrate the people who helped build what we now have.’’
During the 1960s, Ellen was an activist in the housing, anti-war, civil rights and feminist movements. In 1975, she became active in the Battered Women’s Movement, which became the primary focus of her work. After a time of advocating for funding for women’s shelters, Ellen moved from Minneapolis to Duluth, MN, where in 1980, she and a small group of activists organised the Domestic Abuse Intervention Project, commonly referred to as the “Duluth Model.”
This model, which has been adapted for use throughout the world, employs an interagency approach to shift responsibility for confronting domestic violence from the victims of the violence to the community, based on the idea that women (and their children) have as much right to be safe at home as all people have to be safe on the street.
George Michael
Sarah, Finance Officer at Respect, shared why George Michael is her LGBT+ icon:
”His story reminds me how far we have come. Having to deny his sexuality and put on the facade of being a very straight man was one of the reasons I decided to write my dissertation on popular music and sexuality.
I was very pleased to see that after he came out he became an active LGBT+ rights campaigner and HIV/AIDS charity fundraiser and released an excellent song.”
George Michael was in the music world for over 30 years, with highs and lows, working with others and flying solo, leaving a lasting impact on many.
It was in 1998 that Michael announced that he was gay after an incident with the police. After this announcement he continued to work on his music and tour but also, as Sarah said, became an LGBT+ campaigner and HIV/AIDS charity fundraiser.
It wasn’t until after his death that his full generosity and kindness was revealed. He often donated his time and much of his wealth anonymously. This included volunteering at homeless shelters, paying for a woman’s fertility treatments, and tipping a waitress enough to help her pay for her school fees. He donated millions to charities, including Childline, as he wanted to support vulnerable children. All whilst remaining hidden from the headlines.
Pride still matters
Today’s blog comes from Stephen Williams, Chair of the Public Health and Communities Committee, who thirty years ago was Bristol City Council’s first openly gay councillor (elected in 1995) and later the city’s first gay MP. With the Bristol Pride parade and event on The Downs taking place this weekend, Stephen talks about the importance of these celebrations and his own experiences.
It’s fantastic now that we have several councillors who identify as LGBTQIA+ including the first councillor elected whilst being openly trans in May last year. Representation matters in politics, its’s great that we have councillors from our wide queer community at the heart of our decision making. Together, we can ensure we continue to develop a city that works for all residents and communities.
Pride began as a protest and those of us who identify as LGBTQIA+ can still face discrimination, prejudice, hatred, and even violence today. This is why Pride is still important to celebrate. As a local authority, we’re continuing to put equality and inclusion at the heart of everything we do and are committed to making Bristol a safe city for LGBTQIA+ people.
I’ve experienced this prejudice myself during my teens, including physical bullying at school and then later, homophobic hate mail as a politician. There have been huge legal and societal changes in recent times, such as the policies to deal with homophobic bullying in schools and the legalisation of same sex marriage. I’m proud to have played a leading role in Parliament for both of those changes. It is now much easier to feel accepted as an openly gay person.
However, the environment has very recently become more chilling for our trans brothers and sisters, so I want to echo the words of support for the trans community that Councillor Tony Dyer, Leader of the Council, made at Tuesday’s Full Council meeting. Bristol is a city for everyone, and I will continue to work with colleagues to make sure that everyone is accepted for who they are, equally.
Where does the UK stand
June marks the beginning of global LGBT+ Pride celebrations, providing the opportunity for LGBT+ communities to celebrate their identity and culture, but also to raise awareness about the inequalities they face, and to advocate for change.
The beginning of Pride as we know it today began with the Stonewall Riots of 1969, where a group of LGBT+ individuals protested against police brutality and discrimination faced by their community following the raid of the LGBT+ bar ‘The Stonewall Inn’ in New York City (NYC). The first Pride demonstration followed this action in NYC in 1970, which sparked global movements to fight back against LGBT+ discrimination, with the first Pri
e marches in the UK taking place in London in 1972, on the anniversary of the riots at Stonewall. Scotland followed over 20 years later, with its first large-scale Pride march taking place in Edinburgh in 1995.
At that time, same-sex sexual acts for adults over 21 years of age had recently been decriminalised in the UK but remained illegal in Scotland until 1981, and the education and promotion of homosexuality was illegal in schools under ‘Section 28’ of the Local Government Act 1988. Same-sex civil partnerships and marriages were also prohibited.
These laws affirmed homophobic beliefs in a society that viewed being LGBT+ as immoral. There were no legal protections for LGBT+ people facing discrimination based on their sexual or gender identity.
The public health effects of this lack of recognition and support for LGBT+ communities were seen, for example, during the AIDS epidemic of the 1980s, where homophobia fuelled misconceptions about the disease, how it spread and how it could be treated. The disease was initially named ‘GRID’ (Gay-Related Immune Deficiency), as it was depicted inaccurately as only targeting gay men.
The lack of response and fear-based messaging around the disease increased discrimination and stigma around LGBT+ identities at the time, meaning many people lived in fear and could not access the treatment they needed.
Although more recently, equality and representation has significantly improved for LGBT+ communities in the UK – due to the abolishment of discriminatory anti-LGBT+ laws and the creation of laws offering protection to LGBT+ individuals, such as the Equality Act 2010 – LGBT+ people still face inequalities today.
Glasgow
The historical lack of population-level LGBT+ identification data inhibits our ability to fully understand the scale and nuances of LGBT+ inequalities, although the inclusion of sexual and gender identity questions within the 2022 Scottish Census is a positive development. As public health professionals, we must harness this opportunity to further explore the health needs of LGBT+ groups and to advocate for better support and inclusion to prevent the exacerbation of health inequalities for this population.
In the lead up to Glasgow Pride on the 19th July, we will continue to highlight key public health issues relating to LGBT+ equality, and to spotlight the vital work of local grassroots organisations that support LGBT+ people to thrive in Scotland.
We rely on your support to keep going. Please donate to power our vital work and help us address the needs of LGBTQ+ people through our Unity Fund.
However, more corporations are pulling out there is too much controversary surround the pride, managers and organisers keep large amount of money for themselves little goes towards the pride.
Bottom lone of the Gay pride is that is been sold to the private sector, Pride as I remember use to be free event and you can give some donations while in the park and people use to be very generous with donations. These days pride is another total sold out event and lost its direction and purpose.
Cultural and Religious Conservatism
Deeply rooted cultural and religious beliefs often fuel discrimination and violence against LGBT+ individuals. In Saudi Arabia, homosexuality remains punishable by death. Discrimination is rife and so-called ‘honour’ killings are an ever-present danger. The state’s adherence to conservative Islamic doctrines leaves no room for LGBT+ advocacy or dialogue.
In India, despite the decriminalisation of homosexuality in 2018, cultural stigma persists, fuelled by ignorance and religious zealots. Transgender individuals, for instance, frequently face ostracism, and incidents of anti-LGBT+ violence are underreported due to fear of societal backlash. Honour-based violence against LGBT+ people remains a hidden epidemic in many rural areas of India and other parts of South Asia.
Even in countries with established LGBT+ protections, religious and cultural conservatism can stall progress. In the United States, the Christian and Republican right have forced the removal of LGBT+ books from some schools and public libraries. States like Florida and Texas have introduced laws banning gender-affirming care for transgender youth, effectively criminalising necessary medical support. This is often justified as “protecting children” but disproportionately harms vulnerable individuals.
Disinformation and Social Media
Social media platforms have become both a lifeline and a battlefield for LGBT+ rights. While they amplify the case for equality, they also serve as channels for disinformation campaigns. Far-right groups have spread false claims that drag shows “groom children” or that gender-affirming care is “experimental and harmful.”
In the UK, coordinated far right and Christian extremist online campaigns have targeted Pride events with fabricated claims that they are “sexualising public spaces.” These narratives embolden physical protests and attacks, such as those witnessed at London Pride in 2024.
Similarly, in Brazil, fake news circulated on WhatsApp has fuelled social cleansing and violence against LGBTs; often framing them as a ‘perverted’ and ‘deviant’ threat to religious and cultural norms.
Finally
The threats to LGBT+ rights in 2025 are real. They highlight the fragility of progress and the need for ongoing vigilance.
To counter these dangers, global solidarity is essential. Governments, human rights organisations and activists must collaborate to protect LGBT+ people, amplify their voices, and hold oppressive regimes accountable. Only through collective action can we ensure that LGBT+ rights are not just preserved but expanded, creating a world where everyone can live free from fear and discrimination.
The Peter Tatchell Foundation is dedicated to advancing LGBT+ human rights worldwide. Building on Peter Tatchell’s 58 years of fearless activism, our Foundation campaigns tirelessly to challenge discrimination, promote legal reforms and give a platform to marginalised LGBT+ communities.
Whether advocating decriminalisation and equal marriage or supporting hate crime victims and refugees fleeing persecution, our Foundation strives to create a fairer, more inclusive planet.
By engaging in public education, lobbying efforts and direct action protests, with your support, the PTF remains at the forefront of the global fight for justice and equality for all, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity – and regardless of race, sex, disability and belief.
For Pride this year, our staff have been sharing and celebrating our individual LGBT+ icons and what they mean to us. We’ll share a few here throughout the month
More To Do
A recently published evidence review from Chris Harkins of GCPH and LGBT Health and Wellbeing highlights the effects of stigma, discrimination and intolerance on the health and well-being of LGBT+ people. One of the report’s starkest examples of this is powerful evidence demonstrating that across the UK, lesbian, gay and bisexual (LGB) adults have a higher prevalence of poor mental health and lower well-being compared to heterosexual adults. Data on the health and well-being of transgender communities remain limited, the report highlights studies that explore the well-being of this population, which demonstrate higher rates of depression, anxiety and suicidality.
The evidence review also finds that LGBT+ groups are reported tohave higher rates of drug and alcohol consumption, have poorer diets, and engage in lower levels of physical activity than the general population, all of which increases their risk of health issues such as cardiovascular disease and cancer.
Human rights experts have stated that LGBT+ rights in the UK have regressed in recent years, with ILGA-Europe’s annual Rainbow Map, demonstrating that Britain has worryingly plummeted from being the best place in Europe for LGBTQ+ rights in 2015 to twenty-second place in 2025.
We see the erosion of these rights in examples such as the UK Supreme Court’s recent ruling that gender and sex will be legally defined based on biological sex, which is assigned at birth.
This ruling affects transgender and intersex individuals who may no longer be able to access the spaces that they feel safe in, and that align with the gender that they identify with.
Much of the rhetoric in support of this ruling concerns fears from cisgender women around trans women using women’s spaces; however, it seems to ignore that this will mean that transgender men could be forced to use women’s spaces due to their ‘biological sex’ being registered as female.
This complexity brings fears for trans people that they could be excluded from all single-sex spaces, essentially making it harder for them to exist and participate in public life. However, a spokesperson from the Equality and Human Rights
Commission reassures: “it is our legal duty to uphold the equality and the human rights of everyone in Britain, including trans people, and this is core to everything we do”. This ruling coincides with a decline in public support from 2016 to 2023 for trans people in the UK, revealed by the British Social Attitudes Survey 2023.
As a population with already recognised and evidenced lower rates of wellbeing compared to the general population, it is important to acknowledge the potential risks to health and wellbeing that changes in legislation and public attitudes towards LGBT+ groups will have on individuals in this community.
