Compare LGBT Rights in Canada, South Africa, & United States

Equality Index ?
78 / 100
67 / 100
68 / 100
Legal Index ?
96 / 100
77 / 100
80 / 100
Public Opinion Index ?
61 / 100
57 / 100
56 / 100
Law
Homosexual activityLegal
Since 1969
Legal
Since 1998
Legal
Since 2003
Same-sex marriageLegal
Since 2005
Legal
Since 2006
Legal
Since 2015
Censorship of LGBT issuesNo censorshipNo censorship
Since 1990
Varies by Region
Since 2025
Right to change legal genderLegal, no restrictions
Since 2017
Legal, but requires medical diagnosis
Since 2004
Varies by Region
Since 2025
Gender-affirming careVaries by Region
Since 2025
LegalVaries by Region
Since 2021
Legal recognition of non-binary genderRecognized
Since 2019
Not legally recognizedVaries by Region
Since 2025
Hate crime protectionsSexual orientation and gender identity
Since 2017
No protectionsVaries by Region
Since 2009
LGBT discriminationIllegal
Since 2017
Illegal
Since 1996
Varies by Region
Since 2015
LGBT employment discriminationSexual orientation and gender identity
Since 2017
Sexual orientation and gender identity
Since 1995
Sexual orientation and gender identity
Since 2025
LGBT housing discriminationSexual orientation and gender identity
Since 2015
Sexual orientation and gender identity
Since 1996
Varies by Region
Same-sex adoptionLegal
Since 2011
Legal
Since 2010
Varies by Region
Since 2017
Intersex infant surgeryNot bannedNot bannedNot banned
Serving openly in militaryLegal
Since 1992
Legal
Since 1996
Lesbians, gays, bisexuals permitted, transgender people banned
Since 2025
Blood donations by MSMsLegal
Since 2022
Legal
Since 2014
Legal
Since 2023
Conversion therapyBanned
Since 2022
Not bannedVaries by Region
Equal age of consentEqual
Since 2019
Equal
Since 2007
Equal
Since 2013
Public Opinion
Acceptance of homosexuals as neighbors
(World Values Survey, 2017-2022)
90% Did not mention homosexuals
10% Mentioned homosexuals
Region not surveyed
81% Did not mention homosexuals
13% Mentioned homosexuals
Justifiability of homosexuality
(World Values Survey, 2017-2022)
62% Justifiable
10% Not justifiable
Region not surveyed
44% Justifiable
25% Not justifiable
Views on same-sex marriage or other legal recognition
(Ipsos, April–May, 2021)
82% Support
8% Against
71% Support
15% Against
72% Support
15% Against
Views on same-sex couples' right to adopt
(Ipsos, April–May, 2021)
81% Agree
13% Disagree
69% Agree
23% Disagree
72% Agree
22% Disagree
Opinion on same-sex couples as parents
(World Values Survey, 2017-2020)
72% Agree
9% Disagree
Region not surveyed
53% Agree
17% Disagree
"Should society accept homosexuality?"
(Pew Research Center, May–October, 2019)
85% Yes
10% No
54% Yes
38% No
72% Yes
21% No
Support for same-sex marriage (North and South America)
(AmericasBarometer, 2016-2017)
76% Approve
24% Disapprove
Region not surveyed
61% Approve
39% Disapprove
Acceptance of gay people in public office (North and South America)
(AmericasBarometer, 2016-2017)
80% Approve
20% Disapprove
Region not surveyed
73% Approve
27% Disapprove
Acceptance of homosexuals as neighbors
(Afrobarometer, 2014–2016)
Region not surveyed
67% Tolerate
32% Not tolerate
Region not surveyed
Acceptance of homosexuals as neighbors
(Afrobarometer, 2016–2018)
Region not surveyed
70% Tolerate
28% Not tolerate
Region not surveyed
Justifiability of homosexuality
(World Values Survey, 2010-2014)
Region not surveyed
17% Justifiable
45% Not justifiable
32% Justifiable
31% Not justifiable
"Should society accept homosexuality?"
(Pew Research Center, June, 2013)
80% Yes
14% No
32% Yes
61% No
60% Yes
33% No
Perceptions of local area as a "good place" for gay and lesbian people
(Gallup, 2013)
80% Good place
12% Not a good place
49% Good place
51% Not a good place
70% Good place
22% Not a good place
Full DetailsFull DetailsFull Details

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