Compare LGBT Rights in China, Russia, & United States

Equality Index ?
56 / 100
29 / 100
68 / 100
Legal Index ?
45 / 100
35 / 100
80 / 100
Public Opinion Index ?
66 / 100
23 / 100
56 / 100
Law
Homosexual activityLegal
Since 1997
Varies by Region
Since 1996
Legal
Since 2003
Same-sex marriageOther type of partnership
Since 2017
Banned
Since 1995
Legal
Since 2015
Censorship of LGBT issuesState-enforced
Since 2016
Imprisonment as punishment
Since 2023
Varies by Region
Since 2025
Right to change legal genderLegal, but requires surgery
Since 1986
Ambiguous
Since 2023
Varies by Region
Since 2025
Gender-affirming careRestrictedBanned
Since 2023
Varies by Region
Since 2026
Legal recognition of non-binary genderNot legally recognizedNot legally recognizedVaries by Region
Since 2025
Hate crime protectionsNo protectionsAmbiguousVaries by Region
Since 2009
LGBT discriminationIllegal in some contexts
Since 2026
No protectionsVaries by Region
Since 2015
LGBT employment discriminationSexual orientation and gender identity
Since 2026
No protectionsSexual orientation and gender identity
Since 2025
LGBT housing discriminationNo protectionsNo protectionsVaries by Region
Same-sex adoptionSingle onlySingle only
Since 2023
Varies by Region
Since 2017
Intersex infant surgeryNot bannedNot bannedNot banned
Serving openly in militaryAmbiguousLesbians, gays, bisexuals permitted, transgender people banned
Since 2003
Lesbians, gays, bisexuals permitted, transgender people banned
Since 2025
Blood donations by MSMsBanned (indefinite deferral)
Since 2012
Legal
Since 2008
Legal
Since 2023
Conversion therapyNot bannedNot bannedVaries by Region
Equal age of consentEqual
Since 1997
Varies by Region
Since 1996
Equal
Since 2013
Public Opinion
Acceptance of homosexuals as neighbors
(World Values Survey, 2017-2022)
28% Did not mention homosexuals
71% Mentioned homosexuals
34% Did not mention homosexuals
66% Mentioned homosexuals
81% Did not mention homosexuals
13% Mentioned homosexuals
Justifiability of homosexuality
(World Values Survey, 2017-2022)
7% Justifiable
80% Not justifiable
6% Justifiable
71% Not justifiable
44% Justifiable
25% Not justifiable
Views on same-sex marriage or other legal recognition
(Ipsos, April–May, 2021)
63% Support
19% Against
29% Support
52% Against
72% Support
15% Against
Views on same-sex couples' right to adopt
(Ipsos, April–May, 2021)
66% Agree
30% Disagree
23% Agree
67% Disagree
72% Agree
22% Disagree
Opinion on same-sex couples as parents
(World Values Survey, 2017-2020)
12% Agree
60% Disagree
11% Agree
67% Disagree
53% Agree
17% Disagree
"Should society accept homosexuality?"
(Pew Research Center, May–October, 2019)
Region not surveyed
14% Yes
74% No
72% Yes
21% No
Support for same-sex marriage (North and South America)
(AmericasBarometer, 2016-2017)
Region not surveyed
Region not surveyed
61% Approve
39% Disapprove
Acceptance of gay people in public office (North and South America)
(AmericasBarometer, 2016-2017)
Region not surveyed
Region not surveyed
73% Approve
27% Disapprove
Support for same-sex marriage in Central and Eastern Europe
(Pew Research Center, June 2015-July 2016)
Region not surveyed
5% Favor
90% Oppose
Region not surveyed
"Should society accept homosexuality?" (Eastern/Central Europe)
(Pew Research Center, June 2015-July 2016)
Region not surveyed
8% Yes
86% No
Region not surveyed
Justifiability of homosexuality
(World Values Survey, 2010-2014)
4% Justifiable
68% Not justifiable
4% Justifiable
65% Not justifiable
32% Justifiable
31% Not justifiable
"Should society accept homosexuality?"
(Pew Research Center, June, 2013)
21% Yes
57% No
16% Yes
74% No
60% Yes
33% No
Perceptions of local area as a "good place" for gay and lesbian people
(Gallup, 2013)
14% Good place
53% Not a good place
12% Good place
48% Not a good place
70% Good place
22% Not a good place
Full DetailsFull DetailsFull Details

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