Compare LGBT Rights in Italy, Japan, & United States

Equality Index ?
68 / 100
52 / 100
70 / 100
Legal Index ?
76 / 100
53 / 100
84 / 100
Public Opinion Index ?
59 / 100
51 / 100
56 / 100
Law
Homosexual activityLegal
Since 1890
Legal
Since 1881
Legal
Since 2003
Same-sex marriageCivil unions (marriage rights)
Since 2016
Banned
Since 1947
Legal
Since 2015
Censorship of LGBT issuesNo censorshipNo censorshipVaries by Region
Since 1987
Right to change legal genderLegal, but requires medical diagnosis
Since 2015
Legal, but requires surgery
Since 2022
Varies by Region
Since 2025
Gender-affirming careLegal, but restricted for minors
Since 2019
Legal, but restricted for minors
Since 1997
Varies by Region
Since 2021
Legal recognition of non-binary genderNot legally recognized
Since 2024
Not legally recognizedRecognized
Since 2025
Hate crime protectionsAmbiguousNo protectionsSexual orientation and gender identity
Since 2009
LGBT discriminationVaries by Region
Since 2004
Illegal in some contexts
Since 2018
Varies by Region
Since 2015
LGBT employment discriminationSexual orientation and gender identity
Since 2023
Varies by RegionSexual orientation and gender identity
Since 2020
LGBT housing discriminationVaries by Region
Since 2004
Sexual orientation and gender identity
Since 2003
Varies by Region
Same-sex adoptionSecond parent adoption only
Since 2016
AmbiguousLegal
Since 2017
Intersex infant surgeryParental approval requiredNot bannedNot banned
Serving openly in militaryLesbians, gays, bisexuals permitted, transgender people banned
Since 1986
Legal
Since 1947
Lesbians, gays, bisexuals permitted, transgender people banned
Since 2025
Blood donations by MSMsLegal
Since 2001
Banned (6-month deferral)
Since 2011
Legal
Since 2023
Conversion therapyNot bannedNot bannedVaries by Region
Equal age of consentEqualEqual
Since 1947
Equal
Public Opinion
Acceptance of homosexuals as neighbors
(World Values Survey, 2017-2022)
82% Did not mention homosexuals
12% Mentioned homosexuals
71% Did not mention homosexuals
26% Mentioned homosexuals
81% Did not mention homosexuals
13% Mentioned homosexuals
Justifiability of homosexuality
(World Values Survey, 2017-2022)
35% Justifiable
22% Not justifiable
43% Justifiable
15% Not justifiable
44% Justifiable
25% Not justifiable
Views on same-sex marriage or other legal recognition
(Ipsos, April–May, 2021)
83% Support
10% Against
69% Support
6% Against
72% Support
15% Against
Views on same-sex couples' right to adopt
(Ipsos, April–May, 2021)
59% Agree
36% Disagree
68% Agree
20% Disagree
72% Agree
22% Disagree
Opinion on same-sex couples as parents
(World Values Survey, 2017-2020)
27% Agree
42% Disagree
44% Agree
10% Disagree
53% Agree
17% Disagree
"Should society accept homosexuality?"
(Pew Research Center, May–October, 2019)
75% Yes
20% No
68% Yes
22% No
72% Yes
21% No
Perceived prevalence of discrimination against sexual orientation (European Union)
(Eurobarometer, May 2019)
26% Rare
69% Widespread
Region not surveyed
Region not surveyed
Perceived prevalence of discrimination against transgender people (European Union)
(Eurobarometer, May 2019)
23% Rare
66% Widespread
Region not surveyed
Region not surveyed
Acceptance of same-sex relationships (European Union)
(Eurobarometer, May 2019)
59% Agree
34% Disagree
Region not surveyed
Region not surveyed
Support for transgender people changing legal gender (European Union)
(Eurobarometer, May 2019)
43% Yes
42% No
Region not surveyed
Region not surveyed
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
Justifiability of homosexuality
(World Values Survey, 2010-2014)
Region not surveyed
23% Justifiable
28% Not justifiable
32% Justifiable
31% Not justifiable
"Should society accept homosexuality?"
(Pew Research Center, June, 2013)
74% Yes
18% No
54% Yes
36% No
60% Yes
33% No
Perceptions of local area as a "good place" for gay and lesbian people
(Gallup, 2013)
63% Good place
30% Not a good place
28% Good place
39% Not a good place
70% Good place
22% Not a good place
Full DetailsFull DetailsFull Details

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