Compare LGBT Rights in Japan, Spain, & United States

Equality Index ?
53 / 100
83 / 100
65 / 100
Legal Index ?
57 / 100
100 / 100
75 / 100
Public Opinion Index ?
50 / 100
67 / 100
56 / 100
Law
Homosexual activityLegal
Since 1881
Legal
Since 1979
Legal (court-ordered)
Since 2003
Same-sex marriageUnregistered cohabitation
Since 2024
Legal
Since 2005
Legal (court-ordered)
Since 2015
Censorship of LGBT issuesNo censorshipNo censorship
Since 1979
Varies by Region
Since 2025
Right to change legal genderLegal, but requires surgery
Since 2022
Legal, no restrictions
Since 2022
Varies by Region
Since 2025
Gender-affirming careLegal, but restricted for minors
Since 1997
Varies by RegionVaries by Region
Since 2026
Legal recognition of non-binary genderNot legally recognizedVaries by Region
Since 2017
Varies by Region
Since 2025
Hate crime protectionsNo protectionsSexual orientation and gender identity
Since 2022
Varies by Region
Since 2009
LGBT discriminationVaries by Region
Since 2018
Illegal
Since 2022
Varies by Region
Since 2015
LGBT employment discriminationVaries by RegionSexual orientation and gender identity
Since 2022
Sexual orientation only (De Facto)
Since 2026
LGBT housing discriminationSexual orientation and gender identity
Since 2003
Sexual orientation and gender identity
Since 2022
Varies by Region
Same-sex adoptionAmbiguousLegal
Since 2005
Varies by Region
Since 2017
Intersex infant surgeryNot bannedFull ban
Since 2023
Not banned
Serving openly in militaryLegal
Since 1947
Legal
Since 1977
Lesbians, gays, bisexuals permitted, transgender people banned
Since 2025
Blood donations by MSMsBanned (6-month deferral)
Since 2011
Legal
Since 2005
Legal
Since 2023
Bathroom accessPartially restrictedProtected
Since 2023
Varies by Region
Conversion therapyNot bannedBanned
Since 2023
Varies by Region
Equal age of consentEqual
Since 1947
Equal
Since 1995
Equal
Since 2013
Public Opinion
Acceptance of homosexuals as neighbors
(World Values Survey, 2017-2022)
71% Did not mention homosexuals
26% Mentioned homosexuals
86% Did not mention homosexuals
13% Mentioned homosexuals
81% Did not mention homosexuals
13% Mentioned homosexuals
Justifiability of homosexuality
(World Values Survey, 2017-2022)
43% Justifiable
15% Not justifiable
53% Justifiable
16% Not justifiable
44% Justifiable
25% Not justifiable
Views on same-sex marriage or other legal recognition
(Ipsos, April–May, 2021)
69% Support
6% Against
84% Support
5% Against
72% Support
15% Against
Views on same-sex couples' right to adopt
(Ipsos, April–May, 2021)
68% Agree
20% Disagree
77% Agree
17% Disagree
72% Agree
22% Disagree
Opinion on same-sex couples as parents
(World Values Survey, 2017-2020)
44% Agree
10% Disagree
60% Agree
18% Disagree
53% Agree
17% Disagree
"Should society accept homosexuality?"
(Pew Research Center, May–October, 2019)
68% Yes
22% No
89% Yes
10% No
72% Yes
21% No
Perceived prevalence of discrimination against sexual orientation (European Union)
(Eurobarometer, May 2019)
Region not surveyed
43% Rare
54% Widespread
Region not surveyed
Perceived prevalence of discrimination against transgender people (European Union)
(Eurobarometer, May 2019)
Region not surveyed
31% Rare
58% Widespread
Region not surveyed
Acceptance of same-sex relationships (European Union)
(Eurobarometer, May 2019)
Region not surveyed
89% Agree
8% Disagree
Region not surveyed
Support for transgender people changing legal gender (European Union)
(Eurobarometer, May 2019)
Region not surveyed
83% Yes
8% No
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)
23% Justifiable
28% Not justifiable
48% Justifiable
11% Not justifiable
32% Justifiable
31% Not justifiable
"Should society accept homosexuality?"
(Pew Research Center, June, 2013)
54% Yes
36% No
88% Yes
11% No
60% Yes
33% No
Perceptions of local area as a "good place" for gay and lesbian people
(Gallup, 2013)
28% Good place
39% Not a good place
79% Good place
14% Not a good place
70% Good place
22% Not a good place
Full DetailsFull DetailsFull Details

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