Compare LGBT Rights in South Africa & Sweden

Equality Index ?
67 / 100
75 / 100
Legal Index ?
77 / 100
85 / 100
Public Opinion Index ?
58 / 100
65 / 100
Law
Homosexual activityLegal
Since 1998
Legal
Since 1944
Same-sex marriageLegal
Since 2006
Legal
Since 2009
Censorship of LGBT issuesNo censorship
Since 1990
No censorship
Right to change legal genderLegal, but requires medical diagnosis
Since 2004
Legal, no restrictions
Since 2025
Gender-affirming careLegalLegal, but restricted for minors
Since 2022
Legal recognition of non-binary genderNot legally recognizedNot legally recognized
Hate crime protectionsNo protectionsSexual orientation and gender identity
Since 2019
LGBT discriminationIllegal
Since 1996
Illegal
Since 2009
LGBT employment discriminationSexual orientation and gender identity
Since 1995
Sexual orientation and gender identity
Since 1999
LGBT housing discriminationSexual orientation and gender identity
Since 1996
Sexual orientation and gender identity
Since 2009
Same-sex adoptionLegal
Since 2010
Legal
Since 2002
Intersex infant surgeryNot bannedNot banned
Serving openly in militaryLegal
Since 1996
Legal
Since 2009
Blood donations by MSMsLegal
Since 2014
Banned (6-month deferral)
Since 2021
Conversion therapyNot bannedNot banned
Equal age of consentEqual
Since 2007
Equal
Since 1978
Public Opinion
Acceptance of homosexuals as neighbors
(World Values Survey, 2017-2022)
Region not surveyed
96% Did not mention homosexuals
2% Mentioned homosexuals
Justifiability of homosexuality
(World Values Survey, 2017-2022)
Region not surveyed
80% Justifiable
8% Not justifiable
Views on same-sex marriage or other legal recognition
(Ipsos, April–May, 2021)
71% Support
15% Against
89% Support
3% Against
Views on same-sex couples' right to adopt
(Ipsos, April–May, 2021)
69% Agree
23% Disagree
79% Agree
17% Disagree
Opinion on same-sex couples as parents
(World Values Survey, 2017-2020)
Region not surveyed
75% Agree
10% Disagree
"Should society accept homosexuality?"
(Pew Research Center, May–October, 2019)
54% Yes
38% No
94% Yes
5% No
Perceived prevalence of discrimination against sexual orientation (European Union)
(Eurobarometer, May 2019)
Region not surveyed
55% Rare
42% Widespread
Perceived prevalence of discrimination against transgender people (European Union)
(Eurobarometer, May 2019)
Region not surveyed
32% Rare
57% Widespread
Acceptance of same-sex relationships (European Union)
(Eurobarometer, May 2019)
Region not surveyed
95% Agree
5% Disagree
Support for transgender people changing legal gender (European Union)
(Eurobarometer, May 2019)
Region not surveyed
69% Yes
22% No
Acceptance of homosexuals as neighbors
(Afrobarometer, 2014–2016)
67% Tolerate
32% Not tolerate
Region not surveyed
Acceptance of homosexuals as neighbors
(Afrobarometer, 2016–2018)
70% Tolerate
28% Not tolerate
Region not surveyed
Justifiability of homosexuality
(World Values Survey, 2010-2014)
17% Justifiable
45% Not justifiable
69% Justifiable
11% Not justifiable
"Should society accept homosexuality?"
(Pew Research Center, June, 2013)
32% Yes
61% No
Region not surveyed
Perceptions of local area as a "good place" for gay and lesbian people
(Gallup, 2013)
49% Good place
51% Not a good place
69% Good place
8% Not a good place
Full DetailsFull Details

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