Compare LGBT Rights in South Korea & United States

Equality Index ?
46 / 100
70 / 100
Legal Index ?
53 / 100
84 / 100
Public Opinion Index ?
39 / 100
56 / 100
Law
Homosexual activityLegalLegal
Since 2003
Same-sex marriageUnregistered cohabitation
Since 2023
Legal
Since 2015
Censorship of LGBT issuesNo censorship
Since 2003
Varies by Region
Since 1987
Right to change legal genderLegal, no restrictions
Since 2020
Varies by Region
Since 2025
Gender-affirming careRestrictedVaries by Region
Since 2021
Legal recognition of non-binary genderNot legally recognizedRecognized
Since 2025
Hate crime protectionsNo protectionsSexual orientation and gender identity
Since 2009
LGBT discriminationVaries by RegionVaries by Region
Since 2015
LGBT employment discriminationVaries by RegionSexual orientation and gender identity
Since 2020
LGBT housing discriminationVaries by RegionVaries by Region
Same-sex adoptionIllegalLegal
Since 2017
Intersex infant surgeryNot bannedNot banned
Serving openly in militaryIllegalLesbians, gays, bisexuals permitted, transgender people banned
Since 2025
Blood donations by MSMsLegalLegal
Since 2023
Conversion therapyNot bannedVaries by Region
Equal age of consentEqualEqual
Public Opinion
Acceptance of homosexuals as neighbors
(World Values Survey, 2017-2022)
20% Did not mention homosexuals
80% Mentioned homosexuals
81% Did not mention homosexuals
13% Mentioned homosexuals
Justifiability of homosexuality
(World Values Survey, 2017-2022)
3% Justifiable
61% Not justifiable
44% Justifiable
25% Not justifiable
Views on same-sex marriage or other legal recognition
(Ipsos, April–May, 2021)
54% Support
26% Against
72% Support
15% Against
Views on same-sex couples' right to adopt
(Ipsos, April–May, 2021)
46% Agree
45% Disagree
72% Agree
22% Disagree
Opinion on same-sex couples as parents
(World Values Survey, 2017-2020)
23% Agree
40% Disagree
53% Agree
17% Disagree
"Should society accept homosexuality?"
(Pew Research Center, May–October, 2019)
44% Yes
53% No
72% Yes
21% No
Support for same-sex marriage (North and South America)
(AmericasBarometer, 2016-2017)
Region not surveyed
61% Approve
39% Disapprove
Acceptance of gay people in public office (North and South America)
(AmericasBarometer, 2016-2017)
Region not surveyed
73% Approve
27% Disapprove
Justifiability of homosexuality
(World Values Survey, 2010-2014)
7% Justifiable
58% Not justifiable
32% Justifiable
31% Not justifiable
"Should society accept homosexuality?"
(Pew Research Center, June, 2013)
39% Yes
59% No
60% Yes
33% No
Perceptions of local area as a "good place" for gay and lesbian people
(Gallup, 2013)
18% Good place
57% Not a good place
70% Good place
22% Not a good place
Full DetailsFull Details

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