Compare LGBT Rights in Sweden, Spain, & United Kingdom

Equality Index ?
75 / 100
83 / 100
68 / 100
Legal Index ?
85 / 100
100 / 100
82 / 100
Public Opinion Index ?
65 / 100
67 / 100
55 / 100
Law
Homosexual activityLegal
Since 1944
Legal
Since 1979
Legal
Since 2000
Same-sex marriageLegal
Since 2009
Legal
Since 2005
Legal
Since 2020
Censorship of LGBT issuesNo censorshipNo censorshipNo censorship
Since 2003
Right to change legal genderLegal, no restrictions
Since 2025
Legal, no restrictions
Since 2022
Legal, but requires medical diagnosis
Since 2005
Gender-affirming careLegal, but restricted for minors
Since 2022
Varies by RegionLegal, but banned for minors
Since 2024
Legal recognition of non-binary genderNot legally recognizedVaries by Region
Since 2017
Not legally recognized
Hate crime protectionsSexual orientation and gender identity
Since 2019
Sexual orientation and gender identity
Since 2022
Varies by Region
Since 2004
LGBT discriminationIllegal
Since 2009
Illegal
Since 2022
Varies by Region
Since 1999
LGBT employment discriminationSexual orientation and gender identity
Since 1999
Sexual orientation and gender identity
Since 2022
Sexual orientation and gender identity
Since 2010
LGBT housing discriminationSexual orientation and gender identity
Since 2009
Sexual orientation and gender identity
Since 2022
Varies by Region
Since 2010
Same-sex adoptionLegal
Since 2002
Legal
Since 2005
Legal
Since 2003
Intersex infant surgeryNot bannedFull ban
Since 2023
Parental approval required
Since 1989
Serving openly in militaryLegal
Since 2009
Legal
Since 1977
Legal
Since 2000
Blood donations by MSMsBanned (6-month deferral)
Since 2021
LegalLegal
Since 2021
Conversion therapyNot bannedBanned
Since 2023
Not banned
Equal age of consentEqual
Since 1978
Equal
Since 1995
Equal
Since 2001
Public Opinion
Acceptance of homosexuals as neighbors
(World Values Survey, 2017-2022)
96% Did not mention homosexuals
2% Mentioned homosexuals
86% Did not mention homosexuals
13% Mentioned homosexuals
95% Did not mention homosexuals
4% Mentioned homosexuals
Justifiability of homosexuality
(World Values Survey, 2017-2022)
80% Justifiable
8% Not justifiable
53% Justifiable
16% Not justifiable
62% Justifiable
13% Not justifiable
Views on same-sex marriage or other legal recognition
(Ipsos, April–May, 2021)
89% Support
3% Against
84% Support
5% Against
82% Support
7% Against
Views on same-sex couples' right to adopt
(Ipsos, April–May, 2021)
79% Agree
17% Disagree
77% Agree
17% Disagree
72% Agree
19% Disagree
Opinion on same-sex couples as parents
(World Values Survey, 2017-2020)
75% Agree
10% Disagree
60% Agree
18% Disagree
62% Agree
15% Disagree
"Should society accept homosexuality?"
(Pew Research Center, May–October, 2019)
94% Yes
5% No
89% Yes
10% No
86% Yes
11% No
Perceived prevalence of discrimination against sexual orientation (European Union)
(Eurobarometer, May 2019)
55% Rare
42% Widespread
43% Rare
54% Widespread
Region not surveyed
Perceived prevalence of discrimination against transgender people (European Union)
(Eurobarometer, May 2019)
32% Rare
57% Widespread
31% Rare
58% Widespread
Region not surveyed
Acceptance of same-sex relationships (European Union)
(Eurobarometer, May 2019)
95% Agree
5% Disagree
89% Agree
8% Disagree
Region not surveyed
Support for transgender people changing legal gender (European Union)
(Eurobarometer, May 2019)
69% Yes
22% No
83% Yes
8% No
Region not surveyed
Justifiability of homosexuality
(World Values Survey, 2010-2014)
69% Justifiable
11% Not justifiable
48% Justifiable
11% Not justifiable
Region not surveyed
"Should society accept homosexuality?"
(Pew Research Center, June, 2013)
Region not surveyed
88% Yes
11% No
76% Yes
18% No
Perceptions of local area as a "good place" for gay and lesbian people
(Gallup, 2013)
69% Good place
8% Not a good place
79% Good place
14% Not a good place
77% Good place
11% Not a good place
Full DetailsFull DetailsFull Details

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