UK Falls Off Top 10 Most LGBTQ-Friendly Nations List For Transphobia

Most of Europe has gotten increasingly progressive in supporting LGBTQ+ rights in the past few years (and at least one study suggests the Russian invasion of Ukraine may be spurring more positive change in that arena). Since 2009, the International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans & Intersex Association has followed those gains annually, ranking the European nations on their queer-friendliness.  

This year's report sees one nation fall off the leader board: the U.K., which the ILGA attributed to the growing anti-trans sentiment and a lack of progress on conversion therapy.

"The United Kingdom has suffered a significant drop in ranking, going from 10th to 14th place," the Rainbow Europe 2022 report notes, because it has not effectively protected citizens on the grounds of sexual orientation and gender identity. "This comes at a time of widespread political and media anti-trans sentiment, while the British government is not moving on long-promised reforms on gender recognition and banning so-called ‘conversion therapy.'"