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LGBTQ+ rights

The rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer people vary worldwide. LGBTQ+ rights are human and civil rights. May 17 is the International Day Against Homophobia.

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All Content on this topic

Person in glasses looks into camera, flags expressing LGBTQ+ unity in the background

Person in glasses looks into camera, flags expressing LGBTQ+ unity in the background

Georgia's LGBTQ+ communities fight new restrictive law

A law modeled on Russian policies is limiting minority rights and causing fear in Georgia's LGBTQ+ communities.

German lawmaker and transgender woman Nyke Slawik speaking in parliament

German lawmaker and transgender woman Nyke Slawik speaking in parliament

Germany's transgender rights law takes effect

A new law makes it easier to alter gender markers and names on official documents, a welcome recognition for some.

DW Focus on Europe Sendungslogo

DW Focus on Europe Sendungslogo

Focus on Europe — Spotlight on People

A new law in Georgia is sparking fear in the LGBTQ+ community.

Two men pose with a Pride flag on 2023 Pride day in Taiwan

Two men pose with a Pride flag on 2023 Pride day in Taiwan

How China-Taiwan same-sex marriages get caught in politics

Taiwan's first cross-strait, same-sex married couple celebrated their vows at the annual Pride event.

Two men at Sofia Pride in 2024

Two men at Sofia Pride in 2024

Gay Russo-Belarusian couple seeks asylum in Bulgaria

Though Bulgaria recently passed anti-LGBTQ+ legislation, Andrei and Alex still hope to live there free from persecution.

People walk past campaign posters of the ruling Georgian Dream party in Tbilisi

People walk past campaign posters of the ruling Georgian Dream party in Tbilisi

Georgia's path to the EU looms large in 2024 election

A new parliament is being elected in Georgia. The vote promises to be decisive for the country's path toward the EU.

Serbia: Azis at a concert in Belgrade, September 2024

Serbia: Azis at a concert in Belgrade, September 2024

'They forgave me for being gay and Roma due to my voice'

Despite being openly gay and of Roma origin, singer Azis became a superstar in his native country Bulgaria and abroad.

Donald Trump and Kamala Harris in the September 10 debate

Donald Trump and Kamala Harris in the September 10 debate

Harris vs. Trump on abortion, Israel and other key issues

US voters pick a new president on November 5. Where do both candidates stand on issues like abortion and the economy?

Lesbian couple with their baby

Lesbian couple with their baby

Adoption reform to fit new realities in Germany

Unmarried couples may be able to adopt a child together, and children will be able to have two mothers.

DW Sendung The 77 Percent | #238

DW Sendung The 77 Percent | #238

The 77 Percent — The Magazine for Africa's Youth

Gen Z are making their voices heard. The 77 Percent speaks with them, as well as Kenyan President William Ruto.

DW "Global Us" Sendungslogo Composite

DW "Global Us" Sendungslogo Composite

Resistance and change — Global Us

With many US states passing anti-trans laws, Minnesota has become a safe haven. Also: floodplains and clean air.

A man carries a banner that reads: "I am an equality voter"

A man carries a banner that reads: "I am an equality voter"

Discrimination and refuge for trans people

Minnesota is a safe haven in the culture battle over trans rights.

Thumbnail | Love Matters S4 EPS01: Coming Out When You’re Married

Thumbnail | Love Matters S4 EPS01: Coming Out When You’re Married

Coming out when you're married

What happens when you discover your true sexuality after tying the knot in a traditional marriage?

A family pushing prams walking down a street

A family pushing prams walking down a street

What's behind Russia's plan to ban 'child-free' ideology?

Russia's parliament is working on a "child-free" ideology ban. Is this another crackdown on women's rights?

DW-Afrimaxx | Sendung vom 27.09.2024 | Südafrika 2024 | Mzansi Gay Choir

DW-Afrimaxx | Sendung vom 27.09.2024 | Südafrika 2024 | Mzansi Gay Choir

Mzansi Gay Choir celebrates human rights, self-expression

In Johannesburg, singing in a choir helps these gay people find a sense of safety and belonging.

DW Akademie l Zahra Nader, Gründerin und Chefredakteurin von Zan Times

DW Akademie l Zahra Nader, Gründerin und Chefredakteurin von Zan Times

How to survive and thrive reporting on women in Afghanistan

Zahra Nader, founder and editor-in-chief of the Zan Times, talks about journalism as a form of resistance.

Two people kissing, seen in silhouette, in front of a rainbow flag

Two people kissing, seen in silhouette, in front of a rainbow flag

Rainbow tourism: How Greece embraces LGBTQ+ vacationers

Greece is very welcoming towards queer tourists and hopes to attract even more LGBTQ+ holidaymakers going forward.

Protesters in Warsaw with LGBTQ+ flags and sign saying "Solidarity with Georgian LGBT community; We fight together #TbilisiPride"

Protesters in Warsaw with LGBTQ+ flags and sign saying "Solidarity with Georgian LGBT community; We fight together #TbilisiPride"

Georgia's parliament approves anti-LGTBQ+ bill

The ruling Georgian Dream party has voted to approve legislation that would allow authorities to outlaw Pride events.

Yanina Chávez is carrying out a routine security check on a train in Buenos Aires.

Yanina Chávez is carrying out a routine security check on a train in Buenos Aires.

Argentina's Milei weakens rights for women, LGBTQ+

Major cutbacks introduced by President Javier Milei have meant the closure of ministries protecting marginalized people.

Photos from previous Belgrade Pride parades, one of which shows a bearded man waving a large rainbow flag on the street, Belgrade, Serbia, September 2024

Photos from previous Belgrade Pride parades, one of which shows a bearded man waving a large rainbow flag on the street, Belgrade, Serbia, September 2024

Belgrade Pride: Serbia's LGBTQ+ fight on after no progress

Given the lack of progress on LGBTQ+ rights, organizers of Belgrade Pride see the event as a protest, not a celebration.

LGBTQ badge

LGBTQ badge

LGBTQ+ activist in Serbia: 'I was abused by the police'

Serbian LGBTQ+ activist Andrej Obradovic has accused the Serbian police of abuse and is fighting for justice.

Südafrika plant neue Gesetze zur Polygamie | Screenshot DW

Südafrika plant neue Gesetze zur Polygamie | Screenshot DW

Will you marry us? Polygamy in South Africa

South Africa's proposed new marriage law excludes polyandrous women and polyamorous same-sex people. Why?

Valentina Petrillo runs on the track

Valentina Petrillo runs on the track

Paralympics: Transgender sprinter set to draw attention

An Italian transgender sprinter will likely be at the center of a storm at the Paralympics. But she says she is ready.

DW-Sendung Reporter mit dem Titel 'Verbotene Liebe – Drei Paare kämpfen für ihr Glück

DW-Sendung Reporter mit dem Titel 'Verbotene Liebe – Drei Paare kämpfen für ihr Glück

Forbidden love in Indonesia

In Indonesia, couples typically belong to the same ethnic group and religion. Yet this traditional mindset is changing.

Three transgender entertainers in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan

Three transgender entertainers in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan

Pakistan: Transgender entertainers face extortion

Many transgender people in Pakistan's northern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province earn money by dancing at private parties.

Roxanne Tickle in front of Australian Federal Court court house with media and legal team

Roxanne Tickle in front of Australian Federal Court court house with media and legal team

Australia: Trans woman wins case against female-only app

An Australian court ruled that female-only app "Giggle for Girls" engaged in "indirect" gender identity discrimination.

Solidarity with Maja T. at a demonstration in Leipzig (Saxony) at the beginning of July

Solidarity with Maja T. at a demonstration in Leipzig (Saxony) at the beginning of July

Germany challenges Hungary over Maja T.'s prison conditions

Left Party politicians expressed outrage after visiting non-binary German national Maja T. in a Hungarian prison.

Gentoo penguin Sphen (L) and partner Magic (R) are tending to an egg at the SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium

Gentoo penguin Sphen (L) and partner Magic (R) are tending to an egg at the SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium

Gay penguin Sphen dies in Australian aquarium

A penguin famous for being in a same-sex male relationship at a Sydney aquarium has died at the age of 11.

Far-right protesters tried to disrupt the Pride march with a counterprotest, in Leipzig, Germany on August 17, 2024

Far-right protesters tried to disrupt the Pride march with a counterprotest, in Leipzig, Germany on August 17, 2024

Germany: Far-right demo broken up near Leipzig Pride event

Radical-right sympathizers gathered in opposition to the much larger LGBTQ+ parade before it was broken up by police.

Same-sex couple

Same-sex couple

Poland: Have things improved for the LGBTQ+ community?

Has life improved for the LGBTQ+ community under Donald Tusk's center-left government?

DW Rev Sendungslogo deutsch und englisch

DW Rev Sendungslogo deutsch und englisch

REV – The Auto & Mobility Show

BMW 3 Series, a sporty icon. Remote-control vehicles. And an e-rickshaw uplifts a trans Indian woman.

Two men dressed in rainbow shirts march at the Berlin Pride Parade in Berlin, holding up protest signs

Two men dressed in rainbow shirts march at the Berlin Pride Parade in Berlin, holding up protest signs

LGBTQ+ rights in Germany: Protected in the constitution?

Germany wants to add the protection of sexual identity into the constitution, but conservative lawmakers are opposed.

Algeria's Imane Khelif (in red) during the women's preliminaries round of 16 boxing match

Algeria's Imane Khelif (in red) during the women's preliminaries round of 16 boxing match

Boxer Imane Khelif targeted by hate speech, disinformation

Ahead of Imane Khelif's next boxing match in Paris, online hate speech and gendered disinformation are widespread.

Algerian boxer Imane Khelif holding up her gloves during a bout at the 2024 Paris Olympics

Algerian boxer Imane Khelif holding up her gloves during a bout at the 2024 Paris Olympics

Algeria's Imane Khelif: Why sex, gender aren't binary issues

The participation of two female boxers at the Olympics has reignited the everpresent gender eligibility debate.

Black and white picture of a smiling man holding a cigarette.

Black and white picture of a smiling man holding a cigarette.

US author James Baldwin: A voice against racism

One of the most important African American writers, Baldwin would have turned 100 on August 2.

Fashion designer Leonard Cheong in his workshop

Fashion designer Leonard Cheong in his workshop

Leonard Cheong's fashion is helping the LGBTQI+ community

How Leonard Cheong is helping the LGBTQI+ community in Singapore with unisex fashion.

An older man wearing glasses, partially bald, with his adult son, who is wearing a black lace shirt and pearls around his neck and on his face, at Berlin's 46th Pride Parade

An older man wearing glasses, partially bald, with his adult son, who is wearing a black lace shirt and pearls around his neck and on his face, at Berlin's 46th Pride Parade

Thousands join Berlin's LGBTQ+ Pride parade

LGBTQ+ people still face persecution in many countries. At Berlin's 46th Pride, DW met a father and son from Kazakhstan.

A drag queen cosplaying as an enchanted candelabra from Disney's Beauty and the Beast

A drag queen cosplaying as an enchanted candelabra from Disney's Beauty and the Beast

Pride 2024: Cologne's LGBTQ+ celebrate Christopher Street Day

Some 1.4 million people visited Cologne this weekend for the Pride parade — but there are dark clouds on the horizon.

At the CSD in Berlin, a man dresses in a rainbow pattern and holds a rainbow flag symbolizing LGBTQ+ rights.

At the CSD in Berlin, a man dresses in a rainbow pattern and holds a rainbow flag symbolizing LGBTQ+ rights.

First LGBTQ+ parade for German far-right-run town

Sonneberg — the first German town to elect a far-right administrator — is now getting its first Pride parade.

ColognePride parade sees people dressed in colourful clothes on the street

ColognePride parade sees people dressed in colourful clothes on the street

From fear to freedom: LGBTQ+ migrants seek safety in Germany

Four queer individuals who fled persecution in their homeland share their experiences with DW.

So Seong-wook (third from left) and Kim Yong-min (fourth from L) meet the press on February 21, 2023, after an appeals court ruled in favor of the same-sex couple demanding the same spousal coverage from the state health insurance program

So Seong-wook (third from left) and Kim Yong-min (fourth from L) meet the press on February 21, 2023, after an appeals court ruled in favor of the same-sex couple demanding the same spousal coverage from the state health insurance program

South Korea's top court recognizes same-sex couple's rights

The decision has been hailed as a major victory for the LGBTQ+ community in the country.

US sex therapist Ruth Westheimer smiles as she looks into the camera in a black and white photo

US sex therapist Ruth Westheimer smiles as she looks into the camera in a black and white photo

US: Famous sex therapist 'Dr. Ruth' dead at 96

A Holocaust survivor and Israeli sniper, Ruth Westheimer achieved fame as a sex educator late in life.

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Cameroon reacts to Brenda Biya's same-sex kiss

An Instagram post by the daughter of Cameroon's president has sparked speculation about her sexuality.

Two marchers kiss while draped in a rainbow flag during a pride parade in Kathmandu

Two marchers kiss while draped in a rainbow flag during a pride parade in Kathmandu

Nepal: Same-sex couples face hurdles on road to recognition

Even with Nepal's Supreme Court ruling in favor of same-sex marriages, many legal hurdles persist for LGBTQ+ couples.

Pembe Özkan | DW Reporter zu LGBTQ-Szene in der Türkei

Pembe Özkan | DW Reporter zu LGBTQ-Szene in der Türkei

Queer life under Erdoğan

Pembe Özkan is a lesbian who now lives in Turkey, having lived almost her entire life in Germany.

Andre Lorde and Manteuffel street signs

Andre Lorde and Manteuffel street signs

Berlin celebrates Black US activist and LGBTQ+ icon

Berlin has renamed a street for the renowned writer Audre Lorde who spearheaded Germany's anti-racism debate.

The silhouette of two people kissing behind a rainbow-colored flag

The silhouette of two people kissing behind a rainbow-colored flag

Cameroon: President’s daughter hints at same-sex liaison

Brenda Biya suggested in a social media post that she might be in a same-sex relationship. The post went viral.

A man's face concealed by a rainbow-colored paper mask representing gay pride

A man's face concealed by a rainbow-colored paper mask representing gay pride

How Ghana's anti-gay bill impacts the LGBTQ+ community

All eyes will be on Ghana's Supreme Court on July 17 when it delivers its verdict on the controversial anti-LGBTQ+ bill.

The shadows of two figures are cast on a rainbow flag

The shadows of two figures are cast on a rainbow flag

Ghana's anti-gay bill: Is it fair for the LGBTQ+ community?

As Ghana's Supreme Court debates a controversial anti-LGBTQ+ bill, the nation is grappling with identity and rights.

A couple stands in front of flowers and rainbow flags as people pay tribute to the victims of a shooting at the London Pub

A couple stands in front of flowers and rainbow flags as people pay tribute to the victims of a shooting at the London Pub

Norway: Man guilty of deadly Oslo LGBTQ shooting

Zaniar Matapour will serve 30 years for an attack before a 2022 Pride celebration in Oslo.