This year has seen both highs and lows for LGBTQIA+ rights globally
BY HARRIET CURZON, IMAGE BY GNEPPHOTO
Here is a round-up of influential moments in LGBTQIA+ society and politics that happened in 2025 from around the world, broken down by month.
ILGA Annual 2025 Review of progress and pushback in Europe and Central Asia reported trends of increasing restrictions in LGBTQIA+ education, normalisation of hate speech, and courts increasingly upholding LGBTQIA+ rights.
January
The USA – President Trump’s inauguration immediately brings new policies: signing an order that recognises only two genders and revoking two of Biden’s initiatives which were aimed at preventing LGBTQIA+ discrimination.
Liechtenstein – A vote, which took place in May 2024 and saw 24 out of 25 of the MPs in favour of legalising same-sex marriage, took effect on 1January, one year after legalising same-sex adoption.
Lithuania – The Constitutional Court of Lithuania says the 2009 “gay propaganda” law violates its constitution. The law prohibited the “promotion” of homosexual relationships, meaning children could not be taught about LGBTQIA+ relationships, and was overturned as it was said to restrict children’s development into “mature, well-rounded individuals”.
Thailand – Legalises same-sex marriage, becoming the first country in Southeast Asia to do so, after over a decade of fighting for equality. The legalisation also means same-sex couples have equal adoption rights. Campaign groups and authorities held a mass LGBTQIA+ wedding, which saw more than 200 couples get married.
March
Hungary – Passes a law which prohibits LGBTQIA+ gatherings, such as Pride marches. The law was passed by the right-wing Fidesz party, after 30 years of Pride marches being held in the country.
April
Poland – Poland abolishes its last “LGBT-free” zones, six years after the policy was introduced. In 2019, there were around 100 zones, which existed in places of Poland which had banned “LGBT ideology”.
The UK – The UK Supreme Court decides the terms “women” and “sex” refer to biological women and biological sex in the Equality Act 2010. Following this, organisations such as Girlguiding and the Women’s Institute have announced restrictions on trans women’s memberships.
May
Italy – Italy’s Constitutional Court recognises same-sex couples who use IVF abroad as parents, even if one is not the biological mother. It allows both mothers to be listed on the child’s birth certificate without having to go through a lengthy adoption route.
June
India – Andhra Pradesh High Court rules that trans women were “legally entitled” to be recognised as women, after rejecting claims that womanhood was restricted to those who can bear children. It was in response to trans woman Pokala Shabana’s seeking legal protection from her in-laws, who claimed the law did not apply because she was not a cisgender woman.
The UK – London holds the largest trans-led Pride march, with a turnout of around 100,000 people, including Heartstopper actress Yasmin Finney and campaigner Caroline Litman, who both gave speeches at the event. It was a significant increase compared to 2024’s event, which saw around 60,000 attendees.
September
Burkina Faso – Criminalises homosexual acts in a law which means anyone in a same-sex relationship could face between two and five years in prison, as well as fines. It was a bill voted in unanimously by the country’s unelected transitional parliament.
Slovakia – Passes a law which only recognises two genders, prohibits adoption of children by same-sex couples and surrogate pregnancies, and restricts comprehensive LGBTQIA+ education. The executive director of the leading LGBTQIA+ advocacy organisation, Iniciatíva Inakosť, Martin Macko said: “The paradox is that these measures were adopted at a time when acceptance of LGBT+ people in Slovak society is growing.”
October
The EU – The Council of Europe adopts the first international legal standard for intersex people, recommending governments to prohibit non-consensual medical interventions, encourage protection in asylum procedures, and ensure compliance.
November
The EU – The European Court of Justice says EU member states must recognise same-sex marriages that have been conducted in another EU country. The ruling was a result of the Polish authorities refusing to recognise the marriage certificate of a Polish couple who got married in Berlin in 2018.
Love media made by and for LGBTQIA+ women and gender diverse people? Then you’ll love DIVA. We’ve been spotlighting the community for over 30 years. Here’s how you can get behind queer media and keep us going for another generation: linkin.bio/ig-divamagazine
Did you know that DIVA has now become a charity? Our magazine is published by the DIVA Charitable Trust. You can find out more about the organisation and how you can offer your support here: divacharitabletrust.com
