Global acceptance of LGBTQ community gained momentum across world in 2021: Report

Despite significant improvements in legislation and norms around world regarding same-sex marriage and LGBTQ rights, public opinion on acceptance of homosexuality in society remains severely split by country, region, and economic development. However, according to a report by US-based Pew Research Centre, global acceptance of LGBTQ community gained momentum around world this year. Noneless, this does not mean that stigma, prejudice, or homophobic violence are no longer present, report stated. Conservative ministrations have stoked anti-LGBTQ sentiment in name of family values in places like Poland and Hungary, reversing hard-won vances.

global backsliding on democracy and human rights, and Coronavirus pandemic have disproportionately impacted LGBTQ communities in many countries. Despite setbacks and abuses, several countries around world have sparked optimism this year by taking steps to improve LGBTQ rights. This year, Bhutan, a tiny Himalayan kingdom, became latest Asian country to legalise homosexuality. King Druk Gyalpo signed a law enacted by parliament in February revising a clause in Bhutan's penal code that criminalised homosexuality. 

Banglesh elects its first transgender mayor

In month of November, Banglesh elected its first transgender mayor. Nazrul Islam Ritu, a "third gender" won a landslide election to become mayor of Trilochanpur, a small rural town in western part of country. Nepal, anor Himalayan country, for first time included a third gender category in its census this year. Meanwhile, in United States, rights related to sexual orientation and gender identity were restored, which were pushed back by previous ministration led by Donald Trump. President Joe Biden also lifted a prohibition on transgender people serving in military. He also issued an executive order promising to use US diplomacy and foreign aid to promote and safeguard LGBTQ rights around world. 

Botswana Court upheld a verdict that decriminalised same-sex relationships

In September, Switzerland became one of last Western European countries to authorise same-sex marriage, with nearly two-thirds of voters supporting it in a referendum. Same-sex couples will be able to marry in civil ceremonies and will have same privileges as or married couples as a result of changed law in country. In June, France enacted a law allowing women in same-sex relationships and single women to receive free fertility treatments such as artificial insemination and in vitro fertilisation (IVF). Meanwhile, in month of November, Botswana's court of appeal upheld a 2019 verdict that decriminalised same-sex relationships, which was hailed as a landmark victory for African LGBT rights activists. Before 2019 High Court judgement, homosexuality was a crime punishable by up to seven years in prison in Botswana, report by Pew Research Centre stated. 

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