Even in a year marked by rising backlash and continued struggles for LGBTQIA+ people worldwide, 2025 also brought powerful moments of progress, solidarity, and long-fought victories. Across continents, governments expanded legal recognition, protected bodily autonomy, advanced trans and intersex rights, strengthened anti-discrimination laws, and celebrated queer joy despite opposition. These 25 stories capture just some of the ways our communities pushed forward, demanded visibility, and reshaped the future—reminding us that queer liberation is global, ongoing, and unstoppable.
Same-sex Marriage and Civil Unions
Liechtenstein ushered in the new year by officially implementing its long-awaited marriage equality law, granting same-sex couples full access to civil marriage and all associated rights. This milestone not only aligns Liechtenstein more closely with its neighbors but also represents a significant victory for local LGBTQIA+ advocates who pushed for equal recognition under the law. The reform strengthens legal protections for same-sex families and signals a broader regional commitment to equality. You can support FLay here.
Thailand made history in January by becoming the first country in Southeast Asia to legalize same-sex marriage, a landmark change following years of activism, public debate, and broad popular support. The new law grants full marital rights—including inheritance, hospital visitation, and shared assets—to same-sex couples, marking a cultural and legal shift across the region. This victory represents a major step forward for queer and trans Thais who have long campaigned for recognition. You can find some of the LGBTQIA+ organizations in Thailand here.
The Czech Republic began 2025 by legalizing same-sex civil unions, offering couples important legal protections in areas such as property, inheritance, and next-of-kin status. While full marriage equality remains a future goal for many activists, the reform represents meaningful progress toward broader recognition of LGBTQIA+ relationships. The shift also reflects growing public acceptance and ongoing efforts by Czech advocates to secure equal rights for all families. You can find some of the LGBTQIA+ organizations in the Czech Republic here.
In April, Lithuania’s Constitutional Court ruled that the government must legislate civil partnerships for same-sex couples, affirming that denying these relationships legal recognition violates constitutional protections. Courts have since opened a pathway allowing couples to register partnerships judicially, marking a significant breakthrough in a country where LGBTQIA+ rights have faced political resistance. This ruling is expected to influence future legislative debates and strengthen legal equality across the Baltics. You can find some of the LGBTQIA+ organizations in Lithuania here. You can find some of the LGBTQIA+ organizations in Lithuania here.
A major human rights victory arrived when the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court struck down Saint Lucia’s colonial-era laws criminalizing same-sex intimacy. The ruling found Sections 132 and 133 unconstitutional, immediately ending legal persecution of LGBTQIA+ people and affirming their dignity and rights. This decision continues a growing regional trend of decriminalization across the Caribbean, opening the door to further protections and community support. You can find some of the LGBTQIA+ organizations in Saint Lucia here.
In Brazil, a federal judge blocked a restrictive new resolution, reinstating the 2020 standard that ensures access to puberty blockers, hormone therapy (with parental approval for minors), and gender-affirming surgeries for adults within the public healthcare system. The ruling safeguards essential, life-saving care for trans youth and adults at a time when access has been politically contested. This legal victory stabilizes healthcare pathways and affirms trans Brazilians’ right to bodily autonomy. You can find some of the LGBTQIA+ organizations in Brazil here.
Cuba’s approval of the Code of Children, Adolescents, and Youths introduced a groundbreaking ban on medically unnecessary surgeries on intersex infants, allowing such procedures only when essential to save a child’s life. This law places Cuba among a small but growing number of countries prioritizing intersex bodily autonomy and ending irreversible interventions without consent. It marks a major step forward in global intersex rights advocacy. You can find some of the LGBTQIA+ organizations in Cuba here.
Cuba also advanced trans rights by approving a law allowing individuals to change their legal gender through simple self-declaration, removing previous requirements for court orders or surgical procedures. This reform dramatically eases the process of obtaining accurate identification documents and affirms the government’s recognition of gender diversity. It is a landmark shift that will improve safety, agency, and daily life for trans Cubans across the country. You can find some of the LGBTQIA+ organizations in Cuba here.
Australia announced that it will lift its long-standing deferral policy restricting blood donations from men who have sex with men, replacing it with a risk-based system applied equally across all donors. This change brings the country in line with modern science and reduces stigma against queer men by recognizing that sexual orientation alone does not define blood safety. The reform is expected to strengthen blood supplies and advance equality within public health policy. You can find some of the LGBTQIA+ organizations in Australia here.
Quezon City continued its leadership in LGBTQIA+ protections by passing the Gender-Inclusive Health Ordinance, which bans conversion therapy and similar harmful practices. The measure affirms that attempts to change one’s sexual orientation or gender identity are unethical and dangerous, and it ensures that queer and trans residents can access affirming healthcare without coercion. The ordinance reinforces Quezon City’s position as a model for inclusive policy in the Philippines. You can support the Quezon City Pride Council here.
With New South Wales extending legal recognition to nonbinary people, every state and territory in Australia now acknowledges nonbinary identities across official records. This achievement marks the completion of a nationwide effort to create inclusive documentation systems that reflect the full spectrum of gender. For nonbinary Australians, it represents a significant step toward dignity, visibility, and equitable access to services. You can support The Gender Centre here.
The Czech Constitutional Court issued a landmark ruling eliminating the requirement that trans people undergo gender-affirming surgery, including sterilization, to update their legal gender. The Court declared these conditions unconstitutional and incompatible with fundamental rights to personal autonomy, dignity, and bodily integrity. This decision brings the Czech Republic in line with modern human rights standards and expands freedom and safety for trans individuals. You can find some of the LGBTQIA+ organizations in the Czech Republic here.
Sweden implemented a new law that simplifies the process for updating legal gender, allowing individuals aged 16 and older to change their gender marker without a diagnosis of gender dysphoria. While minors still need parental and medical approval, the reform significantly reduces barriers and respects individuals’ self-identified genders. The updated process represents a substantial improvement in autonomy and accessibility for trans people across Sweden. You can find some of the LGBTQIA+ organizations in Sweden here.
After years of advocacy and overcoming funding barriers, Iceland implemented blood donation reforms allowing queer men to donate under the same rules as heterosexual men. The change reflects advances in testing technology and a broader commitment to evidence-based policymaking. By removing discriminatory restrictions, Iceland affirms the equal worth and citizenship of queer people while expanding the nation’s donor pool for critical healthcare needs. You can support Samtökin '78 here.
The final “LGBT-free zone” in Poland was officially abolished on April 30, ending a discriminatory campaign that targeted queer communities and drew international condemnation. The dissolution of these resolutions marks a symbolic and practical victory for LGBTQIA+ activists who have worked tirelessly to challenge stigmatization and defend fundamental rights. This milestone signals a shift toward greater accountability and recognition of Poland’s queer citizens. You can find some of the LGBTQIA+ organizations in Poland here.
Tamaulipas advanced several major reforms in 2025 by adding gender identity as a protected characteristic in housing, employment, and general anti-discrimination laws. In a historic first for Mexico, the state also banned nonconsensual surgeries on intersex infants. Together, these actions create a much stronger legal framework for protecting queer, trans, and intersex residents from violence and discrimination. You can find some of the LGBTQIA+ organizations in Mexico here.
Brazil’s Supreme Court unanimously struck down a law in Santa Catarina that had prohibited the use of gender-neutral language in schools. The Court affirmed that educational policies cannot restrict students’ or teachers’ freedom of expression or deny recognition to diverse identities. The ruling is a meaningful affirmation of linguistic, cultural, and gender diversity in Brazil’s public institutions. You can find some of the LGBTQIA+ organizations in Brazil here.
Guerrero joined a growing number of Mexican states by implementing a self-identification model for legal gender recognition. Under this system, trans people can update their documents without undergoing medical procedures or meeting invasive requirements, greatly improving everyday safety and access to services. This reform continues Mexico’s steady expansion of rights for trans residents nationwide. You can find some of the LGBTQIA+ organizations in Mexico here.
Greece repealed a prior decree that barred transgender individuals from enlisting, leaving no legislation that explicitly prohibits service by trans people. While conscription rules still apply to some and exemptions may vary depending on legal gender status, the change represents an important shift toward inclusion within national institutions. It also brings Greece more in line with international norms regarding military service and gender identity. You can find some of the LGBTQIA+ organizations in Greece here.
New South Wales’ ban on conversion therapy for both sexual orientation and gender identity officially came into effect in April 2025, following its passage the previous year. The law prohibits individuals and institutions from attempting to “change” a person’s identity and provides mechanisms for reporting and enforcement. It is a key step in protecting queer and trans Australians from abuse and supporting their right to self-determination. You can find some of the LGBTQIA+ organizations in Australia here.
Veracruz expanded trans rights by adopting legal gender recognition based on self-identification, eliminating previous medical or judicial barriers. This change ensures that trans people can update their documents more easily and safely, removing obstacles that have historically limited access to housing, employment, healthcare, and education. The reform further solidifies Mexico’s role as a regional leader in trans-inclusive policy. You can find some of the LGBTQIA+ organizations in Mexico here.
A Surinamese district court ordered the civil registry to recognize the marriages of two same-sex couples performed abroad, a decision that takes effect immediately regardless of appeal. This ruling not only affirms the validity of these couples’ marriages but also establishes an important legal precedent that may influence broader recognition in the future. It marks a significant moment for LGBTQIA+ equality in Suriname’s legal landscape. You can support LGBT Platform Suriname here.
Australia passed a landmark amendment to its federal hate crime laws, explicitly adding sexual orientation, gender identity, and intersex status as protected characteristics. The legislation received strong bipartisan support, reflecting a national acknowledgment of the violence and discrimination queer communities face. These expanded protections create stronger tools for law enforcement and affirm LGBTQIA+ people’s right to safety and justice. You can find some of the LGBTQIA+ organizations in Australia here.
Thailand’s legalization of same-sex adoption went into effect alongside its marriage equality law, guaranteeing that queer parents can adopt children with the same rights and responsibilities as heterosexual couples. This reform expands family protections, affirms the legitimacy of diverse families, and ensures that children benefit from stable, loving homes regardless of their parents’ genders. You can find some of the LGBTQIA+ organizations in Thailand here.
The Public Defender’s Office of Espírito Santo began formally recognizing nonbinary identities, allowing residents to update their documents with a nonbinary gender marker. This administrative shift affirms gender diversity and offers nonbinary people essential validation and legal protection. It also helps reduce discrimination by ensuring official documents more accurately reflect people’s lived identities. You can find some of the LGBTQIA+ organizations in Brazil here.
Molise enacted a sweeping regional law that bans all forms of discrimination against LGBT people, strengthening legal protections in areas such as employment, housing, education, and public accommodations. The law represents a strong stance for equality in a country where protections vary by region, and it provides a model for more inclusive governance across Italy. You can find some of the LGBTQIA+ organizations in Italy here.
Despite government attempts to suppress the event, Budapest Pride celebrated its largest turnout ever, with an estimated 100,000 to 200,000 attendees marching in solidarity. The massive demonstration showcased the resilience and courage of Hungary’s LGBTQIA+ community and supporters, asserting visibility and resistance in the face of hostile political conditions. The march stands as a powerful reminder that queer joy and collective action remain unstoppable. You can find some of the LGBTQIA+ organizations in Hungary here.
Taken together, these milestones show the extraordinary momentum of LGBTQIA+ movements across the world, led by activists, grassroots organizers, and everyday people fighting for safer, freer lives. While the work is far from over—and many communities continue to face violence, censorship, and rising authoritarianism—these victories prove that resistance brings real change. Celebrating progress gives us strength for the struggles ahead, and each step forward, no matter how localized, helps build a more just and affirming world for all of us. We’re grateful for your support, your fight, and mostly importantly, you. We hope the new year brings good and progress for us all.